Mary teaches us how to respond to God's promises.

"I am the handmaid of the Lord:
let what you have said be done to me. (Luke 1: 38).

Sunday 20th December 2020, 4th Sunday of Advent.

In our key Scripture for today, we find an apt response to every good promise of God to us in Holy Scriptures. The Bible is a record of God's dealings and interactions with human beings across centuries and geographies. They contain also the word of God to these men and women and their responses to God.

This Sunday, we read of how God sent the Angel Gabriel to a young woman with an astonishing promise. Gabriel told Mary that through the power of God, she will become the Mother of God. Once Mary fully understands the implications of the message, she replies:  "I am the handmaid of the Lord: let what you have said be done to me. (Luke 1: 38).

When we read the Bible, we encounter promises that we like. How do we react to these promises? Pause. Read it again. Underline it. And then tell God that you like the promise and want it for yourself. "I am the servant of the Lord: let what you have said be done to me."
God is faithful and will always honor His word.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Do not be afraid. Your prayers have been heard.

"But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.  And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord." (Luke 1: 13 - 15).

Saturday 19th December 2020, 3rd Week of Advent.

God intervened miraculously to heal the wife of Manoah, Samson's mother of advanced barrenness. First Reading. God did the same wonders for Elizabeth, the wife of the priest Zechariah. Both women conceived and gave birth to miracle kids who played significant role in salvation history.

What God does once, He can replicate. These miracle stories are not just historical narratives. They are personal word of God to us. We find our place in the narrative, insert our situations and emulate the faith that is demonstrated. When we do this, we receive our miracle and everyone glorifies God.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Who is the just man Joseph?

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her." (Matthew 1: 20).

Friday 18th December 2020, 3rd Week of Advent.

In the Christmas crib, we notice the Woman, Mary and then the Infant Jesus lying in the feeding trough of of lambs. Who is the man standing still and upright gazing at the Baby quietly? Our key Scripture from the Gospel of Matthew identifies him as: "Joseph, son of David."

Here is what we know about Joseph:
#1. Joseph is from the royal line of David.
#2. A carpenter by trade and a man of humble means.
#3. He is a just and honest man.
#4. Because it was not good for a woman with child to be alone, God chose Joseph to provide for Mary and Jesus, to protect them and to be foster father to Jesus and raise Him up in virtue and manly manners.

Joseph excelled in all the roles that Divine Providence entrusted to him.

Joseph is the patron saint of the Church and a powerful intercessor for the Church and us all. He is also the patron saint of a happy death. Do you know that we are in the Year of St Joseph? The Holy Father proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” from 8 December 2020, to 8 December 2021. To read the Apostolic Letter and see how to receive all the blessings and indulgences, click the link below:

http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco-lettera-ap_20201208_patris-corde.html

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The lessons of the Genealogy of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

"The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham........Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah."  (Matthew 1: 1 - 2 & 15 - 16).

Thursday 17th December 2020, 3rd Week of Advent. From 17th December, we enter a different and fast rhythm in our Advent Journey. There is still time for a good housekeeping for example: Confession and Novena.

Do you consider the Genealogy boring? Not when you understand the purpose for its inclusion in Sacred Scriptures. The Holy Spirit, the Author of the Sacred Text does not waste words as human authors do. Here are a few reasons for the Genealogy or Family History of Jesus Christ:

#1 Jesus Christ is truly God and truly Man. He descended from the lines of Abraham and David.

#2 His human family is not perfect (like His Church). It contains saints and sinners. He was not ashamed of His family nor was He ever tempted to deny them.

#3 His family lineage was planned by God from the foundation of the ages. So do not be scandalized by what you see.

#4 By the time Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, gone were the days of the great patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and great kings like David and Solomon. What we have are common folks like Joseph and Mary. God has a plan that will lead us to the humble stable in Bethlehem where Jesus will be born, the King of the Jews.

"Wisdom of the Most High,

ordering all things with strength and gentleness,

come and teach us the way of truth." (Gospel Acclamation). 

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com 

12 - 15 Tax Collectors and prostitutes responded to the call of repentance.

“Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you." (Matthew 21: 31).

Tuesday 15th of December 2020, 3rd Week of Advent. We are exactly ten days to Christmas. The grace laden season of Advent will soon slip out of our control.

What is possibly the best and most important thing you can do for yourself and your family in the next few days? Call your parish and schedule a time for Reconciliation for you and members of your family.

Jesus said to the proud and the self righteousness:
"When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him." (Matthew 21: 31 - 32).

Advent is a time of grace and mercy. Do not harden your heart. The Lord hears the cry of the poor. He is waiting for you with open arms. Rush to Him.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Carmelite Mystic - St John of the Cross.

"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me, says the Lord." (Cf Matthew 16: 24 - Communion Antiphon).

Monday 14th December 2020, 3rd Week of Advent is the feast of St John of the Cross. (1542 - 1591). Spanish Carmelite. Priest and Doctor of the Church. Called Doctor of Mystical theology because of the depth of his understanding and writings on mysticism. Author of the classic: "The Dark Night of a Soul."

St John of the Cross read our key Scripture for today as if it was addressed to him personally by Jesus. He took up his cross by embracing severe bodily mortifications. He endured terrible persecutions from his confreres in his religious community. They imprisoned him for nine months, flogged him publicly and imposed other forms of maltreatment.

You may be scared if you think that if you respond to Jesus to pick up your cross and follow Jesus, you may experience the same thing as John of the Cross. Not necessarily. Just like your DNA is unique to you, so is God's plan for your salvation. You are unique and irrepeatable. God has designed your own cross which will fit on you aptly. With the help of the grace God promises to provide, you will find your burden light and your yoke even sweet.

What do you like to boast about? Family, health and looks, bank account, job and status, houses, cars and boats? If you consider yourself the sheep of Christ and who hears His voice, you may hear like our Carmelite:
"May I never boast, except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6: 14).

O that today you will listen to His voice, harden not your hearts.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Rejoice always and the miracle of knowing and doing God's will.

"Rejoice always.  Pray without ceasing.  In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5: 16 - 18).

Sunday 13th December 2020, 3rd Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday. It means simply rejoice Sunday or Sunday of rejoicing.

Why be joyful this 3rd Sunday of Advent? The answer is in the Entrance Antiphon for this Sunday: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near." (Philippians 4: 4 - 5).

If you are one of those searching to know the will of God, we have plenty of answers this Gaudete Sunday. The Will of God is our peace and health and prosperity.  With regard to His Will, God says:
"Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12: 2).

God's Will is what is good and pleasing and perfect. How do you enjoy the very best that God can offer you in life? By doing His Will especially in the 5 steps below:

#1 Rejoice always.
#2 Pray always.
#3 Give thanks always and for everything.
#4 Do not conform yourself to the standards of the world.
#5 Read the word of God every day so that the word of God will renew your mind and transform it.

Commit yourself to these simple steps and your joy, peace and prosperity will overflow.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

"And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Saturday 12th December 2020, 2nd Week of Advent is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The Church honors the Mother of the Redeemer with the title of Lady, Mother, Queen, Virgin, etc. Different titles to honor and show our love and devotion to the Holy Mother of God. Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of the preeminent titles of Mary because of the significance of the event in Guadalupe, Mexico in 1531 and its continued relevance to the faith of Christians in the Americas because Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Patroness of the the Americas not just Mexico. The Blessed Virgin Mary's apparition to St Juan Diego on December 12, 1531 set off a series of events, conversions, miracles and the building of a great Church which has since become a Basilica. It is estimated that annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Guadalupe is about 10 million.

In our key Scripture for today, the Archangel Gabriel gave Mary a testimony of God's marvelous miracle for Elizabeth in order to confirm Mary's faith. I love to hear stories of miracles. They build my faith. You too should cherish miracle stories. Better still, don't hide the wonderful things God is doing for you. Expect a miracle every day and share the story.

Mary said to Gabriel after she heard of Elizabeth big miracle, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1: 36 - 38).

If you like to learn more about the Blessed Virgin Mary through her Litany, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/12/litany-of-blessed-virgin-mary.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Litany of Loreto

V. Lord, have mercy.

R. Christ have mercy.

V. Lord have mercy. Christ hear us.

R. Christ graciously hear us.

God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. 

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us. 

Holy Mother of God, pray for us. 

Holy Virgin of Virgins, 

Mother of Christ, 

Mother of the Church

*MOTHER of Mercy*

Mother of divine grace,

*MOTHER of Hope*

Mother most pure,

Mother most chaste,

Mother inviolate,

Mother undefiled,

Mother most amiable,

Mother most admirable,

Mother of good Counsel,

Mother of our Creator,

Mother of our Savior,

Virgin most prudent,

Virgin most venerable,

Virgin most renowned,

Virgin most powerful,

Virgin most merciful,

Virgin most faithful,

Mirror of justice,

Seat of wisdom,

Cause of our joy,

Spiritual vessel,

Vessel of honor,

Singular vessel of devotion,

Mystical rose,

Tower of David,

Tower of ivory,

House of gold,

Ark of the covenant,

Gate of heaven,

Morning star,

Health of the sick,

Refuge of sinners,

*COMFORT of Migrants*

Comforter of the afflicted,

Help of Christians,

Queen of Angels,

Queen of Patriarchs,

Queen of Prophets,

Queen of Apostles,

Queen of Martyrs,

Queen of Confessors,

Queen of Virgins,

Queen of all Saints,

Queen conceived without original sin,

Queen assumed into heaven,

Queen of the most holy Rosary,

Queen of families,

Queen of peace,

-----

Queen of the Americas, 

Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

Our Lady Undoer of knots. 

SeekFirstcommunity.com 

Can you please everybody in the world?

"Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’"

Friday 11th December 2020, 2nd Week of Advent is the feast of St Damascus 1 (305 - 384). Pope. Born in Rome but of Spanish descent. Damascus presided over the See of Peter when the Church was rocked by many heresies. Arian heresy had not yet been crushed. He defended the Church against schismatics, against those who opposed the veneration of idols and so on. Damasus is the Pope who commissioned St Jerome to translate the Bible into common Latin. This translation called the Vulgate made the Latin language the official language of the Church.

When Jesus compares us to little children in the marketplace who refuse to play the game according to rules, what is He saying? If you want to be an adult Christian, you must learn one truth and abide by it. Nobody can please the world. The world has no gold standard. It has rather arbitrary rules strung together to satisfy their selfish whims. Jesus was not theoretical. He gave examples:

"For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by her works.” (Matthew 11: 18 - 19).

Pope St Damasus refused to humor heretics and schismatics who refused to abide with the gold standard laid down by Jesus as the Canon of Truth in the Church. Preserving the integrity of Sacred Doctrine still remains one of the most important task of the Sacred Magisterium.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

How to seize the kingdom of God by force.

"From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force." (Matthew 11: 12).

Thursday 10th December 2020, 2nd Week of Advent.

In the Gospel for today (Matthew 11: 11 - 15), Jesus praised His cousin John as the greatest prophet. No surprise when you line up all the prophets along with their profiles. From the prophecy of the birth of John to his naming and dedication, there were many supernatural signs. His lifestyle and ministry were extraordinary.

After praising John the Baptist, Jesus said something curious and difficult to understand: "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force." (Matthew 11: 12).

What does Jesus mean? The kingdom of God suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force?
First, we know that the Church is the seed of the kingdom of God on earth. We know that the Church suffers lots and lots of persecutions? But how are the violent taking the kingdom of God by force? The kingdom of God is the ultimate destination of all men. Men should set their hearts, minds and energy to reach it by all means. And people who understand this urgency are seizing the kingdom of God by force.

What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world (kingdom of man) which is temporary and limited and misses the kingdom of God which is limitless and everlasting?

John the Baptist left us an example of how to take the kingdom of God by force: Singleness of purpose, tremendous courage, radical evangelical poverty, humility and martyrdom.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Juan Diego, Apostle of Mexico.

"He gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak. Even the youths shall be exhausted, and the young men will all give up. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40: 29 - 31 TLB).

Wednesday 9th December 2020, 2nd Week of Advent is the feast of St Juan Diego. (1474 - 1548). Mexican. Hermit and visionary. Our Blessed Mother appeared to this humble and simple Indian and used him to transform the nation of the Aztecs. "Behold the humble maid servant of the Lord. Be it done to me according to Your promise." God can use you and me to accomplish great things in the world. All He needs is humility and faith.

Our key Scripture for today is one of my 10 favorite Scriptures. Why? It deals with a theme that I think of every day. WAIT! If you can wait for God, you will accomplish your destiny. Good things come to those who can wait. "Wait for the Lord. Be stouthearted and wait for the Lord."

Why is waiting for the Lord so important? The most obvious reason is in God's plan and government, nothing happens until the fullness of time. (Ecclesiastes 3 :1). And when you are able to wait for that fullness of time, God makes everything beautiful. (Ecclesiastes 3: 11). If you want to enjoy the very best from God, you must learn to wait for the Lord.

"He gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak. Even the youths shall be exhausted, and the young men will all give up. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40: 29 - 31 TLB).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

"For nothing will be impossible for God.” (Luke 1: 37).

Tuesday 8th December 2020, 2nd Week of Advent is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. This is the patronal feast of the United States of America.

What is the Immaculate Conception and why does it matter?  In the first Reading today from Genesis, God said to the Serpent: "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; They will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel." (Genesis 3: 15). This is the promise of our Redemption after the fall of Adam and Eve. God chose Mary before the foundation of the world and prepared her to be the sinless Mother of His Son and kept Mary sinless from the first moment of her conception. Mary said Yes to God's plan to use her body for this mission. Only a pure Vessel can hold a pure God. Why does this matter? Jesus is 100% God and 100% Man. Although Mary is 100% human, it is absolute necessity that the Mother of the Redeemer be not tainted with the least sin.

Mary's generosity in giving her Yes made the Incarnation possible.
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1: 38).

The total faith and surrender that Mary displayed here is rewarded by God's special revelation to Mary:

"For nothing will be impossible for God.” (Luke 1: 37).
Let this words nourish our faith today and always. When you are afraid, when you worry, when you are tempted to doubt God's power and promises, redouble your trust in God and remember that nothing will be impossible for God.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

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