THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS.

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS. 

THE GOOD NEWS:

"Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. 

While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white.

And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.

Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.

As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying.

While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.

Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen." (Luke 9: 28 - 36).

Sunday 16th March 2025, in the 2nd Week in Lent.

What is the Transfiguration?

In the presence of Peter, James and John, witnesses chosen by Him, Jesus' face and clothing became dazzling with light. Moses and Elijah were present conversing with Jesus. The voice of the Father was heard testifying "This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him."

Why is the Transfiguration such an important event in salvation history?

#1 There were three eye witnesses to the testimony of the Father to Jesus as the beloved Son of God.

#2 The Transfiguration confirms the testimony of Moses and Elijah. [the Law and the Prophet].

#3. The Event shows clearly the divinity of Jesus as God.

#4 The Transfiguration reveals the future of mankind. We shall be like Jesus at the Resurrection.

#5 We note the command of the Father in the Transfiguration to listen to Jesus as the Father's anointed Messenger.

These three witnesses of the Transfiguration: Peter, James and John were to become witnesses to the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ. They bore witness to these eye witness events with their lives. Our faith as Christians is built on solid foundation and not on "cleverly deviced myths." (2 Peter 1: 16 - 19)

The Transfiguration of Jesus gives us a foretaste of Christ's second coming when the Elect will be transformed and become like Jesus as He appeared in the Transfiguration. The Transfiguration prepares us for the great mystery of our own Resurrection.

Because of the Transfiguration, we see Christ as our hope. We also understand that the victory over death and sin will come via the Cross.  The Cross is the Means of Salvation, Redemption, Glorification and Eternal life. This is the gracious and mysterious will of the Father. This is the Full Truth of the Gospel.

Ask St Joseph whom we honor in March to obtain for you the grace of faith and prayer. 

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

Act of Consecration to St. Joseph

O dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life. After your example may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen 

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1  

IMITATE ABBA FATHER.

BE PERFECT LIKE YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER. 

THE GOOD NEWS:

"Jesus said to his disciples:

“You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?

"And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5: 43 - 48).

Saturday 15 March, 2025 in the first Week in Lent. 

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES. 

Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,

How to love your enemies? 

1. Pray for your enemies. 

2. Forgive your enemies. 

How to forgive your enemies? 

#1. Forgive at once.

#2. Forgive everyone without discrimination.

#3. Forgive always.

#4. Forgive everywhere.

#5. "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Forgive everyone. This step is modeled for us from the Cross.  Jesus forgave in real time those who were killing Him. He did not wait until Easter Sunday when He rose from the dead to forgive.

#6.  Pray everyday for all those whom you have offended, known or unknown to forgive you and set you free.

Jesus Christ invites us to a life of continual conversion so that we can pray Our Father (the Lord's Prayer) with confidence.

Prayer and Forgiveness are the two most powerful tools of the Christian. 

"If you pray well, you live well. If you live well, you die well. If you die well, all is well." (St Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church).

"Were you to ask what are the means of overcoming temptations, I would answer: The first means is prayer; the second is prayer; the third is prayer; and you, should you ask me a thousand times, I would repeat the same." 

(St Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church).

Ask St Joseph whom we honor in March to obtain for you the grace to forgive all your enemies. 

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

LITANY OF ST JOSEPH:

 Diligent protector of Christ

Head of the Holy Family

Joseph most just

Joseph most chaste

Joseph most prudent

Joseph most strong

Joseph most obedient

Joseph most faithful

Mirror of patience

Lover of poverty

Model of artisans

Glory of home life

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1 

DO NOT DELAY RECONCILIATION.

DON'T BE ANGRY. 

"Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your right­eousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, You fool, will be liable to fiery Gehenna.

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 

Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”  (Matthew 5: 20 - 26).

Friday 14th March in the first week in Lent. 

Are you a minimalist or one who lives More in everything. A More person is a Magis person. Magis simply means More. It is an attitude of the heart and mind that goes for More in everything and never for the least or minimum.  This is a core principle of St Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus.

In Matthew 5: 20, Jesus says that the Minimum will never get you into Heaven.  For example, the Church law states that you must receive Holy Communion "at least" once a year. The minimalist rejoices and says to himself:  "This is great. I can do this." The Magis person goes for more. Weekly Holy Communion or even daily. 

"Dearest Lord,

teach me to be generous;

teach me to serve You as You deserve;

to give and not to count the cost,

to fight and not to heed the wounds,

to toil and not to seek for rest,

to labour and not to ask for reward

save that of knowing I am doing Your Will."  (St Ignatius Loyola).

Ask St Joseph whom we honor in March to obtain for you the gift of Prayer. 

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

 O God, in your ineffable providence you were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You who live and reign forever and ever.

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1 

QUEEN ESTHER TEACHES US HOW TO PRAY.

THE POWERFUL PRAYER OF QUEEN ESTHER. 

THE WORD OF GOD:

"Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, had recourse to the Lord.

She lay prostrate upon the ground, together with her handmaids, from morning until evening, and said:

“God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are you.

Help me, who am alone and have no help but you, for I am taking my life in my hand.

As a child I used to hear from the books of my forefathers that you, O Lord, always free those who are pleasing to you. Now help me, who am alone and have no one but you, O Lord, my God.

“And now, come to help me, an orphan.

Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy, so that he and those who are in league with him may perish. Save us from the hand of our enemies; turn our mourning into gladness and our sorrows into wholeness."  (Esther C:12, 14-16, 23- 25). 

Thursday 13th March 2025 in the 1st Week in Lent. 

Our key scripture  is from the first reading today, Thursday – First Week in Lent.  I made this note in my Missal about today’s scripture readings for the Mass:  “Ask and Receive Thursday.”  The first reading, the responsorial psalm, the gospel and the antiphon all have one unifying theme:  PRAYER.  This is a rare occurrence.  Before looking at other scriptures in today’s liturgy, let us consider a couple of things from the powerful passage from Esther.

First, note what Esther did when seized by the mortal anguish.  She knew where to seek help.  She had recourse to God in prayer.  Next note her posture of prayer.  She lay prostrate on the ground.  [Like some of those begging Jesus for healing.] Was she alone?  She understands the concept of prayer partnership.  Her handmaids were prostrate in prayer with her.  This is a big crisis.   How long did they pray?  From morning to evening.  They added fasting to prayer. 

How did Esther pray?  After invoking the name of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (similar to invoking the name of Jesus today), she blessed God.

In Philippians 4: 6-7, we are advised to bring our request to God in prayer and petition with thanksgiving.   Esther tells God twice that she is alone and has nobody to help her except God.  She recalls from Scripture that God always helps those who are pleasing to Him.   She pleads with God to help her and reminds God that she is an orphan.  God after all is the Father of the fatherless and orphans.  

Then finally, she was specific about what she wants:  “persuasive words” when she meets the king;  “turn his heart to hatred for our enemy, so that he and those who are in league with him may perish.”

This is a great prayer and a model of prayer in crisis.

MAN'S EXTREMITY IS GOD'S OPPORTUNITY. MAN"S SECURITY IS SATAN'S OPPORTUNITY. ESTHER WAS "SEIZED WITH MORTAL ANGUISH". HER EXTREMITY IS PROFOUND.  (1st READING).

The Response verse is very appropriate:  “Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.”  God answered the prayer of Esther and delivered her people in a powerful way.    The rest of the Responsorial Psalm 138 continues with the theme of gratitude for answered prayer.  

"Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth;

in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;

I will worship at your holy temple

and give thanks to your name." (Psalm 138).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches the infallibility of prayer.

I believe in Prayer. 

I believe in the Word of God. 

I believe in Miracle. 

I leave the rest to God. 

Ask St Joseph whom we honor in March to obtain for you the gift of Prayer. 

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

 O God, in your ineffable providence you were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You who live and reign forever and ever.

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1 

NINEVEH REPENTED AT THE PREACHING OF JONAH.

NO MORE SIGNS FOR YOU. 

THE GOSPEL:

"While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them,

“This generation is an evil generation;

it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it,

except the sign of Jonah.

Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninivites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.

At the judgment 

the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here.

At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it,

because at the preaching of Jonah they repented,

and there is something greater than Jonah here.” (Luke 11: 29 - 32).

Wednesday 12th March in the first Week in Lent. 

In the Book of Jonah 3: 1 - 10, Jonah preached to the Ninivites and shared the testimony of his stay in the belly of the whale. 

The people and their king heard the message. They believed and repented. 

St Paul preached to the Greeks in the Areopagus. They listened attentively but did not believe. 

Jesus told the crowd in today's Gospel:  No more miracles for you. You keep looking for a big sign from heaven to prove that I am the Messiah. But what happened to Jonah is the only sign you will get. 

My friends, where are you today in your spiritual walk with Jesus during Lent 2025? Are you still looking for more signs?

Listen to what Abraham said to Dives in the Parable of the Rich man and Lazarus. The former rich man denied Lazarus a little sign that his life matters. Abraham told him that his brothers have more than enough signs from the Church. 

‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead." (Luke 16: 31).

We have in the Church all the signs we need. The Church of the living God is the sign of salvation. 

This Church subsists in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church founded by Jesus Christ.

This Church has visible structures. It exists in almost every country in the world, attesting to her universality. 

The Church has one Shepherd, one Liturgy and holds the entire Deposit of Faith. That is, the Church has the fullness of Faith. 

What more are we looking for? There will be no more signs till the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. 

Lent is the time to deepen your prayer life. When you pray with the word of God, you learn the heart of God from the mouth of God. (Cf St Ambrose of Milan, Bishop and Doctor of the Church). 

Ask St Joseph whom we honor in March to obtain for you the gift of Prayer. 

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

Memorare to St. Joseph:

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession were left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power I fly unto you and beg your protection. Despise not O Guardian of the Redeemer my humble supplication, but in your bounty, hear and answer me. Amen.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1 

ONCE UPON A TIME ON THE MOUNTAIN, JESUS TEACHES MEN...

FATHER KNOWS ALL WE NEED BEFORE WE ASK. 

THE GOODNEWS:

"Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This is how you are to pray:

‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’

“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” (Matthew 6: 7 - 15).

Tuesday 11 March 2025 in 8th Week in Ordinary Time. 

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus scatters the seed of His teaching on the all important subject of Prayer. In today's Gospel from the Sermon on the Mount, we get the concentrated solution. Everyone has his best line in this classic teaching on Prayer called Our Father or the Lord's Prayer. 

This is my best line:

"Your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

From the time I wake up in the morning to the time I go to bed at night, I ask Abba Father a lot of gifts. It is like a child reminding his dad that his birthday is next week. Daddy, don't forget the bicycle. 

To pray to Abba Father with confidence, you must know and practice these simple core beliefs:

"I believe that You are a Father to me at every moment of my life, and that I am Your Child!

I believe that You love me with an infinite love!

"I believe Father that, in Your infinite Wisdom, You know better than I what is good for me. 

"I believe that, in Your infinite power, You can bring good even out of evil. Out of all my weaknesses." 

"I believe that You are watching over me night and day and that not a hair falls from my head without Your permission." 

At the heart of every prayer is a core belief in God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence. 

If God is not all powerful, then He cannot answer every prayer. 

If God is not all loving, He cannot answer the prayer of everyone. 

Prayer is the most powerful gift of God to His creation. Even animals pray. Scripture says that animals cry to God for their food. God grants them their daily portion in due time. (Cf Psalm 104: 27).

Lent is the time to deepen your prayer life. When you pray with the word of God, you learn the heart of God from the mouth of God. (Cf St Ambrose of Milan, Bishop and Doctor of the Church). 

Ask St Joseph whom we honor in March to obtain for you the gift of Prayer. 

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

Memorare to St. Joseph:

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession were left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power I fly unto you and beg your protection. Despise not O Guardian of the Redeemer my humble supplication, but in your bounty, hear and answer me. Amen.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1 

THE LAST JUDGMENT PREVIEW.

PREVIEW OF THE LAST JUDGMENT. 

"Jesus said to his disciples:

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. 

And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 

Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’

Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’

And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’

Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’

He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’

And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25: 31 - 46). 

Our Gospel for today is a preview of the Last Judgment. St Augustine teaches us a simple formula to prepare for the Last Judgment:

"If you pray well, you live well. If you live well, you die well. If you die well, all is well."

Prayer, along with fasting and almsgiving are the three pillars of the Christian life.

It is during Lent that you see the power of prayer. An ancient maxim of the Church says: Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi. Which means: The law of prayer is the law of faith and the law of living. You live as you pray. You will die and judged as you live.

St Teresa of Kolkata teaches that Prayer strengthens our Faith. 

Prayer is the Activator of Power. Prayer pushes desire to action. 

Does God reward those who pray, fast and give alms during Lent? Read for yourself:

"For he says:

“In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.”

Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 

Brethren, Lent is the Acceptable Time for favors and graces. 

"Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12: 2).

Apart from prayer, how do we go about acquiring  graces during Lent? 

Daily PRAYER AND Daily WORD OF GOD HAVE POWER TO TRANSFORM THE MIND DURING LENT. 

"Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me."

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

 Memorare to St. Joseph:

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession were left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power I fly unto you and beg your protection. Despise not O Guardian of the Redeemer my humble supplication, but in your bounty, hear and answer me. Amen.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1