NOW YOU WILL BE FISHERS OF MEN.

PETER, JAMES AND JOHN WERE SURPRISED BY GRACE. 

The Call of Peter, James and John. 

THE GOSPEL:

"While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. 

"He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.

"Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.

"After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”

"Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” 

"When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their ­partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. 

"When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” 

For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon.

" Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 

"When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him." Seek (Luke 5: 1 - 11).

Sunday February 9th in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time. 

Our Scripture today is one of my favorites. Duc in Altum as St John Paul II like to call it. "Put out into the Deep" is the call of Jesus to follow Him into Deeper Waters.

Are you ready to follow Jesus into the deeper waters in your vocation or ministry? I am afraid that I am still wallowing in shallow waters. 

“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”

 Peter obeyed the command which seemingly did not make sense to an experienced fisherman. 

When Mary heard similar words from the Angel Gabriel, she answered: "Be it done to me according to Your Plan." (Cf Luke 1: 38).

Do you remember Mary's counsel to the stewards in the Marriage Feast at Cana? "Do whatever He tells you." (John 2: 5). They did what Jesus told them and water was made into high quality wine.

Note that in today's Gospel,  Peter, James and John recognized that a miracle has occurred. "For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon." Recognition of God's intervention in our lives or in history is a sign of supernatural perspective. The Church teaches that Divine Providence is concrete and immediate. (Cf CCC 303). Therefore it is incumbent that we must recognize the operations of Divine Providence in our lives in order to appropriate the results and give thanks to God. 

Our faith is expressed in obedience. Peter exercised obedience of faith and a big miracle took place. He fished all night and caught nothing. But at the words of Jesus, Peter was willing to try again. He took a second chance. Peter showed a disposition for obedience of faith. Is this why Jesus tapped him for leadership in the Church?

When God speaks His word to us through the Scriptures, locution, inspiration, prophetic individual, dream, if you do not respond with obedient action, what is wrong? Perhaps you think it is not worth the trouble trying a second chance. Our God is the Father of Second Chances.

When Peter responded in faith, he received his calling.

“Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”

When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him."

Some saints who responded to Jesus and put out in Deep Water:

Maximilian Kolbe, Mother St Teresa of Kolkata, Mother Angelica of EWTN, Father Albert Lauer of Presentation Ministries, Maria Faustina of the Divine Mercy and many others.

Jesus is calling everyone of us to intimate friendship with Him in the great adventure of Evangelization.

"Priests and religious who are tempted to follow a false philosophy of activism, pragmatism, and utilitarianism, or who waste their time on entertainments and distractions, will suffer God’s loving judgments. He will make bitter their false delights, destroy their enterprises, and weaken the efficacy of their work in order to wake them up to their calling of intimate friendship with Him as the source of happiness and the condition for all fruitfulness." (IN SINU JESU page 266).

"The Church wishes to bear a particular witness to that too during the Octave of Christmas, by means of the feast of the Holy Family. She wishes to recall that the fundamental values, which cannot be violated without incalculable harm of a moral nature, are bound up with the family. – Homily, December 31, 1978 (Pope St John Paul II). 

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

THE FEAST OF SAINTS JOSEPHINE BAKHITA AND JEROME EMILIANI.

FEAST OF SAINTS JOSEPHINE BAKHITA & JEROME EMILIANI. 

 "The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught.

"He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”

"People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat.

"So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.

"People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.

"When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things." (Mark 6: 30 - 34).

Saturday 8th February 2025, in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time. We celebrate the feast of two saints today:

++ St Josephine Bakhita (1869 - 1947). Sudanese. Virgin and Religious. Josephine was brought to Italy as a slave. By Divine Providence, she became a sister of the Canossian order. Her exemplary and holy life was noticed. She bore patiently and heroically her last illness. Pope St John Paul II brought her relics to Sudan where she was canonized in 2000. St Josephine Bakhita is the patron saint of Sudan and victims of human trafficking.

++ St Jerome Emiliani. (1481 - 1537). Italian. Priest. Jerome was wayward as a young man. When he was surprised by grace, his life changed 180 degrees. He founded a religious congregation (Somaschi) which looked after the sick, the poor and orphans and abandoned children. St Jerome Emiliani died of the plague while ministering to the afflicted.

“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” This is one of the most endearing statements of Jesus for me in the entire Gospel. Jesus the Good Shepherd cares deeply for the welfare of His disciples. 

Our Responsorial Psalm 23 today has brought healing and comfort to many people.  To non-Christians as well. It is believed that this great Psalm came from David's personal experience of God in his life struggles.

What does it mean that Jesus is our Good Shepherd? 

Jesus was moved with pity for the welfare of those who followed Him seeking to hear the word of God.  When we seek Jesus, we shall find Him.  When we knock on His door, He shall open for us.

The wise old man in the Book of Psalms gave this testimony worthy of notice:

"Neither in my youth, nor now in old age have I seen the righteous one abandoned or his offspring begging for bread."  (Psalm 37: 25)

If we follow Jesus, we must trust Him for our welfare and all our provisions.  Jesus knows our deepest needs.

Jesus the Good Shepherd is still with us today. It is in the Eucharist that we experience everything that the Good Shepherd offers. It is by faith that we appropriate this blessing. 

Jesus says to a mystic:

"Do not the sheep follow the shepherd? Where are the green pastures prophesied by the psalmist king, if not in My Eucharistic presence?" (IN SINU JESU page 55).

FEBRUARY - THE MONTH CONSECRATED TO THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH. 

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

HONOR THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS ON THE FIRST FRIDAY IN FEBRUARY 2025.

FIRST FRIDAY IN FEBRUARY, 2025. 

Dear friends, what will you do if you know with absolute certainty that each of the 12 Promises of Jesus to the devotees of the Sacred Heart is true?

You will be overjoyed like the man or woman who has won a lottery.

You will say: Merciful God, thank You. Now I can start enjoying the good life. 

Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month. 

HOW: BY ATTENDING MASS AND RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION. 

In the 2nd  month of the year 2025, we look at Promise #2.

#2.  "I will give peace in their families."

Peace in the family is the foundation of health and prosperity. Do not doubt this. Moreover, if there is peace in the family, there will be peace at work and school, peace in the nation and peace on earth! 

What is Peace? Peace is the calmness, tranquility, deep security you feel in the depth of your heart, soul and mind because you know that in spite of the apparent turbulence, All is well. 

All is well because Jesus is in control of the world and everything that affects you. You come to appreciate this peace most when civil war is raging in your family, health, finances, job, your possessions and tools. All things  fall apart and the center can no longer hold. Enters the Peace of Christ. 

This is the peace that Jesus promises us today. 

Jesus is our peace. He is the Prince of Peace.  Would you accept today His generous offer of peace in your family? 

Father, in Your will is our peace! 

The Church honors the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in February. The Holy Family is the model of the family in peace, faith, love and security. 

A family that prays together stays together. 

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

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Prayers and Prayer Intentions click the link below:

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

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

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

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 

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 

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