Thursday, May 23, 2024
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
ETERNAL REWARD FOR A BOTTLE OF COLD WATER.
ETERNAL REWARD FOR A CUP OF COLD WATER.
"Jesus said to his disciples: “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.
"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire.
“And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
“And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.
“Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.” (Mark 9: 41 - 50).
Thursday 23rd May in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time.
Tough talk in today's Gospel message. What caught your attention?
This is what caught my attention:
"Jesus said to his disciples: “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward."
Many years ago, I was a salesman knocking on doors in office complexes looking for sales. I learned a lot of lessons. I remember when I walked into an office and was offered a bottle of cold water. That bottle of cold water was sweeter than a bottle of champagne at the time. I expressed a profound gratitude but later offered prayers for the office assistant and the company.
Jesus is saying to us that there are many things we can do that have eternal consequences everyday. A bottle of cold water at that time might cost less than 8 cents. But the gift of it to a hot and thirsty salesman is noticed in Heaven.
The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May.
Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc.
For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
FEAST OF ST RITA OF CASCIA. PATRON SAINT OF IMPOSSIBLE CASES.
FEAST OF ST RITA OF CASCIA.
"John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
"Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.” (Mark 9: 38 - 40).
Wednesday May 22nd 2024 in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Rita of Cascia.
Wednesday May 22nd 2024, 7th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Italian mystic, St Rita of Cascia (1381 - 1457),
Who is St Rita of Cascia and why is she the patron saint of Impossible situations?
Rita was an Augustinian nun. Rita was able to stop a vendetta between the relations of her murdered husband and the murderers. That was a feat in those days. Rita subsequently entered a convent where she spent 40 years in contemplation, austerities and service to the poor and sick.
St Rita of Cascia is known as the patron saint of desperate and impossible situations.
Read her profile below.
"Profile
Daughter of Antonio and Amata Lotti, a couple known as the Peacemakers of Jesus; they had Rita late in life. From her early youth, Rita visited the Augustinian nuns at Cascia, Italy, and showed interest in a religious life. However, when she was twelve, her parents betrothed her to Paolo Mancini, an ill-tempered, abusive individual who worked as town watchman, and who was dragged into the political disputes of the Guelphs and Ghibellines.
Disappointed but obedient, Rita married him when she was 18, and was the mother of twin sons. She put up with Paolo's abuses for eighteen years before he was ambushed and stabbed to death. Her sons swore vengeance on the killers of their father, but through the prayers and interventions of Rita, they forgave the offenders.
Upon the deaths of her sons, Rita again felt the call to religious life. However, some of the sisters at the Augustinian monastery were relatives of her husband's murderers, and she was denied entry for fear of causing dissension.
Asking for the intervention of Saint John the Baptist, Saint Augustine of Hippo, and Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, she managed to bring the warring factions together, not completely, but sufficiently that there was peace, and she was admitted to the monastery of Saint Mary Magdalen at age 36.
Rita lived 40 years in the convent, spending her time in prayer and charity, and working for peace in the region.
She was devoted to the Passion, and in response to a prayer to suffer as Christ, she received a chronic head wound that appeared to have been caused by a crown of thorns, and which bled for 15 years.
Confined to her bed the last four years of her life, eating little more than the Eucharist, teaching and directing the younger sisters.
Near the end she had a visitor from her home town who asked if she'd like anything; Rita's only request was a rose from her family's estate. The visitor went to the home, but it being January, knew there was no hope of finding a flower; there, sprouted on an otherwise bare bush, was a single rose blossom.
Among the other areas, Rita is well-known as a patron of desperate, seemingly impossible causes and situations. This is because she has been involved in so many stages of life - wife, mother, widow, and nun, she buried her family, helped bring peace to her city, saw her dreams denied and fulfilled - and never lost her faith in God, or her desire to be with Him." (From LAUDATE).
In the Gospel of today from Mark 9: 38 - 40, we are served with a glimpse of the power of the mighty Name of Jesus.
1. "John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
2. "There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me."
Do you know the power of the Name of Jesus? If you do not know, you may be missing one of the most powerful revelations in the Scriptures. This revelation is for our good and protection. You can search for the THE NAME OF JESUS on site (SeekFirstcommunity) or Google it. There is plenty of information.
The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May.
Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc.
For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1
Monday, May 20, 2024
FEAST OF ST CHRISTOPHER MAGALLANES AND COMPANION MARTYRS.
BECOME LIKE A LITTLE CHILD.
"Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.”
"But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?”
"But they remained silent. For they had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest.
"Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
"Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” (Mark 9: 30 - 37).
Tuesday May 21st in the 7th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Christopher Magallanes and Companions.
(1869 - 1927), Priest and his companion martyrs.
The Mexican government was very anti-Catholic and anti clerical in the 1920s. The government massacred 21 priests and 3 lay men during the Cristeros movement between 1915 and 1937.
Christian be prepared for persecution. The Cristeros members were ready for the murderous persecution unleashed by the Mexican government. They are saints today.
We see Jesus in our key Scripture for today (Mark 9: 30 - 37) performing His core ministry. Jesus feeds people. Jesus heals the sick. He casts out evil spirits. He raises the dead. But what is the core ministry of Jesus? It is teaching people about the Kingdom of God. 40 days after His Resurrection, Jesus continues teaching about the Kingdom of God.
The core lesson we see today is the status of a little child in the Kingdom of God. God loves the simplicity and natural trusting heart of a little child. He wants us to become like a little child. Many saints especially St Therese of the Child Jesus was able to accomplish this.
Become a little child.
The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May.
Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc.
For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1
Sunday, May 19, 2024
FEAST OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY MOTHER OF THE CHURCH.
FEAST OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY MOTHER OF THE CHURCH.
"Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.
“When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.”
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.
“Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately Blood and water flowed out." (John19:25-34).
Monday May 20th 2024 in the 1st Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church.
Our Blessed Mother has many titles:
Mother of Christ
Mother of the Church
Mother of Mercy
Mother of divine grace
Mother of Hope
Mother most pure
Mother most chaste
Mother inviolate
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good Counsel
Mother of our Creator
Mother of our Savior.
(From the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary/ Loretto).
The feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church was promulgated by Pope Francis in 2018 to be celebrated all over the world on the Monday after the Solemnity of the Pentecost.
At the Annunciation, the young Mary accepted to be the Mother of the Savior: "Be it done to me according to Your word." At the foot of the Cross of Jesus, Mary nodded silently when Jesus said: "Woman, behold your son." John the Apostle represents the Church. And Mary becomes the Mother of the Church.
The Church prays in her Collect of today's feast:
"O God, Father of mercies,whose Only Begotten Son, as he hung upon the Cross, chose the Blessed Virgin Mary, his Mother, to be our Mother also, grant, we pray, that with her loving help your Church may be more fruitful day by day and, exulting in the holiness of her children, may draw to her embrace all the families of the peoples...."
Mary Mother of the Church, pray for us.
The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May.
Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc.
For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1
Saturday, May 18, 2024
THE GREAT SOLEMNITY OF THE PENTECOST.
THE SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST, THE BIRTHDAY OF THE CHURCH.
"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
“When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
“The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
“Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (John 20: 19 - 23).
Sunday May 19th 2024 is the Solemnity of Pentecost.
Brethren, this is Pentecost! This is the Birthday of our Mother, the Church. She is Mother and Teacher. Very old and ever young and beautiful. Virgin and Mother of many children. Queen of Peace and Seat of Wisdom. Happy Birthday Mother Church!
The Holy Spirit descended on the disciples in the Cenacle "like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were." (Acts 2: 2).
The Novena, the waiting and praying are over. The Father has delivered the Big Gift He promised. "I promised. I will do it." Thank You Abba Father.
"Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.
You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul’s most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.... " (The Pentecost Sequence).
"The Spirit prepares men and goes out to them with his grace, in order to draw them to Christ. The Spirit manifests the risen Lord to them, recalls his word to them and opens their minds to the understanding of his Death and Resurrection." (CCC 737).
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love.
The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May.
"The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most blessed virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them." (Saint Louis Marie de Montfort)
Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc.
For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1
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