Saturday, October 26, 2024
Friday, October 25, 2024
WHEN THE VINEYARD IS BARREN.
WHEN THE FIG TREE IS BARREN.
"And Jesus told them this parable:
“There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’
"He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’” (Luke 13: 1... 9).
Saturday 26th October 2024 in the 29th Week in Ordinary Time.
Our key Scripture is the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree. This is an allegory for the People of Israel. The People of Israel is the Vineyard of the Lord. The Vineyard of the Lord is the Church.
God wants a good return on His investment in Israel, in the Church and in you and me.
How do we bear much fruit in the Church, which is the seed of the Kingdom of God on earth?
We remain in Jesus. What is the principle of productivity in the Church? We abide in Christ. How do we abide in Christ?
We live in Jesus through His word, the Sacraments, particularly the Eucharist.
The Eucharist is a holy exchange of gift. Through it, Jesus shares with us His divine life. Another word for God's divine life in us is sanctifying grace.
Our fruitfulness depends therefore on this dynamic relationship with Christ living inside us.
"Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord; whoever remains in me will bear much fruit." (John 15: 14, 15).
Fruitfulness is not addiction to activity. It is believing God. It is knowing the will of God for you and doing it. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. He will accomplish the work.
"I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion that he may live." (Ezekiel 33: 11).
"I am the source of all fruitfulness in the vineyard that is My Church. Apart from Me, you can do nothing. Come to Me, then. Remain with Me. Act for Me, guided by My Holy Spirit, and return to Me with thanksgiving. This is the secret of a priestly life that will be pleasing to Me, will build up My Church, and will glorify My Father." (IN SINU JESU page 103).
October is the Holy Rosary Month.
“Recite your Rosary with faith, with humility, with confidence, and with perseverance.” (Saint Louis de Montfort).
Say the Holy Rosary every day in October.
For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:
https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1
Thursday, October 24, 2024
READ THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
STARK AND CLEAR SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
"Jesus said to the crowds,
“When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain —and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot—and so it is.
"You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.” (Luke 12: 54 - 59).
Friday 25th October 2024 in the 29th Week in Ordinary Time.
In the Gospel of today, we learn of the necessity of interpreting intelligently the signs of the times.
What are the Signs of the Times today? Consider a few of these:
1. Divisions in the Body of Christ.
2. Fragmentation of the Catholic Church into conservatives and liberals.
3. Denial of Climate change.
4. Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Wild fires in California.
4. War in Ukraine.
5. War in the Holy Land.
5. Rise in migration and refugees worldwide.
6. Global fear of economic recession.
7. Deep anxiety about election outcomes.
Jesus says to us today: "You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time?"
Authentic signs of the times come from the mind of Christ. To know the mind of Christ is a gift of prophecy. St Paul urges Christians:
"Pray for the higher gifts. Pray for the gift of prophecy." (Cf 1 Corinthians 14: 1).
This injunction is for everyone. We must ask the Lord Jesus to give us this gift here and now and without delay lest we perish. Then we must abide in Christ Jesus through:
1. Abiding daily in His word.
2. Abiding In fervent prayer.
3. Abiding in the Communion of the Saints through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Saints.
King David consulted Architophel because he knew the signs of the times. (Cf 1 Chronicles 12: 32).
Emperors consulted St Jerome, the Scripture guru in Rome because St Jerome was able to interpret the signs of the times for them.
What can we do about these signs of the times we identified above?
First, understand that these signs are clear and present dangers.
If you are in litigation and you decide that the outcome will not be favorable to you, you sue for peace. "If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison."
Wise counsel from Jesus.
Let us hurry to do something about these grim signs of the times.
If you hear His voice today, harden not your hearts. Do not say: I have tomorrow. I will make peace with God tomorrow. "You fool, this night, you face your Judge.
October is the Holy Rosary Month.
“From Mary we learn to surrender to God's Will in all things. From Mary we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. From Mary we learn to love Christ her Son and the Son of God!” “As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.” (St John Paul II).
The Holy Rosary has divine power to demolish strongholds. Use it.