THE FEAST OF ST SYLVESTER I, PONTIFF.

LAST DAY OF 2025 - FEAST ST SYLVESTER I, PONTIFF.

"Children, it is the last hour; 

and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming,

so now many antichrists have appeared. 

"Thus we know this is the last hour. 

They went out from us, but they were not really of our number;

if they had been, they would have remained with us. 

"Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number. 

"But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 

"I write to you not because you do not know the truth but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth."  (1 John 2: 18 - 21).

Wednesday 31st December 2025, LAST DAY OF 2025. 7th Day in the Octave of the Solemnity of Christmas is also the feast of St Sylvester I. Pontiff. 

On the Last Day of 2025, we celebrate the life and sanctity of Pope St Sylvester I.

Sylvester was elected to the Papacy on the last day of 314 AD and he died on the last day of 335 AD. 

Today is the last day of 2025. Coincidence No! Divine Providence. Yes! 

Sylvester served the Church at a very turbulent transition in Church history.

 Arian heresy and the Donatist schism threatened to destroy the Church.

Then Constantine appeared by Divine Providence and offered the Church relief and peace in 312 AD by legalizing and granting amnesty to Christians.

Pope St Sylvester attended the famous Council of Nicaea where the Nicene Creed recited by Christians of all faith today was ratified and promulgated.

 Pope St Sylvester contributed a great deal in the expansion of Christianity in the Roman Empire.

This is the last hour. The Apostle John warned.

The "Antichrists have appeared." Have you seen any?

 Below are some of the characteristics of the Man of lawlessness from the Christian Scriptures :

Deceit

Temporary success

Mass seduction

Adversary

Son of perdition

Opposed Christ.

Rival of Christ

(Cf 2 Thessalonians 2: 3 - 12; 1 John 2: 18, 2 John 7, Matthew 24: 23 - 26).

St Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church wrote thus of the Antichrist:

"As in Christ dwells the fullness of the Godhead so in Antichrist the fullness of all wickedness. Not indeed in the sense that his humanity is to be assumed by the devil into unity of person...but that the devil by suggestion infuses his wickedness more copiously into him than into all others. In this way all the wicked that have gone before are signs of Antichrist."  (St Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church). 

Before he became Pontiff, Pope St John Paul II warned in 1976 at the Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia that we are now facing the final confrontation between the Antichrist and the Church.

Remember how King Henry VIII caught over 300 English Bishops napping in 1535?

 Only Bishop St John Fisher earned the crown of Martyrdom.

 Below is a prophetic teaching of the Church on the Antichrist from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

"Before Christ's second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers. The persecution that accompanies her pilgrimage on earth will unveil the "mystery of iniquity" in the form of a religious deception offering men an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the truth. The supreme religious deception is that of the Antichrist, a pseudo-messianism by which man glorifies himself in place of God and of his Messiah come in the flesh."   (CCC 675).

Is the current instabilities in the world the beginning of the Last Hour?

Do not be asleep. Be vigilant and pray at all times so that you may not fall into severe temptation. 

Do not become an Anti-Witness. This may be the Last Hour.

THE CONCLUSION OF THE 2025  31 DAY NOVENA TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. 

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."

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/12/31-day-novena-to-immaculate-conception.html?m=1

A PROPHETESS AND EVANGELIST CALLED ANN6.

A PROPHETESS & EVANGELIST CALLED ANNA. 

"There was a prophetess, Anna,

the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.

She was advanced in years,

having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,

and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.

She never left the temple,

but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.

And coming forward at that very time,

she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child

to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions

of the law of the Lord,

they returned to Galilee,

to their own town of Nazareth.

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;

and the favor of God was upon him." (Luke 2: 36 - 40).

Tuesday 30th December 2025, 6th Day in the Octave in the Solemnity of Christmas.

Anna, the Prophetess and Evangelist dominates the Gospel Reading as if today is her patronal feast day. 

Who is Anna and why is she one of the humble and powerful prophets and evangelists in the Gospel?

#1 Anna lived in the Temple for decades and gave herself completely to worshiping God, serving, praying and fasting.

#2 Apart from Mary, Joseph and Simeon, Anna was one of the very first people to see Jesus as an Infant and recognized Him at once in faith as the awaited Messiah. She knew who He is at once and she carried Him in her arms! Wonderful! 

#3 Anna is one of the very first Evangelist to announce the Good News. 

"And coming forward at that very time, she [Anna] gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem." (Luke 2: 38).

What can we say about the character of Anna? 

The answer is from the first Reading today: (1 John 2: 15 - 17).

"Do not love the world or the things of the world. 

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 

 For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. 

Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever." (1 John 2: 15 - 17).

Anna retired to the Temple after she lost her husband as a young woman.

 She rejected the life of empty show. She chose not to remarry or hang around and enjoy her husband's wealth.

Brethren, the story of Anna teaches us that it is good to serve the Lord faithfully. 

Anna and Mary are two examples of great faithfulness in serving God.

 They faithfully served the Lord, not for one year or 10 years or 50 years but day after day all life long. 

But what is most admirable is the faithfulness of God Himself.

The Bible says that faithfulness is the very essence of who God is. God's character is true and faithful. 

Both Anna, Mary and Joseph responded to the faithful love and mercies of God to them.

May we do the same everyday in the New Year 2026.

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:

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 

THE FEAST OF ST THOMAS BECKET, BISHOP AND MARTYR.

THE FEAST OF ST THOMAS BECKET, BISHOP AND MARTYR. 

"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,

"Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. (Luke 2: 22 - 35).

Monday 29th December 2025, 4th Day in the Octave of the Solemnity of Christmas is the feast of St Thomas Becket. (1118 - 1170). English. Martyr.

 St Thomas Becket, also known as St Thomas of Canterbury was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder on December 29th 1170 by King Henry II inside the Cathedral while St Thomas Becket was celebrating 

while St Thomas Becket was celebrating Mass. 

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 the grace to learn how to wait for God to fulfill His promises to me in the fullness of time. 

THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH HONORS THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN DECEMBER. 

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:

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 

THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH.

THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH. 

Sunday 28th December 2025, Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Brothers and sisters, why does Holy Mother Church set the last Sunday of the year to celebrate the great feast of the Most Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph? 

A few reasons come to mind.

#1. Jesus did not drop from Heaven to earth. He was born into a human family.

#2. The home of Nazareth is the school to learn and understand the life of Jesus.

#3. Our teacher is Mary, the Matriarch of the Holy Family. Mary teaches us three lessons about family life: Silence, Prayer and Work.

#4. The family may be your pathway to holiness: its joys and sorrows are all providentially ordained. Dare not to reject any of it.

In our key Scripture for today from the Gospel Acclamation, I share with you a Rhema word received on Holy Family Sunday over 20 years ago and remembered every Holy Family Feast:

"Let the peace of Christ control your hearts; let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." (Colossians 3: 15, 16).

Receive this word as a special gift today as you make your way through the last moments of 2025.

 If the peace of Christ is in your heart and controls your health, job, money, family, food and if the word of Christ dwells in you richly, you will always have a great day, week, month and a grand 2026.

 Why and how? "My grace is sufficient for you." (2 Corinthians 12: 9).

Go for Shalom brothers and sisters:

Peace and Word of God to you always!

The Church honors the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary through the month of December. 

For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/12/31-day-novena-to-immaculate-conception.html?m=1 

THE FEAST OF ST JOHN THE APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST.

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:

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 

THE FEAST OF ST STEPHEN, DEACON AND 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).

Friday 26th December 2025, in  Solemnity of the Octave of Christmas, is the Feast of St Stephen, the first Martyr. Deacon. 

"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, St Stephen died forgiving 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."  (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. 

THE CHURCH HONORS THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN DECEMBER 

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 intercessions. NOVENA TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Link is below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/12/31-day-novena-to-immaculate-conception.html?m=1

C H R I S T M A S,

THE SOLEMNITY OF THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 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).

Thursday 25th December 2025, the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Solemnity of Christmas.

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.

We honor the Immaculate Conception Devotions and of the Blessed Virgin Mary every in December. 

For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:

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

CHRISTMAS EVE - MASS IN THE MORNING.

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 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)

Consider the reason for the foregoing prophecies:

THE CHOICE. THE CALL. THE ANOINTING. 

David son of Jesse was chosen by an act of Divine Providence. In the fullness of time, the Lord called David and the Prophet Samuel completed the Ordination by Anointing David with the oil of Consecration. 

"You are my father, my God, the Rock of my salvation!"  (Cf Psalm 89: 27)

Come O Son of David.  Come and have mercy on us.

Happy Christmas!

The Church honors the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Every day in December. 

 "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:

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

THE FEAST OF ST JOHN OF KANTY, PRIEST.

THE FEAST OF ST JOHN OF KANTY, PRIEST. 

"Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. 

 And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 

 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child;

 and they would have named him Zechariah after his father, 

 but his mother said, "Not so; he shall be called John." 

 And they said to her, "None of your kindred is called by this name."  

And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called.

  And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, 

"His name is John."

 And they all marveled.

  And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 

 And fear came on all their neighbors.

 And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea;  and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying,

 "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him." (Luke 1: 57 - 66).

Tuesday 23rd December 2025 of the 4th Week of Advent is the feast of St John Kanty. Priest. (1390 - 1473). Polish.

St John Kanty was a priest, philosopher, physicist and theologian. 

What is striking about the life of St John Kanty is that this brilliant and highly educated man spent his entire priestly vocation in the ivory tower. 

Yet, he had the heart of a pastor of flocks.

 He seized every opportunity to help his needy students and the poor he encountered.

The narrative of the birth and naming of John the Baptist 

 indicates that John the Baptist is a significant person in salvation history.

 Let us sketch a profile of St John the Baptist:

#1 His name is John: "God is gracious."

#2.  He was sanctified in his mother's womb. He kicked his mother hard in the womb with excitement when Mary visited Elizabeth.

#3. John was chosen by the Father to be forerunner of Jesus Christ and to prepare His way.

#4. John baptized Jesus in the River Jordan.

#5. His humility is supreme. He said: "He [Jesus] must increase. I must decrease." And he allowed his disciples to switch allegiance and follow Jesus.

#6. John gave his life for Jesus. He was the first great martyr for Jesus.

"[John's] birth brought great rejoicing;

even in the womb he leapt for joy

at the coming of human salvation.

He alone of all the prophets

pointed out the Lamb of redemption.

And to make holy the flowing waters,

he baptized the very author of Baptism

and was privileged to bear him supreme witness

by the shedding of his blood."  (From the Preface of the Mass of the Feast.)

Jesus paid St John the Baptist one of His greatest compliments:

"For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  (Luke 7: 28 KJB).

John the Baptist is the Voice. He is not the Word. John the Baptist might say:

I am just a servant of the Word. "He must increase. I must decrease"

O Lord Jesus Christ, may all Your servants decrease so that You increase in us.

As we near the Solemnity of Christmas, we thank God for the life and work of St John the Baptist. We remember too St John Kanty our saint of the day who continue to inspire us by his teaching and exemplary life.

Happy Advent!

Honor the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary every day in December. 

 "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 

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

HANNAH DEDICATES SAMUEL IN THE TEMPLE.

HANNAH DEDICATES  SAMUEL TO THE LORD. 

God answers every prayer. 

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted my request." (Hannah - mother of the Prophet Samuel). 

"In those days, Hannah brought Samuel with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and presented him at the temple of the Lord in Shiloh.

"After the boy’s father had sacrificed the young bull, Hannah, his mother, approached Eli and said: “Pardon, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the Lord.

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted my request. 

"Now I, in turn, give him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the Lord.” 

She left Samuel there. (1 Samuel 1:  26 - 28).

Monday 22nd December 2025 of the 4th Week of Advent.

This Monday, our key Scripture is taken from the first Reading (1 Samuel 1: 24 - 28). 

This is the story of the extraordinary generosity of Hannah, the mother of the Prophet Samuel.

 We know the story. This is the testimony of Hannah, the mother of Samuel to the high priest Eli.

 Hannah is one of my favorite Bible characters. Why?

+ Hannah believes in prayer.

+ She believes in miracle.

+She has an incredible spirit of gratitude.

Hannah was barren. She pleaded with God for a son. At last, the Lord heard Hannah and granted her the little Samuel. When Samuel was 3 years old, Hannah brought Samuel to the Temple of the Lord and dedicated him to the Lord. 

 Look at the accompanying image in this narrative. The little boy had never seen anyone like the high priest with his huge beard and robed in the high priestly vestment. Little Samuel was frightened and clung tightly to his mother's gown.

 After the dedication, Hannah went home and left Samuel at the Shrine. 

Where have we noticed such extravagant generosity to God in the Bible?

 We notice it in people who respond to God's Call and Mission AT ONCE. We may call these people the AT ONCE People. 

The AT ONCE people hear the Call or Inspiration from God. They respond At Once. No going home to consider it.

 MARY OF NAZARETH was dedicated to the Most High in the Temple in Jerusalem at the age of three. 

The Blessed Virgin Mary is an At Once person.  She heard the message from the Archangel Gabriel, she said YES AT ONCE.

 She learned that Elizabeth was pregnant and the Holy Spirit inspired her to visit Elizabeth. Mary said Yes again At Once.

Other At Once People in the New Testament are: Simeon and Anna who waited for the birth of Jesus for decades. 

John and James, Peter and Andrew. All these people responded At Once to the Call of God. 

They marked their response with total dedication and generosity. 

The Widow's Mite. (Mark 12:41–44, Luke 21:1–4). This is a story of another big generosity to God. 

What are the lessons for us from Hannah's gesture to God?

#1 You can never out do God in generosity.

#2 Do not be afraid to offer all your time, talent and treasure to God.

God raises the needy from the dust; from the dung heap He lifts up the poor, to seat them with nobles and make a glorious throne their heritage. (Cf 1 Samuel 2: 8).

"O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:

come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!" 

"The Virgin Mary, my Mother of Perpetual Help, the Mediatrix of all graces, will look after all the details, even as she did in Saint John’s home when she lived with him." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, October 4, 2007 Saint Francis of Assisi).

The Church honors the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of December.

"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

ASK FOR ANY SIGN.

ASK FOR A SIGN. 

"The LORD spoke to Ahaz:

Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God;

let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!

But Ahaz answered,

“I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!”

Then Isaiah said:

Listen, O house of David!

Is it not enough for you to weary men,

must you also weary my God?

Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:

the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and shall name him Emmanuel." (Isaiah 7: 10 - 11 14).

Saturday December 20th 2025 of the 3rd Week of Advent.

Our faith grows when we hear the promise of God and believe it. 

A couple of weeks before Advent some years ago, God asked me to pay attention to four signs He worked in my life. I wrote down the four signs and posted it near my workstation where I can see it easily. The more I look at the signs, the more I realized that God had done remarkable miracles for me. I had neglected to take them seriously. 

Signs in the Gospel of St John means miracles. Signs like traffic signs point to something. [Cf Jeremiah 29:11].

"The Lord spoke to Ahaz: Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!

But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!” (Cf Isaiah 7: 10 - 14).

Ahaz heard the word of God and instead of rejoicing in faith, he behaved in unbelief. 

Ahaz was facing a monumental military showdown with the kings of Israel and Syria. 

Only God could save him and his nation. Yet he refused to believe in God. 

He was not persuaded by a faithful and trustworthy Prophet as Isaiah. All that Ahaz would have said is: "Lord save us from the Syrians and the King of Israel." But Ahaz had no faith in God. 

God nonetheless gave a sign bigger than antbody could imagine. 

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: 

the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel." ( Cf Isaiah 7: 10 - 14). 

Today, I understand the Pre-Advent signs that the Lord asked me to pay special attention to. It says to me: "I the Lord your God gave you those four signs. Nothing is impossible for me to do for you. All things are easy for me. In the fullness of time you will see." 

Thank You Father, I get the message. 

The Church honors the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in December. 

"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

ZACHARIAH AND THE PROBLEM OF UNBELIEF.

THE UNBELIEF OF ZACHARIAH.  

"In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; 

his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

"Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.

"Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God, according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. 

"Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense.

 Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.

"But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard.

 Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.

 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. 

"He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 

"He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.”

"Then Zechariah said to the angel,

 “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”

"And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God.

 I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”

"Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.

 But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary.

 He was gesturing to them but remained mute.

"Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home.

"After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying,

 “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.” (Luke 1: 5 - 25).

Friday 19th December of the 3rd Week of Advent.

In yesterday's Gospel Reading, we saw the operations of God's sovereign Providence in the choice of Mary and Joseph whose entire lives could be described as a Predestination.

Today, we see Elizabeth and Zachariah, her husband who are also destined by divine Providence to be key players in the team of forerunners of the Messiah.

Zachariah brought a serious problem of Unbelief to the Call. 

Zachariah was old and Elizabeth was also old. This is a considerable impediment in the way of human beings.

 In the first Reading from Judges, the parents of Samson saw that all things are possible for God and all things are easy for God to do.

In the new dispensation, in order to enjoy the promised blessings, miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit, you need faith and plenty of patience.

Like Elizabeth, you will be severely tested in the school of Waiting before you can say:

"After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.”

Happy Advent!

The Church honors the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of December. 

"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/2024/12/31-day-novena-to-immaculate-conception.html?m=1

THE CHOSEN: MARY AND JOSEPH.

JOSEPH AND MARY - CHOSEN.

THE PREDESTINATION OF JOSEPH AND MARY. 

"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. 

"When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.

"Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.

"Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. 

"She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,

"Which means “God is with us.” 

When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. 

He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus." (Matthew 1: 18 - 25).

Thursday December 18th, 3rd Week of Advent. Weekday (O Adonai). 

The Gospel of today on how the Birth of Jesus came about is a familiar one. 

This Gospel reveals the Predestination of Mary and Joseph. 

The roles that Mary and Joseph played in salvation history were not arbitrary. 

Every step, every moment was predestined according to God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence. 

Here comes Joseph! The three members of the Holy Family are named in our Gospel of today: Mary, Joseph and Jesus-Emmanuel.

Who is Joseph?

St Joseph is the man chosen by God to be the foster father and guardian of Jesus.

God communicates with us through a variety of ways, viz:

#1. Inspiration

#2. Locution

#3. Sacred Scripture

#4.  Prophetic person /message

#5.  Dream

St Joseph is a man of dreams.  Matthew recorded 4 Dreams of Joseph in the Infancy Narrative:

1. Matthew 1: 24

2. Matthew 2: 13

3. Matthew 2: 19

4. Matthew 2:  22

"When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home."  (Matthew 1: 24).

Joseph is a very docile and obedient man.

Joseph is a just and considerate man.  Consider what he did faced with the evidence that Mary was carrying a child not his own:

"Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly."  (Matthew 1:  19).

Joseph is a man of high purity and chastity. God chose him to be the husband of Mary because God had fitted him with the appropriate graces to protect the perpetual virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Joseph the humble carpenter is the patron saint of workers.  He understands that genuine labor is collaborating with God where, what and when you are assigned.

The Church considers St Joseph the greatest Saint after the Blessed Virgin Mary. Joseph is so fittingly named the Patron of the Universal Church.  Remember that he was the Guardian of Jesus and in his intercessory role, you can believe that Jesus will deny nothing to Joseph.

One week today is the end of Waiting. The Glorious Christmas!

"O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!"

"Such a man was Saint Joseph. He was the living image of My Father, and he was chosen by My Father to be a father to Me in My sacred humanity. Let My priests go to Saint Joseph. He will obtain for them this priceless gift of spiritual fatherhood, and he will guide them in the delicate and difficult work of being true fathers to souls." (IN SINU JESU, Friday, November 15, 2013).

The Glorious Christmas!

"O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!"

Our lives too are governed by the same sovereign Design, Plan, Purpose and Providence of the all-powerful and loving God who prefers to be called Father. 

During the remaining days of the Advent Season and all throughout the Christmas Season, reflect often on God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence directing you step by step and moment by moment.

 It sounds too good to be true. Brethren, it is the Absolute Truth! 

Happy Advent!

December is the Month the Church honors the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

"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/2023/11/novena-of-immaculate-conception.html?m=