Saturday, April 05, 2025
Friday, April 04, 2025
THE FEAST OF ST VINCENT FERRER, OP.
FEAST OF ST VINCENT FERRER, OP
THE GOSPEL:
"Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said, “This is truly the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But others said, “The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he? Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David’s family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.
So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not bring him?” The guards answered, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.” So the Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed.” Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, “Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?” They answered and said to him, “You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”
Then each went to his own house" (John 7: 40 - 53).
Saturday 5th April 2025 in the 4th Week in Lent.
Today is the Feast of St Vincent Ferrer, OP. (1357 - 1419). A Spanish Dominican. Versed deeply in Holy Scriptures and Theology, he can be discribed as a super preacher.
His powerful preaching stemmed the erosion of faith in Europe during one of the most contentious periods in Church history. The period of the pope and anti-pope, the Avignon Captivity was right in this period.
Vincent preached in Italy, France, Spain and Germany. St Vincent Ferrer died on April 5th 1419 at the age of 62.
As Jesus embarked in His public ministry, dissension and division followed Him everywhere. No surprise at all because Simeon prophesied this to Mary and Joseph in the Temple during the Presentation of Jesus.
"Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted." (Luke 2: 34).
Like the Prophet Jeremiah, Jesus "knew their plot because the Lord informed me; at that time you, O Lord, showed me their doings." (Cf Jeremiah11:18-20).
"So a division occurred in the crowd because of him [Jesus]." (John 7: 43).
Jesus was born to be a sign of contradiction. This is true while he was walking the muddy terrain of Galilee as it is today, 2000 years after He ascended into Heaven. Let us consider the cause of dissensions about Jesus today:
#1. The First is Ignorance: The dissenters in the days of Jesus could have easily learned that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and not in Nazareth. They did not care to find out. "Ignorance of Scripture is Ignorance of Christ." (St Jerome).
#2. Today, people can look at the religious terrain in Christianity and ask: Did Jesus truly found 60,000 churches? The multiplicity of churches is a great cause of scandal and dissension.
#3. Some claim that the doctrine of Jesus is too harsh and restrictive. Why can't people destroy babies in the womb if they choose to or marry whoever they wish? For example.
#4. Who is this Jesus to tell us how to live our lives?
“Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted," proclaims prophecy. The Day of reckoning is coming. It came for the Jews in 70 AD. It will come for everyone sooner than later.
"O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge;
save me from all my pursuers and rescue me, lest I become like the lion’s prey, to be torn to pieces, with no one to rescue me." (Cf Psalm 7).
THE CHURCH HONORS THE EUCHARIST IN APRIL.
"282. How is Christ present in the
Eucharist?
Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist in
a unique and incomparable way. He is
present in a true, real and substantial way,
with his Body and his Blood, with his Soul
and his Divinity. In the Eucharist,
therefore, there is present in a
sacramental way, that is, under the
Eucharistic species of bread and wine,
Christ whole and entire, God and Man."
My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink says the Lord.
For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1
Thursday, April 03, 2025
FIRST FRIDAY IN APRIL 2025.
April 4th , 2025 First Friday in April in the Season of Lent.
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. In the 4th month of the year 2024, we look at Promise #4.
#4. "They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death."
The key phrase in this promise is THE HOUR OF DEATH. Death is a divine appointment in which there is no negotiation.
I consider Promise #4 a great Promise. St Augustine says: "If you pray well, you live well. If you live well, you die well. If you die well, all is well." To die well therefore is what every human being must desire.
The Church declared St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin, patron saint of a Happy Death. I believe in the Resurrection of the dead and life everlasting. The thought of dying no longer scares me.
Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus THIS First Friday by attending Holy Mass and receiving the Eucharist.
For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Hehttpart of Jesus, Sacred Heart devotional prayers and prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/08/12-promises-of-sacred-heart-of-jesus.html?m=1
FEAST OF ST ISIDORE OF SEVILLE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.
FEAST OF ST ISIDORE OF SEVILLE.
"At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill?" (John 7: 25).
Yes indeed, it is He. Jesus the Christ.
"Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him.”
"These were their thoughts, but they erred; for their wickedness blinded them, And they did not know the hidden counsels of God; neither did they count on a recompense for holiness nor discern the innocent souls’ reward." (Wisdom 2: 20 - 22).
Friday April 4th 2025 in the 4th Week in Lent is the feast of St Isidore of Seville.
(560 - 636).
Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Isidore was Bishop of Seville in Spain and a leading light in the Church in Spain. He initiated many local Church councils. St Isidore earned his place among the Doctors of the Church by his rigorous scholarship especially his extensive Encyclopedia (Etymologies) which was popular up to the Middle Ages.
In 1992, Pope John Paul II declared St Isidore of Seville the patron saint of the Internet.
Do you know one of the great distinguishing marks of Christianity? It is the detailed prophecies on the birth, life, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. We have plenty evidence of this from the first Reading Wisdom 2 to prove this. In the Gospel from John 7, the enemies of Jesus are putting final touches to the plot to murder Jesus. Jesus is aware of their plans but as One profoundly guided by the Father’s mighty Providence, Jesus knows that nothing will happen to Him until the Hour. He is in full control of His life. He lays it down when He wants. He picks it up again according to plan.
Do you believe in this Jesus Christ the Only Begotten Son of God?
For those on the side of truth, there are more than sufficient evidence. For those who hate the truth, no evidence will be sufficient. (Cf John 18: 37).
THE CHURCH HONORS THE EUCHARIST IN APRIL.
"272. When did Jesus Christ
institute the Eucharist?
Jesus instituted the Eucharist on Holy lThursday “the night on which he was
betrayed” (1 Corinthians 11:23), as he celebrated the Last Supper with his
apostles."
My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink says the Lord.
For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1
Tuesday, April 01, 2025
FEAST OF ST FRANCIS OF PAOLA.
FEAST OF ST FRANCIS OF PAOLA.
IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME I WILL ANSWER YOU.
THE WORD OF GOD.
"Thus says the LORD:
In a time of favor I answer you,
on the day of salvation I help you;
"and I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people,
To restore the land
and allot the desolate heritages,
"Saying to the prisoners: Come out!
To those in darkness: Show yourselves!
"Along the ways they shall find pasture,
on every bare height shall their pastures be.
They shall not hunger or thirst,
nor shall the scorching wind or the sun strike them;
"For he who pities them leads them
and guides them beside springs of water.
I will cut a road through all my mountains,
and make my highways level.
"See, some shall come from afar,
others from the north and the west,
and some from the land of Syene.
"Sing out, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth,
break forth into song, you mountains.
For the LORD comforts his people
and shows mercy to his afflicted.
"But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me;
my Lord has forgotten me."
Can a mother forget her infant,
be without tenderness for the child of her womb?
Even should she forget,
I will never forget you." (Isaiah 49: 8 - 15).
Wednesday 2nd April 2025 in the 4th Week in Lent is the feast of St Francis of Paola (1416 - 1507), Hermit. Francis attracted followers and they formed a community of Hermits with the Rules of the St Francis of Assisi to guide them. Gifted in diplomacy, the hermit Francis was used by the Church for sensitive diplomatic missions.
St Francis of Paola is patron saint of the following:
• Plague
• Sterility
• Sailors, boatmen, mariners
• Travellers
• Naval officers
Our first Reading on Lenten weekday is full of God's gracious promises. The first thing that attracted me to Sacred Scriptures was the word Promise.
Webster Defines Promise as:
"The meaning of PROMISE is a declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified."
So, is God going to fulfill all the promises in Isaiah 49: 8 - 15?
The answer is upfront in the very first sentence:
"Thus says the LORD:
In a time of favor I answer you,
on the day of salvation I help you;"
God answers every prayer. To deny this is to accuse God to be a liar which is outright heresy.
What is confusing for many people is the timing of God's answer. In our Scripture of today God says:
"In a time of favor I answer you,
on the day of salvation I help you;"
Another word for "In a time of favor", or on the day of salvation I help you;" is: IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME.
Every Promise God makes has a date and a time stamp. We do not know the date and the time.
Scripture promises that God will not be late to fulfill His promises by even one second.
Scripture urges us to wait for the timing of the fulfillment of the Promise of God. If you think the delay is unbearable, pray for the grace to wait. Saints Simeon and Anna are my patron saints. They waited long for the birth of Jesus. Both were rewarded to hold Jesus in their arms. I ask them to obtain for me the grace to wait.
God says: In the fullness of time, I will make everything beautiful. (Cf Ecclesiastes 3: 11). And in fullness of time, I shall move fast. (Cf Isaiah 60: 22).
THE CHURCH HONORS THE EUCHARIST IN APRIL.
"282. How is Christ present in the
Eucharist?
Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist in
a unique and incomparable way. He is
present in a true, real and substantial way,
with his Body and his Blood, with his Soul
and his Divinity. In the Eucharist,
therefore, there is present in a sacramental way, that is, under the
Eucharistic species of bread and wine,
Christ whole and entire, God and Man."
My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink says the Lord.
For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1
Monday, March 31, 2025
HEAL OUR SICKNESSES O JESUS!
DO YOU WANT TO BE WELL?
"There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem at the Sheep Gate a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda, with five porticoes.
"In these lay a large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.
"When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?”
"The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.”
"Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked.
Now that day was a sabbath.
"So the Jews said to the man who was cured, “It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.” He answered them, “The man who made me well told me, ‘Take up your mat and walk.’”
"They asked him, “Who is the man who told you, ‘Take it up and walk’?” The man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away, since there was a crowd there.
"After this Jesus found him in the temple area and said to him, “Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.”
"The man went and told the Jews that Jesus was the one who had made him well.
"Therefore, the Jews began to persecute Jesus because he did this on a sabbath." (John 5: 1 - 16).
Tuesday 1st April 2025 in the 4th Week in Lent.
Prayer for healing is the most common type of prayer. We desperately pray for our own healing. We pray for members of our family and for friends and others.
There is no enjoyment in life greater than good health. Good health is a treasure greater than gold and silver.
What do we make of what Jesus said to the man who had been praying for healing for 38 years, whom He had just healed?
“Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.”
There is a tight connection between SIN, SUFFERING, SALVATION.
The whole truth of the Gospel is that Sin causes Suffering. The desperate effort to get rid of our suffering is what brings us to Salvation, that is the encounter with Jesus. Desperate people are more open to faith than self satisfied people.
Whose Sin causes us to suffer? Our own Sin, Family members, Neighbors, Country's, the World.
There are suffering that is redemptive. Some chosen souls participate in the sufferings of Jesus Christ for the good of souls. For example: Saints Catherine of Siena, Padre Pio, Therese of the Child Jesus, etc.
Jesus had no personal Sin. He suffered for the Sin of the world. Jesus - our Savior can deliver us from sins and the effects of sin.
Lent is a great time to reflect on SIN, SUFFERING and SALVATION. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are the solid means of dealing with sin. The Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation are divine provisions for victory over sins.
THE CHURCH HONORS THE EUCHARIST IN APRIL.
"Jesus has made Himself the Bread of Life to give us life. Night and day, He is there. If you really want to grow in love, come back to the Eucharist, come back to that Adoration." (Mother St Teresa of Kolkata).
My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink says the Lord.
For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1
Sunday, March 30, 2025
ALL YOU NEED IS BELIEVE!
ALL YOU NEED IS BELIEVE.
THE GOOD NEWS:
"At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast.
"Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine.
"Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death.
"Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.”
"The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”
Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left.
"While the man was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.” The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he and his whole household came to believe.
"Now this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea." (John 4: 43 - 54).
Monday 31st March 2025 in the 4th week in Lent. The last Day in March.
In our key Scripture for today, we see an example of faith in action. Faith is the radical trust and confidence in the word of Christ. Faith is the instinct and impulse that everything is worth trying to resolve an existential problem. No dire problem, no faith.
Jesus said simply to the Royal Official: “You may go; your son will live.” Scripture records:
"The man believed what Jesus said to him and left." (John 4: 50).
How I envy the faith of the official.
Our faith contains our obedience. We see the example in the Gospel of today. To say that "I believe" and act contrary to what you believe is not faith but hypocrisy.
If any Christian invests time and resources to learn what Faith is and how Faith works, the harvest will be incredibly huge and this gift will keep giving and giving all your life.
Consider Faith as Obedience. The Royal Official heard Jesus say: Don't worry. Go home. Your son is OK. He believes and went home. He obeyed the directive. No questions. No arguments. Are you able to imitate his action and show the Obedience of Faith?
Consider also that the man's faith was prepared by what he heard about Jesus before he met Him.
"When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death."
When you share what God has done for you or other people, you prepare souls to encounter Jesus.
When we read the Gospel, we see many healings and miracles. The stories are preparing us to believe and deepen our Faith in Jesus. You do not know when you will stand face to face with Jesus needing His help. Faith comes from hearing. Hearing the word of God and believing it.
"Many priests do not have a real and practical faith in My Eucharistic presence. Do they not know that the Eucharist encloses within itself all the merits of My Passion? Let them recover the faith of their childhood. Let them come to find Me there where I am waiting for them and I, for My part, shall work miracles of grace and holiness in them." (IN SINU JESU, Monday, October 29, 2007).
Prepare yourself for the great month of April. The Church honors the Most Holy Eucharist in APRIL.
St Joseph is the man chosen by God to be the foster father and guardian of Jesus.
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.
For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1
Saturday, March 29, 2025
HAVE MERCY ON US O MERCIFUL FATHER.
Welcome TO YOUR HOME PRODIGAL.
"Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
"So to them Jesus addressed this parable. “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them.
"After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
"When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any.
"Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger.
"I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
"So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
"But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’
"Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
"He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
"He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’” (Luke15:1-3, 11-32).
Sunday March 30th in the 4th Week in Lent.
I see God’s face of mercy in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The Mass Scriptures for this 4th Sunday in Lent proclaims the Father’s merciful love in the Parable of the Prodigal Son.
The Father of the Prodigal who is a type of Abba Father is kind and merciful.
The Gospel of the Parable of the Prodigal Son dives into the depth of the Father’s bottomless mercy.
This divine Message from Jesus our Teacher sounds too good to be true but is true. God our Father will pursue us with His merciful love to bring us home even when we are stubborn and incorrigible.
How can we believe this with certainty?
God's merciful love of His people is a constant theme of the prophets.
Look at the Tradition of the Church:
The Conversion of St Paul, Saints Francis of Asissi, Ignatius Loyola, John of God, Mary Magdalene, etc.
Faith comes through hearing. Hearing the word and testimonies of Sacred Scripture and and the people who have been touched by God's mercy and believing what you hear.
"I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers." (Luke 15: 18 - 19).
The Scriptures reveal to us in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus Christ as the Face of mercy of God the Father. How do we apply this truth to our needs?
The ABC of Mercy:
Ask for Mercy.
Be Merciful.
Completely trust Jesus for Mercy.
St Joseph is the man chosen by God to be the foster father and guardian of Jesus.
Joseph most faithful.
Mirror of patience.
Lover of poverty.
Pray for us.
For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1
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