ABBA FATHER IS MERCIFUL A GENEROUS GIVER.

GOD OUR FATHER - THE LIBERAL GIVER

THE GOODNEWS:

"Beloved: We receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us." (1 John 3: 22 - 23).

Monday 4th January 2021, in the Season of Christmas. 

Our key Scripture for today from 1 John 5: 14 - 21 reinforces my deep trust in Prayer.

I believe in Prayer.

I believe in the word of God.

I believe in Miracle.

I leave the rest to God.

God promises us:

"We receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him."

My God, I desire to receive from You all the good things in life You have for me. If the price is doing what pleases You and keeping Your commandments, I am for it.

 Give me Your grace and mercy for I cannot live without them.

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

St. Bernard of Clairvaux:

"The sweet Name of Jesus produces in us holy thoughts, fills us with sublime sentiments, and prompts great acts of love and reparation." 

St. Alphonsus Liguori

"The Holy Name of Jesus is a vessel of divine grace that heals our souls, drives away temptations, and opens heaven's gates."

Click the link below for the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, Prayer Intentions, etc. 

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

JESUS TOUCHED THE LEPER AND HEALED HIM.

YES, I WILL TO HEAL YOU.

THE GOSPEL:

"It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate,

 pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” 

Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.”

 And the leprosy left him immediately.

 Then he ordered him not to tell anyone, but “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” 

The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray." (Luke 5: 12 - 16). 

Friday 9th January 2026, Friday After Epiphany in the Season of Christmas.

In our Gospel Reading today, (Luke 5: 12 - 16), we learn of a man "full of leprosy", a disease as dreaded in the days of Jesus as cancer is today. But there is one important difference.

 Cancer does not carry any social stigma as leprosy. The leper was driven out of the society, forbidden to mix with people and not allowed to take part in synagogue worship. Life was hell on earth for the leper. The leper in today's Gospel by an act of Divine Providence heard about Jesus and His miracles. He believed what he heard.

 Faith is an active step towards a desired goal. 

The leper tracked Jesus down.

 Consider how he won the heart of Jesus:

#1. He prostrated himself. Posture of prayer.

#2. He said to Jesus: "If you wish.." This could mean: I want to be healed badly but I respect your sovereignty.

#3. "You can make me clean." I know all things are possible for God.

"Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and

 said, 

“I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately."

Note the action of Jesus. He touched the leper, followed by these comforting words: “I do will it. Be made clean.” Note Jesus' supreme freedom of action. He touched the leper without fear of contamination or criticism. 

What can we learn from this? Whatever problem we may have, whether it is equivalent of being "full of leprosy," approach Jesus with confidence and expectant faith. Jesus will help you. The healing of the leper is a testimony, that is an example to encourage us to have full faith in Jesus.

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

"Great names come and go, but the name of Jesus remains. The devil still hates it, the world still opposes it, but God still blesses it and we can still claim it! “In the name of Jesus” is the key that unlocks the door of prayer and the treasury of God’s grace. It’s the weapon that defeats the enemy and the motivation that compels our sacrifice and service. It’s the name that causes our hearts to rejoice and our lips to sing his praise. (Warren W. Wiersbe). 

Click the link below for the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, Prayer Intentions, etc. 

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

THIS GOODNEWS IS FULFILLED TODAY.

TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE IS FULFILLED BEFORE YOU.

THE GOODNEWS:

"Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day.

 He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. 

He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. 

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives

 and recovery of sight to the blind,

 to let the oppressed go free, 

and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

"Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, 

and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.

"He said to them,

 “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” 

And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth." (Luke 4: 14 - 22).

Thursday after Epiphany  JANUARY 8th in the Season of Christmas. 

In His sabbatical ministry in Nazareth, Jesus claimed the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

 Isaiah prophesied that the Holy Spirit will anoint and endow the Messiah for His ministry. 

 Jesus did in the synagogue in His home town Nazareth what He had never done before. 

He stated clearly for everyone to hear that He is the Man. The Messiah chosen to fulfill the long held promises and desires of the people.

“Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4: 21). 

What does this bold proclamation remind us?

“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 sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” (Luke 2: 29 - 32).

Simeon the Prophet, a devout man filled with the Holy Spirit testified that "Today" God fulfilled His promise to Israel when he held the Child Jesus in the Temple. 

For thirty years, Jesus spent His life in Nazareth most of it as a self-employed carpenter hidden from the world. 

Does the Spirit of God in you ever tug your heart to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind and to let the oppressed go free?

In the Baptism of the Christ (Matthew 3: 16 - 17), Jesus is anointed by the Holy Spirit for a Mission:

#1 Bring the Good News to the poor.

#2 Proclaim liberty to captives.

#3 Recovery of sight to the blind.

#4 Grant freedom to the oppressed, etc. 

Our own Baptism and Mission are intertwined with the Baptism and Mission of Jesus.

 When we own our Baptism and accept our Mission, we blossom and become saints.

Consider these ministries. Do you feel called to any of them? 

#1 Social Justice

#2 Prison ministry

#3 Catechesis

#4 Evangelization

#5. Food Pantry 

#6. Hospital ministry

#7. Eucharistic ministry 

Lord Jesus, lead us, guide us and use us.

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

“The Holy Name of Jesus is,

first of all,

an all-powerful prayer.

Our Lord, Himself, solemnly promises,

that whatever we ask the Father in His Name,

we shall receive.

God never fails to keep His Word.

Each time we say “Jesus,”

it is an act of perfect love,

for, we offer to God,

the infinite love of Jesus.”

(St Alphonsus Liguori - 1696-1787)

Click the link below for the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, Prayer Intentions, etc. 

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

THE FEAST OF ST RAYMOND PENYAFORT, OP.

THE FEAST OF ST RAYMOND PENYAFORT.

DO NOT BE AFRAID. 

THE GGODNEWS:

"After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.

"And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray.

"When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. 

Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. 

"About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. 

"But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them,

 

“Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” 

"He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were completely astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened." (Mark 6: 45 - 52).

Wednesday January 7th 2026, in the Season of Christmas is also the feast of St Raymond Peñafort.  (1175 - 1275). Spanish Dominican Priest.

 Raymond was very erudite and he advanced the knowledge of Canon Law. 

St Raymond was a contemporary of the great St Thomas Aquinas also a Dominican priest. He studied Arabic in order to study the Koran so that he could evangelize the Moslems. St Raymond Penyafort did a great deal to secure the freedom of Christians during the Crusade. He died at the age of 100.

Raymond is known in history for two key contributions: Like the Curé of Ars, he had an extraordinary charism in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Ask Jesus to lead you to such a priest. One confession is all you need to turn around your life. Raymond wrote volumes which are part of the Canon Law.

The disciples were terrified by a ghost-like figure walking towards them on the sea in the dark of the night. 

For us, this could represent a looming disaster about to befall us in the area of the health of a loved one, job and food insecurity, financial bankruptcy, etc. 

Jesus says the same consoling words to any of us in our dire circumstances. 

“Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” 

TRUST ME! 

“IT IS I. DO NOT BE AFRAID.”

“Trust Me with all the events of your life. 

I will not abandon you. You are Mine and I will not forsake you.

 The decisions of men are all in My hands.

 Nothing will befall you that I do not permit.

 I will give you My grace to accept the changing circumstances of your life.

 It is I who am behind all that happens to you.

 Nothing escapes My wisdom; nothing escapes My love; nothing escapes My omnipotence.

 Trust Me, and be at peace.

 I bless you with all the love of My Sacred Heart. Do not be afraid. Tell Me again and again that you trust in My merciful love for you." (IN SINU JESU, Tuesday, June 17, 2008 ).

You think my sudden apparition is an accident. It is not.

 There are no accidents in life or in nature. Everything is Divine Providence. God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence, plan, design, purpose governs everything in the world. 

A bird cannot just fall to the ground and die. A leaf does not fall from a tree by accident. One single hair in your head cannot turn white or black.

 Everything is controlled by God's mighty, merciful Providence. 

Remember this when you say the Credo (I believe in God). 

You say: I BELIEVE IN GOD. THE FATHER ALMIGHTY. MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH..... 

Pay attention to the Credo Prayer and your trust in Divine Providence will grow and you will be able to master your fears of sudden events. God initiates everything. He foresees the End which is for your good. All the means (steps) to End are designed to be good. 

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

"Therefore God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, that at the mention of the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those in heaven, those on earth and those under the earth" (Philippians 2:9-11). 

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=/

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