My friend, your sins are forgiven you.

"My friend, your sins are forgiven you." (Luke 5: 20).

Monday 7th December 2020, 2nd Week of Advent is the feast of St Ambrose of Milan (340 - 397). Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Italian. Ambrose was a high civil servant in the Roman imperial government in the city of Milan when Jesus Christ tapped him to shepherd His Church.
A man of immense talent and holiness, he brought along all his gifts to his new vocation of priest and Bishop. Great preacher, he touched the cold heart of the young Augustine and converted him. He was also a great politician who dealt with emperors without fear. Last but not the least, he left the Church volumes of theological works that continue to nourish the Church.

In our key Scripture for today, Jesus addressed a paralytic: "My friend, your sins are forgiven you." I call this 'straight talk'. I like the Lord to talk to me like this so that I can understand Him clearly. Once upon a time, a woman made me a gift of money after a group Rosary in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. I said to her: "I can never accept this." The Lord Jesus who was watching the whole incident from the Blessed Sacrament Altar about 6 feet away said to me: "Forget your foolish pride." This is 'straight talk'. Whenever I remember the incident, I laugh and thank the Lord for the straight talk.

Advent is a time of preparation. We prepare to meet the Lord by making sure our house is as clean as possible. How? Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Because of the Pandemics, the Eucharist and Confession are restricted. For the Eucharist, we can make a Spiritual Communion. For Confession, we can make a detailed examination of conscience and make a direct act of contrition.
To see an example of Examination of Conscience which you can use, click the link below. Permission is granted for printing anything you like on the website:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/09/a-good-examination-of-conscience.html

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Prepare the way of the Lord.

"A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’” (Mark 1: 3).

Sunday 6th December 2020, 2nd Week of Advent.

Who is this voice crying out in the desert? He is the one who was consecrated in his mother's womb to fulfill this historic event. His name is John, the only son of Zachary and Elizabeth. To show that he had been prepared from eternity to be the Herald of Jesus the Christ, John understood the need for total detachment and singleness of purpose in his mission. Read the steps John took to align his ways with the will of God:
"John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey."
In order words, John built his house, secured his water supply, grew his food, weaved his garment.
You ask: Is all this necessary to assert his independence in order to fulfill his mission? Absolutely! Look at Church men that have been compromised by gifts of money, etc.

In the Second Week of Advent, we ask God to remove the things that hinder us from receiving Jesus with joy. For example: Sin, fears, worries and doubts, greed and laziness.
If you say this prayer daily during Advent with expectant faith, God will answer you.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Lord Jesus, send laborers to Your Church.

“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;  so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” (Matthew 9: 37 - 38).

Saturday 5th December 2020, 1st Week of Advent.

Jesus talks about Harvest and Laborers in our key Scripture for today. Are you harvest or laborer? Are you waiting to be nourished day after day with the Eucharist and the word of God? Decide when to transition from a child Christian who is fed on milk to a harvester who starts bringing home the food.

"So ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” The shortage of Apostolic workers today has reached crisis proportion. The Church is in dire need of priests, deacons, consecrated sisters, catechists, evangelists, prayer warriors and all types of lay ministers.

Jesus looked at the crowds and "His heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9: 36).
What do you see on the faces of the crowds you see in the supermarkets, airports, train stations? Anxious, troubled and perpetually in motion?

I like the hopeful way this Bible incident ended:
"Then he [Jesus] summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness." All authority and salvation flow from Jesus. Let us pray constantly to Jesus in expectant faith to send laborers to His Church.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Be it done to you according to your faith.

"Two blind men followed [Jesus], crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!..... “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.”  And their eyes were opened." (Matthew 9: 27 - 30).

Friday 4th December 2020, 1st Week of Advent is the feast of St John Damascene. (675 - 749). Religious Priest and Doctor of the Church. Born in Damascus. John earned his place in history by his hard fought battle to preserve sacred images in our Churches. A heresy called iconoclasm falsely claimed that having images made Christians worship the images instead of the true God. John also authored many many books of theology including hymns.

The Gospel Reading deals with the instant healing of two blind men. “Let it be done for you according to your faith." Jesus said to them and touched their eyes which opened instantly. Can you have the strong faith of these blind men? Why not? If you desire a strong faith, you must work for it. Although faith is a supernatural gift from God, robust faith comes from familiarity with the word of God and constant petitioning God for it.

Faith is possibly one of the most precious spiritual assets we can have. It truly makes everything possible. Faith opens you to the other world. The world of God and the saints.

“Let it be done for you according to your faith.”

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this First Friday, December 4th.

December 4th, 2020  -  First Friday in December 2020.

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus:  Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month.  In the 12th and last month of the year 2020, we look at Promise #12.

#12. "The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under My displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour."

Friends, this is a tremendous promise. Let us thank our Lord Jesus Christ for such a generous offer.  I was once close to death.  My priest came and brought the healing Presence of Jesus in His precious anointing.  Whenever I think of Promise #12, I remember that awesome occasion and privilege. You will appreciate this promise when you are close to death. No fear. No worry. No doubt about your eternal destiny. Because of the pandemics, many may not be able to receive Jesus in Holy Communion this First Friday. You can make a Spiritual Communion. You can click on the link below to see the Prayer for Spiritual Communion:

http://seekfirstcommunity.com/2020/12/prayer-for-spiritual-communion.html?m=1

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by attending Holy Mass.

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, click the link below:

http://seekfirstcommunity.com/2020/08/12-promises-of-sacred-heart-of-jesus.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

Prayer for Spiritual Communion.

An Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, 
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. 
I love You above all things, 
and I desire to receive You into my soul. 
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, 
come at least spiritually into my heart. 
I embrace You as if You were already there 
and unite myself wholly to You. 
Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

(EWTN. COM). 

The Feast of St Francis Xavier, SJ - A great Missionary.

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock." (Matthew 7: 24 - 25).

Thursday 3rd December 2020, 1st Week of Advent is the feast of St Francis Xavier of the Society of Jesus (1506 - 1552). Priest and Missionary. Spanish.

Francis Xavier is one of the seven men along with leader St Ignatius Loyola who founded the Society of Jesus popularly known as Jesuits. Francis Xavier will rank as one of the greatest missionaries in the history of the Church. We know who has the title #1: St Paul. Francis is said to have baptized over 30,000 souls in his 10 years of missionary endeavors. He worked in India and Japan and died facing the coast of China in 1552 at the age of 46.

Our key Scripture instructs us to build our lives on rock. That Rock is Jesus. If we do not build on Him, we build on sand. St Francis Xavier heard this message when he made the 30 day retreat called Spiritual Exercises which was administered to him by Leader St Ignatius Loyola. He also learned a maxim which made him excel as a missionary. To the question: What is your greatest desire in life?

#1 To know the Heart of Jesus intimately.
#2 To love Him passionately.
#3 To follow Jesus everywhere.

If you adopt the above maxim as many Jesuit saints did, it will be written of you too:

"To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."  (Colossians 1:27).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Come hungry to the banquet of the Lord.

"Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” (Matthew 15: 32).

Wednesday 2nd December 2020, first Week of Advent.

Our key Scripture for today is the background to the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves. The entire Liturgy of the word today centers on food, banquet and celebrations. Let us capture them one by one.

#1. Collect (Opening Prayer).
"Prepare our hearts, we pray, O Lord our God, by your divine power,
so that at the coming of Christ your Son we may be found worthy of the banquet of eternal life and merit to receive heavenly nourishment from his hands."

How do we prepare our hearts for the eternal banquet?

#2. First Reading (Isaiah 25: 6 - 10).
"On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines." (Isaiah 25: 6).

This mountain is type and shadow of the Sanctuary where the Lord God prepares for us a banquet of the word of God and the holy Eucharist.

#3 Responsorial Psalm:
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23: 1).

Do you find yourself in constant want or need? I need a new car, shoe, job, suit, whatever? If the Lord is truly your Good Shepherd, you will be pretty content most of the time. The restless spirit harbors the spirit of the world. We are warned not to compromise with the spirit of the world but to allow the word of God to shape our vision of the world. (Cf Romans 12: 2).

#4 The Gospel:
"They all ate and were satisfied." (Cf Matthew 15: 29 - 37).

How do you feel when your Good Shepherd feeds you? If you are not satisfied, then what and who can satisfy you? The spirit of the world is a restless spirit, full of discontentment. Reject him. Tell him boldly:
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Jesus laughs!

"At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do." (Luke 10: 21 - 22 NIV).

Tuesday 1st December 2020, First Week of Advent.

Jesus rejoices! Jesus is full of joy as He thinks of the Holy Spirit. What in your experience makes you full of joy? For me it used to be memories of answered prayers. Now as I get to know the ever present Holy Spirit, the thought of Him fills me with joy.

Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the Lord and Giver of life. Spiritual life and abundant life. He is our ever present and near Helper. He is our Advocate and the Voice that speaks in Court for us. Actually, I have enjoyed Him in this role several times in my life.

How do we receive and enjoy the Holy Spirit? Nothing can be easier:

#1  Desire! Desire! Desire!
#2. Then confess your sins
#3. Ask Him in bold prayer to come and reside in you.
#4. Believe that you have received and start giving thanks immediately. Remember you walk by faith and not by sight or feeling.

For the titles of the Holy Spirit, click the link below:

http://seekfirstcommunity.com/2020/11/the-titles-of-holy-spirit.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Titles of the Holy Spirit

Titles and Names of the Holy Spirit:  Breath of the Almighty (Job 33:4) Comforter (John 14:16,26; 15:26) Eternal Spirit (Hebrews 9:14) Free Spirit (Psalms 51:12) God (Acts 5:3,4) Good Spirit (Nehemiah 9:20; Psalms 143:10) Holy Spirit (Psalms 51:11; Luke 11:13; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30) Lord, The (2 Thessalonians 3:5) Power of the Highest (Luke 1:35) Spirit, The (Matthew 4:1; John 3:6; 1 Timothy 4:1) Spirit of the Lord God (Isaiah 61:1) Spirit of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2; Acts 5:9) Spirit of God (Genesis 1:2; 1 Corinthians 2:11; Job 33:4) Spirit of the Father (Matthew 10:20) Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9; 1 Peter 1:11) Spirit of the Son (Galatians 4:6) Spirit of life (Romans 8:2; Revelation 11:11) Spirit of grace (Zechariah 12:10; Hebrews 10:29) Spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10) Spirit of adoption (Romans 8:15) Spirit of wisdom (Isaiah 11:2; Ephesians 1:17) Spirit of counsel (Isaiah 11:2) Spirit of might (Isaiah 11:2) Spirit of understanding (Isaiah 11:2) Spirit of knowledge (Isaiah 11:2) Spirit of the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2) Spirit of truth (John 14:17; 15:26) Spirit of holiness (Romans 1:4) Spirit of revelation (Ephesians 1:17) Spirit of judgment (Isaiah 4:4; 28:6) Spirit of burning (Isaiah 4:4) Spirit of glory (1 Peter 4:14) Seven Spirits of God (Revelation 1:4)

http://bible.christiansunite.com/

Come and I will make you fishers of men.

"Jesus said to them [Simon Peter and Andrew], “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4: 19).

Monday 30th November 2020, First Week of Advent is the feast of St Andrew the Apostle, brother of Simon Peter. (+ 60). Martyred in Greece circa 60 AD. Patron saint of Greece, Russia and Scotland.

Andrew is my Evangelist par excellence. He hears the Gospel. He believes in it. Immediately he goes to share this treasure with the first person he meets who happens to be his brother Simon Peter. How do we respond like Andrew and become committed and enthusiastic evangelists? There are two necessary steps:

#1. Formation or Training: Spending time with Jesus in prayer and His word. This enables you to become like Jesus. Before you can start acting like Jesus, you must spend time listening to Him and watching His every move.

#2. Practicum: The student teacher or nurse needs to ground the theory she learned in the classroom in the real world. This is the Practicum.

The core mission of the Church is to evangelize. Pope St Paul VI writes that the Church exists in order to evangelize. This is a profound statement. Where is your place in this scheme? In the first Reading we hear:

"For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?  And how can people preach unless they are sent? (Romans 10: 13 - 15).

How can people hear of a new product unless there is a salesman or advertising? Friend, Jesus invites you to be the sales person. You can do this through word of mouth, text messaging, emails and sharing social media Catholic Blogs.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Wake up from sleep. Christ is here.

"Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come." (Mark 13: 33).

Sunday 29th November 2020, First Sunday of Advent.

At last we are here. It is Advent. The season of waiting and preparation. Here is an Advent Scripture and rallying cry:

“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” (Ephesians 5: 14).

In order to be fully awake and take full advantage of all the blessings that God has prepared for us this Advent, we need an Advent Plan. I had a plan for Advent for many years with one exception. The new pastor in the parish said: "You don't need to fast or do anything special. Just say a little more prayer and enjoy yourself." I took his advice and had a tepid Christmas. After that one year, I make sure I have an Advent Plan every year. Below is my tentative Advent 2020 Plan. I revise the plan a couple of times during the four weeks of Advent.

Grace sought:
Lord prepare my heart to welcome Jesus at Christmas.

1.  Review the commitment every day.
2.  Tuesday Mass - Grace of a good Advent and Christmas Seasons.
3. No movies Mon to Sat.
4. No news /media: Monday, Wednesday, Friday:
5.  No sugar: Mon to Sat.
6. No meat: Mon, Wed, Fri.
7. No lemon tea.
8. Yard work twice during Advent.

"Lord, strengthen the wills of your people to be more active in doing good works, and so gain from your loving-kindness more abundant healing. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Remember I am coming soon.

"Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21: 36).

Saturday 28th November 2020, 34th Week in Ordinary Time and the last day in the Liturgical Year.

This is what the Lord, the Yes and the Amen is saying to the churches in the last day of this Liturgical Year.

#1. Do not become sluggish with low energy with Christmas shopping, parties and silly worries and distractions that mark this season.
#2. Pray and pray and pray all the time. Pray everywhere and pray for everything. Your prayers will keep you vigilant and alert.
#3. Not even a single individual on earth will be spared of these tribulations. It will come without warning like a thief in the night.

Yesterday, we heard Jesus tell us that: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." (Luke 21: 33). We showed four reasons to prove that so far the words of Jesus have not passed away. The word that Jesus is speaking to the churches today will not pass away. Respond to this word with faith and gratitude.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

My words will never pass away.

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." (Luke 21: 33).

Friday 27th November 2020, 34th Week in Ordinary Time.

So far, the words of Jesus have not passed away after 2000 years. How do we prove this?
#1 Preachers still preach this word day and night in churches, on TV, Radio and Blogs.
#2 Missionaries leave their countries every day to bring this word to people who have not heard this word before.
#3 People search constantly on the Internet for this word, making the Bible one of the most searched key word.
#4 Printing presses all over the world keep rolling out millions of copies of the Bible.

Friends, do you consider this phenomenon an accident? Can you find a parallel for this in history?

Consider this question:
If Jesus Christ could be so absolutely correct in His prediction about the iteration and durability of His word, what else could He be correct about? Other prophecies of Jesus Christ:
#a. I am surely coming back.
#b. I am with you always.
#c. The gates of hell shall try very hard but cannot prevail against my Church.
#d. My Kingdom is universal. It is also everlasting.
#e. No eye has seen, no ear has heard of the eternal plan I have for you who believe in Me and follow Me.

"Be alert; stand firm in the faith; be valiant and strong, and the God of peace will be with you." (1 Corinthians 16:13)

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Thanksgiving and the Marriage Feast of the Lamb.

"But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” (Luke 21: 28).

Thursday 26th November 2020, 34th Week in Ordinary Time is Thanksgiving Day in America.

The first Reading and the Gospel message today from the universal lectionary are grim messages. They deal with the last days. They may seem unpalatable for Thanksgiving celebrations but they are tonic and nourishment for the soul. Why? Because the Bible warns by example and narrative that it is during wining and dining that disaster strikes.

Which would you prefer? To be called to the wedding feast of the Lamb or sit down before a table piled high with roasted turkey, deserts and wine?

The message of the End Times whether from the Prophet Daniel, Jesus or John in the Book of Revelation is the easiest Scripture to understand. It is concise and straightforward:
ARE YOU READY TO GO?

How to be ready and fired up to go in a moment's notice:

#1 Pray all the time.
#2 Pray everywhere.
#3 Pray about everything.

To prayer add daily nourishment from the word of God. Do not be tired of doing good to your neighbor.

For a list of good works mandated by the Church, click the link below:

https://seekfirstcommunity.com/2020/11/works-of-mercy.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Patron Saint of Lawyers, St Catherine of Alexandria.

"Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute." (Luke 21: 14 - 15).

Wednesday 25th November 2020, 34th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Catherine of Alexandria. (+ 310). Virgin and Martyr. African. What can we say about Catherine or what can I say about Catherine? When I got to know St Catherine a little bit, I added her to the list of my patron saints.

Catherine was well educated and articulate.  No surprise because she was from the upper class of society in Alexandria, one of the foremost center of learning and culture at that time. She was courageous and fearless. She defended the faith before Emperor Maxentius. The Emperor was taken aback at the erudition and courage of the young girl. He flew into a rage and condemned Catherine to death. Catherine is the patron saint of philosophers, lawyers and preachers.

Where does the power, eloquence, wisdom of St Catherine of Alexandria come from? We don't have to look far. See the key Scripture in today's Liturgy:
"Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute." (Luke 21: 14 - 15). We see the same power and wisdom working in Peter and John, Stephen and Paul in Acts of the Apostles.

You can be the next Catherine if you let the word of God nourish you daily. If you trust in Jesus to lead you to your purpose in life. If you accept His unconditional love for you and embrace His gracious will for you.

Here is something I learned about Catherine today:
Before St Catherine was executed, she promised to obtain favors for all those who seek her intercession on personal problems. This reminds us of St Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower who promised to be a powerful intercessor in Heaven for any person who seeks her help.

"Even if you have to die, says the Lord, keep faithful, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2: 10).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Andrew Dung-Lac and his companions, martyrs.

"Even if you have to die, says the Lord, keep faithful, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2: 10).

Tuesday 24th November 2020, 34th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Andrew Dung-Lac and his companions martyrs.

St Andrew, a Vietnamese priest was martyred in 1839 along with 117 others, 96 of whom were Vietnamese. The rest were foreign missionaries. Has any other religion the same experience of martyrdom in modern history as the Christian faith?  Why do Christians accept martyrdom? Christians know that death is not the end of their life. We believe in the Resurrection. Jesus Christ has promised. His word is true.

Our key Scripture from the Alleluia Verse encourages us not to fear those who kill the body and can do no more. "Even if you have to die, says the Lord, keep faithful, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2: 10).

What are the common obstacles to Christians to faithful walk with Jesus and persevering in the face of great trials and persecution?

#1 Lack of a solid prayer life.
#2 A life of too much ease and pleasure.
#3 Compromise with sin.

These conditions are great obstacles to a life of perseverance which looks forward to the joys of Heaven and Eternal life.

"Be faithful and I will give you the crown of life."

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The lessons of the Widow's Mite.

 Jesus said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest;  for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.” (Luke 21: 3 - 4). 

Monday 23rd November 2020, 34th Week in Ordinary Time. The Church affirms and honors three saints today:

St Clement 1 (+ 99) Pope and Martyr. Italian. Clement was the third Pope after St Peter and is famous in history for his letter to the Corinthian Church where he asserted the universal jurisdiction of the Pope. Clement was martyred under Emperor Trajan. 

St Columban (545 - 615). Abbot. Irish. Columban founded monasteries in France and Italy. 

St Miguel Augustin Pro (1891 - 1927). Mexican. Priest of the Society of Jesus and Martyr during the fierce Mexican persecution of the Church in the 1920s.

Our Gospel for today is the Widow's Mite contribution. Jesus was in the Temple during the Liturgy when He "saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins."

This Gospel has many lessons for us:

#1 The widow was able to give her all because she had experienced God's faithful provisions.

#2. It is not the largeness of the gift that counts but what the gift costs you.

#3 The poor contribute more to the upkeep of the Church than the rich.

#4 "Give and there will be gifts for you." You can never outdo God in generosity.

#5 Wherever your treasure is, there lies your heart.

#6. Insecurity for tomorrow is the curse of the rich who are ignorant of the biblical blessings of giving.

The annual Thanksgiving is a few days away. Read some Scriptures on the blessings of giving and rendering thanks for the blessings you have received from God.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com 

Hail Jesus! King of the Universe.

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him." (Matthew 25: 31 - 32).

Sunday 22 November 2020, 34th Week in Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. It is also the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year.

What are we celebrating today? We celebrate the truth that Jesus is truly Lord and King. When you read the Gospel, this is not obvious. The humble kingship of Jesus is different from the pompous kingship of Herod.

Earthly kings are notorious for their love of pomp, splendor, majestic palaces, pride and cruelty.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd King. Jesus is the gentle King. He promised that His yoke is light and easy. Think of how the King Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the humblest of animals.

What are the attributes of the kingdom of Christ? It is global, eternal and humble. Our King reigns from the Cross. It was on the Cross that Jesus Christ vanquished the kingdom of Satan.

Let us hail our Lord and King Jesus!

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Presentation of Mary.

"That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called ‘Lord’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob;  and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” (Luke 20: 37 - 38).

Saturday 21st November 2020, 33rd Week in Ordinary is the feast of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple.

What are we celebrating in this feast?  This feast celebrates an event in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary that is not recorded in the Scriptures. It is nonetheless an ancient feast of the Church. This feast remembers the occasion when Mary's parents, Joachim and Anne presented the little girl in the Temple to be educated by priests.

The Church affirms that along with Sacred Scriptures, Sacred Tradition and the authoritative Magisterium are the sources of the truth we subscribe to in the Church. The Church has this ancient sacred maxim:
"Lex credendi, lex orandi, lex vivendi." It means that the rule of prayer is the rule of faith and the rule of living. As you pray, so you believe. As you believe, so you live.

Some Protestant groups believe unfortunately that the Church is wrong in honoring Mary because they say she is dead and remains dead. Catholics honor dead people they believe. But Jesus Himself knocked out the unbiblical assertion in today's Gospel:
"That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called ‘Lord’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob;  and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” (Luke 20: 37 - 38).

The Holy Spirit who is promised to lead the Church into the fullness of the truth of everything that Jesus taught and did will not allow the Church to teach and practice idolatry for over 2000 years.

Mary is full of grace. She is the Mother of the Son and our Mother.
Mother of Mercy, pray for us.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

You have made my House a den of thieves.

"Then Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things,  saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves." (Luke 19 - 45 - 46).

Friday 20th November 2020, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time.

Our short Gospel for today comes from Luke 19: 45 - 48. It is the only place in the Gospels where Jesus appeared visibly very angry. Why was Jesus mad at what was going on in the Temple?

Is it possible that the Church could be made into a den of robbers? Let us consider a few scenarios:

#1 Why did the Church venture into real estate business in London and who knows where else?
#2 Why does the Church use Insurance as a means of security instead of fire tried promises of God?
#3 Why are some clergy attracted to worldly lifestyle?
#4 Why is the SeekFirst Promise in Matthew 6: 33, key Scripture on security not affirmed more often?
#5 Why does the Church appear to turn a blind eye on the Commandment: "Keep holy the Lord's Day!"?

The Prophet Malachi foresaw the degradation of the sacred ministers of the Temple and prophesied:

"For he will be like a refiner’s fire,
like fullers’ lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the Levites, refining them like gold or silver, that they may bring offerings to the Lord in righteousness." (Malachi 3: 2 - 3).

Let us continue to lift up the Church and the clergy to the mercy of God.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Is this the hour of our visitation?

“If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes... And Jesus wept over it [Jerusalem] " (Luke 19: 42, 41).

Thursday 19th November 2020, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time.

Is Jesus weeping over America?  Does America recognize that today is her time of visitation? What is it that makes for peace?

#1 Stop abortion.
#2 Stop death penalty.
#3 Stop racism.
#4 Stop molestation of refugees.
#5 Stop discrimination.

Stop these evils and the Peace of Christ will return to these shores. America will become again the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Jesus is weeping.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Educator, St Rose Philippine Duchesne.

"I chose you from the world
to go out and bear fruit,
fruit that will last, says the Lord." (John 15: 16).

Wednesday 18th November 2020, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Rose Philippine Duchesne. (1769 - 1852). Virgin. French. The French Revolution disrupted her religious formation. She had to wait for 11 years to join a new Congregation, The Society of the Sacred Heart. At the age of 49, St Rose undertook her missionary journey to America. She founded schools to educate girls.

Our key Scripture is from the Alleluia Verse in today's Liturgy. Jesus chose St Rose Philippine Duchesne from the world to go into the world and bear fruit that will last. Rose arrived in America from France and labored relentlessly in the mission field and bore plenty of fruits that are still enduring. Many of us are familiar with the Duchesne Academy in many places in the USA training smart young women to serve the Church and society.

Have you ever considered the truth that you too are chosen, called and anointed for a special purpose? St Rose discovered her purpose in life almost at the age of 50. Abraham discovered his at 75 and Moses at 84. An African proverb says that when a child wakes up from sleep, she can say "Good morning!" Because that is the beginning of her day.
Wake up and embrace your purpose in life.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Zacchaeus, I want to spend this night in your house.

“Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy.  (Luke 19: 5 - 6).

Tuesday 17th November 2020, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time is also the feast of St Elizabeth of Hungary. (1207 - 1231) Religious. Born Hungarian Princess. Married a German Prince. In her short life of only 23 years, Elizabeth had four children and then became a Franciscan Tertiary after the death of her husband. She spent the rest of her life bringing comfort to the poor, the sick and the aged.

Zacchaeus must have made a wave in the early Christian community because of the story of how he encountered Jesus for the first time. Because of his short stature, he climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus because there was a huge crowd surrounding Jesus. Jesus, touched by this humbling gesture reciprocated with warm friendly encouragement. “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.”

Who is Zacchaeus? A very wealthy tax collector. Probably living in a large estate with servants, horses and carriages. Be that as it may, Zacchaeus was despised and shunned in his community because he worked as a tax collector for the resented Roman government. Yet this man had such intense desire to meet Jesus and humbled himself to accomplish this goal.

Who is the Zacchaeus of our day? They may be:
* The abortion doctor and nurse.
* The young homeless pregnant teenage girl.
* The lady forced into prostitution in order to survive.
* The drug dealer from the ghetto.
* The refugee or immigrant scrapping a living at a night job nobody wants.

Like Zacchaeus, all the above are considered fringe elements, undesirables, etc. But Jesus who comes to seek the lost knows each one of them by name and knows where they are hiding.
St Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church says that the Lord Jesus has finished His work on earth and turned over to us to complete what needs to be done. Jesus is saying: Go find these people. You are now my feet and hands, my eyes and ears. Through corporal and spiritual works of mercy, the Church points out to us how to engage this mission.

If you want to explore the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, click on the link below:

http://seekfirstcommunity.com/2020/11/works-of-mercy.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Works of Mercy

CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY:

1. Feed the hungry

2. Give drink to the thirsty

3. Clothe the naked

4. Shelter the homeless

5. Visit the sick

6. Visit the imprisoned

7. Bury the dead

SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY:

1. Instruct the ignorant

2. Counsel the doubtful

3. Admonish sinners

4. Bear wrongs patiently

5. Forgive offences willingly

6. Comfort the afflicted

7. Pray for the living and the dead

SeekFirstcommunity.com 

What can I do for you, man?

"Jesus asked him [Blind man] “What do you want me to do for you?” (Luke 18: 41).

Monday 16th November 2020, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Margaret of Scotland (1046 - 1093). Born Hungarian and married to King Malcolm of Scotland. Mother of 8 children who raised her children in the fear of the Lord. She is noted especially for her love for the poor. Margaret is the Patroness of Scotland.

Today is also the feast of St Gertrude. (1256 - 1301). Virgin. German. Known as Gertrude the Great, she was a respected scholar and mystic. Over 300 years before St Margaret Mary Alacoque, Gertrude, a mystic like Margaret Mary introduced the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Pope Benedict XVI, says that St Gertrude “shows us that the heart of a happy life, of a true life, is friendship with the Lord Jesus.”

In the Gospel Reading of today, we read of the interesting encounter of Jesus with the Blind man [named Bartimaeus by the Gospel of Mark). We see here the power of persistent prayer in action. Bartimaeus had prayed and waited for the opportunity to meet Jesus. When it happened suddenly, he was prepared. Lesson: Fortune favors the prepared.

Bartimaeus was shouting on top of his voice: "Son of David, have pity on me." He could not be stopped by the disciples of Jesus. Jesus asked him to come to Him. Lesson: Persistent prayer gets the attention of God. How can I help you, Jesus asked the Blind man.
"He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”  Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”  He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God." (Luke 18: 41 - 43). Bartimaeus became a friend and companion of Jesus.

This is not a parable but a life event in the ministry of Jesus. Jesus teaches through words (narrative/discourse) and action.
"Man does not live on bread alone. There is life for him in every word that comes from the mouth of God." The word of God nourishes the hunger in our hearts for new life.

What do you desire most in your heart? Desire makes a man, teaches St Ignatius Loyola.
Guard as treasure the utmost/greatest desire of your life. Nourish it with prayer and the word of God. Be always prepared to jump up as Bartimaeus for you do not know when Jesus will be passing by.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Use your talents or lose them.

"For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." (Matthew 25: 29).

Sunday 15th November, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time.

Our key Scripture is from the Parable of the Talents. Here are the main points: The principal in the story distributed money for investment to three of his chief executives according to their talent. Then he left on a long journey. When he returned home, he demanded each executive to show return on investment. Two of the three showed profits on their investments and were rewarded with promotions. The third man buried his money and was severely rebuked.

The message in this parable is easy to discern. God bestowed every human being with gifts at birth. How do you use the time, talent and treasure that God has given to you?

The law of the spirit implies continuous growth. Use your muscles and they become stronger. Do not use them at all, they grow weak and weaker.

But how do we exercise our time, talent and treasure? Consider these list from the Church:

CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY:
1. Feed the hungry
2. Give drink to the thirsty
3. Clothe the naked
4. Shelter the homeless
5. Visit the sick
6. Visit the imprisoned
7. Bury the dead

SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY:
1. Instruct the ignorant
2. Counsel the doubtful
3. Admonish sinners
4. Bear wrongs patiently
5. Forgive offences willingly
6. Comfort the afflicted
7. Pray for the living and the dead

"For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Pray with Trust, Confidence and Persistence.

"Then Jesus told them a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary." (Luke 18: 1).

Saturday 14th November 2020, 32nd Week in Ordinary Time.

The Lord Jesus teaches us to be persistent in prayer. When you come to our Heavenly Father to ask for your needs: restoration of health, family peace, a new job, husband or wife, how do you go about it? "Abba Father, I need a wife. This is Sunday the 15th of November. Kindly provide by Sunday the 22nd of this month." Jesus our Lord and Teacher says that there is a better way. A wife is a considerable investment in life, perhaps one of the hugest. You should pray always for it without becoming weary. Jesus promises that your faith shown by your persistence will be rewarded.

A fragile widow in the Parable of the Persistent Widow in our Gospel Reading today was able to overcome a ruthless corrupt judge through the power of persistent prayer.

Prayer is one of the greatest gift bestowed on the Christian. It is like God's own special cell phone with all His numbers handed to you free of charge. Jesus teaches that Prayer is a vital necessity. St Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church teaches that he who prays is already saved. He who does not pray is lost.

Consider this maxim on Prayer a rule of life:
+ Pray always.
+ Pray everywhere.
+ Pray about everything.

Ask your Heavenly Father boldly for big things in accordance with His gracious will. Pray with trust and confidence that God will fulfill His promises to you.

The Bible teaches that the just man lives by faith. He also lives by every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4: 4). Therefore nourish your life constantly with the word of God.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Frances Xavier Cabrini, Patroness of Immigrants.

"Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it." (Luke 17: 33).

Friday 13th November 2020, 32nd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Frances Xavier Cabrini. (1850 - 1917). Virgin. Italian. Patroness of Immigrants.

We glorify Jesus when we honor any of His saints. Each of His saints reflects an aspect of the beautiful character of Jesus as encoded in the Scriptures. What aspect of the word of God does St Frances Cabrini personify?
"Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it." (Luke 17: 33).

Before she came to the United States as a missionary to serve immigrants, Frances was terrified of water. But once she heard the call of Christ which came to her through Pope Leo XIII, she plunged into the waters and arrived at New York to start a very fruitful missionary service to immigrants in America. God in His economy of Salvation made immigration a necessity for humanity. Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Mary and Jesus were all immigrants. America is populated by immigrants. The life of the immigrant is not easy. At least in the first few years. So God gave a strict order in the Scriptures not to molest these vulnerable: widows, orphans and migrants.

Our saint for today overcame the first obstacle to her vocation: fear of drowning to serve the immigrants. She founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to serve immigrants in schools, hospitals and parishes. Before she died in 1917, St Frances Xavier Cabrini had traversed the seas about 30 times planting missionary services to the vulnerable in many countries of the world.

Jesus Christ chose St Frances Xavier Cabrini to be a symbol of His tender care for immigrants. This is why the Church honors her today. In honoring her, we glorify Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd of all immigrants.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of St Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr.

"Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the kingdom of God is among you.” (Luke 17: 20 - 21).

Thursday 12th November 2020, 32nd Week in Ordinary Time is also the feast of St Josaphat. (1580 - 1623). Bishop and Martyr. Born in Poland, ministered and martyred in Ukraine. Josaphat spent his life working for the reconciliation and unity of the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church. He paid the supreme price for this with his life.

The Kingdom of God is among you.
What does this mean to you?
What is the Kingdom?
Where is the Kingdom?
Why the Kingdom?
How does the Kingdom operate?
Any signs of the Kingdom here and now?

One fact is absolutely certain:  Jesus spent most of His preaching and teaching ministry talking about the Kingdom. Even after His Resurrection, Acts 1 informs us that Jesus continued to speak about the Kingdom. How do we address the questions above on the identity and operations of the Kingdom?

The Kingdom is the King Jesus. Where the King is, there is His Kingdom. The Kingdom has certain similarities with earthly kingdoms. But the differences are striking.
The Kingdom of God is the reign of God in hearts and minds of people who believe in Jesus and have committed to allow Jesus to reign in their hearts and minds. The Kingdom of Mexico for example comprise all the people who live in the geographical area that is recognized as Mexico. They obey the laws of Mexico whether they like it or not. The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Mexico have officers and structures for their operations. That is where the similarities end.

The Kingdom of God is worldwide. It is eternal and indestructible. Some days ago, we saw the destruction of the Roman Empire, the mightiest in history. The Kingdom of God launched by Jesus Christ in the course of His earthly ministry would be wrapped up in His Second glorious Coming.

What does all this mean to you here and now? There are two types of people: those who are aware only of the earthly, material and fleshy kingdom. Others who belong to the the Kingdom of God whose seed is the Church. St Josaphat spent his life building up the Church, the Kingdom of God on earth which we can see and touch.

May we be inspired by the example of St Josaphat.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of St Martin of Tours - Veteran Day.

"I shall raise up for myself a faithful priest who will act in accord with my heart and my mind, says the Lord." (1 Samuel 2: 35 Entrance Antiphon).

Wednesday 11th November 2020, 32nd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Martin of Tours. (316 - 397). Bishop. St Martin was born of pagan parents in modern day Hungary. 

Martin was a soldier in the imperial army of Rome. After he encountered Jesus Christ, he became a Christian and a man of peace. Today is also Veteran Day in the USA, Armistice Day in other countries. November 11  served in the past as a day of memorial of signing peace treaties.  The treaty to end World War 1 was signed on the Feast of St Martin of Tours, November 11th. Hail Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace. Happy Veterans Day!

Our key Scripture for today is taken from the Entrance Antiphon on the Feast of St Martin of Tours. The Lord made Martin a faithful priest who embraced God's will in everything. Martin founded a monastery in France and was consecrated later as the Bishop of Tours. He sent missionaries to evangelize France. France is one of the earliest Christian countries in the world and is known as the Elder Daughter of the Church.

St Martin de Tours can help us appreciate the truth that God's gracious and mysterious will is our peace and prosperity. Some people have a contrary view. This is a big lie of the Devil.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Leo the Great.

"The Lord watches over the lives of the wholehearted; their inheritance lasts forever.
By the Lord are the steps of a man made firm, and he approves his way." (Psalm 37: 18, 23).

Tuesday 10th November 2020, 32nd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of a giant of our faith: St Leo the Great. (+ 461). Pope. The life of this great man reminds me of this quote from Shakespeare:  "Some men are born great. Others achieve greatness. Others have greatness thrust unto them." Leo was from a Roman aristocratic family. He was the first of three popes in the history of the Church to be called "the Great." Not by the Church but by the consensus of the faithful.

Pope Benedict XVI said that Leo's papacy "was undoubtedly one of the most important in Church history." Leo is remembered in history for many things. Two things stand out for me:
#1 Leo put his stamp on the authoritative definition of who Jesus Christ is: Jesus Christ is true God (100%) and true Man (100%).
#2 The mighty Roman Empire was collapsing right and left during the pontificate of Pope Leo. Leo persuaded Attila the Hun to turn back from the gates of Rome and Rome was spared destruction.

Our key Scripture for today is from the Responsorial Psalm 37.
Read this and see how this applies to St Leo:
"The Lord watches over the lives of the wholehearted; their inheritance lasts forever.
By the Lord are the steps of a man made firm, and he approves his way." (Psalm 37: 18, 23).
Leo's devotion to Jesus Christ and the Church was complete and wholehearted. The Lord approved of his ways and made him a high priest forever.

If you trust in the Lord and do good,
you will dwell in the land and be fed in security.
If you take delight in the Lord,
He will grant you your heart’s requests. (Cf Psalm 37).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica.

"I saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband." ( Cf Revelation 21: 2 - Entrance Antiphon).

Monday 9th November 2020, 32nd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. The Church of the Pope as the Bishop of Rome. The Lateran has been known as the "Mother and head of all churches of Rome and the world."

Why is this an important feast and why are we celebrating it?
#1 The Church is the Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit. The destiny of the Church is prophesied in the key Scripture for today: "A new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband."
#2 The Lateran Basilica is the Church of the Pope, Successor St Peter and Universal  Pastor of the flock of Jesus Christ.
#3 This feast is celebrated worldwide and makes the faithful remember these important truths of our salvation.
#4 It is God's desire to dwell with us. The physical church is a symbol of this mystery. (Cf Revelation 21: 3).

As we celebrate this feast with joy, we remember that we are the chosen and living stones that form  the eternal Temple of the Most Holy God.

Let us pray especially today for the growth of the Church, for the unity of all Christians, for many vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life, missionaries, catechists and evangelists.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Stay Awake and Be Prepared.

"Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’  But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour." (Matthew 25: 11 - 13).

Sunday 8th November 2020, in the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time.

Our key Scripture shows how Jesus concludes the Parable of the Kingdom which compares the readiness of the Wise Virgins against the unpreparedness of the Foolish Virgins.

What is the point of the teaching of the Wise and Foolish Virgins? Is it to extol the incomparable gift of Wisdom which is the subject of the first Reading today? Wisdom is the gift that helps us to make good choices. In this parable, the Wise Virgins choose to prepare to wait for the Lord. The Foolish Virgins neglect to prepare and by default choose not to prepare.

We know this is a Parable of the Kingdom and the Bridegroom is the Lord Jesus. The whole point of the Parable is: how prepared are you to meet the Lord Jesus now?
People know they must prepare for a wedding, birth of a new baby, job interview, important overseas trip. What can be the most important preparation anyone can make? The transition into eternal life is by far the most critical preparation anyone can make. Not to know this is absurd and irresponsible. Death for most of us will be sudden and unforeseen.

How can we prepare for the sudden coming of Jesus? A good life which is built on the following plan:
#1 Daily Prayer.
#2 Daily Bible Reading.
#3. Daily Examination of your Conscience.

When we are faithful to the little things above, the Holy Spirit will show us more.

"Stay awake and stand ready,
because you do not know the hour
when the Son of Man is coming." (Matthew 24: 42, 44).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Secret of Contentment.

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation." (Philippians 4: 11 - 12).

Saturday 7th November 2020, 31st Week in Ordinary Time.

How do you deal with the ups and downs of life? Health and sickness, money and broke, job and unemployed, etc. This is the subject  of the first Reading from Philippians 4: 10 - 19. Paul says that he has mastered how to deal with these circumstances and remain in contentment. If we want to be stable and happy in this world where no condition is permanent, we need to master the lesson of Paul.

In the Gospel of today from Luke 16: 9 - 15, Jesus our Teacher talks about mammon, dishonest money. For many people, when they are under severe pressure about money, health, job or bills, they are ready to embrace whatever solution could get them quickly out of their problem. But Jesus said firmly: "You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Luke 16: 13). To do so is to pretend that you can work and get your pay in two different companies at the same time.

What therefore is the powerful lesson of Paul for us in our key Scripture? Know and trust that God has a loving design for our life that is called Divine Providence. Embedded in this gracious and mysterious plan of God are: winter and summer, hot and cold, good times and bad times. Some people want to alter this divine order. When they fail, they become depressed.

Paul concludes this great lesson by saying:
"In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I have the strength for everything through him [Christ] who empowers me. (Philippians 4: 12  - 13).

Trust in Divine Providence. It never fails.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Prepare an account for your stewardship.

"Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property.  He summoned him and said, ‘What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward." (Luke 16: 1 - 2).

Friday 6th November 2020, 31st Week in Ordinary Time is also the first Friday in November.

The Church teaches us to have constantly in mind the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell. There is no escaping this truth. Our key Scripture for today deals with Judgment in accounting terms. Every steward knows that once or twice a year, he renders account of his stewardship to his master in terms of profit and loss. After our death, we will render an account of our stewardship to the Eternal and Merciful Judge, Jesus.

At our birth, we received gifts of Time, Talent and Treasure. How have you invested your gifts? What are the returns on the investments? If you show profits, you will hear  "Welcome" and be promoted to eternal life. If you do not report profits, you will hear "Depart from Me..."

This life is short. Even if you live to 90, it is still a short life especially compared to eternity. It is the duty of Religion to remind everyone of this truth. Do not put all your eggs in the one basket of money and material prosperity.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday, November 6th 2020.

November 6th, 2020 First Friday in November.

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus:  Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month.  In the 11th month of the year 2020, we look at Promise #11.

#11. "Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced."

Promise #11 is not hard to fulfill.  Start small.  Order 20 to 50 Sacred Heart of Jesus cards from Amazon or from your local Catholic Bookstore.  Few dollars. Get the ones with the picture of the Sacred Heart in front and the Promises on the back. Give them to family, relatives and friends.  Leave some in the Church lobby.  You are already on the way as a promoter of the Sacred Heart devotion.

Remind the Lord often of these promises especially those that touch your present need. Jesus loves to be reminded of His promises.  Not that He forgets.  It is important for you to know deeply that the Lord is faithful.  Friends, this is really a question of whether you trust the promises Jesus or not.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday.

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, click the link below:

http://seekfirstcommunity.com/2020/08/12-promises-of-sacred-heart-of-jesus.html?m=1

SeekFirstcommunity.com

Sharing the Good News: The Power of One.

"In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” (Luke 15: 10).

Thursday 5th November 2020, 31st Week in Ordinary Time.

Our key Scripture for today teaches us the power of One. If one sinner who reconciles with God will make the angels happy, what does that teach us? One sinner is worth any investment. Politicians are convinced that One Vote counts. No good politician could afford to belittle one vote.

The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. One tiny mustard seed that grew and grew until it becomes a huge tree where birds nest.

How can we give joy to the angels and saints in Heaven through the reconciliation of one sinner? Let us imagine:
#1 Set the target of sharing the Gospel with one person a day.
#2 In 30 days, you have shared the Gospel with 30 persons.
#3 Encourage each of the 30 persons to share the Good News with one person a day and you have another 30 evangelists.
#4 In 365 days, how many happy souls have you reconciled with their heavenly Father? The number will compound in your account.

Seek first the kingdom of God and His Reconciliation, and your reward will be huge.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Charles Borromeo.

"Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14: 27).

Wednesday 4th November 2020, 31st Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Charles Borromeo. (1538 - 1584). Cardinal, Archbishop of the famous See of Milan, the See of St Ambrose. Borromeo was born into wealth and splendor but was not possessed by his wealth and patrimony.

Jesus concluded His teaching in the Gospel of today from Luke 14: 25 - 35 by saying: "In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple."
Some people like St Charles Borromeo are born into wealth but are detached from material things. Other people are born into poverty and become scrooges all their life. Great mystery. It profits a man nothing to own the whole world and lose his eternal soul. Here is one of the powerful sayings of St Charles Borromeo:

"Know and recall that there is no greater wealth and treasure, nothing more excellent and fruitful, than to love God and serve him, and that everything else passes like smoke and shadow."

St Charles Borromeo is the patron saint of catechists and seminarians.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of Brother Martin de Poress, OP.

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Philippians 2: 5 - 7).

Tuesday 3rd November 2020, 31st Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Martin de Poress (1579 - 1639). Martin de Poress, OP was a Dominican lay brother of mixed races. Born in Lima, Peru of a Spanish father and a black mother. His father gave Martin a decent education and His creator, the eternal Physician, endowed Martin with immense pharmaceutical and medical skills. He deployed these gifts in the service of the poor and animals.

Martin was not disgusted with the menial tasks he was alloted: cooking, cleaning and sweeping. He fed the unwanted and the hungry that came to the monastery looking for food. He cured the sick in the infirmary. He fed animals in the backyard.

Our key Scripture says that Christ Jesus humbled Himself before His Father and became obedient and accepted to die a shameful death on the Cross. For this reason, His Father promoted and bestowed a jewel crown of the name Jesus. The Father also made Jesus the First Born among His children.

Martin de Poress highly gifted and talented humbled himself and never raised his voice or showed off his skills. He accepted the humble place given to him by his brother Dominicans and worked cheerfully in the kitchen and as a doorkeeper. Even in these humble places, he still became the salt of the earth and the light of Christ. God blessed him with miraculous powers. After his death in 1639, the power of his intercession and miraculous power made Martin a favorite patron saint in the Church. I took Martin as my Confirmation name. 

St Martin de Poress pray for us.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Commemoration of the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

"They [the dead] seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace." (Wisdom 3: 2 - 3).

Monday 2nd November 2020, 31st Week in Ordinary Time is the Commemoration of all the holy souls in Purgatory.

The Church teaches from the very beginning that:
"All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven." (CCC 1030).

Where do people go to await the cleansing or purification after they take their last breath and close their eyes in death? "The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned." (CCC 1031).

The unbelievers think that the dead are lost and would decay in the ground like organic matters. They do not believe that man has a soul. Many protestant and evangelical sects believe that the dead bodies are decayed and stayed in the ground till the Resurrection. They are not sure what happens to the soul. This belief is born of churches fthat depend on Scripture alone for the full revelation of God's mysteries.

We celebrate the feast of All Souls because the Church teaches that the souls in Purgatory can benefit from our prayers. Because of this, the Church drawing from its authoritative Magisterium instituted a system of Indulgence. This is how the Church explains her teaching on Indulgence:

What is an indulgence?

"An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints." (CCC 1471).

The Book of Wisdom, our first Reading gives us the end game of Divine Providence on the Souls in Purgatory:

"Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself." (Wisdom 3: 5 - 6).

Remember the Poor Souls in Purgatory in your prayers.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com