THE MEMORIAL OF ST JOHN NEUMANN, BISHOP.

THE MEMORIAL OF ST JOHN NEUMANN, BISHOP. 

Jesus went about "curing every disease and illness among the people."

THE GOSPEL:

"When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.

 He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:

"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.

"From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

"He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. 

His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. 

And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him." (Matthew 4: 12 - 17, 23 - 25).

Monday 5th January 2026 in the Season of Christmas is the feast of St John Neumann, Bishop. 

Today is the feast of a great missionary priest, Bishop, Church planter, pioneer in the Catholic Schools system in USA. His name is St John Neumann (1811 - 1860).

St John Neumann was born in Bohemia. He became a Redemptorist priest. He became the Bishop of Philadelphia.  Worn out by his labors, John died at the age of 49.

Here are three memorable quotes from St John Neumann:

On personal mission and providence:

“Everyone who breathes, high and low, educated and ignorant, young and old, man and woman, has a mission, has a work.” 

On abandonment to the divine will:

“Deprive me of everything, my God, but not of the desire to unite my will to your will in perfect resignation!”

 On love for Christ in the Eucharist:

“How much do I love You, O my Jesus! I wish to love You with my whole heart, yet I do not love You enough. I have but one desire, that of being near You in the Blessed Sacrament.”

The highlight of our Gospel of today for me is:

"Jesus went about "curing every disease and illness among the people."

"Jesus has the power not only to heal, but also to forgive sins; he has come to heal the whole man, soul and body; he is the physician the sick have need of" (CCC 1505).

I like a lot stories of healing in the Bible and I enjoy testimonies of healing by ordinary people. I myself have benefitted from many healings in my life. I pray for healing every day.

 I believe too in Divine Providence. I believe that certain physical, mental or bodily conditions are there for a purpose. 

Talk to God and find out what is part of your DNA and what is not. 

Ask for healing in the Mighty Name of Jesus. A Name we honor every single day in the Month of January. 

The Name of Jesus is a Promise. The Name of Jesus is full Prayer. The Name of Jesus is Power. 

Honor the Name of Jesus in January. 

The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January.

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

THE FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS.

FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS.

THE GOODNEWS:

"The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said,

"Behold, the Lamb of God,

who takes away the sin of the world!

This is he of whom I said,

`After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me.'

I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel."

And John bore witness,

"I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him.

  I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me,

`He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'

And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God." (John 1: 29- 34).

“John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, but Jesus’s baptism reveals Him as the beloved Son on whom the Spirit rests.”

(Summary line from the - contemporary biblical theology  on the Baptism of Jesus). 

The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January.

"The name of Jesus," says St. Bernard, "was first preordained by God." 

January 3rd is the feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. 

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

HONOR THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS ON THE FIRST FRIDAY IN 2026.

FIRST FRIDAY IN JANUARY, 2026.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the First Friday of 2026. By attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion. 

January 2nd First Friday in 2026.

"Devotion to the Most Sacred Heart is the extraordinary remedy for the extraordinary needs of our time.” — Pope Pius XI, 1928.

Start 2026 strong by embracing the Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion. See yourself stronger in faith and love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus by July 2026.

By December 2026,you will be happy you made this New Year Resolution.

Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion.

Promise #1.
"I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life."

For a long time, I did not understand the meaning of this promise.

I thank Jesus that I now understand this promise better.

In Promise #1, the Lord promises to provide all the graces necessary in all the circumstances of life, viz:
Family, Health, Money, Job, Possessions and Tools, Food, Future. 

Please remember that the Lord Jesus knows exactly what you need and when you need it. Trust Him.

This is the same Promise that Jesus made to the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12: 9.

"My grace is sufficient for you. For power is made perfect in weakness."

Does Jesus promise to provide you everything?

NO!

He promises to provide you with everything necessary for your peace,  security and wellbeing.

Many things in your car, computer, phone are not necessary for the functionality of the appliance.

Many things in your house are not necessary for your peace, well-being and security.

Jesus promises to provide ALL necessary things to those who are loyal devotees of His Sacred Heart.

Divine Providence is concrete and immediate in its operations. (CCC 303).



Does Jesus fulfill this promise?

“Do not be afraid to present to him (Jesus) all the intentions of our suffering humanity, its fears, its miseries. May this Heart, full of love for men, give everyone hope and trust.” — Pope Francis, June 17, 2020.


Remind the Lord often of these promises and see for yourself.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday, 2nd of January 2026.

For the full list of the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, click the link below:

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?m=1



The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January. January 3rd is the feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.


For the Litany of 

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE THEOTOKOS. JANUARY 1ST.

JANUARY 1, THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY THE THEOTOKOS

"The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!" (Cf Numbers 6: 22 - 27).

"Brothers and sisters: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

"As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God." (Galatians 4: 4 - 7).

Thursday January 1, 2026 in the Octave of Christmas is the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

"Mary is acclaimed by Elizabeth, at the prompting of the Spirit and even before the birth of her son, as "the mother of my Lord". In fact, the One whom she conceived as man by the Holy Spirit, who truly became her Son according to the flesh, was none other than the Father's eternal Son, the second person of the Holy Trinity. Hence the Church confesses that Mary is truly "Mother of God" (Theotokos)." (CCC

495).

Our key Scripture says that in the fullness of time, God fulfilled the promise He made long ago.

Are you waiting for the fullness of time on anything? Health, family, finances, job, tools and necessary resources?

Our Scripture today indicates that nothing happens until the fullness of time, the Kairos time.

Do you have a relationship with Mary the Mother of God?

Mary who after Jesus is our greatest intercessor in Heaven by the gracious and mysterious will of God is waiting to embrace and help you.

Mary is key to our knowledge and relationship with Jesus her Son.

Mary is the only human being who knew Jesus from conception to His death to His Resurrection. Mary was present at Pentecost, at the birth of the Church.

 Are all these coincidences?

NO! Each of them is an act of Divine Providence!

Divine Providence is God's loving and powerful plan, design and purpose in governing the world He created.

Your life is governed by this loving and merciful Providence. The Church teaches that Divine Providence is concrete and immediate in everything.  (CCC 303).

Mary Mother of God pray for us.

The SeekFirstCommunity Team wishes you and yours a 2026 full of Peace, Health and Prosperity:

"The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!"

THE CHURCH HONORS THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS IN JANUARY.

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1