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=

THE FAMILY TREE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST. 

For the Evangelist St Matthew, Jesus Christ is the Son of David and and is truly the Messiah promised by God. 

"The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the ­father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his ­brothers. 

Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the ­father of Amminadab.

 Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab.

 Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed ­became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king.

David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.

 Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. 

Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. 

Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.

 Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. 

Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.

After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud.

 Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. 

Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. 

Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations;

 from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations;

 from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations." (Matthew 1: 1 - 2 & 15 - 16).

Wednesday 17th December 2025 of the 3rd Week of Advent.

 From 17th December, we are one week to the Eve of Christmas Day. 

The Church starts singing the O - Antiphons. 

Pay attention to the readings at Mass.

Do you consider the Genealogy of Jesus Christ boring? Not when you understand the purpose for its inclusion in Sacred Scriptures. 

The Holy Spirit, the Author of the Sacred Text does not waste words as human authors do. 

Here are a few reasons for the Genealogy or Family History of Jesus Christ:

#1 Jesus Christ is truly God and truly Man. He descended from the lines of Abraham and David.

#2 His human family is not perfect (like His Church is not perfect). It contains saints and sinners. Jesus was not ashamed of His family nor was He ever tempted to deny them.

#3 His family lineage was planned by God from the foundation of the ages. So do not be scandalized by what you see. Same story with your family line. God does not make mistakes. 

#4 By the time Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, gone were the days of the great patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and great kings like David and Solomon. 

What we have are common folks like Joseph and Mary.

 God has a plan that will lead us to the humble stable in Bethlehem where Jesus will be born, the King of the Jews. 

He will be born the poor son of the Virgin of Nazareth.

The Genealogy teaches us that God is merciful and faithful.

 God did not choose the best and filtered humanity. He chose whom He pleases, a mixed bag.

"God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure." (Ephesians I: 5 NLT)

God had decreed that the Redeemer will come out of real humanity.

“The deliverer will come out of Zion, he will turn away godlessness from Jacob;

and this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” (Romans 11: 26 - 27).

"In respect to election, they are beloved because of the patriarchs.  For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable."  (Romans 11: 28 - 29).

Again: "The gift and the call of God are irrevocable." Amen!

The Church teaches that it will arrive at its perfection in the Escathon, the End of the age. 

 As we make our pilgrimage towards our home, the Church labors to grow in the fullness of truth and charity. 

 Each life committed to Christ hastens the Second Coming.

"O Wisdom of our God Most High,

guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!" 

Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus! 

"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 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, Novena, 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

DISHONEST LIP SERVICE.

DISHONEST LIP SERVICE. 

"Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:

“What is your opinion? 

A man had two sons. 

He came to the first and said,

‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ 

The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’

but afterwards he changed his mind and went. 

The man came to the other son and gave the same order. 

He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. 

Which of the two did his father’s will?” 

They answered, “The first.” 

Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you,

tax collectors and prostitutes

are entering the Kingdom of God before you. 

When John came to you in the way of righteousness,

you did not believe him;

but tax collectors and prostitutes did. 

Yet even when you saw that,

you did not later change your minds and believe him.” (Matthew 21: 28 -  32).

Tuesday December 16 2025 of the 3rd Week of Advent. 

What is possibly the best and most important thing you can do for yourself and your family in the next several days left in Advent?

Reconciliation! Reconciliation! Reconciliation!

Why do I say this? Because the grace of the Advent Reconciliation is comparable to that of Lenten Reconciliation.

 Lent and Advent are two special seasons of Mercy in the Church.

What is Mercy? Mercy is our Heavenly Father's response to our messiness.

 Instead of punishing us with anger, He embraces us with complete forgiveness. 

Remember the ABC of MERCY:

ASK FOR MERCY. 

BE MERCIFUL. 

COMPLETELY TRUST JESUS FOR MERCY. 

 THE  days of Advent are times of favor.

 The appointed time for special release of all types of graces and healing.

Do not harden your heart. The Lord hears the cry of the poor. He is waiting for you with open arms. Rush to Him.

Lip service is condemned in the Gospel of today. "I will go." But of course did not mean it. 

 Advent invites us to examine our attitude to God and make corrections where necessary so that we can take maximum advantage of the outpouring of mercy from the Heart of God, our Father. 

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:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/11/novena-of-immaculate-conception.html?m=

QUESTION OF AUTHORITY.

WHO GAVE YOU THE AUTHORITY? 

"And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, 

"By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" 

 Jesus answered them,

 "I also will ask you a question; and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you🔞🔞 by what authority I do these things. 

 The baptism of John, whence was it? 🔞

🔞

From heaven or from men?" 

And they argued with one another, 

"If we say, `From🔞 heaven,' he will say to us, `Why then did you not believe him?' 

 But if we say, `From men,' we are afraid of the multitude; for all hold that John was a prophet." 

 So they answered Jesus, "We do not know."

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God is the source of all authority on earth. Examples: Parental authority, military and government authority all come from God. 

Jesus being God has inherent authority. 

The Kingdom 😔 God is already here and now. The Church is the seed of that Kingdom. 

Where does the Pope get his authority? Not from the barrels of the gun as some dictators believe. Stalin quipped:  "How many military divisions does the Pope have?"

Jesus answered the question of Pontius Pilate:

"My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place."

Jesus also told Pilate that his authority to judge and condemn Jesus came from God

The question for us is:

Does King Jesus reign over your heart and mind and finances? If not, Advent is the Season of grace to place your life under the authority of Jesus Christ

The Church honors the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of December. Today is December 15. 16 days to go. 

Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. 

"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."

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

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/12/novena-to-immaculate-conception.html

THE 31 DAY NOVENA TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Link:

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