JESUS SET US ON FIRE!

THE FIRE OF JESUS' LOVE. 

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus said to his disciples:

“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!

"There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!

"Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, 

a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother,

a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” (Luke 12:  49 - 53).

Some people think that the Gospel of today from Luke 12: 49 - 53 is a hyperbole, that is, a great exaggeration. Do you think so? Then look at a Crucifix.

 Is Jesus nailed to the Cross wearing a crown of thorns a hyperbole? Of course not! 

Jesus proclaimed: "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!"

 Jesus said in another passage that the purpose of His life is to proclaim the truth. If you belong to the truth, you will listen to His voice.

 He further said. If you do not belong to the truth, you will oppose Him.

Falsehood always opposes the truth.

 Cain murdered Abel. 

Esau hated his brother Jacob and would have killed him if he had the opportunity.

 The brothers of Joseph sold him into slavery. 

Judas, an intimate companion of Jesus betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver. 

This tug of War still plays out relentlessly in families everywhere.

 Do not be afraid of those who oppose you because you have responded to the call of Jesus.

 Be rather afraid of failing to acknowledge Jesus before men. 

Jesus wants us to love our families and friends but never make idols of them.

Do you remember how David slew Goliath?

 Now see what weapons God has given us for the inevitable struggle of the present time:

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.

 On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10: 4 - 5).

Our God is a consuming fire!

The Immaculate Heart of Mary is honored in the Church in the Month of August. 

Mary says:  "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph."

For Prayers and Prayer requests, click the link below:

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

THE FEAST OF ST STEPHEN OF HUNGARY.

THE FEAST OF ST STEPHEN OF HUNGARY. 

“Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. 

The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, 

“Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them;

 for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 

After he placed his hands on them, he went away." (Matthew 19: 13 - 15).

Saturday August 16th 2025 in the 19th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Stephen of Hungary. 

St Stephen of Hungary was born in 969 and died on August 15th 1038). He was a monarch.

St Stephen was crowned king of Hungary on Christmas day 1001 by Emperor Otto III by the permission of Pope Sylvester II. 

 

Stephen earned his greatness in Christian history by founding monasteries and organizing dioceses thereby transforming Hungary into a Christian nation.

 St Stephen and his wife Blessed Gisela were the parents of St. Emeric.

St Stephen is the patron saint of: Hungary, kings, bricklayers and masons.

In the Gospel for today the disciples rebuked children and their mothers who prayed that Jesus might lay His hands on them. But Jesus said,

“Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 

 Have you ever been annoyed by unrestrained and noisy children during Mass?

  I discovered something curious and very beautiful about this recently. 

Little children love the house of God in a natural way. 

At first, I thought that little children might mistake the holy Sanctuary for a supermarket like Walmart.

 A little reflection convinced me that this is not the case.  There is something about the solemnity of the assembly gathered for Mass that gets even to little children.

 They see something in the House of God that we distracted adults don't see. Do little children see the angels and saints that attend Mass with us? 

After one Sunday Mass, I saw a young child suddenly detached himself from the gripping hold of the mother and ran to the side Altar, the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He gazed at the beautiful statue of the Blessed Virgin.

 I have learned to leave the little ones alone in the Sanctuary.

"Blessed are you, Father,

Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children." (Matthew 11: 25). 

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. 

Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph."

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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 SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

Happy Feast of your Assumption into Heaven O Blessed Virgin Mother! 

THE GOOD NEWS:

"Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

 For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man. 

For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order:

"Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereign­ty and every authority and power. 

"For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

 The last enemy to be destroyed is death, for “he subjected everything under his feet." (1 Corinthians 15: 20 – 27

Friday 15th August 2025 in the  19th Week in Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Just as in  the Transfiguration of Jesus, Mary's Son confirms our hope of transformation at the general Resurrection, the Assumption of Mary reveals our hope and destiny. The Church calls the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary A SIGN OF CERTAIN HOPE. 

In heaven, there is a hierarchy of merits. There is also a "proper order" (Order of glory) in the resurrection of the body:

1st. Christ

2nd. Mary

3rd. Then at the end of time, everyone who belongs to Christ.

It is God's plan and wisdom that Mary will be raised body and soul into heaven before the general resurrection of the body. 

This is an ancient belief of the Church. The Church made this teaching a doctrine of faith on 1st November 1950. Pope Pius XII in an Apostolic Constitution defined the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven.  As it is bound on earth, so it is in heaven.

The Assumption of Mary fulfilled one of the prayer intentions of Jesus in the Last Supper:

"Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world." (John 17: 24).

The Blessed Virgin Mary is primus inter pares, ie first among equals in the order of privileges.  Mary our Mother goes before us. Where she is, there shall we be.

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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

MEMORIAL OF ST MAXIMILIAN MARY KOLBE OFM, PRIEST AND MARTYR.

MEMORIAL OF ST MAXIMILIAN MARY KOLBE OFM, PRIEST AND MARTYR. 

THE GOSPEL:

"Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?”

 Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. 

That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants.

When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.

 Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in ­payment of the debt.

 At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ 

Moved with compassion the ­master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.

 When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. 

He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’

Falling to his knees, his ­fellow servant begged him,

 ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’

 But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. 

Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and ­reported the whole affair.

 His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.

 Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ 

Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt.

 So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

When Jesus finished these words, he left Galilee and went to the district of Judea across the Jordan." (Matthew 18: 21 - 19: 1).

Thursday 14th August 2025 in the 19th Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of St Maximilian Mary Kolbe OFM, Priest and Martyr. 

Maximilian Kolbe, OFM.

 (1894 - 1941), Polish. Priest and Martyr. 

Maximilian is known for his profound love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. He founded the "City of the Immaculate." (Immaculata). An avid evangelizer, he used the press and the written word to propagate the Gospel. He was a missionary in Japan. 

Arrested by the Gestapo in Poland, Kolbe was sent to Auschwitz. St Maximilian took the place of a young father who was condemned for execution by the Gestapo. St Maximilian exhibited a greater love for his co-prisoner who cried about his wife and children who would miss him. The Gestapo executed St Maximilian Kolbe and made him a martyr.

Why did Jesus conclude the teaching on Our Father, the Lord's Prayer by stating unequivocally a precondition for the forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with the Father? 

This is obviously an important theme for Jesus because He taught it again in today's Gospel in Matthew 18:21–35, which concluded thus: "Then in anger his master handed him [the unforgiving servant] over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

Reconciliation is crucial to enjoying the privileges of filial adoption. A girl who ran away from home and lived a lawless life for a couple of years may be hesitant as she approaches home. The prodigal son understands that there are consequences to vagrancy and knows the importance of Reconciliation.

Many people claim that forgiveness of the other person is hard. Really? 

Lessons that help forgiveness:

#1. Forgive at once.

#2. Forgive everyone without discrimination.

#3. Forgive always.

#4. Forgive everywhere.

#5. "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Forgive everyone. This step is modeled for us from the Cross.  Jesus forgave in real time those who were killing Him. He did not wait until Easter Sunday when He rose from the dead to forgive.

#6.  Pray everyday for all those whom you have offended, known or unknown to forgive you and set you free.

Jesus Christ invites us to a life of continual conversion so that we can pray Our Father (the Lord's Prayer) with confidence.

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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

FEAST OF SAINTS PONTIAN AND HIPPOLYTUS, MARTYRS.

FEAST OF SAINTS PONTIAN AND HIPPOLYTUS, MARTYRS. 

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.

"If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 

"If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. 

"If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. 

"Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

"Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. 

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18: 15 - 20).

Wednesday 13th August 2025 in the 19th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Pontian and Hippolytus, Martyrs.

 Saints Pontian, Pope and Hippolytus, anti Pope (priest). St Pontian was elected Pope in 230 and St Hippolytus challenged him and set up himself as a rival.

By a mysterious design of Divine Providence, both waring clerics found themselves in the the same prison at the same time. They reconciled and were martyred together under the Emperor Maximinus Thrax. (+ 235).

Our heavenly Father must have smiled upon Pontian and Hippolytus as He welcomed them into paradise because they heard the message of His Son, Jesus Christ and forgave "his brother from his heart."

A reflection on the Gospel of today from Matthew 18: 15 - 20.

Jesus Christ founded a Church with broad powers and especially the power to forgive sins. "Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

It is in the ministry of Prayer and Reconciliation that we see priveleges that Jesus entrusted to His Church. 

"Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father."

Let us have confidence in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church because it is the Custodian of the immense graces and privileges Jesus Christ bequeathed to humanity.

Mary the Virgin under her  title of Immaculate Heart is honored in August. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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 JANE DE CHANTAL, RELIGIOUS FOUNDRESS.

THE FEAST OF ST JANE DE CHANTAL, RELIGIOUS FOUNDRESS. 

THE GOSPEL:

"The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.

What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?

 And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ­ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.” (Matthew 18: 1 - 5, 10, 12 - 14).

Tuesday August 12th 2025. 

St Jane Frances de CHANTAL was French. She lived between 1572 and 1641. Religious. 

At the age of 20, Jane married a noble man, Baron de Chantal. After her husband died, Jane settled her children and embraced the ideals of religious life: chastity and poverty. 

Jane cofounded the Order of the Visitation with St Francis de Sales (Bishop and Doctor of the Church).

Jane Frances left Behind a large quantity of letters between her and St Francis de Sales that offer great insight on spiritual direction.

In the Gospel, Jesus praises the humility of a little child.

What is humility?

Just like love, humility is patient and kind.  Humility is not jealous, conceited or proud. It does not keep a record of wrongs. In short, humility is love.

The little child is the face of innocence in whom the Holy Spirit likes to dwell and play. The little child manifests the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Aim to become like a little child and the Kingdom of God will be yours and all the rest as well.

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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 

MEMORIAL OF ST CLAIRE OF ASSISI, VIRGIN AND FOUNDRESS.

THE MEMORIAL OF ST CLAIRE, VIRGIN AND FOUNDRESS. 

THE GOOD NEWS:

"As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them,

 

“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were overwhelmed with grief.

"When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?”

“Yes,” he said.

When he came into the house, before he had time to speak, Jesus asked him,

“What is your opinion, Simon?

From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax? From their subjects or from foreigners?”

When he said, “From foreigners,”

"Jesus said to him, “Then the subjects are exempt. But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up.

Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you.” (Matthew 17: 22 - 27).

Monday 11th August 2025 of the 19th week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Clare. (1193 - 1253). Italian.

At 18, Clare was not only beautiful but her parents were very wealthy. She gave up everything to follow the original Little One, Jesus Christ our Savior. Imitating St Francis of Assisi, the little poor man of Assisi, Clare embraced radical poverty. She founded the Poor Clares and modeled its constitution from what she learned from St Francis of Assisi. The Poor Clares continue to serve the Church today.

I know one Poor Clare Nun, who made a great contribution to the world. Mother Angelica (+ 2016). She founded EWTN which is the only global Catholic Television Network in the world. For me, Mother Angelica is a saint. She prayed and worked. She suffered persecution from inside and outside the Church. She experienced much ill health most of her life. She remained a Poor Clare all her life. "Santo Subito!"

There are two tracks in today's Gospel:

#1. How did Jesus handle tax matters?

#2. How did Jesus handle money?

The first is easy. Jesus paid His taxes.

Throughout His ministry, there is no single incident where we see Jesus handling money directly. Jesus and the Twelve had a bursar who was charged with keeping the donations and buying the necessities for the Group. Jesus seemed to have a disdain for money. He called money  dishonest wealth and the Bible calls it filthy lucre.

Money taints and corrupts everything it touches.

When Jesus sent His disciples to evangelize, He discouraged them from carrying large amounts of cash.

Trust completely in the mighty and merciful Providence of God to provide all your needs.

When the Temple Tax collectors challenged Jesus over tax, Jesus and the Twelve probably had no money in their purse.

Not wanting to delay the payment of the Temple tax, Jesus did an interesting thing.

"But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax.

Give that to them for me and for you.”

Jesus knew precisely where the fish with the golden coin in its mouth would be hiding.

In our work for the Gospel, we trust in the mighty and merciful Providence of Jesus, to provide our necessities.

August is dedicated to honoring the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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

WATCH AND PRAY.

WATCH AND PRAY. 

Watch and Pray is the only way to wait for the Lord.

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus said to his disciples: [“Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.

Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.]

“Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. 

Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.

Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. 

And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants. 

Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 

You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

[Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” 

And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?

Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. 

Truly, I say to you, the master will put the servant in charge of all his property.

But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. 

That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely;

and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly.

Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”] (Luke 12: 32 - 48).

Sunday August 10th in the 19th week in Ordinary Time.

Today's message invites personal application. Are you waiting for something big to happen in your life? An answer to prayer for example. How do you know when God will deliver the answer? The Church answers the question thus:

"In prayer the disciple keeps watch, attentive to Him Who Is and Him Who Comes...... In communion with their Master, the disciples' prayer is a battle; only by keeping watch in prayer can one avoid falling into temptation." (CCC 2612).

When you keep watch in prayer, you will know the appointed time, the fullness of time. When you do not keep watch in prayer, you will fall into a dreadful sleep and temptation and see your bus speed by while you are not paying attention. In the 1st Reading, we are told:

"The night of the Passover was known before hand to our forefathers." (Wisdom 18: 6). How did our ancestors in the faith know that "THIS IS THE HOUR. THIS IS THE NIGHT?" Because they were told by the word of God through the ministry of Moses and Aaron. If you keep watch in prayer, God will be pleased to give you the privilege of knowing that the appointed time has come.

Live in hope. Rejoice in hope. God Never Fails!

August is dedicated to honoring the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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 BENEDICTA OF THE CROSS, O'CARM.

FEAST OF ST BENEDICTA OF THE CROSS, OCARM. 

THE GOOD NEWS:

"A man came up to Jesus, knelt down before him,

and said, “Lord, have pity on my son, who is a lunatic and suffers severely; often he falls into fire, and often into water. 

I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.” 

Jesus said in reply, “O faithless and ­perverse ­generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you?

Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus ­rebuked him and the demon came out of him, and from that hour the boy was cured. 

Then the ­disciples ­approached Jesus in private and said, “Why could we not drive it out?”

He said to them, “Because of your ­little faith.

Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. 

Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17: 14 - 20).

Saturday 9th August 2025 in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. O'Carm.  (1891 - 1942). Virgin & Martyr. Polish.

Teresa was born Edith Stein of Jewish parents and converted to the Church after reading the books of St Teresa of Avila. 

Some years after her conversion to the Catholic Church, she followed St Teresa of Avila into the Carmelite Order.

Edith Stein was a well established philosopher in the universities in Germany.  The Gestapo arrested her on August 2nd 1942 and sent her to Auschwitz where she died in the gas chambers on August 9th.

August is dedicated to honoring the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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 DOMINIC OP, FOUNDER OF THE ORDER OF PREACHERS (DOMINICANS).

THE MEMORIAL OF ST DOMINIC OP, FOUNDER OF THE ORDER OF PREACHERS (DOMINICANS). 

“Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay each according to his conduct. Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.” (Matthew16: 24 - 28).

Friday August 8th 2025 is the Memorial of St Dominic. Born August 8th, 1170. Died August 6th 1221. Priest. Spanish. St Dominic founded the Order of Preachers, popularly known as Dominicans.

The Dominicans fought and marginalized the Albigensian heresy in France. The Blessed Virgin Mary gave Dominic the Holy Rosary as a potent weapon in the fight against all heresies.

The Holy Rosary with its mysteries is the Whole of the Gospel and it is considered a nuclear weapon against heresies.

Think about this: The Dominican order has served the Church for some 800 years. The Dominicans promote the study of Sacred Scripture and the Holy Rosary.

Our Gospel this Friday is one of the greatest. Understand and embrace the message and you will understand the whole message and meaning of Christianity. Embrace the message and you will be happy forever.

We labor and are burdened in life over: Health, Family, Money, Job, Tools, Food, Future issues.  As the catechumens are advised in the Rite of Acceptance, the Cross of Christ is the only answer.   

Jesus laid down the grim cost of discipleship:

#1 Take up your cross and follow me. Your cross are the trials that you can't escape: health, joblessness, poverty, etc.

#2 Be prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice with your life if it becomes necessary. "For whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

As the God-Man filled with the Holy Spirit and Wisdom, Jesus knew that no one will respond to His challenge unless the bait is bigger than the sacrifice. And it is.

Here is what Jesus promises:

1. The Holy Spirit is promised with His gifts and fruits.

2. The Presence of Jesus is always with the disciple.

3. Peace, comfort and joy, courage, contentment are always there on tap.

These are real and substantial benefits.  Think of this for a moment: How did so many Christians made up of mature men and women, boys and girls, princesses and peasants, clerics and lay faithful chose to give up their lives for the sake of Jesus Christ? Because they knew and believed that there is a better life waiting for them.

The saints who took up the challenges of discipleship believed Jesus. Do you believe Jesus?

"For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct." (Matthew 16: 27).

I believe that Jesus has designed a yoke for each of us that fits each perfectly and the burden we are given to carry from day by day is light. 

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

“He wants to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. I promise salvation to those who embrace it and these souls will be loved by God, like flowers placed by me to adorn His throne....My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.” (Words of Our Lady of Fatima to Sr. Lucia). 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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 SAINTS SIXTUS II & COMPANION MARTYRS & ST CAJETAN, PRIEST.

THE FEAST OF ST SIXTUS II AND HIS COMPANION MARTYRS AND ST CAJETAN. 

"Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples,

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter said in reply, 

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

Jesus said to him in reply,

“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. 

Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 

Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.

Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,

“God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”

He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” (Matthew 16: 13 - 23). 

Thursday August 7th 2025 in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Sixtus II, Pope and Martyr. (+ 258), and his companion martyrs. Also the feast of St Cajetan, Priest.   

Pope Sixtus with four of his deacons were arrested at the Altar while celebrating Mass and beheaded at the order of Emperor Valerian. 

St Cajetan, Priest and Founder of the Theatines was born in 1480 and died in 1547. He was canonized by Pope Clement X. 

St Cajetan was very dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary who bestowed upon him many favors. Called a "Saint" from his childhood, he never slackened in his desire for holiness. 

To renew the lives of the Clergy, St Cajetan formed the Congregation of Clerks Regular, known as the Theatines. Cajetan was the first to introduce the Forty Hours' Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as an antidote to the heresy of Calvinism.

Our key Scripture for today asks a point blank question:

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16: 13).

The mystery of Jesus. 

Who is He? 

Whence did He come? 

Why did He come? 

These and similar questions exercised the minds of the disciples of Jesus and the Jewish leaders who watched with amazement the ministry of Jesus Christ.  The time has come at last to confront these questions.  Jesus took the initiative and asked His disciples. 

"They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  (Matthew 16: 14).

Jesus apparently not satisfied with generalities asked pointedly:

“But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  (Matthew 16: 15 - 16).

Then Jesus revealed an astonishing truth:

“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father."  (Matthew 16: 17).

Many people in the Church today have stopped believing.  The honest ones are those who have stopped coming to Church.  There is a phenomenal problem of faith in the world today.  Jesus is saying in Matthew 16: 17 that faith is a gift of God.  Those who have stopped praying and practicing their faith may be losing their faith.

 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you."  (Matthew 7: 7 NLT).

Lord Jesus, You are my Lord and God, my Savior and Redeemer. You are my best Friend and constant Companion. Grant me the grace to grow to know You more every day, to love You more and to serve You more. Amen. 

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

“He wants to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. I promise salvation to those who embrace it and these souls will be loved by God, like flowers placed by me to adorn His throne....My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.” (Words of Our Lady of Fatima to Sr. Lucia). 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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