Thursday, February 06, 2025
Wednesday, February 05, 2025
THE MEMORIAL OF ST PAUL MIKI AND COMPANION MARTYRS.
THE MEMORIAL OF ST PAUL MIKI, SJ AND COMPANION MARTYRS.
TAKE NOTHING FOR THE JOURNEY.
THE GOODNEWS:
"Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
"He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.
"He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.”
"So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them." (Mark 6: 7 - 13).
Thursday February 6th 2025 in the 4th Week of Ordinary Time is the Memorial of St Paul Miki, SJ and companion martyrs.
St Paul Miki was a Japanese Jesuit seminarian. He was crucified with 25 other companion martyrs. St Paul Miki and companions faced death courageously in Nagasaki, Japan in 1597 and thus were the first Christian martyrs in East Asia.
The bloody persecution of the Church in Japan wiped out the Church in Japan and seemed to have obliterated the missionary efforts of St Francis Xavier and others. The mystery of Divine Providence is inscrutable! The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity, says Tertulian.
The Gospel of today presents us a challenge to examine our lifestyle to see if clutter and bagages are hindering the penetration of the Good News and make us ineffectual disciples.
Jesus never teaches a lesson He never lived Himself. Like the Beatitudes which is a portrait of Himself, the evangelical poverty and simplicity Jesus prescribed to His disciples is what they see every day in His life among them.
Poverty like disease and ignorance frightens many people. But the fear is altogether irrational if we consider a few salient points:
#1. Jesus, our Leader and Captain is without doubt the best in our human race. If it is good for Him, it should be not be frightening for us.
#2. God knows exactly what we need and when we need it. He will always take care of the essentials.
#3. Who owns all the gold, silver, diamond, oceans, lands, etc if not God? There is a deeper lesson for God to ask us to let go of attachment to all this stuff.
#4. God asks: "Is anything too marvelous for me to do for you?" (Cf Genesis 18: 14).
Jesus for excellent supernatural reasons "summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts." (Mark 6: 7 - 8).
Jesus knows that the greatest asset of the disciple is faith and complete trust in Him.
If a disciple is armed with faith, he needs nothing more. It was therefore necessary to train His disciples at the outset of their ministry in this great truth.
"Fear is useless. All that is needed is trust." (Mark 5: 36).
FEBRUARY - THE MONTH CONSECRATED TO THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH.
"Christ chose to be born and grow up in the bosom of the holy family of Joseph and Mary. The Church is nothing other than "the family of God." From the beginning, the core of the Church was often constituted by those who had become believers "together with all [their] household." When they were converted, they desired that "their whole household" should also be saved. These families who became believers were islands of Christian life in an unbelieving world." (1655: CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH).
Consecration of the Family to the Holy FAMILY PRAYER.
"Lord Jesus Christ, Who, being made subject to Mary and Joseph, hallowed domestic life by Your ineffable virtues; grant that we, with the assistance of both, may be taught by the example of Your holy Family and may attain to its everlasting fellowship; Who lives and reigns world without end. AMEN. "— Roman Missal.
For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html
Tuesday, February 04, 2025
THE MEMORIAL OF ST AGATHA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR.
THE FEAST OF ST AGATHA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR.
"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." (Psalm 103).
ENDURE YOUR TRIALS AS DISCIPLINE FROM GOD YOUR FATHER.
"Brothers and sisters: In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children:
"My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges.
"Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as his sons.
For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.
"So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.
"Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled." (Letter to the Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15).
Wednesday February 5th 2025 in the 4th Week of Ordinary Time is the Feast of St Agatha, Virgin and Martyr. Agatha died at the age of 20 in 251 AD under the persecution of Emperor Decius.
Along with Saints Agnes and Lucy, she is mentioned in the Roman Canon in Eucharistic Prayer 1.
Agatha is the patron saint for these causes and more:
Breast cancer, sterility, nurses, rape victims, single lay women and so on. (Source: Laudate).
I heard Hebrews 12: 5 - 12, the Scripture in the first Reading in a Sunday Mass for the first time after experiencing a crushing reversal of fortune. I have never imagined that misfortune can be engineered by God to serve our higher purpose.
So I was happy and delighted to read again at home this glorious message of Abba Father to me, the once prodigal son:
"Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as his sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it."
My response to Abba Father is best expressed in the Responsorial Psalm 103 of today's Mass:
"Bless the Lord, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him,
For he knows how we are formed;
he remembers that we are dust.
"But the kindness of the Lord is from eternity to eternity toward those who fear him,
And his justice toward children’s children among those who keep his covenant." (Cf Psalm 103).
Now consider this question: Where would I be today if not for the residue of grace I received at Baptism? By faith I recognized at once that the Reading from Hebrews that Sunday morning at Mass was Abba Father speaking to me directly.
You too my friends, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by Him; for whom the Lord loves, He disciplines; He scourges every son and daughter He acknowledges.
Whatever trial you may be going through at the moment, our Scripture for today is certainly a word of knowledge and comfort. A sage said: "Correct thought is the key to correct action." This is the great gift God bestows on us in His word: "The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword." (Hebrews 4: 12).
David is happy because the Lord disciplines him after his heinous sins.
The Apostle James writes: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1: 2 - 4).
"Those whom the Lord loves, He disciplines.
"Pope St John Paul II recognizes and proclaims that all members of the family are called to holiness and that through continuous and prayer as a family and adherence to the sacraments, a family can grow spiritually in communion and love. Christ thus sanctifies them and brings father, mother and child closer to His heart, while allowing His heart to permeate and touch those they encounter."
For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html
Monday, February 03, 2025
VANQUISH FEAR BY CALLING ON THE NAME OF JESUS!
THE POWER OF FAITH.
Fear is useless. All you need is Faith.
THE GOSPEL:
"When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
"One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” He went off with him and a large crowd followed him.
"There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”
"Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, Who touched me?” And he looked around to see who had done it.
"The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”
"While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”
"Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
"He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
"When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him.
"Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat." (Mark 5: 21 - 43).
Tuesday February 4th in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time.
The Gospel today from Mark 5: 21 - 43 confirms our belief in the power of faith to heal and move the mountains of human illness, ignorance and poverty.
Do you believe this? Those who exercise this innate faith inside the heart and mind of every human being are under severe pressure to get healing over the mountains of sicknesses, poverty and ignorance that crush the human spirit. If you have tiny pressure, your faith will be tiny. You will not be motivated like this woman afflicted with hemorrhage to travel far and wide in search of Jesus.
This woman had squandered her money on specialist physicians without getting better. At last, a friend suggested she seeks out a Jewish Rabbi who is reputed to be a healer. The lady heard this recommendation and accepted the message. By faith the woman afflicted with hemorrhage, traveled to Israel where she caught up with Jesus. She sneaked behind Jesus, touched the hem of the garment of Jesus and was healed instantly. Jesus was so impressed that He praised her faith.
By faith, Jairus the synagogue official sought out Jesus to heal his daughter who was at the point of death. By faith Jairus believed Jesus when he was told:“Do not be afraid; just have faith.” Jesus followed Jairus to his house and uttered Talitha Kumi over the little girl and raised her from the dead.
It is by faith that all heroes of Israel listed in Hebrews 11, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, Daniel, Judith, Esther, etc were able to perform incredible exploits.
You too can heal yourself and others through faith. Faith comes from hearing. Hearing the word of God which is truth. Read and meditate on God's word every day.
The Church honors the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in the Month of February.
"May Nazareth teach us what family life is, its communion of love, its austere and simple beauty, and its sacred and inviolable character. Let us learn from Nazareth that the formation received at home is gentle and irreplaceable. Let us learn the prime importance of the role of the family in the social order." (Pope St Paul VI).
For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html
Sunday, February 02, 2025
THE FEAST OF SAINTS BLAISE AND ANSGAR, BISHOPS.
THE FEAST OF SAINTS BLAISE BISHOP AND MARTYR AND ANSGAR, BISHOP.
THE WORD OF GOD:
"Brothers and sisters: What more shall I say? I have not time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, did what was righteous, obtained the promises;
they closed the mouths of lions, put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword;
out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders.
Women received back their dead through resurrection. Some were tortured and would not accept deliverance, in order to obtain a better resurrection.
Others endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword’s point; they went about in skins of sheep or goats, needy, afflicted, tormented.
The world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and on mountains, in caves and in crevices in the earth.
Yet all these, though approved because of their faith, did not receive what had been promised. God had foreseen something better for us, so that without us they should not be made perfect." (Hebrews 11: 32 - 40).
Monday February 3rd 2025 in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of two Bishops: Saints Blaise and Ansgar. Blaise (+ 316). Armenian. Martyred under Emperor Licinius. Blaise is known for his cures of throat ailments.
St Ansgar: (801 - 865). French. Worked in Germany, Denmark and Sweden. Known as the Apostle of the North for his great success in evangelizing these nations.
We see the evidence of the power of faith in the first Reading from Hebrews.
All the cited warriors of faith happened in the Old Testament.
In the New Testament, Mary by faith said Yes to become the Mother of God. Simon-Peter, Andrew, James and John left their occupation at once by faith and followed Jesus when Jesus said to them: "Come. Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Saints Paul, Timothy and Titus, and numerous disciples left family and home to embrace the call of Jesus: "Come follow Me." They all responded with the obedience of faith.
In the Christian Era, Angela Merici, Thomas Aquinas, St John Bosco, Francis of Asissi, Dominic, Ignatius Loyola etc, heard the call of Jesus Christ and left everything by faith and followed Jesus.
Brethren, without faith, one can not please God or answer the Call: "Come follow Me." Without faith, one is condemned to a life of mediocrity and accomplish little or nothing in life.
Faith is a supernatural gift of God. The easiest and most direct way of getting faith is to ask for it. God who is faithful and true promises: "Ask and you shall receive."
The Church honors the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in the Month of February.
"Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel". (Pope Francis).
For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html
Saturday, February 01, 2025
THE PRESENTATION OF THE CHILD JESUS IN THE TEMPLE.
THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
"When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
"Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
"Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.” (Luke 2: 22 - 32).
Sunday February 2nd 2025, the Feast of the Presentation of the the Lord.
Forty days after the Nativity of Jesus Christ, Mary and Joseph presented Him in the Temple in obedience of faith.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the holy Prophet Simeon and the Prophetess Anna appeared in the Temple in obedience of faith to bear witness to the faithfulness of God to His promise.
Brethren, in the celebration of the Presentation of the Lord, let us renew our faith in our God who is faithful to all His promises. He promised Saints Simeon and Anna that they would live to see the Messiah in the flesh. God kept the promise.
We reflect on the Presentation of the Infant Jesus in the fourth Joyful Mystery of the Holy Rosary.
I pray to Simeon and Anna to obtain for us the grace to learn how to wait for God to fulfill His promises in the fullness of time.
The Holy Family in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
"The Holy Family is a reflection of the Holy Trinity, which is made up of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Holy Family is a model of selfless love and service.
The Holy Family is a role model for all families.
The Holy Family is a center of living faith in a world that can be hostile to faith.
Parents are the first heralds of the faith to their children."
For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html
Friday, January 31, 2025
FEAR IS USELESS. WHAT YOU NEED IS COMPLETE TRUST IN GOD.
THE MEMORIAL OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. FIRST SATURDAY IN FEBRUARY.
THE GOODNEWS:
"On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him.
"A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up.
"Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”
"The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”
"They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?” (Mark 4: 35 - 41).
Saturday February 1st, 2025. First Saturday in February. We observe the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
FEBRUARY is the Month the Church honors the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
“Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” This is the apparently exasperated rebuke of the disciples by Jesus. The disciples had seen signs and wonders performed by Jesus. Yet, they are easily shaken by every new crisis.
Were are the storms in your life today? Family, Health, Finances, Job, Property or Tools? Or have you nothing to worry about but your future?
All storms are sanctioned by God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence. Because the storms are sanctified or ordered by God, they are blessings and more often than not blessings in disguise.
"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1: 2 - 4)
James tells us that trials test our faith in order to produce perseverance. Without perseverance, we can never succeed.
Storm times are testing times. Where do you place your trust? Who is your security? Who is the first person you call upon to help you?
"My foes treat me harshly all the day; yes, many are my attackers.
O Most High, when I am afraid,
in you I place my trust.
I praise the word of God;
I trust in God, I do not fear.
What can mere flesh do to me?" (Psalm 56: 3 - 5).
This Psalm was penned by David when he was in crisis. When he was in trouble, he trusted only in God. He remembered the word (promises) of God and he was strengthened in his resolve not to surrender to discouragement.
The whole of Sacred Scripture teaches one lesson: Love God with all your heart and put Him first in everything. And you shall have nothing to fear.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.
"Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil." (Matthew 6: 33 -34)
When we put God and His interests first in our affairs, we experience a state that can be described as "No fear, No Worry, No Doubt." Because Jesus Himself has promised that:
"Fear is useless; what is needed is trust." (Luke 8: 50, Mark 5: 36)
As we open our hearts and minds to the word of God with confident trust, we experience the power of faith to rule and calm the furious storms that arise in our lives.
"Do not fear: I am with you;
do not be anxious: I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." (Isaiah 41: 10).
"They cried to the Lord in their distress; from their straits he rescued them, he hushed the storm to a gentle breeze, and the billows of the sea were stilled." (Cf Psalm 107).
God works silent miracles all the time for us. Show appreciation like the sailors in Psalm 107 above. God is very pleased by our gratitude.
Such lessons from the Scriptures build up our faith. Don't miss them.
I was comforted by the Scripture below when I was anxious this afternoon.
"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7).
The Church honors the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in the Month of February.
"Most Holy Family of Nazareth, perfection of family love grew strong in your school of love. Please bestow upon me, my family, and all families the grace needed to more fully imitate the love you shared, so that families will remain the fundamental building block of the world. Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, pray for us and have mercy on all. Jesus, I trust in You." (Cf Roman Missal).
For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)