The hordes of hell will fail in their assault on the Church.

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16: 16).

Sunday 23rd August 2020, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time.

The Gospel of today Matthew 16: 13 - 20 celebrates the investiture of Peter and his successors as the unshakable rock on which the Church founded by Jesus Christ is built. It is the confession of Peter inspired by God the Father that unleashed this privilege. The first Reading from Isaiah 22: 19 - 23 foreshadows today's Gospel when Isaiah writes about the newly promoted Eliakim:
"He [Eliakim] shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. I will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; what he opens, no one will shut, what he shuts, no one will open. I will fix him as a peg in a firm place, a seat of honor for his ancestral house." (Isaiah 22: 21 - 23).

Jesus now makes Peter the Eliakim of the seed of the kingdom of God on earth.
"You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it." (Matthew 16: 18).

If the Church is not of divine origin, it could never have survived the coup d'etat of Martin Luther. Many of the princes of Europe at the time predicted that the Church was finished. At the Council of Trent, things went badly for the Church and its official representatives for over 90% of the time. Almost at the last moment through divine intervention, the Church upheld its faith that it is the will of God that Divine Revelation comes to us from three sources:
#1 Sacred Scripture.
#2 Sacred Tradition.
#3 Sacred Magisterium.

Not just Sacred Scripture but the other two as well.

These three are co-dependent like a three-legged stool. The gates of the underworld can never hold out against the Church.

Thank You Jesus.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

The Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

"Blessed are you who have believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord will be fulfilled. (Luke 1: 45).

Saturday 22nd August 2020 is the Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

What are we celebrating today? We are celebrating the truth that the Father gave us the Mother of His Son Jesus to be our Queen and Mother. (Cf the Collect of this Feast).

Mary prophesied during her visit to Elizabeth that all generations shall call her blessed. All generations indeed call her blessed for two principal reasons:

#1 She is the Mother of the Son. (Divine Maternity).
#2 She is the Mother of the King of the Universe and therefore the Queen Mother.

From the Cross, Jesus said to the Apostle John representing humanity: "This [Mary] is your mother."

The Church recently revised the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Litany of Loreto) and added these three praises to this ancient and popular prayer of the Church:

*MOTHER of Mercy.
*MOTHER of Hope.
*COMFORT of Migrants.

I say the Litany every morning after the Rosary. I am so delighted by these new titles because the world today is desperately in need of the mercy of God and the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Here are my favorite titles of Mary as Queen:

Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
Queen of families,
Queen of peace.

Here are my favorite titles of Mary as Mother:

Mother of Christ,
Mother of the Church,
*MOTHER of Mercy
Mother of divine grace,
*MOTHER of Hope,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good Counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Savior.

"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee! Blessed art thou among women." (Cf Luke 1: 28 Gospel Acclamation).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

The Pope of the Eucharist - St Pius X. Happy Feast Day.

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind..... The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22: 37, 39).

Friday 21st August 2020, 20th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Pius X (1835 - 1914). Italian. Pope. The Church and the world owe St Pius X a great deal for these innovations that we take for granted today: Frequent Holy Communion, children receiving Holy Communion from the age of 7. For these two, he is called the Pope  the Eucharist. He defended stoutly the integrity of the Catholic faith against modern heresies. He updated the Catechism. His papal motto: "To restore all things in Christ" became truly his magnificent obsession.

In answer to the question of a Pharisee scholar as to the greatest commandment in the Book, Jesus answered with our key Scripture for today. Love God and love neighbor always, everywhere and in everything. Sounds a bit intimidating and impossible. How can we keep this lofty commandment? For man, it is impossible but for God "all things are possible." What is the key here?

In the first Reading (Ezekiel 37: 1 - 14), the Word says:  "I will put my spirit in you that you may come to life." (Ezekiel 37: 14). Yes, the Holy Spirit in us makes it possible for us to love God and neighbor. The Holy Spirit is the Lord and Giver of life. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Liberty to always choose the best. And the best is love.

For the Christian, love of God and love of neighbor is the way of life. It is the beginning of eternal life here and all the way to eternity.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

The Feast of St Bernard of Clairvaux.

“The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come." (Matthew 22: 1 - 3).

Thursday 20th August 2020, 20th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of a Giant: St Bernard of Clairvaux. (1090 - 1153). French Cistersian Abbot. A man of great zeal for the Church. Renowned theologian and orator. I remember Bernard best because of the Memorare Prayer that he left the Church. The Memorare is one of the most popular prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary recited by many Catholics daily.

Our key Scripture for today from the Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22: 1 - 14) is for me the saddest parable in the Gospels. Let us see why. The Wedding Feast represents the Eucharist,  a type of the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. The Host is Abba Father and the Wedding is for the Son, Jesus. The honored and invited guests are you and me. The invited guests ignored the invitation and went about their businesses none of which was urgent. They delivered the ultimate insult to the King who invited them to come and feast sumptuously without cost. (Cf Isaiah 55: 1 - 3).

This is how the most Holy Eucharist is treated today. It is reckoned that less than 25 % of Catholics answer the weekly invitation to the Weeding Feast of the Lamb. Some who show up manifest a high degree of disrespect by not wearing the wedding garment. At the end of the Mass, many rush out without the courtesy of a simple "Thank You Jesus."

My friends, you see why this parable is an invitation for us to examine our conscience and resolve to do what is right and honorable. Honor Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

The Feast of St John Eudes, Promoter of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion.

"[My sheep] became food for all the wild beasts." (Ezekiel 34: 5).

Wednesday 19th August 2020, 20th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St John Eudes (1601 - 1680). French Priest. Gifted preacher. John had great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He founded the Society of Jesus and Mary. He was declared by Pope Leo XIII as “father, doctor, and apostle of the liturgical cult of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.”

Our key Scripture for today is from the first Reading Ezekiel 34: 1 - 11.
Jesus is greatly offended that the shepherds of His flock allow His flock to scatter everywhere and became easy food for wild animals.

Before you jump to indict Bishops and pastors, let us consider the list of all those who may qualify as pastors in this sacred text: Bishops and priests in the first place no doubts. Others are: Parents, teachers, catechists, evangelists, journalists, politicians, doctors and nurses, etc.

The malpractice and dereliction of duty of pastors have reached such level that the Good Shepherd must step in before further harm can be done.
"I swear I am coming against these shepherds. I will claim my sheep from them and put a stop to their shepherding my sheep so that they may no longer pasture themselves. I will save my sheep, that they may no longer be food for their mouths." (Ezekiel 34: 10).

How has the Church come to this?

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

All things are possible for God.

"Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19: 24).

Tuesday 18th August 2020, 20th Week in Ordinary Time.

The rich young man of yesterday who wanted eternal life and at the same time clung to all his material possessions was told to get rid of them and come and follow Jesus. That was too much for him. He walked away from the Pearl of great Price very sad.

In our Scripture for today, Jesus warns about the dangers of unbridled desire to be rich. To put it starkly, just as power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. So does wealth corrupts and extreme riches corrupt extremely. For proof of this, let us head to the first Reading today from Ezekiel 28: 1 - 10. The prince of Tyre became haughty of heart because of the vast wealth he amassed by trading. He came to see himself as: “A god am I! I occupy a godly throne in the heart of the sea!” And his attitude about his wealth and kingdom is:
“Our own hand won the victory;
the Lord had nothing to do with it."

St Paul warns: "Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction." (1 Timothy 6: 9).
Do not despise the wisdom of the Scriptures on the lure of money. Some play lottery to get rich quick.  "Why do you play the lottery, my friend?" You may be surprised to receive an answer like this: "When I win millions of dollars, I will distribute half to the poor and use the balance to build homeless shelters." An ex taxi driver told me about some of his cabby friends who actually won millions from lottery. They all became homeless in a few years.

God knows what we need and when we need it. This is why Jesus gave us the shortcut to the good life in this great promise: "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and the rest will be given to you."

God who is so faithful and true has never failed in his promises.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

Have we forgotten God who gave us birth and prosperity?

"You have forgotten God who gave you birth." (Deuteronomy 32: 18).

Monday 17th August 2020, 20th Week in Ordinary Time.

In the Gospel for today from Matthew 19: 16 - 22, Jesus said:
“If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions."

The rich young man represents the world today. He has built his security on material prosperity.  God's response to this pervasive attitude is in Deuteronomy 32: 18 - 21, the Responsorial Psalm for today?

"You have forgotten God who gave you birth."
It seems as if the world has forgotten the Savior who died for us. Very few are thinking of following Him and even these few have not recognized Him as the Pearl of the greatest Price. The Lord's complaint continues below:

"You were unmindful of the Rock that begot you. You forgot the God who gave you birth.
When the Lord saw this, he was filled with loathing and anger toward his sons and daughters."

Who dares blame God if He is full of loathing for His children?

“I will hide my face from them,” he said, and see what will then become of them.
What a fickle race they are,
sons with no loyalty in them!”

“Since they have provoked me with their ‘no-god’ and angered me with their vain idols, I will provoke them with a ‘no-people’; with a foolish nation I will anger them.”

The rich young man of today's Gospel desires eternal life but loves the present material world more. This world cannot produce the peace he hungers for. The anti-dote to his sadness is laid out clearly by Jesus:
"Come follow me and make my Kingdom your first priority and its kind of holiness. I promise you that that you will have everything you need." (Cf Matthew 6: 33).

The world and the Church are today at a cross-road. Quo vadis?

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

God's precious promises are irrevocable.

"For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11: 29).

Sunday 16th August 2020, 20th Week in Ordinary Time.

Do you delight in the sweet and precious promises of God? If you don't, ask the Holy Spirit to open your mind and eyes to what you may be missing. The psalmist said of them: "Your faithful promises are my armor and protection." (Psalm 91: 4). Peter speaking to the crowd on the morning of Pentecost told them: "These promises are for you and your children." Indeed for us all.

Not to be aware of these precious promises that laced the Bible is very unfortunate. In the second Reading today, Paul reveals one of those great promises of God:
"For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11: 29). He is writing about the call of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the gift God made them through a Covenant. Although the children of Abraham broke the covenant again and again, God swore that the gift and call are irrevocable. This promise gave great hope to St Paul and all Christians.

This promise of finality of God's gifts and call to me fills me with joy whenever I remember it which by the way is often. After the years of prodigal life, I returned home to the Father's house and thought that all was lost. One day, I encountered this promise in Romans 11: 29. It blew the lies of the devil.

Highlight all the promises you come across in the Bible. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you those that apply in your life. Ask Him to give you the faith and wisdom to appropriate them.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

The Solemnity of the Glorious Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

"He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly." (Luke 1: 52).

Saturday 15th August 2020, 19th Week in Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Just as in  the Transfiguration of Jesus, Mary's Son confirms our hope of transformation at the Resurrection. The Assumption of Mary reveals our hope and destiny.

Mary overcame sin and the ravages of sin through her Immaculate Conception. The Church has known the truth of the glorious Assumption of Mary from ancient times. On 1st November 1950, Pope Pius XII in an Apostolic Constitution defined the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. Thus was fulfilled one of the prayer intentions of Jesus in the Last Supper:

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

In the second Reading today, we hear: "For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,  but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ." (1 Corinthians 15: 22 - 23).

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

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

The Feast of St Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr.

"This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15: 12 - 13).

Friday 14th August 2020, 19th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Maximilian Kolbe.  (1894 - 1941).Polish Franciscan Priest, Martyr at Auschwitz. Maximilian is known for his profound love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. He founded the "City of the Immaculate." An avid evangelizer, he used the press and the written word to propagate the Gospel. He was a missionary in Japan.

St Maximilian Kolbe lived literally our Gospel for today taken from the Communion Antiphon:
"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."

This is how Maximilian lived literally John 15: 12 - 13: Sentenced to hard labor at Auschwitz, Maximilian offered his life in place of a young innocent man who was the father of young children. The Gestapo agreed to the deal and sent St Maximilian Kolbe to the starvation chamber where he died.

"Come, you blessed of my of  Father, says the Lord. Amen, I say to you: Whatever you did for one of the least of my brethren, you did it for me." (Matthew 25: 34, 40)

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

The Feast of Saints Pontian and Hippolytus - Pope and Anti-Pope.

"So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.” (Matthew 18: 35).

Thursday 13th August 2020, 19th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of a Pope and an anti Pope: Saints Pontian, Pope and Hippolytus, anti Pope (priest). By a mysterious design of Divine Providence, both waring clerics found themselves in the the same prison at the same time. They reconciled and were martyred together under the Emperor Maximinus Thrax. (+ 235).

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

How about you sister? How about you brother? Do you know anyone you need to forgive today from your heart? Think about this:

#1 "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." (Matthew 6: 12).

#2 David said to God after his serious sins: "I have sinned. Have mercy on me." The Father said to David: "Your sins have been forgiven."

#3 From the cross while still in excruciating agony, Jesus prayed: "Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing."

#4 Nelson Mandela was put behind maximum security prison for 27 years of torture. By the mystery of Divine Providence, when he was released, he became the President of a large and rich country. The first thing he did was to forgive all those who persecuted him.

How to deal with the poison of Unforgivenness:
#1 Ask for forgiveness for your sins every day.
#2 Ask God every day to grant the grace to all those you have offended to forgive you.
#3 Use the power of the Sacrament of Reconciliation to break the poisonous strangle of unforgiveness.

Never forget the forgiveness of the Lord!

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com 

The Feast of St Jane Frances Chantal.

"Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18: 19 - 20).

Wednesday 12th August 2020, 19th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Jane Frances Chantal (1572 - 1641). Religious. French. Co-founder of the Order of the Visitation with St Francis de Sales (Bishop and Doctor of the Church).
Jane Frances left behind large quantities of letters between her and St Francis de Sales that offer great insight on spiritual direction.

Our key Scripture for today is aimed at the community of believers. Believers know that Jesus teaches that prayer is a vital necessity. Scripture urges the believing Christian to pray always, everywhere and for everything.

What type of prayer is guaranteed to produce expected results? "Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Let's consider two conditions:
#1 Prayer of agreement between two or more people produce the discernment of the will of God. The will of God is the word of God. God always honors His word or promises come what may. The will of God is ultimately the best thing you want.
#2 Wherever two or three are gathered to honor Jesus, He is always there. His presence guides the prayer of the gathered Christians to produce a discernment of the will of God. The outcome is the sweet joy of answered prayer.

Whenever you can, do the prayer of agreement.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Little One - St Clare.

"Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18: 4).

Tuesday 11th August 2020 is the feast of St Clare. (1193 - 1253). Italian. At 18, Clare was not only beautiful but her parents were very wealthy. She gave up everything to follow the original Little One, Jesus Christ our Savior. Imitating St Francis of Assisi, the little poor man of Assisi, Clare embraced radical poverty. She founded the Poor Clares and modeled its constitution from what she learned from St Francis of Assisi.

I know one Poor Clare Nun, who made a great contribution to the world. Mother Angelica (+ 2016). She founded EWTN which is the only global Catholic Television Network in the world.

Our key Scripture for today teaches that God loves the little ones and uses them in big projects for the kingdom of God.

How can we become little ones?

#1 Go to the School of Mary, the little Virgin of Nazareth. She will teach us everything we need.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Lawrence, the Doyen of Deacons.

"Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit." (John 12: 24).

Monday 10th August 2020, 19th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr. (+258). St Lawrence, Roman and Deacon in the Church of Rome during the pontificate of Pope St Sixtus II. St Lawrence spent his life in the service of the poor of Rome. He perished in a gruesome torture under the persecution of Emperor Valerian. St Lawrence is the Doyen of all the Deacons of the Church.

Jesus is the "grain of wheat" who died, buried and rose from the dead to produce immense fruit of salvation. Without the death of Jesus, the Church would have no martyrs. We will not be celebrating the feast of St Lawrence today. Nor for that matter Saints Peter and Paul, Agatha and Agnes, Thomas More and John Fisher. The saints followed the Lamb of God to the Cross. They thus become the best interpretation of the Gospel.

But the Gospel is a living document not a dead letter. What does it mean for you to be the grain of wheat who falls to the ground and dies in order to produce large amounts of fruits? The answer is in the life of St Lawrence. He answered the call to the clerical state when that calling was a certain death sentence. Jesus empowered Lawrence with His grace and the Holy Spirit enabled Lawrence to produce large harvest.

Here is something else Jesus said about producing large harvest if you are willing:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.  He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit." (John 15: 1 - 2).

When you are not a dead branch, rejoice when the Father prunes you with trials.  "Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline?" (Hebrews 12: 7).

Every Christian who aspires to be a saint may not necessarily be blessed with the crown of martyrdom but Jesus promises that the Christian could achieve heroic sanctity if he follows some simple plan of life:

#1 Embrace God’s gracious and mysterious will every moment.
#2 Enjoy the constant presence of Jesus in the Sacrament of the Present Moment.
#3 Offer everywhere, always and for everything a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.
#4 Make a sweet surrender of all trials to Jesus.

This prayer will help anyone live the above-mentioned principles if repeated frequently and daily:

JESUS-EMMANUEL I TRUST IN YOUR MERCIFUL LOVE AND NOT IN MY FILTHY WORKS. I SURRENDER MYSELF TO YOU COMPLETELY. TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING YOUR WAY. (10 times).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Peter sinks because of doubt.

“Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”  Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”  He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.  But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14: 27 - 30).

Sunday 9th August 2020, 19th Week in Ordinary Time.

Why do we doubt the word of God? Jesus allows Peter to sink in order to teach us a lesson about the power of faith and the consequences of unbelief. God is truth and His promise is always true and certain.

When man listens to the devil, the Father of lies, what does he hear? Man hears that God does not mean what He says. You can't trust Him. God is not kind and faithful. Look at the world and see the mess the world is in. It is all God's fault. Satan deceived Adam and Eve through such lies. Peter started to sink because he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the confusion all round him.

"The sum of your word is truth; and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever." "And now, O LORD God, you are God, and your words are true"; this is why God's promises always come true. God is Truth itself, whose words cannot deceive. This is why one can abandon oneself in full trust to the truth and faithfulness of his word in all things." (CCC 215).

When God said to Mary: You will conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit and become the mother of God. Mary chose to believe God.
When God said to Abraham to leave his country at the age of 75 and start a new life in a foreign country, Abraham chose to believe God. You too can choose today to believe the precious promises of God to you.

God Never Fails!

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Dominic, OP.

"Then the Lord answered me and said: Write down the vision Clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. The rash man has no integrity; but the just man, because of his faith, shall live." (Habakkuk 2: 2 - 4).

Saturday 8th August 2020, 18th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Dominic, OP (1170 - 1221). Priest. Spanish. St Dominic founded the Order of Preachers. This religious order has contributed to the mission of the Church for some 800 years. The Dominicans promote Scripture study and the Holy Rosary.

Have you ever waited on God for something absolutely essential to your life and happiness? Fruit of the womb, a life partner, that job, etc? Then you should write out our key Scripture for today and post it in strategic locations in your home.

"Write down the vision Clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late."
This Scripture is a gem of revelation. It reveals to us how God works.
#1. God does nothing until the fullness of time. (Ecclesiastes 3: 1).
#2 In the fullness of time God makes everything beautiful. (Ecclesiastes 3: 11).

You grow to know how wonderfully God is faithful only if you write down His promises and the date you receive them. In 2015, EWTN sent me a prayer request card for the Divine Mercy Novena on Divine Mercy Sunday. I wrote 4 critical needs and sent off the card. I placed a copy of my prayer intentions on the wall in my work area. I never looked at it till a few months ago. That is after five years! When I did, I was shocked. Every single one of the four petitions has been granted in a way far exceeding my wildest expectations. Think of this: what would have happened if I did not write it down and post it on the wall?
You might ask: why didn't I check on it from time to time? Little faith. I did not expect anything to happen. Today I have learned. My walls are full of small hand written notes of God's precious promises.

Our famous Scripture for today ends: "The rash man has no integrity; but the just man, because of his faith, shall live." Do you know what this means?

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The challenges of following Jesus.

“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 16: 24 - 25).

Friday 7th August 2020, 18th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Sixtus II, Pope and Martyr. (+ 258). Sixtus with four of his deacons were captured at the Altar while celebrating Mass and beheaded at the order of Emperor Valerian. Today is also the First Friday in August when we honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Today's Gospel appears to be chosen for the saints we are celebrating today. Jesus laid down the grim cost of discipleship:
#1 Take up your cross and follow me. Your cross are the trials that you can't escape: health, joblessness, poverty, etc.
#2 Be prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice with your life if it becomes necessary. "For whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

As the God-Man filled with the Holy Spirit and Wisdom, Jesus knew that no one will respond to His challenge unless the bait is bigger than the sacrifice. And it is. Here is what Jesus promises:
1. The Holy Spirit with His gifts and fruits are promised.
2. The Presence of Jesus is always with the disciple.
3. Peace, joy, courage, contentment are always there on tap.

These are real benefits. I am currently reading the Lives of Saints. It appeared as if more than a third are martyrs. They are made up of mature men and women, boys and girls, princess and peasants, clerics and lay faithful. I asked: What made all these people choose to give up their lives if this is the only life they have?

The saints who took up the challenges of discipleship believed Jesus. Do you believe Jesus?
"For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct." (Matthew 16: 27).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

First Friday in August 2020.

August 07, 2020 First Friday in August.

Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month.  In the 8th month of the year, we look at Promise #8.

#8.  "Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection."

Who are the fervent souls?
Fervent souls are people who hear the word of God and take it to heart. They allow the word to influence their thoughts, words and actions. They place the Kingdom of God and holiness of life above every other thing. Even while living on earth, they experience the peace, joy and contentment of the Blessed. Because they trust and honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus, they grow from strength to strength.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday, August 7th 2020.
For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, click the link below:

http://sfjweb.com/?q=content/sacred-heart-12-promises

Seekfirstcommunity.com

The great Feast of the Transfiguration.

"In a resplendent cloud the Holy Spirit appeared. The Father’s voice was heard: This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him." (Cf Matthew 17: 5 Entrance Antiphon).

Thursday 6th August 2020, 18th Week in Ordinary is the great Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

What is the Transfiguration? In the presence of Peter, James and John, witnesses chosen by Him, Jesus' face and clothing became dazzling with light. Moses and Elijah were present conversing with Jesus.

Why the Transfiguration?
#1 To have 3 eyewitnesses to the testimony of the Father to Jesus as the beloved Son of God.
#2 To confirm the testimony of Moses and Elijah.
#3. To show clearly the divinity of Jesus as God.
#4 To reveal the future of mankind. We shall be like Jesus at the Resurrection.
#5 To note the command of the Father to listen to Jesus as the anointed authority of God's Word.

We cannot listen to Jesus without the power of the Holy Spirit. Are there any biblical and historical ways we can listen and discern the sure voice of our Shepherd speaking to us?

1. "I speak to you through the Scriptures."
2. "I speak to you through my holy servants."
3. "I speak to you through the Holy Eucharist."
4. "I speak to you directly through locution."
5. "I speak to you through dreams."

The Lord's personal message to you is called Rhema. Treasure this Utterance more than silver and gold. Your destiny is in the Message. I believe my Rhema is: "Seek first the kingdom of God and His holiness and I will take care of all your needs.

Listen to the voice of the Son as the Father commanded us.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major.

"Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour." (Matthew 15: 28).

Wednesday 5th August 2020, 18th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major. This Basilica was dedicated after the definition of the Dogma of Mary as the Mother of God in the Council of Ephesus in 430. The great Church was later renamed as St Mary Major.

The Blessed Virgin Mary said to the Angel Gabriel: "Let it be done to me according to your word." And the Word became Flesh in her womb. With this, Mary is acclaimed our great example of Faith. In our key Scripture for today, Jesus said to the Canaanite woman: “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour." (Matthew 15: 28).

What is faith? Before the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel, Mary knew God as Almighty, All-knowing, All-powerful, All-loving, All-merciful, etc. Her profound personal knowledge of God is the foundation of her faith.
The Canaanite woman is a believer who was searching desperately for a miraculous healing for her child. She heard about Jesus from a friend or a neighbor. She believed immediately what she heard about the miraculous power of Jesus. She packed her bag and went in search of Jesus. Her strong faith and expectations created resilience in her. She was prepared to be rebuffed by Jesus and was determined to have her miracle.

The Bible praises faith as one of the greatest gifts of God and a profound mystery. A little child is capable of great faith as a very old woman. Some of my favorite Scriptures on faith are:

#1 "The just shall live by faith." We live by faith and not by sight or feeling. Like the Blessed Virgin Mary, we live by the word of God that cannot fail.
#2 "We are saved by grace through faith." God's grace is abundant to save us and fulfill the desires of our heart but you must accept the word you receive in faith.
#3 Faith comes by hearing the personal word of God to you and saying a firm Amen to it.

The 11th Chapter of Hebrews is the list of some of the most important people in the Bible. They all achieved fame and greatness through their faith.

You too can overcome every challenge through faith. Two great tools to help develop your faith:

#1 Daily consumption of the word of God.
#2 Daily conversation with God through prayer.

Since you know this, you will be blessed if you do it.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com