Come to the Church and find comfort.

"THE CHURCH EXISTS FOR NOTHING ELSE BUT TO DRAW MEN INTO CHRIST, TO MAKE THEM LITTLE CHRISTS. IF THEY ARE NOT DOING THAT, ALL THE CATHEDRALS, CLERGY, MISSIONS, SERMONS, EVEN THE BIBLE ITSELF, ARE SIMPLY A WASTE OF TIME. GOD BECAME MAN FOR NO OTHER PURPOSE."  (C. S. LEWIS).

"Thus says the LORD:
 Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her;
 exult, exult with her, all you who were mourning over her!
 Oh, that you may suck fully of the milk of her comfort, that you may nurse with delight at her abundant breasts!
 For thus says the LORD:
 Lo, I will spread prosperity over Jerusalem like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent. As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, and fondled in her lap; as a mother comforts her child,
 so will I comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.

 When you see this, your heart shall rejoice and your bodies flourish like the grass; the LORD's power shall be known to his servants." (Isaiah 66: 10 - 14c).

Sunday July 3rd of the 14th week of Ordinary Time. The word to live by comes from (Isaiah 66: 10 - 14).

Where do you plan to find your comfort in this world? The first Reading from Isaiah answers this question for all of us. Only in Jerusalem. Meaning only in the Church.

The Lord God promises peace and prosperity and overflowing good fortune to Jerusalem after her period of chastisement. Jerusalem here is a type of the Church. We are urged to find our comfort in the Church and much more:

"Rejoice with her in her joy,
all you who mourn over her—
So that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast;
That you may drink with delight at her abundant breasts!" (Isaiah 66: 10 - 11).
What is this consoling breast, this abundant breast? Just think of the Church for a moment. What does the Church offer to the world? The Church offers to the world:

#1. The word of God.
#2. The 7 Sacraments.
#3. Light and wisdom through her authoritative teachings.
Everybody without exception is invited to "nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast;
and drink with delight at her abundant breasts!"

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed the man who seeks refuge in him." (Psalm 33: 9).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The First Saturday of July, Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

"FASTING CLEANSES THE SOUL, RAISES THE MIND, SUBJECTS ONE'S FLESH TO THE SPIRIT, RENDERS THE HEART CONTRITE AND HUMBLE, SCATTERS THE CLOUDS OF CONCUPISCENCE, QUENCHES THE FIRE OF LUST AND KINDLES THE TRUE LIGHT OF CHASTITY." (ST AUGUSTINE).

"The disciples of John ap­proached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?”

" Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth, for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.” (Matthew 9: 14 - 17).

Saturday July 2nd of the 13th Week of Ordinary Time is the First Saturday of July and Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

In the Gospel of today, Jesus is queried about the fasting practices of His disciples. Jesus is saying: There is time for everything. A time to fast and a time to feast. As for the disciples not fasting, It seems as if the kid goats watch their mother as she chews the cud and do what they see their mother do.  Be that as it may, Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving are the 3 pillars of Christian spiritual life.

Do you fast? How often? When? What do you fast from?
On the three pillars of the spiritual life, the Church teaches:

"The interior penance of the Christian can be expressed in many and various ways. Scripture and the Fathers insist above all on three forms, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, which express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others. Alongside the radical purification brought about by Baptism or martyrdom they cite as means of obtaining forgiveness of sins: efforts at reconciliation with one’s neighbor, tears of repentance, concern for the salvation of one’s neighbor, the intercession of the saints, and the practice of charity “which covers a multitude of sins.” (CCC 1434).

Some Christians abstain from meat and alcohol on Friday and Wednesday. Others abstain also from television, movies and gambling.

The truth is that if you consider yourself a good Christian, fasting is part of your Christian armor.

7.2. “Let us fix our gaze on the Blood of Christ and realize how truly precious It is, seeing that it was poured out for our salvation and brought the grace of conversion to the whole world.” (Pope Clement).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

Feast of St Junipero Serra, OFM.

THE CHURCH HONORS THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD OF OUR LORD JESUS IN JULY.  BY GOD'S MERCIFUL PROVIDENCE, I GOT TO KNOW ABOUT THE POWER OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD AND THE DEVOTION TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS AT THE END OF JUNE 2021. THROUGHOUT JULY 2021, I PRAYED TO JESUS TO HEAL MY SICK HEART THROUGH HIS MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD. HE HEALED ME. I CANNOT BELIEVE IT IS ALREADY ONE YEAR SINCE THE HEALING.
[You can find a link to read the Testimony at the bottom of this page].

"As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I ­desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”  (Matthew 9: 9 - 13).

Friday 1st July 2022, of the 13th Week of Ordinary Time is both the Feast of St Junipero Serra, OFM and also the First Friday in July. St Junipero Serra (1713 - 1784). Spanish Franciscan Priest evangelized Mexico and California and firmly established the Church in these regions.

Junipero arrived in the New World and sought good and not evil for the people of this region. He fought for the cause of justice for the native people of the area.
This Spanish Franciscan priest evangelized Mexico and California and firmly established the Church in these regions.

Our key Scripture today narrates the Call of Matthew. From the narrative, it appears a happenchance, a natural coincidence.  Jesus was passing by and saw Matthew and called him. The meeting of Jesus with Matthew on this day is not a chance meeting. The Bible has no word for Chance. Everything is Providence. God governs the world He creates by His powerful and merciful Providence. His governance is called Providence, God's grand Purpose, Blueprint or simply Plan.
Matthew met his destiny at the right time and place. How about you? Have you found your purpose?

Consider this insightful piece from St John Henry Newman:

"God has created me to do him some definite service; he has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission—I never may know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next…. I have a part in a great work; I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good, I shall do his work; I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it, if I do but keep his commandments and serve him in my calling."

Follow Me and Matthew got up and followed Jesus.

7. 1.  "When you come into His Eucharistic presence, be aware of His precious Blood streaming from His open Heart. Adore His Blood and apply it to your wounds and to the wounds of souls. The Blood of my Son brings purity and healing and new life wherever it flows. Implore the power of the precious Blood over yourself and over all priests. Whenever you are asked to intercede for souls, invoke the power of the precious Blood over them, and present them to the Father covered with the Blood of the Lamb." (IN SINU JESU).

Click below to read the testimony of how Jesus healed my sick heart.

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2022/01/testimony-of-how-jesus-healed-my-heart.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Receive the Eucharist this Friday, July 1st 2022.

July 1st , 2022 is First Friday in July.

Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month.  In the 7th month of the year 2022, we look at Promise #7.

#7.  "Tepid souls shall become fervent."

What is tepid?  Tepid is defined as lukewarm, slightly warm, unenthusiastic, apathetic, half-hearted.
Listen to what Jesus says about such persons:
"Because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth."  (Revelations 3: 16).

Are you lukewarm with regards to Jesus, to spiritual things? Regain your fire through devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
"We should, every morning, place our sufferings, prayers and labors in the pierced Heart of Jesus; there everything will be purified and perfected." (Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus).

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

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sacred Heart devotional prayers and prayer intentions click the link below:

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

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the First Martyrs of the Roman Church.

ONE OF THE MOST CONSOLING THOUGHTS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY IS THIS: ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE FOR GOD. ALL THINGS ARE SIMPLE FOR GOD. TODAY'S GOSPEL ILLUSTRATES THIS.

"After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men."   (Matthew 9:  1 - 9).

Thursday 30th June 2022, in the 13th Week of Ordinary Time is the
feast of the First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church. In 64 AD, before the martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul in Rome, the vicious Emperor Nero set Rome on fire. To escape the wrath of the Roman people, he blamed the Christians. Then he ordered all Christians arrested and be put to death. We celebrate today the witness of the multitude of Christians who demonstrated astonishing courage to perish for faith in Jesus Christ. This event happened so early in Christian era in the persecution of Emperor Nero. Many who witnessed the courage of the martyrs became Christians. "The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity." (Tertulian).

Jesus was ministering in a room packed with people.  The friends of the paralytic man lowered him from the roof and dropped him in front of Jesus.  Their action is the "faith" that Jesus saw.  So we can see faith.
The bigger theme of the Gospel of today is the sin of the paralyzed man.  Since Jesus came to suffer and die for sin, He dealt first with the root and source of illness.  “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven." (Matthew 9: 2).  Jesus was immediately attacked for forgiving the man's sins. “This man is blaspheming.” (Matthew 9: 3).

The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world knows more than anyone the intricate connection between Sin, Suffering and Salvation.  He proves it:
"Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”  (Matthew 9: 5 - 6). For God all things are possible. All things are easy.

"Lord, send your mercy and your truth to rescue us from the snares of the devil, and we will praise you among the peoples and proclaim you to the nations, happy to be known as companions of your Son."  (Psalm Prayer, Lauds).

6. 30.  Today is the end of the month of June dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The month of July is dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus.

Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all treasures of wisdom and knowledge,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of divinity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased, have mercy on us.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.

THE MESSAGE OF PETER AND PAUL STILL GOES ROUND ALL OVER THE WORLD EVERY DAY.  THIS SUBSIST IN THE FULLNESS OF TRUTH IN THE HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH.

"When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

"Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16: 13 - 19).

Wednesday 29th June 2022, in the 13th Week in Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.

This great feast has been celebrated for Peter and Paul together from the earliest days of the Church. Why?
Peter and Paul are recognized as the principal pillars of the Church. We declare in the Creed: "I believe in the holy Catholic and Apostolic Church." The one only Church founded by Jesus Christ on Pentecost Sunday is built on the foundation of the Apostles. Hence every Bishop in the Church enjoys legitimacy through Apostolic Succession from the original Twelve Apostles.

Scripture teaches that the Church is built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets. (Cf Ephesians 2: 20). Peter and Paul are joint managing directors of the institution, which is called the Church.

"You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it."  (Matthew 16: 18)
Paul got his mandate to be an Apostle directly from Jesus.

"Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin.  For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ."  (Galatians 1: 11 - 12).

Peter and Paul were called to be friends and companions of Jesus before anything else.

"I ask you only to be My friend and to live at every moment in the grace of My divine friendship. All the rest follows. Perfection is the fruit of friendship with Me, not a precondition for it. You, and many souls like you, are confused about this. My friendship is not earned, it is not something acquired by measuring up to the standards of perfection that you have set for yourself. My friendship is pure gift." (IN SINU JESU).

Peter and Paul are the ones who, living in the flesh, planted the Church with their blood; they drank the chalice of the LORD and became the friends of God. (Cf Entrance Antiphon).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Irenaeus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

"ERROR NEVER SHOWS ITSELF IN ITS NAKED REALITY, IN ORDER NOT TO BE DISCOVERED." - (ST IRANAEUS, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH). IRANAEUS UNMASKED THE HERESY OF GNOSTISM WHICH TAUGHT THAT THERE ARE TWO GODS IN THE WORLD: THE GOOD GOD AND THE BAD GOD RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE EVIL IN THE WORLD. THIS HERESY WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BEFORE THE 4TH CENTURY. IT CAME BACK AGAIN IN THE HERETICAL SECT CALLED JEHOVAH WITNESS.
CHRISTIAN BEWARE OF WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING.

"As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?” (Matthew 8: 23 - 27).

Tuesday 28th June 2022 of 13th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast  of St Irenaeus (125 - 203). Bishop and Martyr and Doctor of the Church. St Polycarp was instructed in the faith by St John the Apostle. He, Polycarp instructed St Irenaeus who became a Bishop in Lyons in France. Note the date of Irenaeus life and you will understand why France is called the Eldest Daughter of the Church. St Irenaeus is an early Church Father. God called Irenaeus to uphold the revealed truth of the faith and bring peace to the Church. Pope Francis declared him the 37th Doctor of the Church on January 21st 2022.

What is the legacy of St Irenaeus? Irenaeus defended the Church against the poisonous heresy of Gnosticism. This heresy was so thoroughly defeated that it disappeared. About 100 years ago, it reincarnated itself in the heretical sect called Jehovoh Witness. They claim that there are two gods governing the world: a good god that causes good things and and evil god that causes bad things. They deny that Jesus Christ is God. They deny the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. They target especially Catholics who have little knowledge of Scripture.
Beware of them. They are wolves in sheep clothing. We need a new St Irenaeus for our day to deal them final mortal blow.

Two famous quotes of St Irenaeus:
1. “The glory of God is the human person fully alive.” ...

2. “Error, indeed is never set forth in its naked deformity, lest, being thus exposed, it should at once be detected."

The Apostles with Jesus in the stormy sea faced another type of threat to life. Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea and there was deep calm. The Apostles did not realize that the presence of Jesus with them in the boat meant that they were safe. Jesus asked them at Caesarea Philippi "Who do you say that I am?" They followed Jesus but did not know who He is?
“What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?” (Matthew 8: 28). They wondered after the calming of the storm.

Do you personally know who Jesus Christ is? This knowledge in crisis could be the difference between life and death.

"God's faithful promises are our armor and protection." (Psalm 91: 4). The Holy Scripture is filled with these promises. They are for you and your children. Invest some time in learning them. "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." (St Jerome).

6. 28. "Listen to Me and I will speak to you. My Heart overflows with love for you, and when one loves, one has much to say—and then there is a communion in love deeper than all words, in the silence that unites souls to Me. I will give you that silence too." (IN SINU JESU).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Cyril, Doctor of the Church and Patriarch of Alexandria.

"INDEED THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST RUNS THE RISK OF BEING DISBELIEVED PRECISELY BECAUSE IT IS SO INCREDIBLY WONDERFUL." - (ST CYRIL, PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA).
EXACTLY. SO IS THE MYSTERY OF THE EUCHARIST. TOO WONDERFUL TO BE BELIEVED BY PEOPLE OF WEAK FAITH.

"When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other shore. A scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But Jesus answered him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.” (Matthew 8: 18  - 22).

Monday 27th June 2022, in the 13th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Cyril of Alexandria in Egypt. (376 - 444). Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Cyril played a crucial role in the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD to defend the oneness of the person in Jesus Christ, true God and true Man. If Jesus is One Person, then the Blessed Virgin Mary is the Mother of God (Theotokos).

St Cyril listened to the words of Christ, meditated long on them.  During the crisis of faith that engulfed Christiandom in the middle of the 5th century, Cyril did not collapse from the virulent and battering attacks of heretics. His house "had been set solidly on rock."

Yesterday, Sunday 13th Week of Ordinary Time, we had proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus' call to ministry to three men from the Gospel of Luke. Why is the story being repeated today from the Gospel according to Matthew? The Call to Ministry is very important in the plan of salvation. These three men in the story are types of you and me: the men and women in the pew. In the course of his inspired sermon on the Gospel this Sunday, our pastor prayed for all those present in the Church to heed the call of Jesus.
"O that today you will listen to His voice, harden not your hearts." (Psalm 95).

St Cyril of Alexandria heard the call in the late 4th century in Egypt and answered the call with generosity. What about you?

6. 27. "My Sacred Heart is divinely sensitive to the coldness and indifference of My priests. I ask you to make reparation to Me for them. Allow Me to love you as I would love each of them. Allow Me to heal you, to comfort you, to sanctify you, just as I would heal, comfort, and sanctify any one of My priests. I love My priests—but few of them believe in My love for them. You, believe in My love for you. I am your Friend. I have chosen you to be in life and in death the privileged friend of My Sacred Heart."  (IN SINU JESU).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Do not be afraid. Come follow Me.

COME AND FOLLOW ME. DO NOT BE AFRAID. LOOK AT THE BIRDS IN THE SKY. MY HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDS THEM. YOU ARE MORE VALUABLE THAN THE BIRDS.

"When the days for Jesus’ being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him.......

"As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus ­answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”

"And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” To him Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9: 51 - 62).

Three enthusiastic would be disciples of Jesus received similar answer to their application to follow Jesus:
You must count carefully the cost of discipleship.  How far and how long are you prepared to follow Me? What will you do when the going gets tough?  I will show you what a prudent and faithful disciple looks like.  That disciple followed Me from the beginning of my ministry to the end.

Are you called to serve the Lord? The marching order is intimidating. Don't waste time about who died and burial rites. “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.” On another occasion, Jesus commanded the disciples:
"More than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well." (Matthew 6: 33 CEV).

Pope St John Paul II writing on faithfulness says:
It is good to be faithful for one day.
It is better to be faithful for ten years.
It is excellent and blessed to be faithful day after day to the end.

Will you quit if the cost of discipleship becomes unbearable?  Jesus had no apartment or home.  He did not have a servant or income. He had no horse or donkey.

“Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”  (Luke 9: 60)
"Come and follow me."

6. 26.  "Holding His Heart in His hand, Jesus once said to St. Gertrude: “Behold My most magnificent Heart, the melodious harp whose notes ravish the Holy Trinity. I give It to thee, and as a faithful and diligent servant It will be at thy disposal to supply for all thy powerlessness.”  (Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

IN THE END, MY IMMACULATE HEART WILL TRIUMPH!
AMEN. DEAREST OF MOTHERS. WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH! AND WE TRUST IN THE TRIUMPH OF YOUR IMMACULATE HEART.

"Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
The Gospel of the Lord." (Luke 2: 41 - 51).

Saturday 25th June 2022, of the 12th Week of Ordinary Time is the Saturday after the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Church honors the Immaculate Heart of Mary today.

You recognize the Gospel of today as the subject of the 5th Joyful Mystery of the Holy Rosary.

Why this feast? The Church in her wisdom and discernment instituted this feast to encourage us to have great confidence in approaching the Most Holy and Immaculate Heart of Mary for all our spiritual and material needs. By placing the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary back to back, we know by filial instinct that both Hearts are not in competition. It is the will of God that She who is filled with grace and who the Lord God is with in a preeminent manner will play a significant role in salvation history. We do well to approach her constantly to be free from the chain and deceits of Satan.

For the naive and ignorant who imagine that to honor Mary is to depreciate the honor of Jesus, please consider this: Can you fail to honor the ambassador representing the President because of the foolish thought that honoring the ambassador might diminish the President's prestige? If you do this, be ready to taste the wrath of the President.
Mary, the holy handmaid of the Lord does not seek honor for herself. She is in no way in competition with her Lord who has done great things for her.

The Holy Spirit prophesied that all generations will call Mary blessed.
During her 60 years or so on earth, her life was hidden in Christ Jesus. But now that she is assumed into heaven, all generations call her Blessed every day. How? Billions of Hail Marys said every day to honor Mary. Universities, Cathedrals, Institutes all over the world are named after the humble Virgin of Nazareth. Her patronages are countless.

To learn about the 15 Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-15-promises-of-mary-to-those-who.html?m=1

6. 25.  The Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Two Hearts. One pulse!

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

3 OF THE 12 PROMISES OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS TO THE DEVOTEES OF HIS SACRED HEART:
1. I WILL GIVE THEM ALL THE GRACES NECESSARY FOR THEIR STATE OF LIFE.
2. I WILL GIVE PEACE IN THEIR FAMILIES.
3. I WILL CONSOLE THEM IN ALL THEIR TROUBLES.

"Jesus addressed this parable to the Pharisees and scribes: “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance." (Luke 15: 3 - 7).

Friday 24th June 2022, in the 12th Week of Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Jesus requested St Margaret Mary Alacoque to have a solemn feast instituted the Friday after Corpus Christi to honor His Sacred Heart. Jesus providentially placed St Claude de la Colombiere of the Society of Jesus to be Margaret's confessor and spiritual director to help her with this assignment.

Why the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus? The heart of Jesus was pierced on the cross for love of us. Men's hearts have grown very cold towards Jesus. Jesus chose to dwell in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar round the clock all year round for the sake of His love for us. He waits for visitors but no one comes. Most churches are locked up during the day like a security prison.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd in the Gospel of today who celebrates for finding one lost sheep.

The feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is instituted to counter the irrational apathy and chill towards Jesus. Jesus is the King of mercy who delights in mercy. He yearns to pour out His mercy on sick souls.

The Church teaches:
"The prayer of the Church venerates and honors the Heart of Jesus just as it invokes his most holy name. It adores the incarnate Word and his Heart which, out of love for men, he allowed to be pierced by our sins. Christian prayer loves to follow the way of the cross in the Savior's steps. The stations from the Praetorium to Golgotha and the tomb trace the way of Jesus, who by his holy Cross has redeemed the world.". (CCC 2669).

O Sacred Heart of Jesus wounded for our sins, bestow on us in mercy the boundless treasures of Your love.  Amen.

Speaking to a Benedictine mystic, Jesus says:
"Nothing so grieves My divine Heart as the doubt of My merciful love. Sin in all its forms and manifestations offends Me and grieves My most loving Heart, but one who doubts of My merciful love grieves Me in a way that you cannot imagine. It is because I am love, and all love; it is because My mercy is the expression of My love towards sinners, that My Heart suffers when these same sinners close themselves to Me by doubting that I am all love and ready to forgive all." (IN SINU JESU).

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart, Prayer of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Litany of the Sacred Heart, etc click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2021/06/consecrate-yourself-to-sacred-heart-of.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist.

JESUS MEANS SAVIOR. JOHN MEANS GOD IS GRACIOUS. THE GRACIOUS FAVOR OF THE SAVIOR, THE WORD OF GOD HAS GIVEN US JOHN, THE VOICE OF GOD AS A BRIGHT LIGHT FOR OUR JOURNEY OF FAITH.

"When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed.....

“What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel." (Luke 1: 57.....66, 80 ).

Thursday 23rd June 2022, in the 12th Week in Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of the Nativity of St John the Baptist.  How many Birthdays are celebrated in the Church's 365 days Liturgical Calendar? Only Three:

1. Christmas, Birthday of Christ the Lord - 25th December.
2. Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary - 8th September.
3. Birthday of St. John the Baptist - 24th June.

This indicates that John the Baptist is a significant persona in salvation history. Let us sketch a profile of St John the Baptist:

#1 His name is John: "God is gracious."
#2.  He was sanctified in his mother's womb. He kicked his mother hard in the womb with excitement when Mary visited Elizabeth.
#3. John was chosen by the Father to be forerunner of Jesus Christ and to prepare His way.
#4. John baptized Jesus in the River Jordan.
#5. His humility is supreme. He said: "He [Jesus] must increase. I must decrease." And he allowed his disciples to switch allegiance and follow Jesus.
#6. John gave his life for Jesus. He was a great martyr for Jesus.

"[John's] birth brought great rejoicing;
even in the womb he leapt for joy
at the coming of human salvation.
He alone of all the prophets
pointed out the Lamb of redemption.
And to make holy the flowing waters,
he baptized the very author of Baptism
and was privileged to bear him supreme witness
by the shedding of his blood."  (From the Preface of the Mass of the Feast.)

Jesus paid St John the Baptist one of the greatest compliments:
"For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  (Luke 7: 28 KJB).

John is the Voice. He is not the Word.
I am just a servant of the Word. He must increase. I must decrease. O Lord Jesus Christ, may all Your servants decrease so that You increase in us.

6. 23. FRIDAY JUNE 24TH IS THE SOLEMNITY OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS. THIS IS WHY THE CHURCH MOVED THE SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST USUALLY CELEBRATED ON JUNE 24TH TO THE 23RD OF JUNE. JESUS EXPRESSLY ORDERED THE SOLEMNITY OF HIS SACRED HEART BE CELEBRATED ON THE FRIDAY AFTER CORPUS CHRISTI.
HONOR THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS BY ATTENDING HOLY MASS AND RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION THIS FRIDAY.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of Saints Thomas More, John Fisher and Paulinus of Nola.

THE SHOEMAKER  MAKES SHOES. THE TAILOR MAKES CLOTHES. THE PRIEST MAKES SACRIFICES.  THE TREE MAKES ITS KIND OF FRUIT. CHRISTIAN BEWARE OF TEACHERS AND PROPHETS WHO MAKE FALSE DOCTRINES.

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them.”  (Matthew 7: 15 - 20).

Wednesday 22nd June 2022, of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast day of three giants of the Christian Church:
St Paulinus of Nola (355 - 431). French Bishop. Over a thousand years separated him from the two English martyrs we honor today. St John Fisher (1469 - 1535). Bishop and scholar. And his friend, St Thomas More (1477 - 1535). Lawyer, Statesman and Chancellor of Exchequer of King Henry VIII. St Thomas More is revered all over the world as the patron saint of lawyers.
St John Fisher and St Thomas More were martyred under Henry VIII for refusing to compromise the teachings of the Church.

When a Bishop lacks the grace of fortitude of his high office, he succumbs to the threats of tyrants like King Henry VIII. That is what the world saw in the England of the 1520s. King Henry, one single man born of a woman succeeded in intimidating the whole the English hierarchy. About 300 Bishops denied their Catholic Faith. Only Bishop John Fisher stood up to him and stood his ground. He refused to deny his holy faith. St Thomas More a layman stood his ground too. Both men suffered martyrdom. Today both men are celebrated all over the world. Henry VIII, where is your kingdom? Where are your 7 wives?

The false prophets may dress and talk like the genuine one. But ask which Way of life they promote? The Broadway in all likelihood. Follow the Narrow Way as Jesus taught.

Our Lord and Teacher says that" "You will know them by their fruits."
Sometimes fruits take long in coming but they surely come. Look at religious people who abused children under their care. For some of them, the bitter fruits take decades to show but they come.

By contrast, the good fruits produced by good teachers and prophets are formed by the Holy Spirit and show up in the lives of good Christians. They are :

1. Charity   🍏
2. Joy        🍊
3. Peace     🍐
4. Patience 🍓
5. Kindness 🍍
6. Goodness 🥝
7. Generosity 🍉
8. Gentleness 🍎
9. Faithfulness 🍋
10. Modesty     🍠
11. Self-control 🌰
12. Chastity       🥔

The most destructive fruits of the false teachers and prophets are:
"Immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts and orgies." (Galatians 5: 19 - 21).

Beware of such teachers and prophets. You are warned. If you are uncertain of how to discern their fruits, ask a seasoned and approved pastor or teacher in your Church.

6. 22. "O SACRED Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come. EUCHARISTIC Heart of Jesus, increase in us faith, hope and charity. HEART of Jesus, burning with love of us, inflame our hearts with love of Thee. O DIVINE Heart of Jesus, convert sinners, save the dying, free the holy souls in Purgatory." (Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Aloysius Gonzaga, SJ.

"WHENEVER WE BEHOLD A PICTURE OF THE SACRED HEART, LET US MAKE AN ACT OF LOVE, SAYING WITH OUR HEART AND LIPS: "O MY JESUS, I LOVE THEE, I GIVE THEE MY HEART; GIVE ME THY HOLY LOVE!" A SINGLE ACT OF LOVE IS OF IMMEASURABLE MERIT." (ST ALOYSIUS GONZAGA, SJ).

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets.

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7: 6, 12 - 15).

Tuesday 21st June 2022, in the 12th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Aloysius Gonzaga of the Society of Jesus. (1568 - 1591). Italian. Aloysius was heir to the Duke of Lombardy. He renounced his title and entered the Society of Jesus. Aloysius died at the age of 24 in the Jesuit House of Formation in Rome of the pandemic which he contracted while ministering to the victims.
Aloysius is known for his holiness, purity and chastity and humility. He had a powerful devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He is the patron saint of the youth.

Many of us are familiar with our key Scripture: Broadway and Narrow Way. Now that you know the way that leads to Heaven, blessed are you if you follow it. (Cf John 13: 17).
The choice is stark. Choose high life, pleasures and amusements, and all the deceits of the Devil called the good life, you are on the Broadway that many choose.
The opposite is the Narrow Way. This is the Way of Jesus who says: I am the Way, the Truth and Life. He who follows me is on the Way to eternal life.  The Narrow Way is the way of prayer, the word of God, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Examination of Conscience, Spiritual Reading and Sharing your faith through ministry.

6. 21. "Because Christ himself is present in the sacrament of the altar, he is to be honored with the worship of adoration. "To visit the Blessed Sacrament is . . . a proof of gratitude, an expression of love, and a duty of adoration toward Christ our Lord" (CCC #1418).
(Paul VI, MF 66).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

NO COMPLAIN. NO CRITICIZE. NO CONDEMN.

YESTERDAY I ATTENDED THE 25TH EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS IN A BIG METROPOLIS. I LEARNED THAT THERE IS A VITAL AND INTIMATE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS, THE EUCHARIST AND THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
ANYONE WHO CAN THROW LIGHT ON THIS, PLEASE SHARE.

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.”  (Matthew 7: 1 - 5).

What is Jesus teaching us in the Gospel for today? You may call it: Lesson in - No Complain, No Criticize, No Condemn.

If you can deal with complaining in your life,  you can eliminate temptation to criticize and condemn people indiscriminately. If you find that you must reprove a sinful behavior, pray to discern whether the task of gentle and fraternal correction is part of your gifts. If you must correct the offender, pray for the grace of wisdom and counseling. All these prayers can be made in seconds. "HOLY SPIRIT GIVE ME WISDOM AND COUNSEL TO HANDLE THIS SITUATION."

One way I deal with the fatal character flaw in me of complaining, criticizing and condemning people is using the power of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. St Philip Neri who is a renowned confessor and spiritual director teaches that frequent and good Confessions is one of the best ways to acquire humility. Think about it: Isn't pride the cause of our complaining, criticizing and condemning other people?

6. 20.  "Once, on the Feast of St. John the Apostle, Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary and made known to her that the devotion to His Sacred Heart was, as it were, the last effort of His love to save mankind. He said that by this devotion He desired to annihilate the dominion of sin in the hearts of men and to establish in its place the dominion of love. In no way is this twofold purpose accomplished more perfectly than by the frequent and worthy reception of Holy Communion."  (DEVOTION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Solemnity of of Corpus Christi.

THE EUCHARIST IS THE SOURCE AND SUMMIT OF CHRISTIAN LIFE. (CCC 1324). THE EUCHARIST IS ALSO THE NEW COVENANT RATIFIED WITH THE BLOOD OF JESUS. (MARK 14: 24).

"Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God, and he healed those who needed to be cured. As the day was drawing to a close, the Twelve approached him and said, “Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.” He said to them, “Give them some food yourselves.” They replied, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have, unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people.”

"Now the men there numbered about five thousand. Then he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty.” They did so and made them all sit down. Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets."  (Luke 9: 11 - 17).

All things are not just possible for God, all things are easy.

Sunday June 19th 2022, Solemnity of Corpus Christi (the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus).

Today, the Church demonstrates her faith in the most precious Eucharist: the source, center and summit of her life. It is also the occasion of great thanksgiving for this immense gift and the radical faithfulness of Jesus to His Bride all these 2000 plus years.
The Church and the world needs the Eucharist desperately.

"The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship. Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love. Let us not refuse the time to go to meet him in adoration, in contemplation full of faith, and open to making amends for the serious offenses and crimes of the world. Let our adoration never cease." (CCC 1380).

Jesus Christ is everyday inviting everyone to come to the Eucharist. "Come and eat bread without money." The more we respond to this invitation, the more we experience the salvation Jesus Christ won for us.

The Eucharist brings us immense peace. Do you lack peace of soul? Then go often to the Eucharist. The Prince of Peace is waiting to heal your heart and mind of fears, worries and doubts. He will heal you and immerse you in peace.  When you cannot receive Jesus physically, make a Spiritual Communion. You will be blessed. 
Are you hungry for the Eucharist? How strong is your faith in the Real Presence? "They all ate and were satisfied."

Jesus I believe in Your Real Presence in the Eucharist.
Jesus I believe in Your Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament.
Jesus I believe in Your Real Presence in me in the Sacrament of the Present Moment.

The mode of Christ's presence in these three forms is unique and very real. The whole of Jesus is present in each of these modes.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Why do you worry like the pagans?

DO YOU YOU WANT TO SUCCEED IN LIFE GOD'S WAY? NEVER MIX GOD AND MONEY.  MONEY TAINTS & CORRUPTS EVERYTHING IT TOUCHES. NO MAN CAN SERVE GOD AND MONEY AT THE SAME TIME.  LET YOUR MOTTO BE: SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN EVERYTHING YOU DO. YOU WILL SUCCEED GOD'S WAY!

"Jesus said to his disciples: “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes?.....

"So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; ­tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”
(Matthew 6: 24.....34).

Saturday 18th June 2022, in the 11th Week in Ordinary Time.

The Gospel of today from Matthew 6: 24 - 34 is the crème de la crème of the Sermon on the Mount.
Why are we full of fear, worry and doubt? Because we are of little faith.

We may go to Church and live in the Church. We may be involved deeply in several ministries in our parish.
But deep deep down, we are no different from the pagans if we do not trust in the promises of God. How? Jesus says in the Gospel of today that pagans worry a lot about what to eat, what to wear, which car to drive or fine house to live in. Stop behaving like pagans. You have a Father in Heaven who knows exactly what you need and when you need it.

How do we come by the faith that trusts God the Provident and Gentle Father and stop behaving like pagans?
Go back to the basics. Start praying. Mother St Teresa of Kolkata says: "The fruit of prayer is faith." As you commit to daily prayer and listening to God in His word, your faith start growing and fears, worries and doubts start receding.

Jesus concludes the teaching in today's Gospel by giving the supreme remedy for trusting and enjoying the merciful and powerful Providence of God:

"Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.” (Matthew 6: 33 - 34).

6. 18.  "TRUE devotion to the Sacred Heart demands, further, reparation and atonement. If you truly love the Heart of Jesus, you will grieve that this Divine Heart is so little loved, so often forgotten, reviled, grieved and offended, and you will grieve in particular at the infidelity, the ingratitude and the outrages that are committed against this loving Heart in the Most Blessed Sacrament." (DEVOTION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Where is your treasure?

YOUR TREASURE HAS AN INFLEXIBLE EXPIRATION DATE. SO IS YOUR LIFE. EACH DAY, YOU COME CLOSER TO LOSING YOUR LIFE AND YOUR TREASURE. GET SMART. STORE YOUR TREASURE IN HEAVEN.

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
“The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.”  (Matthew 6: 19.... 21).

Friday 17th June 2022, of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time.

Do you believe that your heart is always where your treasure is? This is a spiritual law. We cannot do anything about it. Consider these six areas most people consider as treasure:

Health, family, money, job, tools and possessions and food. Each of these has an expiration date. There is no security in anything with an expiration date.

How do we store up treasures in heaven while living on earth? Consider the following:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven."
The poor in spirit understand that every material thing is subject to decay and loss. So they do not cling tightly to them.

The teaching of Jesus today on treasure and the heart is good news for many who need to hear it. It is truth that can give us victory and freedom in  life:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.  But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal." (Matthew 6: 19 - 20).

During the great Depression in 1929, some people who stored up their treasures in the stock market committed suicide when the stock market crashed. These guys lost hope about the future. They are losers.

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me, delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34: 5).
The supreme remedy for greed, idolatry and materialism is given by Jesus:

"But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also." (Matthew 6: 33 AMP).

Those who are entrusted with material wealth like Abraham have the responsibility of using their wealth to help others.
Those who seek the will of God in their lives on wealth will find it.
Father, in Your will is our peace. 

6. 17. "Do not let the past disturb you, just leave everything in the Sacred Heart and begin again with joy." (St Teresa of Kolkata).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

ABC of FORGIVING OTHERS.

I CANNOT SAY: FORGIVE ME MY SINS AS I FORGIVE THOSE THAT SIN AGAINST ME, IF I CONTINUE TO HARBOR A GRUDGE AGAINST ANYONE.

"Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“This is how you are to pray:
‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who ­trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’
“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
(Matthew 6: 7 - 15).

Thursday 16th June 2022, in the 11th Week of Ordinary Time.

Why did Jesus conclude the teaching on Our Father, the Lord's Prayer by stating unequivocally a precondition for the forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with the Father? This is obviously an important theme for Jesus because He taught it in Matthew 18:21–35, which concluded thus: "Then in anger his master handed him [the unforgiving servant] over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

Reconciliation is crucial to enjoying the privileges of filial adoption. A girl who ran away from home and lived a lawless life for a couple of years may be hesitant as she approaches home. The prodigal son understands that there are consequences to vagrancy and knows the importance of Reconciliation.
Many people claim that forgiveness of the other is hard. Lessons that help forgiveness:

#1. Forgive at once.

#2. Forgive everyone without discrimination.

#3. Forgive always.

#4. Forgive everywhere.

#5. "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Forgive everyone. This step is modeled for us from the Cross.  Jesus forgave in real time those who were killing Him. He did not wait until Easter Sunday when He rose from the dead to forgive.

#6.  Pray everyday for all those whom you have offended, known or unknown to forgive you and set you free.
Jesus Christ invites us to a life of continual conversion so that we can pray Our Father (the Lord's Prayer) with confidence.

NEVER FORGET THE SWEETEST WORD IN ALL OF SCRIPTURE:"Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. "

6. 16.  “May the Heart of Jesus Christ be our school!
Let us make our abode there.
Let us study its movements
and attempt to conform ours to them.
Yes, O Divine Jesus, I want to live there.” (St Claude de la Colombiere, SJ).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Love your enemies.

LOVE & FORGIVE YOUR ENEMIES.
"YOU CANNOT REMAIN A PRISONER OF THE PAST." POPE ST JOHN PAUL II.
FORGIVE AT ONCE. FORGIVE EVERYONE. FORGIVE ALL OFFENSES. OVERCOME EVIL BY GOOD.

“Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  (Matthew 5:  43 - 48).

Tuesday 14th June 2022, in the 11th Week of Ordinary Time.

The new law proclaimed by Jesus Christ is for children of the heavenly Father. The law inaugurated by Moses is different. "While the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1: 17).

The new law is the Covenant of grace. We become members of the New Covenant through faith. "But to those who did accept him [Jesus] he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God." (John 1: 11 - 13).

Now that we understand that we live under the Covenant of grace, we see that it is not impossible to live the command of Jesus Christ in our key Scripture in our own strength:
"Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you."  For we are now sons and daughters and no longer slaves. The Spirit of Abba Father lives in us. The Spirit helps us to take full possession of our inheritance.

Our Father in Heaven makes His sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.

Abba Father, make us love all men for Your sake. Father, in Your will is our peace.

6. 14. “The Blessed Sacrament is the Invention of Love. It [the Blessed Sacrament] is life and fortitude for souls, a remedy for every fault, and viaticum for the last passage from time to eternity. In it, sinners recover life for their souls; tepid souls true warmth, fervent souls tranquility…saintly souls wings to fly toward perfection…pure souls sweet honey…” (St Margaret Mary Alacoque, the Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com