THE SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS.

THE SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS. NOVEMBER 1. HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION. 

"I, John, saw another angel come up from the East, holding the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were given power to damage the land and the sea, “Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”

"I heard the number of those who had been marked with the seal, one hundred and forty-four thousand marked from every tribe of the children of Israel.

"After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.”

"All the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They prostrated themselves before the throne, worshiped God, and exclaimed:

“Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanks­giving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

"Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, “Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?” I said to him, “My lord, you are the one who knows.” He said to me, “These are the ones who have sur­vived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7: 2 - 4, 9 - 14).

Friday 1st November 2023 of the 30th Week of Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of All Saints. A Holy Day of Obligation. 

In the vision from Revelations, the two elders asked John: “Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?”

These are the Saints whose feast we celebrate today. The Church venerates in one huge celebration the merits of All the Saints. From Abel the Just to the newest Saint who enters Paradise Now. 

“These are the ones who have sur­vived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.”

The Saints are now in Heaven enjoying the reward that Jesus Christ promised.

What is Heaven? "Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness." (CCC 1024).

The Saints tell us that our experience of Heaven begins right here and now. 

Our Baptism makes us children of God. If you are in sanctifying grace, you experience the presence of the Blessed Trinity living in you. What does this mean? You enjoy to the extent of your capacity the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit. This is what the Saints in Heaven enjoy all the time. St Catherine of Siena says that the joy of Heaven begins here and all the way to eternity.

Jesus promises that He is glorified when we honor His saints. Communion of Saints is one of the most powerful and comforting doctrines in the Church. You can have as close friends many of the saints. These friend saints take your petitions to the Prince of Saints who has promised to be favorable to their intercessions on your behalf.

All Saints come from all races, countries, backgrounds and occupations. They give us powerful example and motivation to imitate them.

Become a Saint. Become holy.

November is the Month the Church prays for and honors the Poor Souls in Purgatory. 

For Catholic Church teaching on the Souls in PURGATORY and how to help them, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/10/10-ways-to-assist-poor-souls-in.html

FIRST FRIDAY IN NOVEMBER 2024.

November 1st, 2024 First Friday in November. 

 Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion in Nine Consecutive First Fridays.  In the 11th month of the year, November 2024, we look at Promise #11. 

#11. "Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced." 

Seven Easy Ways to Promote the Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion and earn the everlasting rewards:

1. Make a list of your family, friends and colleagues and share this Sacred Heart of Jesus Blog with them every month. 

2.    Get about 100 Sacred Heart of Jesus picture cards or more from your local Catholic Bookstore.  Or from Amazon or any Internet vendor of Catholic books and holy cards. Get the ones with the picture of the Sacred Heart in front and the Promises of the Sacred Heart on the back.

3. Give the Sacred Heart cards to family members, relatives, friends and work mates. Leave some of the Sacred Heart cards in the Church Narthex or Gathering Area at the back of the Church. Don't be afraid of rejection. 

4. Water your new Sacred Heart of Jesus ministry through daily prayers. Praying for the success of your ministry is very important and tells Jesus something about who you are: "This person is serious about this ministry. I will try her for a few months to see if she is faithful." You are already on the way as a promoter of the Sacred Heart devotion. 

5. Tell friends and family about the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus any opportunity you have. 

6. Remind the Sacred Heart often of these promises especially those that touch your present needs. Jesus loves to be reminded of His promises.  Not that He forgets.  It is important for you to know deeply that the Lord is faithful in all His promises. 

7. Friends, this is a question of whether you trust the promises of Jesus or not. Review the 12 Promises about once a month to see which promises have been fulfilled. 

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion. 

For the Sacred Heart of Jesus Promises, Prayers, Prayer intentions, click the link below: 

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/08/12-promises-of-sacred-heart-of-jesus.html?m=1 

WE ARE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE.

PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR. 

"Brothers and sisters: Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. 

"Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the Devil.

"For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.

"Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. 

"So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the Gospel of peace.

"In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

"With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all ­perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones and also for me, that speech may be given me to open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains, so that I may have the courage to speak as I must. (Ephesians 6: 10 -  20)

Thursday 31st October 2024 in 30th Week in Ordinary Time. 

Do you realize that we are in covert spiritual warfare? The first Reading today Ephesians 6: 10 - 20 is a call to arms especially  to the brethren who do not know the meaning of the Signs of the Times. 

Christians are constantly in spiritual warfare and Jesus our Captain promises: To be our strength in proportion to the trust we place in Him.

Do you doubt the severity of the warfare? The power of darkness is everywhere.  "For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens." (Ephesians 6: 12). 

Consider a few of the great ones of this world that had been used by the Evil One and then discarded: Judas, Nero, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin. These are some of the high priests of Satan.  

In another passage, St Paul elaborates on our weapon:

"For the weapons of our battle are not of flesh but are enormously powerful, capable of destroying fortresses. We destroy arguments  and every pretension raising itself against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive in obedience to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10: 4 - 5).

Our faith is our shield in this warfare. For God promises that His faithful promises are our armor and protection. (Cf Psalm 91: 4).

So brothers and sisters, "Put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground." (Ephesians 6: 13).

October 31st 2024, last day of the Holy Rosary Month of October. 

The Great Month of October ends today. If you have been faithful, have confidence that our Blessed Mother will reward you. 

"The rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies." (The 3rd Promise of Mary to Devotees of the Holy Rosary).

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

STRIVE TO ENTER THE KINGDOM THROUGH THE NARROW DOOR.

STRIVE TO ENTER THE KINGDOM THROUGH THE NARROW GATE. 

“Jesus passed through towns and villages,

teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.

Someone asked him,

"Lord, will only a few people be saved?"

He answered them,

"Strive to enter through the narrow gate,

for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter

but will not be strong enough.

After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,

then will you stand outside knocking and saying,

'Lord, open the door for us.'

He will say to you in reply,

'I do not know where you are from.'

And you will say,

'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.'

Then he will say to you,

'I do not know where you are from.

Depart from me, all you evildoers!'

And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth

when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God

and you yourselves cast out.

And people will come from the east and the west

and from the north and the south

and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.

For behold, some are last who will be first,

and some are first who will be last." (Luke 13: 22 - 30). 

When you decide to follow Jesus, the choice is clear but challenging for most of us. The narrow door are the Beatitudes and the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. This is how Jesus lived. Jesus is Our Example. He  is the "The Way, the Truth and Life" set for us. 

For Christians, there is no alternative.  "For many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough."  (Luke 13: 24).

Many will be tempted to compromise but will fall short. The 300 English Bishops tried to compromise their faith with King Henry VIII in the 16th century. They failed miserably. Henry the VIII proved stronger than them all. Some evangelicals tried to compromise with Adolf Hitler in 1940s. They failed miserably. Adolf Hitler proved stronger than all of them. 

What does it profit a man to get everything he wants in this life but to be confronted with this scenario when he takes his last breath:

"Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from." (Luke 13: 25).

The regret will be huge and unspeakable. 

"And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out."  (Luke 13:  28).

I will rather be last now and enter the kingdom than be first and lost. 

"For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”. (Luke 13: 30).

October is the Holy Rosary Month. 

"The whole purpose of the Rosary is to lead to this deep experience of Our Lady, who together with Jesus breathes the Spirit into us."  Thomas Keating). 

The Great Month of October ends tomorrow. If you have been faithful, be prepared for a rich harvest.  The Rosary can be compared to the tiny mustard seed that the Holy Spirit planted in your heart this October. If you nourish this tiny mustard seed and allow it to grow, what will it become in 10 years, 20 years or 30 years? 

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

THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND THE TINY MUSTARD SEED.

THE TINY MUSTARD SEED & THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

THE CHURCH IS THE SEED OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH. 

What is the Kingdom of God like? 

"Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.”

Again he said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.” (Luke 13: 18 - 21).

Tuesday, 29th October 2024 in the 30th Week in Ordinary Time.

“What is the Kingdom of God like?"

The Kingdom of God can be compared to many things. You may compare it to the yeast that leavens dough, or to a fishing net that catches all types of fish. The Kingdom of God has been compared to a wedding feast. 

What is your favorite image of the Kingdom of God? 

My favorite comparison is this:

"It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.”

This is what happens when the tiny mustard seed is planted in your soul. 

It grows and gives birth to your awareness of the Person of the Holy Spirit. Then of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

The seed continues to grow and develop branches. And then awareness of the Church and the knowledge of the Sacraments. Now you come to know Holy Scriptures, Rosary and so forth. 

After a period of time, the tiny seed planted by the Lord Jesus Christ becomes a bush, ready to welcome birds of the sky. 

The seed, is the Word of God planted in your heart when you were baptized. 

You cultivate and nourish the Seed daily through:

Daily prayers

Reading and study of the word of God

Daily examination of conscience

Frequent Confession, and spiritual reading. 

Prayer is the key and efficient cause of blessings.

October is the Holy Rosary Month. 

"The whole purpose of the Rosary is to lead to this deep experience of Our Lady, who together with Jesus breathes the Spirit into us."  (Thomas Keating). 

The Great Month of October ends in a few days. If you have been faithful, be prepared for a rich harvest.  The Rosary can be compared to the tiny mustard seed that the Holy Spirit planted in your heart this October. If you nourish this tiny mustard seed and allow it to grow, what will it become in 10 years, 20 years or 30 years? 

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

THE GREAT FEAST OF SAINTS SIMON AND JUDE, APOSTLES.

FEAST OF SAINTS SIMON AND JUDE, APOSTLES. 

The Choice and the Call of the Twelve. 

"Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God.

"When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles:

"Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor." (Luke 6: 12 - 16).

Monday 28th October 2024 of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Simon and Jude. They are among the 12 Apostles chosen by Jesus in today's Gospel.  "Tradition has it that they preached in Mesopotamia and Persia and there were martyred." (Roman Missal). 

St Jude is a very popular Saint. He is the patron saint of lost and impossible causes.

Jesus called the 12 after a  night spent in prayer to His heavenly Father. 

He chose twelve men who had been with Him from the Baptism of John. He chose them to become the pillar and foundation of the truth, the Church. (1 Timothy 3: 15).

Jesus built His worldwide Church on the foundation of the Apostles and prophets. Each year, we celebrate the glory of Saints Simon and Jude and the other Apostles.

 Why do we not celebrate the glory of Caesar, King Henry VIII, Napoleon, Churchill or Stalin? 

The message of the Apostles still goes out throughout the world.

It is the mind of Christ that the Church He founded be built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets. 

What are the characteristics of this Church by which she can be recognized all over the world? 

There are four marks. We profess every Sunday in the Apostles' Creed that the Church is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. What do these words mean?

#1 One:  One faith, one Baptism, one Shepherd.

#2 Holy: The Holy Spirit that indwells the Church is the source of her holiness. The Holy Spirit continually cleanses the Bride of Christ from defilements.

In every Liturgy of the Mass, the Church confesses her sins as individuals and as a family. 

#3 Catholic:  Universal. Found in all the countries of the United Nations and every other place of human habitation.

I watched the closing Mass of the Synod led by Pope Francis in Rome on television on this Sunday 30th Week in Ordinary Time. There were Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Deacons and Laity from all over the world. 

This is an amazing testimony that the Catholic Church is the true Church founded by Jesus Christ. 

#4 Apostolic:  Every Bishop is directly traceable to the original 12 Apostles who were constituted in today's Gospel. Many Bishops would have their lines run through Saints Simon and Jude, our saints of today.

"Simon and Jude are the holy men whom the Lord chose in his own perfect love; to them he gave eternal glory." (Cf Entrance Antiphon).

October is the Holy Rosary Month. 

"As for you, dear son of mine, persevere in praying to me. Hold fast to my Rosary and beware of every ploy of the Evil One to separate you from it. My Rosary is your safeguard and your weapon in the fight against the forces of evil. At the same time, for you it is a remedy and a comfort. Do you not see how the Rosary has stabilized you? Do you not experience its healing and all its benefits? Pray my Rosary and teach others to do the same." (IN SINU JESU). 

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