Celebrate the Mercy of God on Divine Mercy Sunday.

WHEN TWO ELEPHANTS FIGHT, THE GROUND TELLS THE STORY. DIVINE MERCY MANIFESTS ITSELF THROUGH RECONCILIATION.

"Jesus said to them [Apostles] again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,“Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”  (John 20: 21 - 23).

Sunday April 24th, 2nd Sunday of Easter. Sunday of Divine Mercy.

The universal Church celebrates today the Solemnity of Divine Mercy. (Always 2nd Sunday of Easter).  Jesus is the Face of Mercy of Abba Father.  Mercy is the name and essence of God the Father revealed to us through His Only Son, Jesus the Christ. The open Heart of Jesus is the symbol and seat of Mercy.  Mercy is promised to all.

To demonstrate that the powerful gift and message of Mercy that Jesus shared in His public ministry will remain in the Church after His Ascension, Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation and gave His Apostles and their successors the power to forgive sins.

To prepare ourselves to receive and retain Mercy, the ABC OF MERCY is very useful.  It is called  ABC because, it is an acronym that can be remembered easily and secondly it is as simple as ABC.

A:  Ask for Mercy.
B:  Be Merciful.
C:  Completely Trust Jesus for Mercy.

God is rich in mercy and is waiting for us to turn to Him to blot out all our sins and receive us in His merciful love.
Mercy, mercy. Nothing but mercy!

"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by."  (Psalm 57: 1)

"Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself." (The Diary of St Maria Faustina, #950).

To learn how to recite the Divine Mercy Rosary, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/10/how-to-recite-divine-mercy-rosary.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Mission is Urgent. All the Resources have been provided. Go!

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE SPIRIT OF EVANGELIZATION AND POWER. PRAYER IS THE ACTIVATOR OF POWER. FAITH AND PRAYER GO TOGETHER. I BELIEVE, THEREFORE I PRAY. I PRAY BECAUSE I BELIEVE.

"But later,[on the First Day - Sunday] as the Eleven were at table, Jesus appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every ­creature.” (Mark 16: 9...15).

Easter Saturday 23rd April, 2022 in the Octave of Easter.

Jesus said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16: 15).

I like the way the AMPC translation renders the Great Commission, our key Scripture for today.
"And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race]." (AMPC).

Preaching and publishing become two sides of the same coin.  A lot of evangelization today is done through all types of non-verbal communication through publishing media: blogs, podcasts, videos and zoom apps, newspapers and magazines, radio and television. All are necessary to bring the Good News to everyone, everywhere in the world. Our task is not done until the whole human race has heard the amazing grace of Jesus Christ, the Good News. This task has become more urgent today than ever.

Abba Father wills that everyone must come to the knowledge of truth and repentance. He equipped the Church for this mission by sending down the Awesome Holy Spirit to drive this mission.

We see the power of the Holy Spirit in the moving testimony of Peter and John before the entire Supreme Court of Israel in the first Reading:
"Peter and John, however, said to them [the Justices] in reply, “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4: 19 - 20).

With the presence and gifts of the Holy Spirit, we have all we need to fulfill the Great Commission. May the Lord grant us success. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Come and have breakfast children.

THEY SAY THAT LOVE ENTERS THROUGH THE STOMACH.

"Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.”  So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish." (John 21: 5 - 6).

Easter Friday, 22nd April 2022  in the Octave of the Solemnity of Easter.

Our Gospel of today (John 21: 1 - 14) is one of my favorite passages in the Gospel. It is one of the post Resurrection appearances of Jesus to His brothers. He seeks them out everywhere to be with them and encourage them. He prepares a breakfast for His disciples.

Why do I find this passage comforting?
#1. As a salesman, I know what it means to toil a whole week and catch nothing. Isn't it comforting to know that Jesus knows the hideouts of all the fish? The fishermen obeyed the advice of the stranger on the shore and their disappointment was turned into comfort and joy.

#2. “Come, have breakfast.”
In the Gospels, a number of important teachings of Jesus happened around the dinner table. Good food and eating are essential to a healthy spirituality.
Jesus invited the Apostles to come and eat and there was an unforgettable party there at the shore.

Can thunder strike twice in the same place? Jesus reveals Himself to His disciples through familiar words and actions. John was the first to make the connection of this miraculous catch of fish to the earlier incident.

Jesus is constantly invading our spaces trying to catch our attention. He is the great Hound of Heaven.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Cast off your fears and bear witness to what you have seen and heard.

CHRISTIAN, SHAKE OFF YOUR FEARS OF BEARING WITNESS TO YOUR SAVIOR WITH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

"While they [Disciples] were still speaking about this, Jesus stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet." (Luke 24: 35.... 48).

Easter Thursday 21st April in the Octave of Easter.

The Apostles gathered in the Upper Room could still not shake off the gruesome events of Good Friday by now three days ago. Jesus had since appeared to Mary Magdalene and some women, to Peter and some Apostles, to Cleopas friend and his on the road to Emmaus. In spite of all these, the Apostles were still frightened and many questions and doubts agitate them.

Jesus said two weighty and important things to His disciples gathered in the Upper Room the very Sunday of the Resurrection:
#1. “Peace be with you.” (Luke 24: 36).
#2. "You are witnesses of these things." (Luke 24: 48).

Peace is the dominant post-Resurrection greeting of Jesus. Peace here means Shalom, the sum total of all graces and mercies flowing from the heart of God to men of good will who are now fully redeemed by the death and Resurrection of Jesus. No more recriminations or remembrance of denials and cowardly flight from the scene of the crime. All sins are washed away. Enjoy My Shalom!

At the end of His brief speech, the Risen Lord said: "You are witnesses of these things." "You" means we Christians singing the Easter Alleluia are His witnesses. We are to bear testimonies with our life and work to Jesus, to His Good News. As we bear testimony to the power of the name of Jesus with faith, miracles will happen as we hear in the first Reading Acts 3: 11 - 26.

"O chosen people, proclaim the mighty works of him,
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light, alleluia." (1 Peter 2: 9).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Cross is the only way to salvation.

JESUS SOUGHT OUT HIS STRAY SHEEP  CLEOPAS AND FRIEND. HE SEEKS US OUT WHEN WE ARE FOOLISH AND GO ASTRAY. THE MORE WE REALIZE HOW MUCH JESUS LOVES US, THE MORE WE CAN STOP RUNNING.

"And Jesus said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!  Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (Luke 24: 25 - 26).

Easter Wednesday 20th April 2022, in the Octave of Easter.

Our Lord and Teacher, Jesus Christ called the two disciples He met on the road to Emmaus foolish and slow of heart. Why? Cleopas and his companion were foolish because they did not believe faithful and credible witnesses in Jerusalem that Jesus has risen from the dead. They knew that some disciples of Jesus said that Jesus had risen from the dead. Why did they not believe these people? Jesus founded a Church and wants us to believe the Teaching Authority of the Church. Look at the chaos in the protestant church. If you are not happy with the teaching of your pastor, you shop for a new church or you start your own church if you can.

Although Cleopas and his friend may not have been Scripture scholars, they trusted a lot in their judgment about the "events in Jerusalem". Are you one of those who believe you know more than your pastor and Bishop?

Jesus also called the two men "slow of heart" which means sluggish in mind and dull of perception. It is possible that their minds envisioned a worldly Messiah that will make them rich but were closed to any other possibilities.

The truth of the matter is that there is a divine necessity that Jesus must suffer before He enters into His glory. What is a divine necessity for Jesus is a divine necessity for Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, John the Baptist, and you and me.
No cross, no crown. No trial, no triumph! It is a hard lesson.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Mission of Mary Magdalene.

MARY MAGDALENE LINGERED AT THE TOMB AND WAS REWARDED BY BEING THE FIRST PERSON TO SEE THE RISEN JESUS.
SOME PEOPLE COMPETE TO BE THE FIRST TO LEAVE THE CHURCH AFTER HOLY MASS?

"Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher." (John 20: 11.... 18).

Tuesday 19th April, Easter Tuesday in the Octave of the Solemnity of Easter.

After asking Mary Magdalene why she was weeping, Jesus said to her:

“Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."

Jesus gave Mary Magdalene the great commission of bearing news of His Resurrection to the all male Apostles. Mary ran with the news to the Apostles.

Who is this woman, Mary Magdalene?
#1. Certainly not the wife of Jesus as alleged by the silly once popular book, Da Vinci Code.
#2. Probably the woman of Mark 16: 9 who had 7 demons expelled from her. Once released from demonic oppression, Mary clung tightly to Jesus and His ministry.
#3. Jesus and His disciples received no salary, stipends or subsidies for their ministry. How did they survive? Mary of Magdala headed a group of zealous women who supplied the needs of Jesus and the disciples from their resources.
#4. Mary Magdalene stood with the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Apostle John under the Cross and witnessed the agony of the Crucified from the very beginning to the end.
#5. Jesus rewarded Mary to be the first eyewitness to see Jesus after His Resurrection. He commissioned Mary to take the great news to His brothers. No wonder Mary is called the "apostle to the apostles."

What are the lessons from the profile of Mary Magdalene?
Mary has a heart that returns love for love. She never forgets a favor done to her. Mary Magdalene is one of my patron saints. I pray through her intercession for the grace to know the Heart of Jesus intimately, to love Him passionately and to follow Him everywhere.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

God raised Jesus whom you crucified.

FATHER, I BELIEVE THAT IN YOUR INFINITE GOODNESS, YOU MAKE EVERYTHING TO THE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE WHO LOVE YOU.

"This man, [Jesus] delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.  But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it." (Acts 2: 23 - 24).

Today is Monday April 18th in the Octave of Easter. Easter is the greatest feast in the Church liturgical calendar.

Each of the first 8 days after Easter Sunday is a solemnity (high feast). 50 days from Easter to the Feast of Pentecost on June 5th are all feast days of Easter. If during the 40 days of Lent, you fasted, abstained or disciplined yourself in any way, then you can appreciate the 50 days of Easter feast. It is 50 days of feasting and celebrating your faith. Fasting and abstinence are suspended till after Pentecost. The Bridegroom is with us. Sorry, we cannot fast. We want to enjoy the promised change of season. (Cf Psalm 1).

Our key Scripture today (Acts 2: 23 - 24) teaches us a very important truth. This is a truth that can fill you with knowledge and wisdom that you can use every day. I will use another strategic Scripture to convey the lesson:

"And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.  For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers." (Romans 8: 28 - 29 AMP).

The Crucifixion of Jesus was no accident of history. It was pre-planned. Just as your entire life is pre-planned from your birth to your tomb.

Brothers and sisters, remember: Easter is not a one day celebration. It is a Season. That is why it is also called Eastertide. Enjoy the holy joyful Season.

"Alleluia, alleluia!
This day was made by the Lord:
we rejoice and are glad.
Alleluia!" (Psalm Psalm 117: 24).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Christ has risen indeed. Happy and a glorious Easter.

LORD JESUS, I BELIEVE. INCREASE IN ME FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE.

Sunday April 17, 2022, EASTER SUNDAY. The Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When Peter and John entered the empty tomb, they saw what gave them a pause and serious matter for reflection. Jesus was not in the tomb. But the burial clothes were neatly arranged as if the person simply slipped through the clothes without disturbing them in any way. John observed this and concluded that there could be only one explanation: Jesus has risen from the dead.

This incident explains why Jesus forecast His passion and death and none of the disciples remembered it.  "They did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead." (John 20: 9). Nothing like the Resurrection of a dead person had ever happened before. There is no historical precedence in the Scriptures.

With the reality of the Resurrection, we can heed the Scriptures when it tells us to:

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43: 18 - 20).

Have you observed anything that make you believe that Jesus is risen and alive?  There are two incontrovertible reasons to believe in the Resurrection of Jesus:
#1. The existence of the Church.
#2. The self-sacrificing work of missionaries all over the world for 2000 years.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

HOLY SATURDAY AT THE EASTER VIGIL. JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED.

THE WOMEN GAVE THE NEWS OF THE RESURRECTION TO THE APOSTLES BUT THEY DID NOT BELIEVE THEM. 

“Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day.” And they remembered his words. Then they returned from the tomb and announced all these things to the eleven and to all the others. The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; the others who accompanied them also told this to the apostles, but their story seemed like nonsense and they did not believe them." (Luke 24: 1 - 12).

Saturday April 16th, Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter. 

My brothers and sisters, we celebrate tonight the Great Easter Vigil. The Church allover the world will be trembling with excitement and joy when the great Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) rings out. I want to offer for our reflection some key truths from the Easter Proclamation:

#1 "This is our Passover feast, when Christ, the true lamb is slain, whose blood consecrates the homes of all believers."

#2 "What good would life have been to us if Christ had not come as our Redeemer?"

#3 "The power of this holy night dispels all evil, washes guilt away, restores lost innocence, brings mourners joy; it casts out hatred, brings us peace and humbles earthly pride."

#4 "Therefore heavenly Father, in the joy of this night, receive our evening sacrifice of praise, your Church's offering."

#5 "May the Morning Star which never sets find this flame still burning:

Christ, that Morning Star, who came back from the dead, and shed his peaceful light on all mankind, your Son who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen."

This is our Passover Feast.

“God raised up Jesus, freeing him from the pains of death” (Acts 2:24).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com 

Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord.

JESUS CHRIST WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR SINS.

“Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.”
So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And Pilate said to them,
“Behold, the man!”
When the chief priests and the guards saw him they cried out,
“Crucify him, crucify him!”
Pilate said to them,
“Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him.” (The Passion of the Lord according to St John).

Friday 15th April 2022, Good Friday of the Lord's Passion.

The Jewish leaders see the death of Jesus on the Cross as the execution of a criminal.  “If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.”

"But he was pierced for our sins,
crushed for our iniquity.
He bore the punishment that makes us whole, by his wounds we were healed." (Isaiah 52: 5).

How do you see the death of Jesus on the Cross?
"It is love "to the end" that confers on Christ's sacrifice its value as redemption and reparation, as atonement and satisfaction. He knew and loved us all when he offered his life. Now "the love of Christ controls us, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died." (CCC 616).

We adore You O Christ and worship You because of Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Holy Thursday, the Beginning of the Easter Celebrations.

YOU WILL NEVER WASH MY DIRTY FEET. NO WASHING YOUR FEET, NO INHERITANCE WITH ME.

"If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.  I have given you a model [example] to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do." (John 13: 14 - 15).

Thursday 14th April 2022, Holy Thursday, Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper.

Jesus gives us a new commandment this evening:  "Love one another as I have loved you." (John 13: 34). This new commandment is now enfleshed in an unforgettable Example. Consider for a moment the power of example, testimony and biography. The three which are synonymous are unparalleled way of teaching. It works for kids. It works for their parents.

Today is Holy Thursday.  According to ancient tradition, the Church celebrates this evening the Mass of the Last Supper.  When Jesus celebrated the first Mass at the Last Supper, the Apostles did not understand what He was doing.  The narrative of today's Gospel is dominated by the event of the washing of the feet of the apostles, an event so significant that it was incorporated into the Holy Thursday liturgy from ancient times.  What does this event mean for us?

Jesus the Lord and Teacher of the Apostles just washed the dirty feet of the astounded Apostles and then called it an example.

Whose feet will you prefer to wash?
"If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.  I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do."  (John 13: 14 - 15).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

This is the Hour. The appointed time is here.

LOVE CARES MORE FOR OTHERS THAN FOR SELF.

"One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over....

"When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.” (Matthew 26: 14.... 25).

Wednesday 13th April 2022, in Holy Week.

Towards the end of His life, Jesus reveals more and more the testimony of Sacred Scripture about the gathering storm of His passion and death.

About Judas, he said, "The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed." (Matthew 26: 24).

Jesus ministry is framed around "appointed time," "fullness of time." There may be a number of reasons why Jesus at this time wants to anchor His disciples on the testimony of Scripture about Him and His mission.

#1. His death would shatter whatever faith the disciples had in Him. It therefore became necessary that they learn that He is the Lord of history and knew everything that would happen in His passion.
#2. The disciples would see too that He entered His passion and death freely of His own accord. He was not trapped in Gethsemane and arrested as a helpless fugitive from justice.

Paul wrote that Christ died and rose from the dead according to the Scriptures, that is, according to the plan of God predicted in the Scriptures.

As we approach the Easter Triduum, our faith in Jesus as both God who knows the past and future and as Man who manifested fear in Gethsemane of His suffering should grow.

"The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19: 10). Jesus testifies that Scripture is the word of God and worthy of our veneration and faith. What Scripture prophesies must come true. Scripture prophesies what Jesus did in His public ministry. When you share the testimonies of the miraculous in the work of Jesus in your life, you create a condition for a new miracle. What Jesus has done once, He replicates.

"There are graces destined for My priests in this the night of My agony and of My betrayal that are not given at any other time. I am bound tonight. I have already been taken, and My captors led Me away as a lamb to the Slaughter. I am silent but My Heart watches and waits for My priests. If only they would come to Me, I would undo the bonds that hold them in slavery. I would give them light in the spiritual darknesses that oppress them. I would speak to them words of comfort and of compassion." (IN SINU JESU, Maundy Thursday Night March 20, 2008).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Believe Me. One of you will betray Me.

WE NEED ENDURANCE TO PERSEVERE IN DOING GOD'S WILL. THE REWARD IS HUGE.

"Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”.....

"Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Peter said to him, “Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.” (John13:21-33...... 36-38).

Tuesday 12th April 2022 of Holy Week.

Our Gospel of today is the beginning of the Last Supper Discourse. The foreboding events of the next 24 hours weighed heavily on Jesus. Jesus is 100% Man and 100% God. The human part of His nature dreaded the agony in the garden, the brutal interrogations with curses, slaps and spitles. The crowning with thorns and dreadful flagellations. The Crucifixion!

Jesus shares His groomy ruminations with His friends: “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

Three of the disciples are mentioned by name:
#1. Judas, the traitor.
#2. The simplistic and over confident Peter.
#3. John the Evangelist simply described as "the one whom Jesus loved."

Why did Judas and Peter betray Jesus? Perhaps the more important question is: Why did Peter repent and Judas did not?
Why do some Christians hear the call to come to Jesus in the Sacrament of Penance and respond and why do others hear and not respond?

Every sin is a betrayal. Every recourse to the Sacrament of Reconciliation is acting like Peter. Every refusal to accept reconciliation and healing is being a Judas.
My friend, do not say your sin is a small one. Christ Jesus died for sin. Not for big sin or small sin. Every big sin starts from a small sin.
Sow a thought and you reap a word. Sow the word and you reap an action or deed. Sow the deeds continuously and you reap a character. Character is destiny.

Judas was treasurer of the group.
"Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or to give something to the poor."
Judas helped himself little by little from the purse.

The opportunity for last Reconciliation before Easter might be right now. My Parish has the last Call on Good Friday from 12 noon to 3 pm. Help me Lord, I plan to be there.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Do not criticize Mary. I approve of what she is doing.

"LORD, YOU HAVE MADE US FOR YOURSELF, AND OUR HEARTS ARE RESTLESS UNTIL THEY REST IN YOU."

"Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil."  (John 12: 3).

Monday 11th April 2022, Monday of Holy Week.

In six days, it will be the Passover. Jesus visited the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, His very good friends. Perhaps to enjoy one last good meal and wine in Martha's Vineyard before His Passion. The star of the story today is not the matriarch, Martha whose hospitality is proverbial nor their apparently recluse brother, Lazarus.

The star is Mary who performed an outlandish gesture to demonstrate her love for Jesus. She broke a vial of what may be considered the very equivalent of the top line of Pierre Chardin and poured the oozing aromatic liquid on the feet of Jesus and wiped the feet with her long hairs. While some guests criticized this apparent waste, Jesus was very pleased and spoke up for Mary.

Who is Mary? Mary is the sister of Martha and Lazarus. They hail from the village of Bethany a couple of miles from Jerusalem. We want to focus here not on Mary of Bethany but on Mary, a type of female passionate follower of Jesus who is marked by the following characteristics:
#1 Absolute and radical commitment.
#2 Total self-giving.
#3 Deep consecration (set apart) to Jesus and His cause.
Consider the following female saints who fit this profile:

+ Mary of Nazareth, the Mother of the Son.
+ Mary Magdalene, the Apostle to the Apostles.
+ Margaret Mary, the Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
+ Mary Faustina, the Apostle of Divine Mercy.

We are today in the last week of Lent 2022. Where are you in the Journey of knowing Jesus more intimately so that you can love Him more passionately and serve Him everywhere?

I share below a powerful inspiration I received from the SENDING FORTH Song today at the Mass of the Passion of the LORD at my Parish.

STAY WITH ME,
REMAIN HERE WITH ME,
WATCH AND PRAY,
WATCH AND PRAY.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

BEHOLD SATAN WILL SIFT YOU LIKE WHEAT.

“Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat,  but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22: 31 - 32).

Sunday 10th April 2022 is Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion.

We remember Christ's Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem to accomplish His mission through the Cross.

Just as Satan was given permission to sift Job in the Old Testament like wheat, Satan has again been given permission to sift Simon Peter. Yes. To sift you and me like wheat. Our most merciful Savior and Teacher has prayed for us and has given us a cheat sheet to pass this test.

“Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test.” Jesus said. (Luke 22: 46).
Your cheat sheet from the Master is: STOP SLEEPING AND PRAY.

Jesus taught that Prayer is a vital necessity. While Jesus never taught that we WORK Always,  Jesus asks us to pray always. St Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church teaches that a Christian who does not pray is lost. A Christian who does not pray will not experience miracles. Of course the most merciful heart of Abba Father succours His children always. But only those who pray recognize these silent miracles. One of the signs of a dying faith is cessation of prayer in Christian life.  The Christian who does not pray cannot overcome temptations. He has a wide open door for Satan to tempt him in all sorts of ways.

Through the power of Prayer, Jesus is strengthened in His inner self and ready to embrace the will of His Father during His temptations, especially in His agony in the Garden.

"Father, if this chalice cannot pass without my drinking it, your will be done." (Matthew 26: 42).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Why must this good Man die like a criminal?

"THEY UNITED IN MAKING PLANS TO ARREST JESUS BY THREACHERY AND HAVE HIM PUT TO DEATH."

"Many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what Jesus had done [Raising of Lazarus to life] began to believe in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

"So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we going to do? This man is performing many signs. If we leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our land and our nation.”

"But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.” He did not say this on his own, but since he was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God.

"So from that day on they planned to kill him. (John 11: 45..... 56).

Saturday 9th April 2022 of the 5th week of Lent.

We are on the Eve of Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. The plot to kill Jesus has thickened at this point. Who wants to kill Jesus and who will benefit most from His disappearance from the religious-political scene?

“You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.” (John 11: 49 - 50).
This is the voice of the High Priest, Caiaphas. He provides a powerful motive for the criminal conspiracy. The fate of Jesus is sealed.

The plan of the Father for the salvation of the world has taken a definitive path to victory. Is God the Father incapable of stopping the execution of His beloved Son Jesus? Or to stop all the evils in the world? Just one word from the Father will change everything.

"In the most mysterious way God the Father has revealed his almighty power in the voluntary humiliation and Resurrection of his Son, by which he conquered evil." (CCC 272).

The Cross has been ordained by the Father from eternity to be the means of our Salvation. No Cross, No Crown. No Trials. No Triumph.
As we enter the most holy Week of the year, we pray for the grace to understand the meaning of the Cross in our lives.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

I perform my Father’s works.

I WISH TO LIVE AS I PRAY. IF I PRAY WELL, I LIVE WELL. IF I LIVE WELL, I DIE WELL. IF I DIE WELL, ALL IS WELL.
LEX ORANDI, LEX CREDENDI, LEX VIVENDI.

"If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize [and understand] that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” (John 10: 37 - 38).

Friday 8th April 2022, of the 5th Week of Lent.

The enemies of Jesus were not just ignorant of the ways of God, they also suffer from unbelief. Unbelief may be the deadliest sin in the Bible. An example of Unbelief is seeing the sun shining and you maintain that it is total darkness. The Israelites saw the work of God in the Red Sea. They ate manna and drank fresh water in the desert and still refused to believe in God's goodness and power.

Jesus appealed to His work. The Jews should know the works of the future Messiah from the Scriptures. Healing, casting out demons, feeding the masses, raising the dead, teaching and preaching.  These works should make someone of good will to examine the claims of Jesus more deeply before rejecting Him. They refused to believe the proofs before them and paid  very costly consequences. No miracle. No participation in the fruits of salvation were available to the unbelieving group.
The Bible urges us to beware of the deadly sin of unbelief. Unbelief leads to the sin of rebellion like in Massah and Meribah. (Cf Ps 95).

When we look at Jesus as a true, faithful and credible witness, we cannot but note the quality of His life style. A tree is known by its fruits says Jesus. The fruits everybody can see from the life of Jesus are: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness and more. These are the very fruits by which a Christian can be recognized in the world.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of St John Baptist de la Salle, Patron Saint of Teachers.

ABBA FATHER KEEPS ALL HIS PROMISES. CONSIDER ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE WHO ATTEST TO THIS TRUTH :
ABRAHAM, JOSHUA, DAVID, ELIZABETH, PETER, PAUL, ETC.
HERE IS A TRUTH THAT CAN MAKE US FREE.

"Here is my covenant with you: you are to become the father of a multitude of nations." (Genesis 17: 4).

Thursday 7th April of the 5th Week of Lent 2022 is the feast of Saint John Baptist de la Salle. (1651 - 1719). French Priest. He founded the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

He died on Good Friday, April 7, 1751 and was canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1900. In 1950, Pope Pius XII named St John de la Salle patron saint of teachers.

We draw our inspiration for reflection from the Responsorial Psalm 105. This word of God /Promise of God can set us free from anxiety and doubt.

The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

"Look to the Lord in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.

"You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the Lord, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.

"He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations—
Which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac.

"The Lord remembers his covenant forever."

God remembers all His promises to Abraham and fulfills every one of them. He remembers His promises to the Blessed Virgin Mary and fulfills every promise. Joshua reminded the people that God has not defaulted in a single promise He made to Israel. The Lord remembers all His promises to David and fulfills all.

Our God is a Father who keeps His promises. This truth which I learned from Scripture and believe, helps me to deal with fears, anxiety and doubt. Thank You Father, O Faithful God!

"Glory and praise to you, O Christ!
Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life; you have the message of eternal life.
Glory and praise to you, O Christ!" (John 6: 63, 68).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.

TRUST AND OBEY. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO BE HAPPY IN JESUS BUT TO TRUST AND OBEY.
12 DAYS TO EASTER SUNDAY. NOT TOO LATE TO TEST THIS WORD OF GOD AND SEE THE TRUTH OF IT.

“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8: 31 - 32).

Wednesday 6th April 2022 of the 5th week of Lent. When Jesus says that if you persevere in feeding on His word, you will come to know the truth and the divine truth you know will set you free, what does the Teacher mean?

The truth (divine reality) frees us from fear, worry and doubt
and dread that falsehood imposes on us. Pope Benedict when he visited the oil rich country of Angola was shocked to see how the population was still shackled by fears of evil spirits, disease and death. He remarked that Angola received Christian missionaries about 500 years ago. At that time, Europe was still shackled with similar fears and superstitions. But the light and truth of Christ has since dispelled those fears in Europe.

Today, Europe needs a fresh burst of the light of Christ because the continent is again in darkness because of materialism, atheism and hedonism. The consequences are dire. Most European countries have today minus zero birth rate. They abandoned Christianity in large scale. They welcome Moslems with open arms to work and maintain their standards of living. Islam will be the majority religion in Europe in about 50 years.

In the 1st Reading from the Book of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar asked the three Jewish boys: "Who is the God who can deliver you out of my hands?" We hear the same threat today everywhere from strong men and bosses: "Is it true you will not work on Sunday? Who is the God who can deliver you out of unemployment?"

If you have not remained in the word of God, how can you ever know the truth that can set you free?

Hear the bold answer of the three Jewish boys to their tormentor who believed he had supreme power: Oh Nebuchadnezzar, if we live, we live. If we perish, we perish.
The boys know the Scriptures and they know the truth that set them free from fear of death. How did the story end? Read on below:

"Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, ‘Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: he has sent his angel to rescue the servants who, putting their trust in him, defied the order of the king, and preferred to forfeit their bodies rather than serve or worship any god but their own."

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of St Vincent Ferrer, OP.

THE DEVIL QUESTIONED THE IDENTITY OF JESUS DURING HIS TEMPTATION. "IF YOU ARE TRULY THE SON OF GOD..." IN EVERY TEMPTATION, THE DEVIL QUESTIONS OUR IDENTITY. ANSWER THE DEVIL:
"I AM WHO GOD SAYS I AM. I AM THE CHILD OF GOD. GOD IS SUPPLYING ALL MY NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS PROMISE.."
TRUST IN GOD TO HELP YOU.

"Jesus said to them [Pharisees], “You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.” So they said to him, “Who are you?”

Tuesday 5th April 2022 of the 5th week of Lent is the feast of St Vincent Ferrer, OP. (1357 - 1419). A Spanish Dominican. Versed deeply in Holy Scriptures and Theology, he can be discribed as a super preacher.
His powerful preaching stemmed the erosion of faith in Europe during one of the most contentious periods in Church history. The period of the pope and anti-pope, the Avignon Captivity was right in this period.
Vincent preached in Italy, France, Spain and Germany. St Vincent Ferrer died on April 5th 1419 at the age of 62.

In the Gospel of today, the Jews asked Jesus a point blank question: "Who are you?" Jesus ties Himself to the Father in the answers. "I always do what is pleasing to him. [Abba Father]”

Who are you? If you do not know who you are, the Devil will give you a spurious answer like we hear in the world: "I am born to be rich and great.. I am beautiful. I am Irish. I am American, etc." The correct answer is:  "I AM WHO YOU SAY I AM."
Who is WHO here? The Father who created us and gave us an identity. He calls you: My child. Baptized for eternal life. Light of the world. Fisher of men, etc. Know who you are and you give Satan a run for his money.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com