The word of God is the blessed assurance of God.

"Never forget your promises to me your servant, for they are my only hope. They give me strength in all my troubles; how they refresh and revive me!"  (Psalm 119: 49 - 50 TLB).

The Communion Antiphon in this Sunday's Sacred Liturgy is from Psalm 119: 49 - 50.  The whole of this extra long Psalm celebrates God's Law.  What is God's Law?  Synonyms for God's Law are: decrees, statutes, commands, commandments, promises. I like particularly "promises" as equivalent for God's Law.  Below are synonyms for Promise:

"assurance, pledge, vow,
 guarantee, oath, bond, undertaking, agreement, commitment,
contract, covenant"

From Psalm 19, the Responsorial Psalm for today, we get a beautiful testimony of the word of God:
"The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.
The command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye."  (Psalm 19: 8 - 9).

Although we have not always been faithful to our covenant with God, He is always full of mercy anytime we come back and say: "Abba Father, I am sorry."

"O God, who manifest your almighty power above all by pardoning and showing mercy, bestow, we pray, your grace abundantly upon us
and make those hastening to attain your promises heirs to the treasures of heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever."  (Collect: 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time).

SeekFirstcommunity.com

I will worship You O Lord in the presence of the angels.

“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”  (John 1: 51).

The Church celebrates today the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.
The angels are messengers of God perpetually in His presence ministering to Him.
"Bless the Lord, all you his angels, mighty in power,
fulfilling his word and heeding his voice." (Cf Ps 103: 20).

There is ample testimony in Sacred Scripture of the role of angels in salvation history. The most famous, the one most Christians are familiar with is the Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary:  "In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary." (Luke 1: 26 - 27).

What do angels do?  They are continually in the presence of God worshipping Him.  The Church militant joins the Choirs of Angels in her Sacred Liturgy on earth in this joyful and glorious task. The Liturgy is where Heaven touches the earth.

When did the cult of the angels begin?  The existence, character and mission of angels is solidly attested by the witness of Divine Scriptures.  We can say that the cult of the angels made a smooth transition from the Old Testament to the Church Age.

"I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name."  (Psalm 138: 1 - 2)

SeekFirstcommunity.com

There is an appointed time for everything.

"There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens."
(Ecclesiastes 3: 1).

Time in the Scriptures is either Chronos, calendar time or Kairos, time of grace, that is time set by the Providence of God for His breakthrough or intervention in human events. Below are a few of such times:

“Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time."  (Habakkuk 2: 2 - 3).

2. "Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling?" (Job 7: 1).

3.  "Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared."  (Matthew 2: 7).

4.  "Therefore Jesus told them, "My time is not yet here; for you any time will do." (John 7: 6).

5.  "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."  (Revelation 1: 3).

Time and Season are God’s Appointment.
"God has made everything appropriate to its time." 
(Ecclesiastes 3: 11).

SeekFirstcommunity.com

All things are vanity.

"Who, then, is this I hear such things about?”  (Luke 9: 9).

This is the troubled conscience of King Herod who beheaded John the Baptist on the altar of lust. It is remarkable that Herod appeared well informed about the activities of Jesus.

Why do so many today appear apathetic about Jesus and His mission?  Many on the streets appear weary and lost.  They  almost scream for Redemption.  How do we reach them with the light of the Redeemer?

Herod kept trying to see Jesus. (Luke 9: 9). Why do so many appear to ignore Jesus?

Jesus has an answer for the likes of Herod.  “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  (John 14: 6).

The Teacher has a word of wisdom for these sheep without shepherd:
"Vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!"  (Ecclesiastes 1: 2).

St Paul cried out when his life was dominated by this type of futile behavior:
"Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?"  (Romans 7: 24).

Vanity of vanities!  All things are vanity!
"The world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world."  (1 John 2: 16).

SeekFirstcommunity.com

Every word of God is tested.

"Every word of God is tested;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him."  Proverbs 30: 5).

How much do you trust the word of God?  A little or a lot? That Bible somewhere in your home may be like acres of diamond in your backyard.

"Two things I ask of you, deny them not to me before I die:
Put falsehood and lying far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; provide me only with the food I need;
Lest, being full, I deny you,
saying, “Who is the LORD?”
Or, being in want, I steal, and profane the name of my God."  (Proverbs 30: 7 - 9).

I have been poor. I have been rich and I have been poor again.  Two things I have learned:
#1.  God knows exactly what we need and when we need it.
#2.  God Never Fails!

Today I trust the Lord to provide what I need.

Every promise of God is tested. God is a shield to those who trust Him and take refuge in Him.  (Proverbs 30: 5).

"Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Remove from me the way of falsehood, and favor me with your law.

"The law of your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces."

Your word, O LORD, endures forever; it is firm as the heavens." (Psalm 119: 29, 72, 82).

SeekFirstcommunity.com

Mary My Mom hears the word of God and keeps it.

“Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.”  Jesus said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”  (Luke 8: 20 - 21).

Did Mary and the brethren of Jesus make a mistake in visiting Jesus at work? Be that as it may, Jesus seizes the opportunity to point to His mother Mary as a model of a servant of God who hears the word of God and observes it. (Cf Luke 11: 28).

Mary heard the proposal to become the mother of the Redeemer and replied at once:
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled." (Luke 1: 38).

The word of God says: 
"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37: 4).
Mary replies:  "How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." 
(Luke 1: 47).  Jesus made Mary Mother, Teacher and Queen.

Simeon the old Prophet says to Mary:  "A sword will pierce your very soul." (Luke 2: 35).  Mary bowed her head in acceptance and complete surrender to the will of God.
At the foot of the Cross where Mary stood still like a statue, she heard Jesus moan:  "Where is my mother?"  Mary groaned in silence accepting the immolation of her Son and offering Him to the Eternal Father.

At every moment of Mary's life, we see a woman who lives by this word of God:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; In all your ways be mindful of God, and he will make straight your paths." 
(Proverbs 3: 5).

No wonder all generations continue to call Mary blessed. (Luke 1: 48).
The promise of Jesus is still true for you and for me:
“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”
(Luke 8: 21).

SeekFirstcommunity.com

Use your light or it will be taken away.

 “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."  (Luke 8: 16).

Baptism places the light of Christ in us.  Like one lighted candle, this light becomes many lighted candles in us as we grow in our Christian life through prayer, word of God, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Examination of Conscience, Spiritual Reading and Ministry.

Do you conceal your light or do you share it through how you talk and act?  How we talk and act is a witness to who we are. Jesus has given us His light for a purpose.

We also are called to witness through special gifts.
"He gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers,  to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ."  (Ephesians 4: 11 - 12).

Jesus concludes today's teaching with a warning:
"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 it or lose it.

SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Son of Man is delivered to you in the Eucharist.

“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death he will rise.”  (Mark 9: 31).

"handed over" means:

"delivered into the hands of men." 
You know how UPS delivers a parcel to you.
"is to be betrayed into human hands."
"will be given to men"

It is sad to see that Jesus Christ is still being handed over, betrayed and delivered to us today?

The Son of Man is still being delivered to us every day in the Eucharist and in the Tabernacle of the Blessed Sacrament. Instead of adoration and worship, He is neglected and sometimes despised.

"I was lonely and waiting for you in the Blessed Sacrament. You never visited Me." What will be your defense?  "Lord if I knew you were truly there, I would visit you every day."
"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
(John 13:17)

"God has called us through the Gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."
(Cf 2 Thessalonians 2: 14).

SeekFirstcommunity.com

You can deal with anxiety.

"The seed is the word of God."  (Luke 8: 11).

We are the soil.

The Parable of the Sower is one of the best known of Jesus' parables and can be considered the most consequential.  Each person can easily recognize himself as a type of soil. "The seed that fell among thorns" gives us a template of which novels and movies are made.  From rags to riches and riches to rags.
The world is full of anxiety, fear and doubt.  Jesus says that these emotions are lethal for the implanted life of God in the soul.

"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."  (Luke 8: 14).

How do we deal with anxiety? Two simple tools of Jesus:
#1 Prayer.
#2  Word of God.

Simple prayer of petition is always powerful. Example:  Lord help me overcome my anxiety. "Lord I am going to see the doctor, I am anxious. Please help me.  I am usually anxious at the end of the month because of the bills, help me Lord."  Make this simple prayer of petition habitual and you will be surprised to find how your stubborn anxieties are under control or completely eliminated.

The word of God is the promise of God.  God gives us these promises to help us live well.   I use the promises below frequently:

"Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."  (Isaiah 41: 10)

I count seven promises in the above Scripture verse. I claim them every morning.

"This I know: God is on my side!
I praise God for what he has promised; yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.  I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?"  (Psalm 56: 9 - 11 NLT).

It is powerful to remind God that you are asking for what He has promised. It gives you confidence.

The goal of the Christian life is to progressively make your soul a rich soil for the word of God.
"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: 15).

SeekFirstcommunity.com

Matthew follow me.

"As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him."  (Matthew 9: 9).

Today is the Feast of St Matthew the Evangelist.

"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them
and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you,
says the Lord."  (Cf Matthew 28: 19 - 20).
Matthew recorded and carried out the above mission.  God chose Matthew into the intimate circle of Jesus with untold mercy.

Matthew accepted the call with generosity and then lived in a manner worthy of the call he received.  He used his old skill as a tax recorder to pen the Gospel that bears his name.

The call of Matthew is a story of mercy. The unfathomable mercy of God.  “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
(Matthew 9: 12 - 13).

Like Matthew, let us be ready at all times to be surprised by Mercy.  The Good News is the orchestration of Mercy. Be a part of that global orchestra.
Ask for Mercy.
Be Merciful.
Completely trust Jesus for Mercy.

SeekFirstcommunity.com

Your sins are forgiven. Go in peace.

“Your sins are forgiven.....Go in peace.”  (Luke 7: 48, 50).

These are wonderful words of mercy to the sinful woman who bathed the feet of Jesus with her tears and wiped them with her hair. After kissing the feet, she anointed them with an expensive ointment.

What value do you place on sins?  Would you prefer to win a large lottery than to hear the words:
“Your sins are forgiven."  (Luke 7: 48).  St Paul gave this point blank message to the Corinthians: "Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15: 3). If Christ died for our sins, then sin must be a pretty serious issue. Nobody dies for the outcome of a football game.

When you hear of Debt in Scriptures, you can safely substitute the word Sin.  A big Debt means a big Sin.  If a huge debt is wiped out, it means all sins, crimes, felonies have been forgiven in one merciful act of God.  How did the sinful woman able to figure out what Christ did for her?  The peace, joy and well-being she felt.

"How can I repay the Lord for all the great good done for me?"  (Psalm 116: 12).

Have you ever experienced the pure joy of reconciliation? How do you express your gratitude?

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his mercy endures forever.
Let Israel say: his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Aaron say,
his mercy endures forever.
Let those who fear the Lord say,
his mercy endures forever."  (Psalm 118: 1 - 4).

The woman in this narrative could have answered her critics with these words:
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective."  (1 Corinthians 15: 10).

SeekFirstcommunity.com

Love bears all things.

"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."  (1 Corinthians 13: 7).

If a newly married couple asks you for an advice on how to make a success of their marriage, what would you say to them?

Consider the truth and the power of this word of God:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated,  it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,  it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."  (1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 7).

You might also consider putting this advice on a beautiful frame.  Make three copies: one for the bedroom, one for the living room and one for the dining room.  This is also good for examination of conscience before Reconciliation.  Your spiritual work of Mercy may be the best wedding gift anyone can receive.

"Love never fails."  (1 Corinthians 13: 8).  Of course!  Because God is love and God Never Fails!

SeekFirstcommunity.com

Jesus says to the widow: Do not weep.

“Young man, I tell you, arise!” (Luke 7: 14).

At this command of Jesus, the dead man, the son of the widow of Nain sat up. Jesus was moved to pity for her sorrowful and weeping mother and said to her:  "Do not weep."  (Luke 7: 13).

We rarely hear mention of widows in our modern society.  What happened to the widows?  Widows are permanent landmarks of the Bible: Old and New Testament.  Along with orphans and strangers, they form the trio that enjoy God's preferential privileges.  A few verses on the testimony of the Scriptures:

1.  "You shall not oppress or afflict a resident alien, for you were once aliens residing in the land of Egypt.  You shall not wrong any widow or orphan.  If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me, I will surely listen to their cry."  (Exodus 22: 20 - 22).

2. "For the Lord, your God, is the God of gods, the Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who has no favorites, accepts no bribes,  who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and loves the resident alien, giving them food and clothing."  (Deuteronomy 10: 17 - 18).

3. "He [Elijah] called out to the Lord: “Lord, my God, will you afflict even the widow with whom I am staying by killing her son?”  (1 Kings 17: 20).

4. "The Lord protects the resident alien, comes to the aid of the orphan and the widow, but thwarts the way of the wicked."  (Psalm 146: 9).

5.  "A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents."  (Mark 12: 42).

We can now see what informed Jesus' heart for the widow and the marginalized of society: the word of God.

"How precious is your mercy, O God!  The children of Adam take refuge in the shadow of your wings."  (Psalm 36: 8).

SeekFirstcommunity.com

How do you use the power of the word?

"Say the word and let my servant be healed."  (Luke 7: 7).

The encounter of Jesus with the Roman Centurion teaches us two lessons:
#1. The power of the the word.
#2.  The power of faith.

Do you appreciate the power of the word?   How do you react when a police officer barks "STOP!"  You freeze at the location.  The authority of the army officer like the Centurion lies only in the power of his word.  Listen to the Centurion describes how it works:

"For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”  (Luke 7: 8).

How about power of the word of Jesus.   It will be like comparing a 0.45 caliber pistol to an atomic blast.  God's power is in His word.  He created the world through His word.  "Let there be light."  Wow!  There was light! 

How was the Centurion able to figure out the power of Jesus?  Theologians teach that "grace builds on nature."   God gave the Centurion the natural grace of being a commanding officer.  When he heard of Jesus and His miracles, he understood what was going on. He believed! Jesus was impressed and answered his prayer.

“I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”  (Luke 7: 9).

We too have the power of the word. The word of God is the promise of God. The word of God is His decree or law.  God wants us to use His words in prayer with expectant faith.  "You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."  (John 14: 14).  Ask!

SeekFirstcommunity.com

But you, who do you say that I am.

"And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Messiah.”  (Mark 8: 29).

Caesarea Philippi marks a watershed in the Gospel narrative.  What happens at Caesarea Philippi and why does it matter?  First, the Father reveals the identity of Jesus as the Son of God and the expected Messiah.  Secondly Jesus looks you in the eyes and asks you:  “But who do you say that I am?”
The answer you give to this test determines your life here and now and your eternal destiny.

St Jerome, Church Father and Doctor of the Church says:  "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ."   Jesus made so many promises during His public ministry.  Each of His promise shows us who He is.  Which of these promises do you appropriate that helps you to answer the question: Who is Jesus?

1.  "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."  (John 15: 13).
2.  "For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him."  (2 Corinthians 5: 21).
3.  "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides."  (Matthew 6: 33).
4.   "Whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son."  (John 14: 13).

You can know who Jesus is through His words. He is the word of God and He is in His word.

From the Gospel, I know that Jesus is my Lord and my God, my Savior and my Redeemer. He is my Good Shepherd. Jesus is the Promise Maker and the Promise Keeper.

"Jesus asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Messiah.”  (Mark 8: 29).

SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Heart that is pierced with a sword.

"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:  26 - 27).

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.  Coming right after the feast of the Triumph of the Cross. The Church remembers the Heart of Mary  "pierced with a sword."

"Simeon said to Mary: Behold, this child is destined for the ruin and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign of contradiction; and your own soul a sword will pierce."  (Cf Luke 2: 34 - 35).

On the Cross, Jesus gave us His mother as our mother. (John 19:  26 - 27).  A precious, priceless Gift.

"How shall I make a return to the LORD for all the good he has done for me through His Blessed Mother? The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the LORD.

"To You Jesus will I offer sacrifice of Thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. My vows to the LORD I will pay in the presence of all his people." 
(Cf Psalm 116:12-13, 17-18).

"O God, who willed that, when your Son was lifted high on the Cross, his Mother should stand close by and share his suffering, grant that your Church, participating with the Virgin Mary in the Passion of Christ, may merit a share in his Resurrection.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever."
(Collect, Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows).

SeekFirstcommunity.com

Lift high the triumphant Cross!

"Make a seraph and mount it on a pole, and everyone who has been bitten will look at it and recover." (Numbers 21: 8).

Friday, September 14th is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.  Today, the universal Church lifts high the triumphant Cross from which came the salvation of the world.  What happened in the Desert in Numbers 21 prefigures the real and gruesome sacrifice of Jesus on the altar of the Cross.  Here Jesus is the Victim, the Priest and the Altar of Sacrifice!

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

Thank You Jesus!

Brothers and sisters:  "We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection, through whom we are saved and delivered."
(Galatians 6: 14).

SeekFirstcommunity.com

Mercy droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven...

"Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful."  (Luke 6:  36).

Mercy is the preeminent attribute of God.  In the Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare shows that mercy can also be a human attribute:

"The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes the thronèd monarch better than his crown."

Like the Unforgiving Servant, Shylock in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice ignored the plea for mercy.
Jesus urges us to be merciful as our Heavenly Father is always merciful.  But Abba Father's mercy comes with a condition: "Forgive and you will be forgiven."  (Luke 6: 37).  And again: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."  (Matthew 6: 12).  We see that it is Father's intention to make mercy a human policy.

"Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love; in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions.
Thoroughly wash away my guilt; and from my sin cleanse me. For I know my transgressions; my sin is always before me.
Against you, you alone have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your eyes.....

I will teach the wicked your ways,
that sinners may return to you."
(Psalm 51: 3 - 6, 15).
The reformed sinner has not only become merciful but is now an evangelist of Mercy.

SeekFirstcommunity.com

Congratulations to you who are poor.

“Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours."  (Luke 6: 20).

St Luke gives his version of the Beatitudes in Luke 6: 20 - 26).
The Beatitude is a faithful portrait of the character of Jesus the Messiah, the Faithful Servant. It begins with a key attribute: material poverty.  Jesus was born of poor parents in a manger. He lived in a poor neighborhood of Nazareth. After he attained the age of puberty, He became an apprentice carpenter in His father's workshop.

When Jesus began His teaching with "Congratulations to you who are materially poor..." His audience would have been delighted. Let us head to the Catechism to see what the Church teaches us on the Beatitudes.

"The Beatitudes reveal the goal of human existence, the ultimate end of human acts: God calls us to his own beatitude. This vocation is addressed to each individual personally, but also to the Church as a whole, the new people made up of those who have accepted the promise and live from it in faith." (CCC 1719).

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

"God put us in the world to know, to love, and to serve him, and so to come to paradise. Beatitude makes us "partakers of the divine nature" and of eternal life. With beatitude, man enters into the glory of Christ and into the joy of the Trinitarian life." (CCC 1721)

The Beatitude is the blueprint of our Journey of Faith.  Follow it as faithfully as you follow the GPS and it will lead you to our true Homeland.

SeekFirstcommunity.com

I will see you in court.

"How can any one of you with a case against another dare to bring it to the unjust for judgment instead of to the holy ones?"  (1 Corinthians 6: 1).

St Paul upbraided the Corinthian Christians who were new and baby Christians for behaving in a manner completely outside "our manner of doing things."  Every family, every household has its "manner of doing things."  With time, your family manner of doing things become the tradition of your family.  The Christian Church is the Household of God. She too has its manner of acting and doing things.

"If, therefore, you have courts for everyday matters, do you seat as judges people of no standing in the church?"  (1 Corinthians 6: 4).
No! No! No!

"Can it be that there is not one among you wise enough to be able to settle a case between brothers?  But rather brother goes to court against brother, and that before unbelievers?"  (1 Corinthians 6: 5 - 6).
Yes there are many among us who can settle our grievances against one another. O Holy Spirit help us!

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."  (Romans 12: 2).
Got it! When we conform to the "manner of doing things" of the world, we sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.

"I chose you from the world,
that you may go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord." (John 15: 16).
It is our vocation and mission to make the world conform to our manner of doing things not the other way around.

SeekFirstcommunity.com