Saturday, December 28, 2024
Friday, December 27, 2024
THE MEMORIAL OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS.
MEMORIAL OF THE SLAUGHTER OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS.
The First Martyrs to shed their blood for Christ are the Holy Innocents. The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity.
"When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
"Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son.
"When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:
"A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more." (Matthew 2: 13 - 18).
Saturday December 28th on the 4th Day of the Octave of the Solemnity of Christmas is the Memorial of the Holy Innocents.
Who are the Holy Innocents?
These are about 20 baby boys whom Herod slaughtered in an effort to kill the the Infant Jesus.
"The innocents were slaughtered as infants for Christ; spotless, they follow the Lamb, and sing for ever: Glory to you, O Lord." (Entrance Antiphon).
"[Herod] ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under." (Matthew 2: 16).
Why this feast and why does it matter?
#1 The Church celebrates the memory of about 20 baby boys whom King Herod slaughtered in his attempt to kill Jesus. These children are martyrs who gave their lives for Christ and are members of the Communion of the Saints.
#2. This feast is perhaps a rude reminder to all of us that the Mission of Jesus is to be Savior and Redeemer. Salvation from Sin and Redemption from the debt of Sin was purchased at the cost of blood.
#3. The massacre of the Holy Innocents teaches us that the mystery of God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence is pervasive and universal.
God could have eliminated the tyrant Herod, but instead He willed His Son and family to go into exile in Egypt in a cold winter.
Other instances of God's mysterious providence:
#1 God allowed Adolf Hitler to rule for 12 years and caused the suffering and death of millions.
#2 God hardened the heart of Pharaoh and Pharaoh's stubbornness caused the death of many Egyptians.
#3 Other tyrants that were given long ropes are: Nero, Napoleon, Stalin, Assad, etc.
Long-suffering is part of God’s divine attributes. Some people have taken this for God's weakness. NO!!! Scripture says: "For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." (1 Corinthians 1: 25). And "We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8: 28).
The Church honors the Holy Innocents because they "were slaughtered as infants for Christ; spotless, they follow the Lamb and sing for ever: Glory to you, O Lord." (Entrance Antiphon).
"The movement of persecution that is about to break out against My Church will focus on three objects. In fact, this has already begun. I will be attacked in My priests; they represent My Eucharistic Face. The face of the priesthood is My Face, once again mocked and covered with mud, spittle, and blood. I will be dishonoured in the Sacrament of My Body and Blood. You will see an increase of sins against the mysteries of My Body and Blood: sacrileges, desecrations, and mockeries. I will be attacked in the weakest and most vulnerable members of My Mystical Body. This too has already begun, but it will increase until it reaches proportions that will oblige My Father to avenge the blood of His beloved innocents." (IN SINU JESU, Wednesday, November 12, 2008).
HAPPY SOLEMN OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS.
Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.
"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."
For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/12/novena-to-immaculate-conception.html
THE 31 DAY NOVENA TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Link is below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/12/31-day-novena-to-immaculate-conception.html?m=1
Thursday, December 26, 2024
THE FEAST OF THE BELOVED APOSTLE & EVANGELIST: ST JOHN THE DEVINE.
FEAST OF ST JOHN THE APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST.
"On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him.”
"So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
"They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
"When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
"Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed." (John 20: 1a, 2 - 8).
Friday 27th December 2024, 3rd Day of Christmas in the Solemnity of the Octave of Christmas is the Feast of St John, Apostle and Evangelist.
John wrote the fourth Gospel, three Epistles and the Book of Revelation. John is an eye witness, faithful and credible witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the will of God that we learn the truth of the Gospel from faithful, true and credible witnesses. The Church is the faithful, true and credible witness of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ for over 2000 years. To the Catholic Church, Jesus Christ committed the fullness of the truth and the Sacred Magisterium.
St John's writing of his Jesus experience is an eye witness account. He saw. He heard. He touched. He then bore witness. His witness which is faithful and true have unlocked for us the secrets of the Word of God.
Our Scripture text for today challenges me to ask: What have you seen today?
Open your eyes of faith and see the Church as the Body of Christ, the Temple of the Holy Spirit and the living Sacrament of Salvation in our midst today.
What have you heard?
+ Hear the Good News proclaimed from the Altar.
+ Hear it proclaimed on television, radio, Internet and music.
"This is John, who reclined on the Lord’s breast at supper,
the blessed Apostle, to whom celestial secrets were revealed and who spread the words of life through all the world." (Entrance Antiphon).
"Above all, I renew for you the words I uttered for Saint John from the Cross: “Behold your Mother.” Live in her presence. Honour her at every occasion and in every way possible. Every time you show love and devotion to My most holy Mother, you honour the words I spoke from the Cross, and you put them into practice. “Behold your Mother.” She desires nothing more than to look after you, just as if you were her only son. Her attention for you is not divided, nor is it in any way impaired by the attention she gives to the vast multitude of her children through the ages. Trust in her care for you. Pray her Rosary. Honour her as you have been doing." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, January 31, 2008).
Father, we pray that with St John the Evangelist we may share in the hidden wisdom of your eternal Word which You reveal to us at the Eucharistic table. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.
HAPPY SOLEMN OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS.
Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.
"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."
For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/12/novena-to-immaculate-conception.html
THE 31 DAY NOVENA TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Link is below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/12/31-day-novena-to-immaculate-conception.html?m=1
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
THE FEAST OF ST STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR.
FEAST OF ST STEPHEN, DEACON. FIRST MARTYR.
"Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.
"When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said,
“Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
"But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him.
"The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.
"As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 6: 8 - 10, 7: 54 - 59).
Thursday 26th December 2024, Solemnity of the Octave of Christmas, the Feast of St Stephen, the first Martyr.
"St Stephen was one of the seven deacons who helped the apostles (Acts 6: 1 - 6) and was filled with faith and the Holy Spirit," and was "full of fortitude" (Acts 6: 5, 8). Stephen died praying for his executioners. The similarities between Stephen's martyrdom and the crucifixion of Our Lord emphasize his imitation of Christ even up to the complete gift of self." (Roman Missal).
" …Like his Master,Jesus, St Stephen died forgiving and praying for his persecutors, and thus makes us realise that the entry into the world of the Son of God gives rise to a new civilisation, the civilisation of love that does not yield to evil and violence and pulls down the barriers between men and women, making them brothers and sisters in the great family of God’s children.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 26th December 2009).
We learn from the brief summary of the life of St Stephen from the Roman Missal that Stephen must have been a very important witness in the early Church. Consider why:
#1 Stephen's life and experience shows that the promises of Jesus are true. "When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say." The Holy Spirit is the Voice that speaks in Court. (Matthew 10: 19).
#2 Stephen died like Jesus forgiving his executioners.
This vindication of the promises of Jesus and fearless embrace of martyrdom made a deep impression on the Church. The Church included the name of St Stephen in the Canon of the Mass to intercede for the Church.
How soon after His Ascension was Christ's prediction vindicated when He said in the course of instructing His disciples: "But beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say." First Reading (Matthew 10: 17 - 19).
We observe the power and faithfulness of Jesus in the trial and death of Stephen. What Jesus did for Stephen during his trial and execution, He has done for every single one of His martyrs. He has stood by their sides and sustained them to the last.
Do not be afraid. Jesus will do the same for us should the occasion arise.
"As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." (Acts 7: 58).
The blood of the martyrs is still the seed of Christianity. (Cf CCC 852).
HAPPY SOLEMN OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS.
Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.
"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."
For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/12/novena-to-immaculate-conception.html
THE 31 DAY NOVENA TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Link is below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/12/31-day-novena-to-immaculate-conception.html?m=1
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. SOLEMN HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION.
NATIVITY OF THE LORD. SOLEMN HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION.
Today is the First Day of the Glorious Christmas Season.
"When the angels went away from them to heaven,
"the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”
"So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.
"All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.
"And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
"Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them." (Luke 2: 15 - 20).
Wednesday 25th December 2024, the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Solemnity of Christmas. Mass at Dawn.
Our key Scripture for this Christmas Day proclaims how God's grand and mysterious Providence comes to us. They come through SIGNS. God is a spirit and invisible. We humans are flesh and blood and material. This is why the Word of God became flesh and was born of the Virgin Mary. We can see Him and touch Him.
In the Christmas story, let us imagine ourselves for a moment to be Mary, Joseph, Simeon, Anna, Jesus' grandparents Anne and Joachim, the Magis. All these people were able to touch Jesus physically. These people are exceptionally blessed.
We are also exceptionally blessed because we are able to touch Jesus in the Eucharist. In the Eucharist, Jesus is fully present to us: His soul, body, blood and divinity.
Without faith, the touching of the infant Jesus by Mary, Joseph, Simeon, Anna, Jesus' grandparents Anne and Joachim, the Magis is meaningless. Without faith, our receiving of Jesus in the Eucharist is totally meaningless. Like consuming a tiny waffer.
Faith is the key to a Happy Christmas.
DAILY BIBLE VERSE @ SeekFirstcommunity wishes you and yours a very Happy Christmas!
"Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.
"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."
For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/12/novena-to-immaculate-conception.html
THE 31 DAY NOVENA TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Link is below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/12/31-day-novena-to-immaculate-conception.html?m=1
Monday, December 23, 2024
COME O SON OF DAVID. COME AND SET US FREE.
12 - 24 CHRISTMAS EVE - MASS IN THE MORNING.
"Come O Son of David. Come and have mercy on us.
"Go and tell David my servant, Thus says the Lord:" (2 Samuel 7: 5)
Today is the last day of Advent and Christmas eve. We hear so much of David in the Scriptures read in the Church this day. Why is David such a pivotal figure in the history of salvation? Consider the reasons from the following verses from these Scriptures for today: (2 Samuel 7: 1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 and Psalm 89 and Luke 1: 67 - 79)
#1. "I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to become ruler over my people Israel." (2 Samuel 7: 8)
#2. "I was with you wherever you went, and I cut down all your enemies before you."
#3. "I will give you rest from all your enemies." (2 Samuel 7: 11)
#4. "Your house and your kingdom are firm forever before me; your throne shall be firmly established forever." (2 Samuel 7: 16)
#5. "I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: I will make your dynasty stand forever and establish your throne through all ages.” (Psalm 89: 4-5)
#6. He shall cry to me, ‘You are my father, my God, the Rock of my salvation!" (Psalm 89: 27)
#7. "He has raised up a horn for our salvation within the house of David his servant." (Luke 1: 69).
Do you notice this Divine Imperative? The Lord may summarize thus:
David, son of Jesse, you are the spectator. I AM THE ACTOR. Never forget this.
