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

THE GREAT FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS.

FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS. 

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him." (John 3: 13 - 17).

Sunday September 14, 2025 in the 24th Week in Ordinary Time is the Great Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.

Why celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross?

#1 There is a divine necessity for the Son of Man to be lifted up on the Cross in order to save mankind. 

#2 The crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus transformed the Cross into a true sign of salvation. The Cross transformed our trials into possibilities of triumphs and testimonies. This is the Full Truth of the Gospel. 

#3  "Christ crucified is thus "the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."?

It is in Christ's Resurrection and exaltation that the Father has shown forth "the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe" (CCC 272)

#4. "It is suffering, more than anything else, which clears the way for the grace which transforms human souls. Suffering, more than anything else, makes present in the history of humanity the powers of the Redemption." (Pope St John Paul II, ON the Christian Meaning of Suffering - Salvifici Doloris #27). 

#5. We exalt the cross whenever we embrace 

our trials and tribulations and understand that God's holy will is the means of peace and joy in our lives. 

The Cross has become a synonym for the trials of life. Jesus says: "If you want to follow Me, pick up your own cross and follow Me." Hence we find plastic cross, gold cross, silver cross, wooden cross, etc. We find crosses in homes, cars, schools, hospitals, churches, cemeteries.

We find crosses in every country in the world. The ubiquitous presence of the Cross everywhere is significant and providential. It signifies that grace and mercy are everywhere we accept trials and situations we can not avoid.

We are baptized with the sign of the Cross: In the Name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit. This reminds us of the Trinitarian character of our faith.

As the catechumens are reminded in the RCIA Rite of Acceptance,  embracing our cross is embracing the will of God. It is the most assured route to sanctity and the good life. The will of God is our shalom, our peace. Peace is the first and greatest gift of the Resurrection.

"Father, in Your will is our peace." 

Man has always rejected the Cross as we see in the first Reading (Numbers 21: 4 - 9).

"With their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!” (Numbers 21: 4 - 5).

If like Jesus, we humble ourselves under the mighty hands of God and accept our crosses, in the fullness of time, God will lift us up. (Cf 1 Peter 5: 6).

Jesus came to undo the disobedience of Adam and Eve by embracing the prescribed means of salvation by the Father.

"When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself, says the Lord." (John 12: 32)

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Cross you have redeemed the world.

September is the month we celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. It is also the month the Church honors the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Mary embraced her 7 Crosses (Sorrows). May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Crucified 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 ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

JESUS TREATED ME MERCIFULLY. 

"Beloved: This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost. But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life. To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."

Saturday 13th September 2025 in the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of St John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

St John Chrysostom was the 

 Archbishop of Constantinople and Doctor of the Church. He lived between 349 and 407.  He was Syrian by nationality. 

As the Archbishop of Constantinople, John Chrysostom could have chosen a quiet, comfortable and non controversial life. Not Chrysostom, a great admirer of St Paul the Apostle.

 He worked very hard for the cause of the poor and the marginalized people in his See. This brought him into collision with the Empress who sent John in exile. 

Bishop Chrysostom is known for his spirit of poverty and patience. His patience was shown in great suffering in the course of his life. He left us an example of invincible courage and patience. He died on his way to his last exile. We continue to enjoy today the vast writings he left behind.

Below is what St John Chrysostom wrote on the Eucharist:

"O miracle! O goodness of God! He that sits above with the Father…gives himself to all who desire to embrace and receive him. At that moment all do this with the eyes of faith."

St John Chrysostom is the patron saint of preachers.

St John Chrysostom pray for us.

We choose the intimate biographical note from the Apostle Paul for a brief reflection. 

What does 1 Timothy 1: 15 - 17 say to you? 

Some of us are chosen, called, anointed and justified by Jesus Christ so that the world will see in us that Jesus is truly the King of Mercy. 

Jesus came to call sinners and not the righteous. 

Let us give him loud praise and thanks forever and ever! 

"Many priests do not have a real and practical faith in My Eucharistic presence. Do they not know that the Eucharist encloses within itself all the merits of My Passion? Let them recover the faith of their childhood. Let them come to find Me there where I am waiting for them and I, for My part, shall work miracles of grace and holiness in them." (IN SINU JESU Monday, October 29, 2007). 

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

FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF MARY.

FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF MARY. 

"Jesus told his disciples a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? 

"No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. 

"Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? 

“How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.” (Luke 6: 39 - 42).

Friday 12th September 2025 in the 23rd Week of Ordinary Time is the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary. 

Almost back to back on the celebration of the Birthday of Mary (September 8th) is the feast of her Most Holy Name of Mary, September 12.

 The Church in her teaching authority interpretes for us the role of Mary in the economy of salvation.

 Here is what the Church teaches about the feast of today, the Most Holy Name of Mary:

"God the Father is glorified by the exalted role in salvation of the Blessed Virgin Mary."

 Thus her name is a name of honor, to be venerated and called upon with filial trust and devotion." (Roman Missal). 

The Blessed Pope Innocent XI placed the feast in the liturgical calendar in thanksgiving for the victory of Christians over Moslems on September 12, 1683. 

Who did Jesus call the blind in today's Gospel?

"Let them alone; they are blind guides (of the blind). If a blind person leads a blind person, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15: 14).

Do you know any  Pharisees in your community? 

"I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6: 6).

When a blind judge guides another blind judge, will not the two judges fall into the ditch? 

Jesus defines His mission thus:

"I was born and came into the world for this one purpose, to speak about the truth. Whoever belongs to the truth listens to me." (John 18: 37).

We all have tendencies to pharasaical attitude of being overbearing in our scrutiny and criticism of other people. Use the Sacrament of Reconciliation to erode the inclination to criticism, complaining and condemnation of our neighbors. No criticism. No complaints. No condemn. Say: NO CCC when tempted to say or think of anything negative of another person. 

"Many priests do not have a real and practical faith in My Eucharistic presence. Do they not know that the Eucharist encloses within itself all the merits of My Passion? Let them recover the faith of their childhood. Let them come to find Me there where I am waiting for them and I, for My part, shall work miracles of grace and holiness in them." (IN SINU JESU Monday, October 29, 2007). 

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 

HE WHO DESIRES MERCY SHOULD BE MERCIFUL!

BE MERCIFUL!

BE MERCIFUL! 

THE GOODNEWS:

"Jesus said to his disciples:

“To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

 bless those who curse you,

 pray for those who mistreat you.

 To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, 

and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic.

Give to ­everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

 For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? 

Even sinners love those who love them. 

And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. 

If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you?

 Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. 

But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, 

and lend expecting nothing back;

 then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.

 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

“Stop judging and you will not be judged.

 Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. 

Forgive and you will be forgiven. 

Give, and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap.

 For the measure with which you measure will in return be ­measured out to you.” (Luke 6: 27 - 38).

Our Daily Bible Verse for this Thursday in the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time is from the Gospel of Luke 6: 27 - 38. 

How can we be merciful as the Father is merciful?

What is mercy? The dictionary defines mercy as: "compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm." 

In other words, mercy is a gratuitous forgiveness of an offense where the offender is rightly waiting the hammer to strike.

God's mercy is called Hesed /Chesed in the Bible. Completely unmerited favor flowing from the powerful and merciful Providence of God. 

One of the greatest example of mercy is in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant.

 The servant owes his master millions of dollars which he could never repay. 

His master would sell his entire family and all his possessions, put him into slave work for the rest of his life to recover a tiny portion of his debt. 

Then the miracle happened. He was forgiven everything by his master. The servant did not forgive his fellow servant who owed him a tiny amount.

"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?’" (Matthew 18: 32 - 33).

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6: 36). Jesus teaches us that the merciful Heart of God is unfathomable. Like a bottomless ocean. 

There are many examples of this in the Old Testament. Covenant after Covenant was shredded by His ungrateful People. Yet when they suffer the consequences of their sins, one cry to God and He is at their side, forgiving them all and ready to start all over again.

Divine Mercy Devotion is Jesus' gift to the Church to help us to be merciful in three easy steps. 

Jesus revealed His intention to St Maria Faustina. He desires that no man should be ignorant of the infinite mercy of God.

 The heart of the Devotion is as simple as ABC and is summarized by the ABC of Mercy:

A: Ask for Mercy.

B: Be Merciful.

C: Completely trust Jesus for Mercy.

The ABC of Mercy is how we can be merciful as our Father is merciful.

"Above all, I renew for you the words I uttered for Saint John from the Cross: “Behold your Mother.” Live in her presence. Honour her at every occasion and in every way possible. Every time you show love and devotion to My most holy Mother, you honour the words I spoke from the Cross, and you put them into practice. “Behold your Mother.” She desires nothing more than to look after you, just as if you were her only son. Her attention for you is not divided, nor is it in any way impaired by the attention she gives to the vast multitude of her children through the ages. Trust in her care for you. Pray her Rosary. Honour her as you have been doing." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, January 31, 2008). 

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

HAPPY ARE YOU WHO SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

HAPPY ARE YOU WHO ARE POOR. 

"Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:

“Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. 

Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. 

Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh.

 Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man.

“Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! 

Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.

 For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.

"But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 

But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. 

Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. 

Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.” Luke 6: 20  - 26)."

Wednesday September 10th 2025 in the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time.

"WHAT KIND OF POVERTY, THEN, IS BLESSED? THE KIND THAT IS NOT IN LOVE WITH EARTHLY THINGS AND DOES NOT SEEK WORLDLY RICHES: THE KIND THAT LONGS TO BE FILLED WITH THE BLESSINGS OF HEAVEN." (POPE ST LEO THE GREAT).

In Luke's Beatitudes (Sermon on the Plain), Jesus promises the kingdom of God to those who are poor, not necessarily those deprived of material goods and comforts but those whose treasure is in heaven.

 These are the holy ones who have heard the message of the kingdom of God, of eternal life that is ushered in by the ministry of Jesus Christ and seeks it as first priority. 

These Christians start right here on earth and right now to enjoy the eternal life that is the kingdom of God.

But those whose hearts are in their wealth receive their compensation here on earth for 50, 70, 90 or at most 100 years.

 And here on earth, they must defend their wealth from taxes, robbers, rust, inflation, etc. 

They will be weary defending their excess riches. Jesus promises a better way in the Beatitudes:

“Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are you who are poor [in spirit, those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for the kingdom of God is yours [both now and forever]. (Luke 6: 20 AMP).

Seek the "Better Part".

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