Prayer is a vital necessity for the missionary Church.

A Church that fights on its knees Never retreats.
Pray always. Pray everywhere. Pray about everything.

"In those days, Amalek came and waged war against Israel.

"Moses, therefore, said to Joshua, “Pick out certain men, and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle. I will be standing on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”

"So Joshua did as Moses told him: he engaged Amalek in battle after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur.

"As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek had the better of the fight.

"Moses’ hands, however, grew tired; so they put a rock in place for him to sit on. Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset.

"And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword." (Exodus 17:  8 - 13).

Sunday October 16th of the 29th week in Ordinary Time. We have great teachings on Prayer this Sunday. Thank You Holy Spirit.

Prayer and not hard work is the greatest gift and tool of the missionary Church.

In the war against Amalek in the first Reading, we see Moses as a type of the priest interceding for Israel to prevail in the war. The "staff of God" represents the offensive and defensive weapons of war. In the tradition of the Church, we can name the Holy Mass and the Holy Rosary as these weapons in the spiritual warfare.

In His teaching on Prayer in the Gospel of today, Jesus asks: "Will not God secure the rights of His chosen ones who call out to Him day and night?"
WHEN WE STAND ON THE PROMISES OF GOD IN PRAYER, OUR PETITIONS BECOME A RIGHT. GOD PROMISES TO SECURE THE RIGHTS OF HIS CHOSEN ONES. PRAYER NEVER FAILS.

Jesus commanded the Church to pray constantly but did not command the Church to work and to fast constantly. (Cf CCC 2742). Prayer is therefore a vital necessity for the missionary Church. (Cf Luke 18: 1).
Pray always. Pray everywhere. Pray about everything.

"Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed." (2 Timothy 3: 14).

God is faithful. Therefore, strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. God Never Fails!

10. 16 "If you strive to pray the Rosary daily and devoutly, one of two things will happen: either you will sin less and less, becoming more like Christ—or you will give up on the Rosary. In this way, devotion to the Rosary is a direct battle between grace and sin within us. If we persevere in the Rosary, Mary will prevail." (Cf THE SECRET OF THE ROSARY by St Louis Marie de Monfort).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Teresa of Avila, Virgin and Doctor of the Church.

“Leave it all to God and leave your interests in His hands. He knows what is fitting for us…” (St Teresa of Avila).

"Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God.

“Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

"When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.” (Luke 12: 8 - 12).

Saturday 15th October 2022 of the 28th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of a great woman: St Teresa of Jesus, popularly known as St Teresa of Avila. (1515 - 1582). Spanish Carmelite and great Reformer and Mystic. She was a great spiritual writer. She is one of the four women to be proclaimed Doctor of the Church.

The teaching of Teresa aims at bringing you to Jesus. She wants you to know Jesus more, so that you can love Him and serve Him more. Teresa cares deeply about Prayer as a means of union with God. Teresa and other Doctors of the Church are very interested in your eternal destiny. The academic doctors of theology are often speculative with little explicit intention to evangelize and catechize.

Jesus concludes today's Gospel with a masterpiece promise:
"When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say.  For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.” (Luke 12: 11 - 12).

My personal favorite title for the Holy Spirit is "The Voice that Speaks in Court."  This is because of my experience of the fulfillment of this promise. The Holy Spirit has enabled me to speak with wisdom and courage when I was in a tight corner and needed these gifts most.

Here is one of the great maxims of St Teresa of Avila.

"Let nothing trouble you,
let nothing frighten you.
All things are passing;
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
He who possesses God lacks nothing: God alone suffices."  (St Teresa of Avila).

10. 15  "Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us."

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The Feast of St Callistus, Pope and Martyr.

"He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

"Brothers and sisters: In Christ we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ.

"In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the ­promised Holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1: 11 - 14).

Friday 14th October 2022 of the 28th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Callistus (+222).Pope and Martyr.

How does history remember Pope St Callistus? From slave to pope to martyr. Pope St Callistus reminds us of our current Pontiff, Pope Francis. A Pope opposed openly by some of his Bishops, clergy and theologians. Why? Because of the uncompromising stand of Callistus that the Church must show mercy and forgive even the worst of sinners. This struggle in the Church with the Rigorist faction outlived St Callistus who was martyred by Emperor Alexander Severus.
Pope Francis faces the same opposition over the sacramental discipline of Marriage, Immigration, Safe Environment, Economic Equity, etc.

Our key Scripture for today from Ephesians 1: 11 - 14, is a wonderful proclamation of the truth of God, of the consolation of Scriptures:
"In Christ you also, who have heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the ­promised Holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory."

Not only that, the Holy Spirit as the Pledge, the Down-payment that we are children of God and brothers and sisters of the Lord Jesus is very real. How do you know that this is true? Very easy!

Do you enjoy praying, reading the word of God, eager to share your faith? Are you excited by the thought of receiving Jesus in Holy Communion? Do you trust in God's Providence to provide all your needs and protect you from every danger especially to your soul?

And when you say Yes to all the above, congratulations for you confirm the testimony of Scripture:

"In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ [Jesus] have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.  Let us not be conceited, provoking one another, envious of one another." (Galatians 5: 22 - 26).

"Trust in the guidance of the One whom I have sent to befriend you, the Holy Spirit, your Advocate. Learn to listen to His gentle leading. The more you follow Him, the more will you understand where and how He is leading you. This is the secret of holiness: to be led by the Holy Spirit in all things. Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit actively. Call upon Him, for He is, at every moment, available to you. He dwells with Me and with My Father in the sanctuary of your soul. He is your Advocate against the world, the flesh, and the Evil One, the accuser. He is your Advocate with My Father." (IN SINU JESU, Friday, March 28, 2008).

10. 14  "Pray ardently to our most merciful mother Mary by saying the Rosary during the month of October, as We have already indicated."  (Pope St Paul VI).

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The Special Gift of Abba Father.

"You breathed your Spirit upon the apostles, and gave them the power of forgiveness:
set all men free today from the prison of sin."  (Liturgy of the Hours - Lauds on the Feast of Pentecost).

"Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the holy ones who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him.

"In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.

"In Christ we have redemption by his Blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.

"In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth." (Ephesians 1: 1 - 10).

Can you count all the blessings Abba Father lavishes on us the "Beloved" in our key Scripture? These blessings come through His Son because of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus shed for all men. 

OK. Let's try to count them:
#1. The Holy Spirit.
#2. Prayer, Word of God, Eucharist, Reconciliation.
#3. Peace and Forgiveness.
#4. Our Purpose in life and Power to accomplish it.
#5. His Presence.
#6. Provisions and Protection.
#7. Faith, Patience, Wisdom, Courage and Contentment.

How do I unpack all this from Ephesians 1: 1 - 10?
When you read the Scriptures, ask the Holy Spirit to help you to unpack the meaning. You mix the living word for the day with faith and your personal experience.

Let us bless "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens" for He is a Promise-Maker and a Promise-Keeper.

"In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit,  which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1: 13 - 14).
Amen.  Alleluia!

10.13  "Cling to the rosary as the creeper clings to the tree, for without our Lady we cannot stand." (St Teresa of Kolkata).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Living the abundant life of the Spirit.

"I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands."  (2 Timothy 1: 6).

"Brothers and sisters: If you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

"Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like.

"I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

"In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

"Against such there is no law.

"Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires.

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit." (Galatians 5: 18 - 25) NABRE).

Wednesday 12th October 2022 of the 28th Week of Ordinary Time.

Paul's Letter to the Galatians continues today as the first Reading. Look at four different translations of the verse below:

#1 "If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit." (Galatians 5: 25 NABRE).

#2 "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (NIV).

#3 "Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives." (NLT)

#4 "If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit]." (AMP).

The New American Revised Version (the authorized translation for the Liturgy) renders our key Scripture thus: "If we live in the Spirit..."

The other quoted translations #2 to #4 assume that you, I mean "You" reading this knows the Spirit and is reminding you what should be taken for granted.

Are you aware that two different spirits are continually at war in you? The good and the bad spirit. The spirit you feed more wins the war.

How do you feed the good spirit so that you win more the battles of life?

#1 Daily Prayer: Set time, set place and set intention.
#2 Daily word of God. Set reading plan. The daily Mass Readings from the Roman Missal or lectionary are great as a reading plan. You read the Scripture with the Church. Same daily Scripture are read daily everywhere on earth.
#3 Daily examination of conscience. This is critical for checking whether the spirit you are feeding is growing or not.

When you follow the above plan, the life of grace will begin to manifest in you. It will be seen by anyone who knows you. People will notice the change.

10. 12  “Say the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world.”
(Our Lady of Fatima, 1917).

If you want to learn more about the Holy Spirit power, the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit, the Sacrament of Confirmation, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com./2020/10/the-abc-of-holy-spirit.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

Feast of the "Good" Pope, St John XXIII.

"Brothers and sisters: For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

"It is I, Paul, who am telling you that if you have yourselves circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Once again I declare to every man who has himself ­circumcised that he is bound to observe the entire law.

"You are separated from Christ, you who are trying to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we await the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love." (Galatians 5 : 1 - 6).

Tuesday 11th October 2022 of the 28th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of Pope St John XXIII. (1881 - 1963). Italian. Pontiff.
Pope St John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council which transformed the Church. He wrote the popular encyclical Pacem in Terris. He was a humble and well beloved Pope and was popularly called the Good Pope. I like very much this quote below from him:

"Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but what is still possible for you to do." (Pope St John XXIII).

In the Letter to the Galatians, we have been exploring: The Holy Spirit, faith and grace. These are principles that make living the Christian life easy and delightful.

Where is the Holy Spirit in your life? In Baptism we received Him. But have you activated Him? You activate Him by faith which means by trusting in the promise of Christ. You cannot receive or activate the Holy Spirit by work. Only by faith. Prayer is the Activator of the power of faith. Ask for the Holy Spirit in faith and God will grant you this gift at once.

The Holy Spirit in us is transforming us degree by degree. He causes us to wait in patience for the work of transformation to be advanced in us until we become the holy children of God. This is salvation. The saints have reached this stage. They live by faith and not by sight or feeling. And certainly not dependent on their works.

10.11  "O Mary of the Rosary, keep me recollected when I say these prayers of yours; bind me forever, with your rosary, to Jesus of the Blessed Sacrament. Blessed be Jesus, my love." (Pope St John XXIII).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Lord set me free from compulsive behaviors.

"Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought." (St John Paul II).

"Brothers and sisters: It is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the freeborn woman. The son of the slave woman was born naturally, the son of the freeborn through a promise. Now this is an allegory. These women represent two covenants. One was from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; this is Hagar. But the Jerusalem above is freeborn, and she is our mother. For it is written:

"Rejoice, you barren one who bore no children; break forth and shout, you who were not in labor; for more numerous are the children of the deserted one than of her who has a husband.

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are children not of the slave woman but of the freeborn woman.

"For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery." (Cf Galatians 4: 22 to 5:1).

Monday 10th October 2022 of the 28th Week of Ordinary Time.

Rejoice brothers and sisters, we are free. The Son has truly made us free. Free from what?

#1 Free from compulsive habits of sin: pornography, lying, cheating, anger.
#2 Free from crippling fears, worries and doubts.
#3 Free from the spirit of Unbelief that denies us all the benefits of our filial adoption as the children of the Father and brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.

Here is how the Son freed me from almost two decades of tobacco addiction. 

It was the eve of Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras. A fine Tuesday afternoon. I was amongst friends and suddenly I said: "Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. I have done nothing in Lent for many years. I will not smoke tomorrow. I wanted to observe Lent only for Ash Wednesday." Laughter broke out among my friends. "Impossible! Impossible!" They intoned. I did not smoke on Ash Wednesday. And Thursday, Friday, Saturday and for a whole week. In exactly 7 days, the desire for tobacco was removed from me. The itch simply dried up.

How did it happen? I was saved by grace through faith. For I did not doubt that It was the merciful love of Christ that set me free. At the time, I did not have any "filthy works" I could point to. No regular prayer life. No Sacraments. No corporal or spiritual works of mercy. Jesus did it so that all the honor and glory should come to Him. Also that I could bear witness to His merciful love as I am doing today. I may also add that a couple of years later, Jesus again intervened in my life and set me free completely from dependency on alcohol.

What is your addiction? Whatever it is, the Son wants to set you free.

10. 10 . "The Rosary will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities and will lift them to the desire of eternal things.  Oh, that soul would sanctify themselves by this means!" (4th Promise of the Blessed Virgin Mary to those devoted to the Holy Rosary).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Ten lepers were healed. Only one came back to give thanks.

“In all created things discern the providence and wisdom of God, and in all things give Him thanks.”  (St. Teresa of Avila).

"As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.

"They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”

"And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.”

"As they were going they were cleansed.

"And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.

"He was a Samaritan.

"Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”

"Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” (Luke 17: 11 - 19).

Sunday 9th October of the 28th week of Ordinary Time.

The first Reading from 2 Kings and the Gospel from St Luke teaches us the importance of Thanksgiving. “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine?" Asked Jesus. Was Jesus hurt that nine lepers who were healed of the terrible malady of leprosy walked away without giving thanks. I bet he was. Here is why:

Worship is at the heart religion. At the heart of worship is Thanksgiving. God does not eat steak, barbecue or drink champagne or wine. He has no need for gold or silver. God feeds on: "Sacrifice of thanksgiving." And again in the same Psalm 50: "Pay your sacrifice of thanksgiving to God." Imperative!

Do not walk away after realizing that your prayers have been answered. You are now pregnant, got the job, home, health, money, etc. Return and Give Thanks.

The Church teaches on the Prayer of Thanksgiving:
"Thanksgiving characterizes the prayer of the Church which, in celebrating the Eucharist, reveals and becomes more fully what she is. Indeed, in the work of salvation, Christ sets creation free from sin and death to consecrate it anew and make it return to the Father, for his glory. The thanksgiving of the members of the Body participates in that of their Head." (CCC 2637).

Do not deny God your sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.

10. 9  "The Rosary is a meditation and contemplation of the mysteries of our Lord's life in the company of his Mother." (St John Henry Newman).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

You are blessed Mary. You know the word of God.

GOD'S WORD NEVER FAILS.

"While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.”

"He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”  (Luke 11: 27 - 28).

Saturday 8th October 2022 of the 27th week  of Ordinary Time is the first Saturday of October, the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Do you truly want to be blessed? Do you desire happiness above all things? Let us listen to the Blessed One, the Master teach us the secret of happiness.

First, note that Jesus points to His Mother Mary as a truly blessed One. She is "full of grace."
Blessedness, happiness (makarios) occurs 15 times in Luke.
In Luke 1: 45, Elizabeth pronounced Mary a blessed One for hearing God's incredible promise and believing it. In Matthew and Luke, the Beatitudes bring happiness and a blessed state.

Our Gospel pick for today gives us a sure, tried, proven means of being blessed:
"Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it." Faith comes from hearing the word of God. The word of God is so powerful because God is in His word. The word of God brings wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, piety and fear of the Lord.
Do not forget that another name for Jesus is the "the word of God."

It is not possible to hear the word of God, understand it and not observe it. This is because the word of God is the word of life. But Jesus added for emphasis in our Scripture for today: "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it."

All things are established in the will (word) of God and nothing can resist God's will (word). (Cf Esther 4: 7).

John the Evangelist teaches that observing the word of God is not difficult. "In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome." (1 John 5: 3).

Let us ask God to open our eyes to the beauty of His word and give us the grace to keep it so that we can enjoy happiness here on earth and life everlasting.

10. 8 "The holy Rosary is a powerful weapon. Use it with confidence and you'll be amazed at the results."  (St. Josemaria Escriva).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

"The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against Hell; it will destroy vice, decrease sin and defeat heresies." (The Blessed Virgin Mary:  3rd Promise to those who say the Holy Rosary).

"When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said: “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.”

"Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.

"But Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?

"For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out?

"Therefore they will be your judges.

"But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.

"When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

“When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.” (Luke 11: 5 - 26).

Friday 7th October 2022 of 27th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

The Blessed Virgin Mary is known as Lady under many titles: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, etc.  Our Lady of the Rosary celebrates Mary as a powerful intercessor using the instrument of the Rosary Prayer.

In the Gospel of today from Luke 11: 15 - 26, we hear of UNCLEAN SPIRITS, DEMONS, BEELZEBUL and SATAN.

It is obvious that we are in the arena of Spiritual Warfare. "The Rosary is the means by which I attach souls to myself. The Rosary assures souls of my presence and of my protection."  (IN SINU JESU). Yes. Protection in the spiritual warfare raging everywhere today in: families, work places, schools, offices, roads, etc.

We hear of demonic possessions and infestations. Do not take these happenings lightly. The Church does not ignore the many signs of the activities of evil spirits everywhere today. Neither should you. Jesus Christ speaking to one mystic says that the Holy Rosary is one of the most effective offensive and defensive tools against the Enemy of mankind.

Here is what the Church teaches about the Rosary:

"The Rosary is very pleasing to our Mother in heaven; she herself has recommended it. There are two elements of the Holy Rosary: meditation on its mysteries and vocal prayer. The Rosary surely reaches the motherly heart of Mary and moves her to obtain abundant graces for us." (Roman Missal).

Two recent popes, Pope St Paul VI and Pope St John Paul II have highly recommended the Rosary. Most saints since the 1500s have said the Rosary without fail.

"Your Rosary is like a ladder that you climb step by step, drawing you closer to our Lady, which means finding Christ. It is a devotion which leads us to Christ through Mary." (Pope St Paul VI, Marialis Cultus).

For the 15 Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-15-promises-of-mary-to-those-who.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus by receiving Holy Communion this First Friday of October 2022.

October 7, 2022 - First Friday in October.

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus:  Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month and receive Holy Communion.  In the 10th month of the year 2022, we look at Promise #10.

#10.  "I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts."

Do not think: "I am not excited by this promise.  I am not a priest."  We are all priests by virtue of our Baptism. We are priest, prince and prophet. Jesus Christ chose and ordained a tiny percentage of men to celebrate the Sacraments.  The first mission of the Church is evangelization.  As a Catholic Christian, you are an evangelist. Moreover, the first 3 Spiritual Works of Mercy instruct us:
#1. Instruct the ignorant.
#2. Counsel the doubtful.
#3. Admonish sinners.

Jesus promises to give you power to touch the most hardened of sinners.  Sinners are everywhere. They could be in the family. They could be friends or neighbors.  Will you refuse the gift promised by the Sacred Heart of Jesus to equip you to help sinners? Moreover, you can apply the grace of this promise to any priest of your choice.

"In the Blessed Sacrament, Jesus Christ is really, truly and substantially present, with His Body and Blood, with His Soul and His Divinity. He is personally present, not by a mere sign or image, not in a spiritual manner only. Devotion to the Sacred Heart, as expressly declared by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, is essentially the same as devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. It honors the Divine love of our Eucharistic God which revealed itself in His Passion and Death and continually reveals itself in the Holy Eucharist. Therefore, the Sacred Heart devotion is the most agreeable to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament."
(DEVOTION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS by the Benedictine Sisters of Missouri).

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion.

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart 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

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of Saints Bruno, Carthusian & Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, Virgin & Religious.

“A soul arms itself by prayer for all kinds of combat. In whatever state the soul may be, it ought to pray. A soul which is pure and beautiful must pray, or else it will lose its beauty; a soul which is striving after this purity must pray, or else it will never attain it; a soul which is newly converted must pray, or else it will fall again; a sinful soul, plunged in sins, must pray so that it might rise again. There is no soul which is not bound to pray, for every single grace comes to the soul through prayer.” (St Maria Faustina).

"Jesus said to his disciples:

“Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’

"I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

"What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11: 5 - 13).

Thursday 6th October 2022 of the 27th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Bruno (1030 - 1101). Priest. German. Founder of the Carthusian Order.

Today is also the feast of Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher. (1811 - 1849) Virgin. Canadian. Founder of the Sisters of the Holy Name of Jesus and Mary. Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher helped establish the first Canadian parish solidarity for young women. She had a very busy life.

In the Gospel of today, Jesus gives one of His most profound and beautiful teaching on the Prayer of Petition. Here is what I got from reflecting on Jesus' teaching on the Prayer of Petition:

#1. Prayer works more than most people believe.
#2. One of the greatest and most consequential falsehood of the Big Liar is that God does not answer prayers. Consequently why bother praying.
#3. Ask the Lord to open your mind and heart and show you how many of your prayers have been answered. Most times, there is a lag between the time of your petition and the answer. It would appear that it is our responsibility to track our petitions and our answered prayers

I sent prayer intentions containing 4 points to EWTN on the occasion of Divine Mercy Sunday some years ago. Fortunately, I made a copy of the prayer requests and the date and pinned it to the wall near my workstation. I forgot all about it till about five years later. God answered everyone of the prayer intentions. I had been enjoying peace and serenity in all the areas of the prayer petitions without giving God one iota of thanks!

#4. God's commitment to answer prayers is ironclad. This is the unanimous teaching of the Sacred Magisterium, all the Church fathers and doctors and all the saints. You will be amazed by God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence when it comes to prayers.
#5. Do not be unbelieving. Believe and experience the joy of answered prayer. It is sweet.

10. 6 "Your Rosary is like a ladder that you climb step by step, drawing you closer to our Lady, which means finding Christ. It is a devotion which leads us to Christ through Mary." (Pope St Paul VI, Marialis Cultus).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of St Maria Faustina, Apostle of Mercy.

 "The condition regarding every good prayer: Humility, perseverance, matters in conformity with God's will, then you can expect the fulfillment of Christ's promises." (St Maria Faustina).

“Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.”  (Luke 11: 1... 4).

Wednesday 5th October 2022 of the 27th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of the Apostle of Mercy, St Maria Faustina Kowalski (1905 - 1938). Polish. Nun of the Blessed Sacrament.

Jesus Christ our Merciful Savior communicated with St Maria Faustina His desire to have the Divine Mercy Devotion established. Maria was not well educated but she worked very hard to accomplish this divine purpose. Before she died in 1938, she left the world a book which has since become a classic: "Diary of St Maria Faustina Kowalski." This book recounts the conversations of the mystic, Maria Faustina had with Jesus. This book is instrumental in the establishment of the Divine Mercy Devotions.

In Our Gospel of today, Jesus teaches His disciples and ourselves how to pray. The OUR FATHER or the LORD'S PRAYER is the Prayer known and recited by all Christians. It is the model of what a pleasing Prayer to God should be. It lays down the sequence and order of both our praises and prayer intentions  according to St Augustine.

Let us reflect on the Our Father Prayer:

#1. Can you truly call God
FATHER, if you do not demonstrate this relationship in daily living?

#2.   Can you say HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME, if you , who are called by His name, do not endeavor to live a holy life?

#3.  Can you say YOUR KINGDOM COME, if you are unwilling to embrace God's sovereignty and accept Kingdom principles in your life.

#4.  Can you ask God with confidence GIVE US EACH DAY OUR DAILY BREAD if you refuse to work or if you refuse to share your bread with the needy?

#5. Can you honestly pray FORGIVE US OUR SINS FOR  WE OURSELVES FORGIVE EVERYONE IN DEBT TO US?

#6. Do you understand what you pray when you say AND DO NOT SUBJECT US TO THE FINAL TEST?
Are you prepared to put on the full armor of Christian warfare at all times and fight for Christian victory?

Jesus entrusted the Divine Mercy Devotion to Sister Maria Faustina. Maria did not have a theological education. No PhD. No Masters degree. Barely literate. This is the person Jesus chose to be His Secretary in the Divine Mercy project. Maria needed only one thing: Complete trust in Jesus. This is grace that No one can take from her.

The Divine Mercy Devotion may be summarized through the ABC of Mercy:

A = Ask for mercy.
B = Be Merciful.
C = Completely trust Jesus for mercy.

To learn how to recite the Divine Mercy Rosary, click on the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/10/how-to-recite-divine-mercy-rosary.html?m=1

"My Father’s goodness and love remain hidden from so many souls. They have not understood that I came into the world to reveal My Father who is all love, and to draw souls to Him in filial confidence and in the joy of abandonment to His goodness. Love our Father. Trust our Father. Depend upon our Father in every weakness. This revelation of God as a Father who cherishes His children, and so loves them that He sent Me, His only-begotten Son, into the world to suffer and to die, lies at the very heart of My Gospel. Love My Father and open your heart to the immensity of His love for you. Thus will you become for Him, in Me, a beloved son in whom He takes delight." (IN SINU JESU, Monday, March 21, 2011).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Francis of Asissi, OFM.

“I have been all things unholy. If God can work through me, He can work through anyone.” (St Francis of Asissi).

"Francis, the man of God, left his home behind, abandoned his inheritance and became poor and penniless, but the Lord raised him up." (Entrance Antiphon on the Feast of St Francis of Assisi).

Tuesday, 4th October 2022 of the 27th week of Ordinary Time is the great feast of St Francis of Assisi, the Little One.

Who is St Francis of Assisi? (1182 - 1226). Italian. Deacon and Founder of the Order of Friars Minor, popularly known as the Franciscans. We Salute all our Franciscan friends all over the world who have labored in the Lord's Vineyard since the 1220s in all fields of the Apostolate. Persevere to the end and your reward will be huge.

Francis became famous for imitating closely the poverty of Jesus Christ in spirit and in deed. Holiness always attracts. After Francis was seized by Jesus and said Yes to the Lord, Francis soon attracted a group of like-minded young men who bound themselves together to live evangelical poverty, chastity and obedience. Our Lord Jesus Christ, Head of the Church has used simple men like Francis and the Franciscans to renew the Church which is ever in need of reform.

What comes to your mind when you hear of St Francis of Assisi in 2022?  Many people would think of a man of peace. "Lord, make me an instrument of peace..." Others will think of radical evangelical poverty... "The little poor man of Assisi." Both are salient attributes in the profile of this exceptionally gifted holy man. I want to mention too Francis' deep love of creation and care of the earth.  Most people that are aware of the impending disaster from Global Warming will know Francis of Assisi and his contribution to this topical debate.

Other pivotal figures raised up by the Holy Spirit for the renewal of the Church are:
Benedict, Clare, Dominic, Ignatius Loyola, Teresa of Avila, Teresa of Kolkata, etc.

Are you the next great Saint? You too can be a saint. You too can be an instrument of Peace. You too can be committed to preserving the beauty and goodness of the environment for future generations and become an apostle of Care for Creation and Safe Environment.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 5: 3).

"We thank you for the beauty of creation: may the work of man not disfigure it, but enhance it to your greater glory."  Amen.

10. 4  "Some people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother. Love the Madonna and pray the rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother." (St. Padre Pio).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Who is my neighbor?

"The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?" (MARTIN LUTHER KING JR).

“And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus replied,  “A man fell victim to robbers."

"A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight."

"Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”
He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.”
Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”  (Luke 10:25-37 RM)

Monday 3rd October of the 27th Week of Ordinary Time.

A scholar of the law tests Jesus with a tricky question.  Our Master and Teacher answers the scholar.

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10: 27).

Jesus tells the scholar the parable of the Good Samaritan and ends the story by asking the lawyer:

"Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”
He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.”
Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”  (Luke 10:25-37)

Jesus concludes by saying to the man: "Do this and you will live."
St James amplifies this in his letter:  "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2: 26).

Jesus ends what we call the Parable of the Good Samaritan by saying to the scholar of the law: Go and do as the Good Samaritan. Every person in need is our neighbor.

You may call this Parable a story of mercy.
What is mercy? From the Parable, we may say that mercy is when someone shows you pity in a moment of great need.

Be a good neighbor.
Allow someone to be a good neighbor to you. Jesus is always a good neighbor.
Our neighbor is every person in need.

Jesus gave us the Divine Mercy Devotion through St Maria Faustina to teach us that initiative of mercy starts from God. This devotion is summarized through the ABC of Mercy:

A = Ask for mercy.
B = Be Merciful.
C = Completely trust Jesus for
mercy.

10.3  “If you say the Rosary faithfully until death, I do assure you that, in spite of the gravity of your sins “you shall receive a never fading crown of glory.” (St Louis Marie de Monfort).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Write your vision down. It shall be fulfilled in the fullness of time.

"YET I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD; I WILL EXULT IN THE VICTORIOUS GOD OF MY SALVATION!" (HABAKKUK 3: 18).

"How long, O LORD? I cry for help
but you do not listen!
I cry out to you, “Violence!”
but you do not intervene.
Why do you let me see ruin;
why must I look at misery?
Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and clamorous discord.

"Then the LORD answered me and said:

"Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily.

"For the vision still has its time,
presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late.

"The rash one has no integrity;
but the just one, because of his faith, shall live." (Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4).

Sunday October 2, 2022 of the 27th week of Ordinary Time.

What a feast of Sacred Scriptures we enjoy this Sunday.  Our first Reading from Habakkuk has remained one of my 10 Top Scriptures for a long time. When one need is fulfilled by God, a new need emerges.
Our God is the God of Divine Providence and not of Chance. The word Chance or Luck or Lottery is not found in the Sacred Scriptures.

In the first Reading today, God asks the Prophet Habakkuk to write down the answer to what He plans to do in the future. Every plan, vision of God is for its intended time.  (Cf Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11).

Abraham and Sarah were promised a son. When this promise was fulfilled 25 years later, Sarah sang that it had pleased God to fulfill His promise at the time of His own choosing. Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist praised God for answering her prayers for a son at His chosen time.
In the fullness of time, the Angel Gabriel visited Mary of Nazareth and announced the birth of the Messiah.

Search throughout Sacred Scripture, you will not find anything  happening by haphazard. Our God is a Father of Divine Providence and not a god of Chance. Your future and your destiny has been planned with meticulous care. Your future does not belong to lottery or gambling. It is not from any chance that your comfort and happiness springs. Every joy, every good thing you enjoy in life comes from God's gracious ordaining.

Thank You O Faithful Father. I have learned that You are a Father who keeps His promises. You asked me to write down my dream so that I do forget it. I nearly forgot it but You reminded me and restored my dream. Thank You Father.

"Within your will, O Lord, all things are established, and there is none that can resist your will. For you have made all things, the heaven and the earth, and all that is held within the circle of heaven; you are the Lord of all." (Cf Esther 4: 17).

10.2 :"The Rosary is the most beautiful and the most rich in graces of all prayers; it is the prayer that touches most the Heart of the Mother of God…and if you wish peace to reign in your homes, recite the family Rosary."  ( Pope Saint Pius X.)

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of the Little Flower, St Therese of the Child Jesus.

"OH JESUS, HOW LITTLE KNOWN IS THE MERCIFUL LOVE OR YOUR HEART!" (ST THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS).

"At that very moment Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.

"Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.

"All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”  (Matthew 11: 17.... 25).

Saturday 1st October 2022 of 26th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of the Little Flower, St Therese of the Child Jesus, also known as St Therese of Lisieux. (1873 - 1897). French Carmelite Nun. Pope Leo XIII granted Therese to enter Carmel at the age of 15 and she died at 24. In 1927, Therese was named the co-patron saint of the Mission. Pope John Paul II made Therese a Doctor of the Church in 1997.

October 1st is also First Saturday in October. October is the month dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. There will be inspiring quotes on the mystery of the Holy Rosary in the Blog  for each day of October.

St Therese is one of the most beloved saints in the Church. She is a powerful intercessor and her contribution to spirituality can be summarized thus:

#1 Utter simplicity in everything.
#2 Profound trust in Divine Providence.

St Therese you may say was chosen to be St Therese before she was born. At the age of 6, she had a profound faith in the Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and in the Blessed Sacrament. Asked one day how she was so sure of this, her response was disarming and profound: Jesus said: "This is My Body. This is My Blood." Since Jesus is God and Almighty, nothing is impossible for Him. Does this not remind us of the Blessed Virgin Mary? To the word that She would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Son of God, she replied: "Be it done to me according to Your word." No fear. No worry. No doubt.

Is there a connection between faith and simplicity?  Simplicity in thoughts and habits may facilitate the habit of believing. This seems to be the witness of many saints.
"Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 18: 3).

Be simple like Jesus and Therese. Dare to Believe.

"The Rosary is very pleasing to our Mother in heaven; she herself has recommended it. There are two elements of the Holy Rosary: meditation on its mysteries and vocal prayer. The Rosary surely reaches the motherly heart of Mary and moves her to obtain abundant graces for us." (Roman Missal).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of St Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church.

"GOOD, BETTER, BEST. NEVER LET IT REST. 'TIL YOUR GOOD IS BETTER AND YOUR BETTER IS BEST." (ST JEROME, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH).

"Blessed indeed is he who ponders the law of the Lord day and night:
he will yield his fruit in due season." (Cf Psalm 1: 1 - 2. Entrance Antiphon on the Feast of St Jerome).

Friday 30th September 2022 of the 26th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Jerome (342 - 420). From Dalmatia in former Yugoslavia. Priest, Doctor of the Church. Jerome translated the Bible into the Latin Vulgate, which became the official version of the Bible for the Church for over 1000 years.

We chose our key Scripture for today from Psalm 1, the great promise of God for those who love His word and study it season and out of season. Note that a similar promise is made to Joshua:
"Do not let this book of the law depart from your lips. Recite it by day and by night, that you may carefully observe all that is written in it; then you will attain your goal; then you will succeed." (Joshua 1: 8).

If you are still not excited by the promises of investing in the word of God, consider this:
"When I found your words, I devoured them; your words were my joy, the happiness of my heart." (Jeremiah 15: 16).
When Jeremiah devoured the word of God, what did he find? Incomparable happiness and joy.

I too discovered the word of God in a career crisis while working for a large  company. The word that was waiting for me to discover was Exodus 14: 13 - 14. I was blown away by God's utter faithfulness to His gracious promise. I resolved to read the Scriptures everyday from that day.

I am delighted by these quotes from St Jerome:

+  "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ."

+ "As often as the world’s vain ambition delights you, as often as you see in mundane affairs something that vaunts itself, transport yourself in your thoughts to paradise: begin to be what you shall be. And you shall hear from your Bridegroom: Put me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm."

Lord, help us to follow the example of St Jerome in reflecting on Your word day and night. May Your word prepare us to offer You a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving always and everywhere. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Archangels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

"THE BATTLE AGAINST THE DEVIL, WHICH IS THE PRINCIPAL TASK OF SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL, IS STILL BEING FOUGHT TODAY, BECAUSE THE DEVIL IS STILL ALIVE AND ACTIVE IN THE WORLD."  (POPE ST JOHN PAUL II).

"Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”

"Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”

"Nathanael ­answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.”

"And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1: 47 - 51).

Thursday 29th September 2022 of the 26th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

Angels are mentioned many times in the Hebrew Scriptures. Jesus' encounter with Nathanael (Bartholomew) in the Gospel of today confirms the existence of angels. A fact that is known in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Here is the meaning of the names of the Archangels:

Micha-El: Who is like God?
Gabri-El: God’s strength” or “Power of God”
Rapha-El: “God heals”
El means God.

By the ministry of the angels, our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving come before the presence of Almighty God. The Archangel Michael is assigned to guard the Church. ( Cf Daniel 12: 1). Pope Leo XIII who had a vision of this in the Sanctuary of his Church composed the Prayer to St Michael which became an inspired and principal prayer in spiritual warfare. Many Catholics say this prayer daily.

United with the angels, we will conquer the Great Deceiver by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony. (Cf Revelations 12: 7 - 12).

How do we enter into personal relationship with the angels? Exactly the same way we enter into relationship with our patron saints. We honor the saints by praying to them, asking them favors and their protection. We celebrate their feast as we do this day. Jesus Christ, the Prince of Saints says that when we honor the saints and angels, we glorify Him. Besides the three Archangels we honor today, each human being is assigned a Guardian Angel when he is created. We celebrate the feast of the Guardian Angels on October 2nd.

Click the link below for the St Michael the Archangel Prayer:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/09/st-michael-archangel-prayer.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

Feast of Saints Lorenzo Ruiz & Wenceslaus, Martyrs.

"I AM A CATHOLIC AND WHOLEHEARTEDLY DO ACCEPT DEATH FOR GOD; HAD I A THOUSAND LIVES, ALL THESE TO HIM SHALL I OFFER." (ST LORENZO RUIZ).

"As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

"Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”

"And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”

"But Jesus answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.”

"And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.”

"Jesus answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9: 57 - 62).

Wednesday 28th September 2022 of the 26th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of two martyrs:  St Wenceslaus (907 - 927). King and Martyr. Saintly monarch. Murdered by his own brother in a sibling rivalry that reminds us of Cain and Abel.
St Lorenzo Ruiz (+1630). Filipino layman and his companions were martyred in Japan with other Christian missionaries.

Our Gospel today shows how Jesus handles applications for a spot in the group of His disciples. Each applicant is treated differently. But to each, Jesus says:

You must count carefully the cost of discipleship.  How far and how long are you prepared to follow Me? What will you do when the going becomes tough?  A prudent and faithful disciple must be prepared to follow always and everywhere to the End.

“What sort of servant, then, is faithful, wise enough for the master to place him over his household to give them their food at the proper time? Happy that servant if his master’s arrival finds him at his employment. I tell you solemnly, he will place him over everything he owns.” (Matthew 24: 45 – 48)

Faithfulness is key to Discipleship.

Pope St John Paul II writing on faithfulness teaches that: It is good to be faithful for one day, but
better to be faithful for ten years.
It is excellent and blessed to be faithful day after day to the end of the Journey.

The Blessed Virgin Mary is called the most excellent and faithful disciple of Jesus.  She received the message of salvation from the Archangel Gabriel. She followed Jesus everywhere in His public ministry learning everything she could. She walked the Via Dolorosa with her Son to Calvary.  She received the body of her Son from the Cross from the Roman soldiers. She laid Him in the tomb and witnessed the sealing of the tomb. This is examplary faithfulness. From womb to tomb.
A disciple of Jesus must be prepared to give all.

Daily Bible Verse @
SeekFirstcommunity.com