THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SONS.

The Parable of the Two Sons.

THE GOODNEWS:

"Jesus said to the chief priests and 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.’

"He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards 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).

Sunday September 27th 2026, 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Who enters the Kingdom of God first and why?

Let us look at the list of the invited:

High priests, priests, Pharisees, scribes, scholars, judges,  tax collectors, prostitutes, brigands, and all the other deplorables.

Jesus, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kingdom tells us that the "tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you."

This is an incredible reversal of the perking order. But why? Because John the Baptist came and preached righteousness and mercy and the great ones rejected him.

The tax collectors and prostitutes heard him and embraced his message.

The chief priests and elders and their friends saw what was happening and refused to change their minds.

So they merited the condemnation of Christ for their hardness of heart and pride.

God who shows His almighty power in His mercy and forgiveness will welcome the chief priests, elders and Pharisees if they change their minds and accept His mercy.

Mercy and forgiveness are constant with God in salvation history.

Ask for mercy.

Be merciful.

Completely trust Jesus for mercy.

This is the ABC of Mercy.

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary.

Consoling the Sorrowful Mother in the Month of September:

Offer acts of reparation for the sins that grieve the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Sorrowful Heart of Mary.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us mercies from her Son Jesus.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consechttp://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

THE FEAST OF SAINTS COSMAS AND DAMIAN, MISSIONARY PHYSICIANS.

FEAST OF SAINTS COSMAS AND DAMIAN , MISSIONARY PHYSICIANS. 

THE GOODNEWS:

"While they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying." (Luke 9: 43 - 45).

Saturday 26th September 2026 in the 25th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian, Missionary Physicians. 

Cosmas and Damian are biological twins.

 Both distinguished themselves as great Physicians.

Cosmas and Damian combined a supernatural gift of healing with sound medical training and practice. 

What is extraordinary about these two doctors is that they offered their services completely free of charge.

 Because they did so, it pleased Christ, the Divine Physician to work through them.

He crowned their life with a martyr's crown and raised them to eternal glory.

Cosmas and Damian were martyred under Emperor Diocletian and about 305.

Listen to our key Scripture for today:

“Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men....”

If an important person tells me: "Pay attention to this fact." I will sit upright, lean forward and listen intently.

When God said to Joshua: 

"You must have these words constantly on your mind... " (Cf Joshua 1:8).

Joshua recognized immediately that God was giving him a formula for success and Joshua paid great attention to what God said and he 

succeeded greatly in his work.

The disciples of Jesus did not pay attention to what Jesus told them in today's Gospel and it caused a huge problem for them. It resulted in frustrations and denials.

Now Jesus is telling us to pay great attention to this truth and never to forget:

"The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.”

In other words, we must understand thoroughly the significance of the Paschal Mystery. That is, the mystery of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Our life, peace and success depends on this truth, and understanding it and living it should be our life's mission.

God chose the Cross as the means of our salvation.

You shall know the truth and the truth you know shall set you free.

Set you free from what?

Set you free from Sin, addiction, fear, worry, doubt, sickness, ignorance and poverty? 

Really? It is the promise of Jesus Christ that the supernatural truth you know can set you free. 

“Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men."

 In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. 

 Transform Your Personal Suffering: 

Unify your daily struggles with the Passion of Christ, knowing that nothing offered in love is wasted.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

 

WHO IS JESUS?

WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?

THE GOODNEWS:

"Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him,

he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’”

Then he said to them,

“But who do you say that I am?”

Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.” He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.

"He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” (Luke 9: 18 - 22).

Friday 25th September 2026 in the 25th Week in Ordinary TIME.

"Then Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.”

How do you know that you really know who Jesus is?

By demonstrating trust and obedience to Jesus again and again.

Where do you need to trust and obey Jesus?

For many people today in money and health issues.

Jesus said to St Paul: "My grace is sufficient for you. For power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12: 9).

Jesus told Paul: My Provision and Protection which can never fail will follow you everywhere and will be enough for your needs.

Confident trust in Divine Providence is the great lesson that we need to learn if we want to follow Jesus always and everywhere.

To help us learn and trust in Divine Providence, meditate on the first Reading of today: (Ecclesiastes 3: 1 - 11).

"There is an appointed time for everything,

and a time for every thing under the heavens.

A time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.....

He has made everything appropriate to its time,

and has put the timeless into their hearts,

without man’s ever discovering,

from beginning to end, the work which God has done." (Ecclesiastes 3: 1 - 11).

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary.

Consider the Holy Spirit as Consoler- in- Chief: Pray to the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, who filled Mary with supernatural endurance and peace.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

KING HEROD IS ANXIOUS TO SEE JESUS.

HEROD WAS CURIOUS TO SEE JESUS.

THE GOODNEWS:

"Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,

“John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying,

“Elijah has appeared”;

still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”

"But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”

And he kept trying to see him.." (Luke 9: 7 - 9).

Thursday September 24th in the 25th week of Ordinary Time.

Those who have desperate needs come to faith much easily than people with no problems.

King Herod heard about the miracles of Jesus and was greatly perplexed.

He did not believe that something supernatural was happening in his backyard. Why?

He felt he had no necessities that Jesus could relieve.

See below people who heard about Jesus and believed. They all have desperate needs:

#1. Syrophoenician woman: The woman heard about Jesus from neighbors or friends and went in search of Jesus. (Mark 7: 26, Matthew 15: 22).

#2. Zacchaeus:  The diminutive and very wealthy Tax collector. Zacchaeus heard about the miracles and teaching of Jesus and cast aside all self respect climbed a sycamore tree to get a good view of Jesus. (Luke 19: 1 - 2 10). The act changed his life.

#3. Bartimaeus: Bartimaeus the blind man heard so much talk about Jesus probably from his family members. He prayed earnestly that Jesus would pass by his way.

His prayer was answered. (Mark 10: 46 - 52).

#4. Father of the Demoniac: The father of the Demoniac heard about Jesus, walked a long way to see Jesus. He believed that where the disciples failed, Jesus will certainly succeed. (Matthew 17: 14 - 20, Mark 9: 14 - 29, Luke 9: 37 - 43).

#5. Jairius: Jarius, the civil servant heard about the miracles of Jesus and hastened to meet Jesus. (Mark 5: 21 - 43, Matthew 9: 18 - 26, Luke 8: 40 - 56).

#6. "The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant." (Luke 7: 3 NIV).

All these people heard about Jesus and believed because they had desperate needs and they trusted the people who witnessed to them about Jesus.

The Principle: These people had serious needs. They heard about the miracles of Jesus. They believed. They sought out Jesus. They obtained their miracle. Jesus is still in the business of miracles.

"Herod the Tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”

Herod did nothing and died in his sins.

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary.

Our Lady of Mercy /  Our Lady of Ransom: Ask Mary to free your heart from bondage to sin and despair, guiding you toward divine liberty.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

THE MEMORIAL OF ST PADRE PIO.

The MEMORIAL OF ST PIO OF PIETRELCINA (PADRE PIO). CAPUCHIN PRIEST.

THE GOODNEWS:

"Jesus summoned the Twelve

and gave them power and authority

over all demons

and to cure diseases,

and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God

and to heal the sick.

He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey,

neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,

and let no one take a second tunic.

Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.

And as for those who do not welcome you,

when you leave that town,

shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them."

Then they set out and went from village to village

proclaiming the Good News

and curing diseases everywhere." ( LUKE 9: 3 - 6).

Wednesday 23rd September, 2026 is the feast of St Pio Pietrelchina better known as Padre Pio. (1887 - 1968).

Padre Pio was an Italian Capuchin Priest. A mystic and stigmatist.

He was a highly gifted confessor and counseling guru.

Padre Pio died in 1968 and was canonized in 2002 by Pope St John Paul II in the lifetime of many people reading this.

Padre Pio entered the Capuchin Monastery at the age of 15. A mere boy, he had little in the way of this world's goods, education or spiritual riches.

He soon showed immense appetite for genuine riches or spiritual treasures. And in accordance with the spiritual law laid down by Jesus,

"To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.” (Luke 8: 18).

Padre Pio grew into a spiritual giant.

The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” (Luke 9: 22).

Padre Pio knew what it is to suffer. He suffered almost constantly from ill-health throughout his long life. He was maligned by some members of the Church hierarchy and even by his confreres.

In all these sufferings, Padre Pio never doubted for a moment his faith in Divine Providence.

His devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Rosary sustained him in the many crisis of his life.

St Padre Pio described himself as "a priest who prays."

St Padre Pio is one of the most popular saints in the Roman calendar.

"PRAYER IS THE BEST WEAPON WE HAVE; IT IS THE KEY TO GOD'S HEART." (ST PADRE PIO).

Pray for the grace of Perseverance especially in Prayer.

"My way is one of gentleness, of mercy, and of compassion. I offer My Cross to souls, but I never impose it, and when a soul begins to say “Yes” to the sweet and terrible exigencies of My love, I fit My Cross to her shoulders, and then help her to carry it step by step, increasing its weight only as that soul grows in love and in the fortitude that comes from the Holy Spirit." (IN SINU JESU, September 23, 2011, Feast of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina).

"In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary.

Let us reflect for a moment on the  Promise of Resurrection. Meditate on how sorrow is never the final word; the purpose of the Cross is eternal glory.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

HOW TO BECOME A BROTHER AND SISTER OF JESUS.

THE WORD OF GOD CREATES A NEW FAMILY. 

"The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. 

"He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.”

"He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” (Luke 8: 19 - 21).

Tuesday 22nd September 2026 in the 25th Week in Ordinary Time. 

In the Gospel of today (Luke 9: 19 - 21), we hear:

“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it."

What is the word of God?

#1. The word of God is the written word of God in the Sacred Scriptures.

#2. The word of God is decrees of God through the Sacred Tradition.

#3. The living word of God comes to us through the living and Sacred Magisterium, that is the teaching authority of the Church.

In the Scriptures, the word of God is also called the promise, will, command, precepts, ordinances, law and decrees of God. 

Our Responsorial Psalm for today Psalm 119:1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44 (the longest chapter in the Bible) is a beautiful hymn to the wonders of the word of God.

In the Gospel for today, Jesus teaches that those who hear the word of God and observe it belong to a new family. 

A new family where blood is thicker than water. 

Jesus gives power to those who listen to His voice and accepts His teaching the power to become the children of God.

Do we have an example of where the word of God forms close  and tight families?

From the beginning of the Church, this divine teaching of Jesus has been vindicated in the early Christian communities of the Desert Fathers and Mothers. 

Today we have several religious communities, viz: Benedictines, Dominicans, Franciscans, the Poor Clares, etc. 

The members of these communities love and cherish one another and are closely knit as a family more than most flesh and body families in the world.

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary.

Reflect on Mary’s unbroken faith when the Apostles fled on Good Friday. She kept the lamp of hope burning for the Church.

 May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

THE FEAST OF ST MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST.

THE FEAST OF ST MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST.


THE CALL OF MATTHEW, THE EVANGELIST.

THE GOODNEWS:
"As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.

"While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples.

"The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,

“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

"He heard this and said,

“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.

Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice.

I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Matthew 9: 9 - 13).

Monday September 21st 2026 in the 25th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist.

The Gospel today penned by the Evangelist Matthew deals with the Choice, the Call and the Anointing of Matthew.

Jesus encountered Matthew in his Tax Office.

He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him."


Why did Matthew respond to the Call of Jesus at once?

Matthew earned his leaving in an occupation where daily temptation to amass filthy wealth is irresistible. He was aware that the people despised him.

Matthew's heart had yearned for a change of job and a change of life for a long time.

St Augustine teaches that every true desire is a prayer crying out to God.

God Himself plants every good desire in our hearts.

Jesus said to Matthew, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him."

This Call and Response was not an accident. It was pure Divine Providence.

A man named Matthew was called by Jesus to follow Him.

The man left everything: job, money, house and property and friends and followed the stranger named Jesus.

Matthew was not a saint when Jesus called him. But Jesus did not come to call saints.

Paul the Apostle describes his own calling thus:

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.

Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 1: 12 - 14).

Matthew could have written the above words.

Jesus delights in sinners because sinners give Him the opportunity to show off His mercy.

Why did Jesus institute the Most Holy Eucharist? Jesus delights in mercy.

Why did our Lord and Redeemer Institute the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

To embrace sinners in His merciful love. Why did Jesus institute the
Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion, the Divine Mercy Devotion? Jesus delights in mercy. Mercy may well be the last covenant with mankind.

Matthew accepted the call of Jesus with generosity and then lived in a manner worthy of the call he received. 

He used his old skill as a tax recorder to become an evangelist and penned the Gospel that bears his name.

The call of Matthew is a story of mercy. The unfathomable mercy of God.

“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”(Matthew 9: 12 - 13).

Have you received any mercies from Jesus lately? Do you know the ABC of Mercy?
+ A. Ask for mercy.
+ B. Be merciful.
+ C. Completely trust Jesus for mercy.

"Make it your first care to find the kingdom of God." (Matthew 6:33).

"The kingdom of God is present in all its fullness, though in a hidden manner, in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. He who seeks out My Eucharistic presence is seeking the kingdom of God. He who approaches Me in the Sacrament of My love will find the kingdom and therein all that he desires according to My Spirit. Come first to Me in the Sacrament of My love. Let this become the supernatural instinct of your soul: always to come to Me, always to seek My Eucharistic Face."  (IN SINU JESU, Monday, August 25, 2008).

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary.

• September 21 — Feast of St. Matthew: Pray for the conversion of sinners, trusting that Mary’s intercession brings lost souls back to the Light of Christ.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us mercies from her Son Jesus.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

THE CHURCH IS THE SEED OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH.

GOD OWNS THE VINEYARD. THE CHURCH IS HIS PROPERTY.

"Jesus told his disciples this parable:

“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.

After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.

"Going out about nine o’clock, the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them,

‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’

So they went off.

"And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise.

"Going out about five o’clock, the landowner found others standing around, and said to them,

‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’

They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them,

‘You too go into my vineyard.’

"When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman,

‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’

"When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage.

"And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying,

‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’

"He said to one of them in reply,

‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?

Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?

Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’

"Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20: 1 - 16a).

Sunday 25th Week in Ordinary Time.

Our spiritual food today is the Parable of the Landowner and the Vineyard.

Where is the meat in this Parable?

First, it is easy to tell that the Landowner is God. The Vineyard is the Church.

The Catechism teaches that the Church is the seed of the Kingdom of God in this world.

The Laborers in the Vineyard are you and me.


The Parable teaches us that the Landowner is a just Employer.

He is like a Father to all the laborers.

If we know that our Employer is kind, fair and just, it will be well for us.

Many employees adopt an adversarial posture with regard to their employers. Labor Union attitude.

Unfortunately too, many people fear God and distrust Him.

God wants His children to love Him, not fear Him. Reverence is the right attitude towards God and not sevile fear.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and soul.

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10