JOHN THE BAPTIST LIVES!

JOHN THE BAPTIST LIVES! 

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

 “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”

"But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.." (Luke 9: 7 - 9)."

King Herod heard about the miracles of Jesus and was greatly perplexed. He did not believe that something supernatural was happening in his backyard. 

Why? He felt he had no necessities that Jesus could relieve. See below people who heard about Jesus and believed. They all have desperate needs:

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

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

#3. BarTimaeus: BarTimaeus the blind man heard so much talk about Jesus probably from his family members. He prayed earnestly that Jesus would pass by his way. His prayer was answered. (Mark 10: 46 - 52).

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

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

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

All these people heard about Jesus and believed because they had desperate needs. 

They trusted the people who witnessed to them about Jesus. 

Faith comes from hearing. 

Principle: These people had serious needs. They heard about the miracles of Jesus. 

They believed. 

They sought out Jesus. 

They obtained their miracle.

 Jesus is still in the business of miracles. How desperate are your needs? 

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

 “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”

Herod heard and did nothing and died in his sins.

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

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

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

AS YOU EVANGELIZE, HEAL THE SICK AND CAST OUT DEMONS.

JESUS GAVE THE TWELVE AUTHORITY TO HEAL AND CAST OUT DEMONS. 

"Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them,

“Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.

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

"And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” 

"Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere." (Luke 9: 1 - 6)."

Wednesday 24th September 2025 in the 25th Week in Ordinary Time. 

"Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick." 

Why did Jesus send His disciples to their first mission work and commanded them: “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic." 

First, Jesus wants them to be different and feel different from any ordinary traveler. 

Secondly, to succeed in the work of evangelizing people, healing the sick and casting out demons, they need a solid and well tested faith. 

Absolute faith in God's promise of Provision, Protection and complete support is a necessity. 

Weakness in this type of faith today is probably the main reason for the lack of numerous miracles of healing and casting out evil spirits in the Church.

 Many pastors may even be afraid to preach on the so many incidents of healing in the Gospels because they may be challenged by parishioners to explain why there are very few healings in the parish. 

Christians are called upon to read and believe the word of God and go out to evangelize, heal the sick and cast out demons. The Arm of the Lord is not shortened to perform prodigies every day. 

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

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

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

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

THE MEMORIAL OF ST PIO OF PIETRELCINA (PADRE PIO).

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

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

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

Tuesday 23rd September, 2025 is the feast of St Pio Pietrelchina better known as Padre Pio. (1887 - 1968).

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

 He was a highly gifted confessor and counseling guru. 

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

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

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

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

 Padre Pio grew into a spiritual giant.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pray for the grace of Perseverance especially in Prayer. 

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

In the Gospel of today (Luke 8: 19 - 21), we hear:

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

What is the word of God?

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

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

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

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

In the Gospel for today, Jesus teaches that those who hear the word of God and observe it belong to a new family. A new family where blood is thicker than water. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SHINE SHINE YOUR LITTLE LIGHT.

DO NOT HIDE YOUR LAMP. 

"Jesus said to the crowd: 

“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.

 For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.

"Take care, then, how you hear. 

To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away." (Luke 8: 16 - 18). 

Monday September 22 in the 25th Week in Ordinary Time. 

A lamp is lit to be placed on a lampstand.

 The light here in the teaching of Jesus in the Gospel for today represents the precious word of God planted in our heart.

Examples of those who spread the light:

1. Mary heard the word of God and hastened with it to Elizabeth.

2. Anna the Prophetess saw the light at the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and became an evangelist spreading the message to everyone she meets from that point.

3. Philip met the Light and heard Him speak and hurried off to share the Good News with Bartholomew.

4. Saints Francis of Assisi, Dominic, Ignatius, Teresa of Kolkata heard and saw the Light. They founded religious orders which continue to spread the word throughout the world.

Jesus says that there are dire consequences for hiding our talent.

"Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

Use your light or lose it!

"I have chosen you to live in My friendship. Let Me respond, as I see fit, to all your heart’s desires. In what I will give you, there is no bitterness, no poison, no deception—I will give you only My light, My truth, My sweetness, My love, and a participation in all My states and in all My mysteries. I will take you into the innermost sanctuary of My Heart where I adore My Father as His eternal priest, and offer myself to Him as a perpetual victim of love."  (IN SINU JESU, Tuesday, January 8, 2008).

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

Mary knows what we are going through. Mary is willing and able to help us in our crises. 

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

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

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

STEWARD PREPARE YOUR ACCOUNTS.

PREPARE YOUR ACCOUNT. 

"MAN DOES NOT LIVE ON MONEY ALONE." (CF MATTHEW 4: 4).

"Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, 

‘What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.’

"The steward said to himself, 

‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me?

 I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg.

 I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.’

"He called in his master’s debtors one by one.

 To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’

 Then to another the steward said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘One hundred kors of wheat.’ The steward said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.’

"And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.....

"The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones;

 and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.

 If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth?

"If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours?

 No servant can serve two masters.

 He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other.

 You cannot serve both God and mammon.” (Luke 16: 1 - 13"

God ordered us to manage time, talent and treasure that He bestows on us.

 In this Sunday's Gospel, we see that there will surely be accountability for this enterprise.

 Money or mammon in this context has always been an area of the greatest trial for most people.

 Why? Because money in many ways represents "Bread". Bread is the staple of life. When Jesus was tempted about Bread in the Desert, He teaches us:

"Man does not live on bread [money] alone. There is life for him in every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Cf Matthew 4: 4).

How do you know if you are trying to serve God and mammon?

#1 Do you worry too much about money?

#2 Do you do non-essential work on Sunday?

#3 Are you burdened with debt?

#4 Do you give God time every day for prayer?

#5 Do you gamble? Play the lottery?

#6 Do you begrudge the Church your contributions?

#7 Do you worry about the stock market?

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6: 21).

"They multiply their sorrows who court other gods [mammon]" (Psalm 16: 4).

Remember:

"We brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it." (1 Timothy 6: 7).

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

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

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

THE MEMORIAL OF SAINTS ANDREW KIM TAEGON AND PAUL CHON HASSANG AND COMPANION MARTYRS.

MEMORIAL OF SAINTS  ANDREW KIM TAEGON, PRIEST AND PAUL CHONG HASANG, CATECHIST, AND COMPANION MARTYRS.

"When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable. 

“A sower went out to sow his seed. 

And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up.

 Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture.

 Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it.

 And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a ­hundredfold.”

 After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”

Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be. 

He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.

“This is the meaning of the parable.

 The seed is the word of God.

 Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved.

 Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation.

 As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit.

 But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.” (Luke 8: 4 - 15).

Saturday September 20th 2025 is the Memorial of the Korean Martyrs: ANDREW KIM TAEGON, PRIEST AND PAUL CHONG HASANG, CATECHIST, AND COMPANION MARTYRS.

 130 Korean Martyrs gave their lives for their faith in Jesus Christ. 

 They all gave their lives to Christ between 1839 and 1867.

 Among the martyrs were priests and laity and a full representative of the Church in Korea from all backgrounds.

We celebrate today the witness of the martyrs of Korea to the truth that the message of Jesus, of mercy, peace and promise of eternal life can resound in every heart in the world.

 A Korean traveler in China heard the Good News in that country. He returned home to Korea with tracts of the Catechism.

 He brought the light of the faith to Korea.

Our key Scripture is the Parable of the Sower. A sower goes out to sow and encounters four types of soil or four locations:

#1 Pathway.

#2 Rocky ground.

#3 Thorny Shrub.

#4 Rich soil.

 Psalm 65 reveals how God carefully prepares the ground for sowing. God is not a careless Farmer. 

"You [God] have visited the land and watered it; greatly have you enriched it. God’s watercourses are filled; you have prepared the grain.  Drenching its furrows, breaking up its clods, softening it with showers, blessing its yield." (Psalm 65).

God cannot be blamed for the hardness of heart found in soils that failed. It is a mystery that out of the four types of soil, only one produced a harvest. 

The harvest of a hundred, sixty, thirtyfold depend on the understanding of the message of the Gospel and the commitment to it.

In the Parable of the Sower, we note that although the Sower is an experienced Farmer, he did not discriminate on the type of soil he sowed. He could have eliminated all the adverse soils and go straight to the good soil. God's merciful love touches every creature. 

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

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

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

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

THE FEAST OF ST JANUARIUS, BISHOP AND MARTYR.

FEAST OF ST JANUARIUS, BISHOP AND MARTYR. 

THE WOMEN WHO PROVIDED FOR JESUS. 

"Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.

Mary Magdalene: Leader of the women who provided for Jesus and His disciples. 

"Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities,

 Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,

 Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza,

 Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources." (Luke 8: 1 - 3)."

Friday 19th September 2025 is the feast of St JANUARIUS, Bishop and Martyr.

In the Gospel of today, we see that

women who benefited from the ministry of Jesus provided for His needs and those of His disciples.

 They provided for them "out of their means." 

The widow of Zarephath provided for Elijah out of her meagre resources.

 God blessed this source and it never dried up.

This incidence is typical of God's arrangement for providing the future disciples of Christ.

 In the Old Testament, we see many instances of God providing for His servants through people.

 This principle was established with the levitical priesthood.

 Elisha, the prophet was likewise provided for by a couple in the course of his work.

 In the New Testament, we find abundant examples from the works of the Twelve and St Paul.

What are the lessons for us?

 God makes adequate provisions for the needs of those who preach the gospel.

 God prefers a situation of weakness and dependence for His servants so that His wisdom and power can triumph through their work. 

God infact wants His collaborators in the work of salvation to imitate the simplicity of Jesus Christ.

 He appoints people to supply the needs of His workers.

How do the disciples of Christ today appropriate God's blessings and provisions for them?

 First, they must be aware of these provisions in the Bible. They must understand what God's word or promise is saying to their particular situation. 

Disciples of Jesus must believe his word and act on this word.  Prayer, trust and obedience activate the power of the word.

Friday September 19th 2025 in the 24th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Januarius, Bishop and Martyr. 

St Januarius was martyred about  305. He was Italian. He was Bishop and Martyr and was killed under Emperor Diocletian. 

His dried blood liquifies miraculously several times a year.

 Even science and agnostics are confounded by this miracle.

 Jesus our Savior still presents believers more than sufficient proofs like the liquification of the the blood of Januarius to strengthen their faith.

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

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

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

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

THE WOMAN WITH THE EXPENSIVE JAR OF PERFUME.

THE WOMAN WITH THE JAR OF  EXPENSIVE PERFUME. 

"A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.

 Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee.

 Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears.

 Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.

 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself,

 “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.”

 Jesus said to him in reply, 

“Simon, I have something to say to you.” 

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

 “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty.

 Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both.

 Which of them will love him more?”

 Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.”

 He said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, 

“Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

 You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered.

 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment.

 So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love.

 But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”

 He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

 The others at table said to themselves,

 “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

 But he said to the woman, “ Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7: 36 - 50).

Thursday September 18th in the 24th Week in Ordinary Time. 

Saved by faith! 

"You faith has saved you; go in peace." (Luke 7: 50)

Jesus said these words to the woman described as a "sinful woman" in Luke 7: 36 – 50.

 This woman's faith in Jesus brought her not only forgiveness of her many sins but spiritual healing as well.

 Faith is to accept God's word as true.

 Which word of God do I need to accept as true here and now?

Consider these:

+My sins are forgiven.

+God is my Father.

+God's mighty and merciful providence is guiding, protecting and providing for me every moment of my life.

+ I am with you. Do not be afraid. 

+ My grace is sufficient for you for today. 

Lord Jesus, I believe. Help my unbelief.

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

Why does the Church set aside a full month to reflect on the Sorrowful Heart of Mary?

 Because it is important for us to know that Mary experienced the usual crosses and crowns that face every human being.

 In the case of the Blessed Virgin Mary, these crosses were very severe. 

Mary knows what we are going through. Mary is willing and able to help us in our crises. 

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

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

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

THE FEAST OF ST ROBERT BELLARMINE SJ, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

THE FEAST OF ST ROBERT BELLARMINE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH. 

"Jesus said to the crowds: 

“To what shall I compare the people of this generation?

 What are they like?

 They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another,

‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance.

 We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’

For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ 

The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said,

 ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ 

But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.” (LUKE 7: 31 - 35).

Wednesday September 17th in the 24th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St 

  Robert Bellarmine of the Society of Jesus. (1542 - 1620). Italian. Bishop, Cardinal, Apologist and Patron Saint of Catechists.

Robert Bellarmine resided in Rome during most of his work life.

 The poor of Rome came to know him well and called him "the new poor one," reminiscent of St Francis of Assisi.

 Bellarmine shared his table regularly with the poor of the city of Rome.

Bellarmine was the nephew of Pope Marcellus II.  St Robert Bellarmine was a renowned scholar, a great apologist and contributed immensely to the Council of Trent and the reforms mandated by the Council.

In spite of all these encomiums, Bellarmine could say with Paul:

"By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective."

How about us? Can we say honestly: "By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective." Can we defend the Catholic faith and all its practices? You may say: "I don't have the wisdom and the gifts of St Robert Bellarmine to do great things for the Church."

 Paul and Bellarmine recognized that without the grace of God, they could do nothing. 

The Holy Spirit is standing by waiting to be asked to be our Helper, Friend, Advocate. He will help us clarify our purpose on earth and help us to accomplish it.

Jesus told us that the Father does not ration the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus compares us to little children in the marketplace who refuse to play the game according to rules, what is He saying?

 If you want to be an adult Christian, you must learn one truth and abide by it.

 Nobody can please the world. The world has no gold standard.

 It has rather arbitrary rules strung together to satisfy  selfish whims.

 The world controls people through Opinion Polls.

 Many people are terrified of adverse opinions from their neighbors, peers and from the public.

Jesus did not care what people think about Him.

 His greatest desire is to do the will of His Father.

 In His teaching in today's Gospel, Jesus is not theoretical. He gives examples:

"For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners." 

But wisdom is vindicated by her works.” (Matthew 11: 18 - 19).

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

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

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

MEMORIAL OF SAINTS CORNELIUS AND CYPRIAN, POPE AND BISHOP, MARTYRS.

MEMORIAL OF SAINTS CORNELIUS & CYPRIAN, POPE & BISHOP, MARTYRS.

"Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.

As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a ­widow.

"A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her,

“Do not weep.”

He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted,

and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”

"The dead man sat up and began to speak, 

and Jesus gave him to his mother.

Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, 

“A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.”

This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region." (Luke 7: 11 - 17).

Tuesday 16th September 2025 in the 24th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Cornelius (Pope and Martyr) and Cyprian (Bishop and Martyr).

Pope Cornelius was martyred under Emperor Gallus in 253.

St Cyprian, a Bishop from Carthage (modern Tunisia) was martyred in 258 under Emperor Valerian.

The two saints we honor today were acquainted with one another. 

They lived under one of the most severe persecutions of the Church.

Tens of thousands were martyred. 

Rome was determined to stamp out once and for all Christianity in the empire.

Many Christians did not have the courage to face martyrdom. 

So they denied Jesus in order to preserve their lives. 

When the violent persecution abated, those Christians who denied Jesus wanted to be received back into the Church.

Some Bishops said Yes. Other Bishops refused them a second chance. 

The controversy nearly split the Church asunder.

Pope Cornelius wanted the Christians who apostasized to confess their sins and do appropriate penance and be allowed to rejoin the Church.

Many Bishops opposed him.

St Cyprian from the powerful African Church in Carthage came to his support. 

Their side won and schism was prevented.

In the Prayer over the Gifts for this Mass, the Church affirmed that the Eucharist gave Saints Cornelius and Cyprian the courage to offer their lives for Christ.

 The same Eucharist can keep us faithful in all our trials, the Church prays.

If you can receive the Eucharist more than once a week and do not do so, how can you justify your abstinence from such a Gift? It is simply ridiculous.

[Receive, we pray, O Lord, the offerings of your people in honor of the passion of your holy Martyrs Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, and may the gifts that gave them courage under persecution make us, too, steadfast in all trials.Through Christ our Lord.]

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

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

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

THE MEMORIAL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS.

THE MEMORIAL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS. 

""Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 

"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." (John 19: 25 - 27)."

 Monday September 15th in the 24th Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows.

"At the cross her station keeping,

Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last." (Stabat Mater).

 Thus was the prophecy of Simeon at the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple fulfilled. "Your own soul a sword will pierce."

By the Cross of Jesus, the Mother of Sorrows received her everlasting vocation:

“Behold, your mother… Behold your Son." Mary may have murmured silently: "Be it done to me according to Your word." And she became our Mother too from that instance.

What do you make of the Seven Sorrows of Mary? Was it necessary? Superfluous? An overkill?

 Our Church teaches: "Our Mother Mary teaches us to live, together with her, beside the cross of her Son. In her suffering, she reminds us of the malice of sin and shows us the way of true repentance." (Roman Missal).

The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows follows the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. Back to back we celebrate the mystery of suffering in the economy of salvation.  

Devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary had been practiced since the 

13th Century. The Swedish mystic, St Bridget received this Devotion.

Below are the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

1.  The prophecy of Simeon

2.  The flight into Egypt 

3.  Loss of the Child Jesus for three days 

4.  Mary meeting Jesus on his way to Calvary

5.  Crucifixion and Death of Jesus

6.  The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross

7.  The burial of Jesus. 

Mary like her Son Jesus endured each of her agony with perfect love and total abandonment to God. 

How do we summarize the dynamics of Cross and Crown, Test and Testimony, Trial and Triumph? The Apostle Peter says it best in the Communion Antiphon:

"Rejoice when you share in the sufferings of Christ, that you may also rejoice exultantly when his glory is revealed." (1 Peter 4: 13).

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

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

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