The Law of love and freedom and grace.

"If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you; if you trust in God, you too shall live; he has set before you fire and water; to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand." (Sirach 15: 15 - 16).

Sunday 16 February 2020 in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time may be called the Commandments Sunday because the Law of God dominates all the liturgical texts this Sunday. Below is how we should welcome the Law of God:

"The New Law is called a law of love because it makes us act out of the love infused by the Holy Spirit, rather than from fear; a law of grace, because it confers the strength of grace to act, by means of faith and the sacraments; a law of freedom, because it sets us free from the ritual and juridical observances of the Old Law, inclines us to act spontaneously by the prompting of charity and, finally, lets us pass from the condition of a servant who "does not know what his master is doing" to that of a friend of Christ - "For all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you" - or even to the status of son and heir." (CCC 1972).

What is your attitude to the Ten Commandments? An ancient dictum says that correct thought is the key to correct action. Jesus reveals the fullness of grace and purpose of the Commandments. We cannot enjoy the fullness of life that Jesus promises in John 10: 10 without embracing God's gracious and mysterious will as laid down in the Ten Commandments.

The Law of God is the will of God and His will is a holy life for everyone. (Cf 1 Thessalonians 4: 3).
Those who say that holiness is not for everybody are saying in fact that peace, joy and happiness are not for everyone. They contradict the Scriptures. The saints are full of joy, peace and happiness. They are the best advertisement for Jesus.

"If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you." (Sirach 15: 15).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

They all ate and were satisfied.

“Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?” (Mark 8: 4).

Saturday 15th February 2020 in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time.

An African proverb says: "What man will allow the foam of the soap to cover his eyes and prevent him from seeing when he is standing in the river?" The source of all bread is standing in their midst, yet the apostles ask: “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?”

We hear the same groaning from our churches every day: Where can we get enough money for this and that charity or project? Is this your problem too? Then hear the word of God:

#1 "Man does not live on bread alone. There is life for him in every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4: 4).

#2 "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6: 33).

#3 "The just man shall live by faith." (Romans 1: 17, Galatians 3: 11, Hebrews 10: 38 & Habakkuk 2: 4).

If these promises of God are not true, then our religion is worse than useless. In vain do we seek God, pray and worship God, go to Church on Sunday and perform all religious rituals.
But WHAT IF God's word is true, are you enjoying fully your patrimony as a son or daughter of the Most High?

"They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over—seven baskets. There were about four thousand people." (Mark 8: 8 - 9).

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Feast of St Cyril and St Methodius.

"I have placed You as a light for the Gentiles, So that You may bring [the message of eternal] salvation to the end of the earth." (Acts 13: 47).

Friday 14th February 2020 in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the great missionary brothers, Saints Cyril and Methodius (+869) & (+885),Priest and Bishop respectively. Which mother will not be proud to have this pair as sons?  They are probably among the greatest missionaries in the the history of the Church. They are patron saints of Europe.

One of the spiritual insights I learned during my Cursillo weekend is that where you are this moment and place is not an accident. God has placed you Here and Now for a Purpose. Our Scripture for today from the first Reading for the feast of our great saints instructs us:
"I have placed You as a light for the Gentiles, So that You may bring [the message of eternal] salvation to the end of the earth." (Acts 13: 47).

Start blooming where you are planted. Make friends with our missionary pioneers: Paul, Cyril and Methodius and ask them to help you. When we honor the saints by asking them to obtain favors for us from Jesus, we glorify the Lord. Part of the reward of Heaven is the positive influence we can have on our loved ones on earth and those who ask for our intercession. How many patron saints do you call upon to ask for favors. Do not deprive yourself this vital resource.

St Cyril and St Methodius pray for us.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Solomon's heart was not entirely with the Lord.

"When Solomon was old his wives had turned his heart to follow other gods, and his heart was not entirely with the Lord, his God, as the heart of David his father had been." (1 Kings 11: 4).

Thursday 13th February 2020 in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time.

We see in the first Reading today the unraveling of a great nation and the reasons and consequences of it. We studied the life of David from his days as a shepherd boy to his last Testament to Solomon on his death bed. Did Solomon learn anything from his father David's last counsel to him?

"For  everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope" (Romans 15: 4).

Solomon in his desire to build the greatest kingdom in the world "did not follow the Lord unreservedly as David his father had done." (Cf 1 Kings 11: 6). The consequences were disastrous for his family and his kingdom.

Where are you tempted today to compromise with the world in spite of this clear warning:
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12: 2).

Solomon succumbed to the temptation to compromise with the world. He lost the friendship of God and subsequently his kingdom was torn in two. Are you tempted to enjoy the casinos on Saturday night and holy Mass on Sunday morning? The Sacred Scriptures are God’s love letter to His family.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

What price are you willing to pay for wisdom?

"Happy are your servants, happy these ministers of yours, who stand before you always and listen to your wisdom." (1 Kings 10: 8).

Wednesday 12th February 2020 in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time.

What is genuine riches? God owns everything in the world. He created everything and found everything He created good. Otherwise He would not have created it, He said. Yet God desires to bestow on His children genuine riches, the best in His storehouse. The Queen of Sheba traveled across deserts and rivers to visit King Solomon not to beg for gold or silver or form military alliance. She brought far more gold and spices than Solomon had ever seen. The Queen came to visit King Solomon to learn Wisdom.

"Happy are your servants, happy these ministers of yours, who stand before you always and listen to your wisdom." (1 Kings 10: 8).
Consider the price the Queen was prepared to pay for this. This reminds us of the Parable of Jesus:
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it." (Matthew 13: 45 - 46).

What price are you prepared to pay to receive the Holy Spirit? God does not need your silver and gold or spices. You do not need to traverse deserts and oceans to receive the Holy Spirit. All you need is desire and ask and you will receive.

The Holy Spirit is the Lord and Giver of Abundant life, the Spirit of Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge and Power.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Lourdes of Our Lady - Home of Miracles.

"Listen to the petitions of your servant and of your people Israel which they offer in this place. Listen from your heavenly dwelling and grant pardon.” (1 Kings 8: 30).

Tuesday 11th February 2020 in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Who is Our Lady of Lourdes? She is of course one and the same Lady we honor under the titles of Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Our Lady of Good Counsel, etc. One Lady, many titles. "From now on all generations will call me blessed." (Luke 1: 48).

In 1858, the Mother of the Redeemer appeared in Lourdes, France to a 14 year old girl who later became St. Bernadette. She subsequently appeared 17 other times in the same location. Today, a beautiful Basilica stands on the site to immortalize the event.

The first Reading today celebrates the dedication of the wonderful Temple of Solomon. Listen to the prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the Temple: "Listen to the petitions of your servant and of your people Israel which they offer in this place. Listen from your heavenly dwelling and grant pardon.” (1 Kings 8: 30). From 1858 to the present day, millions of pilgrims from all over the world continue to visit Lourdes where thousands of all types of miracles have been certified by a multinational team of experts.
It is not an accident that as we are reminded of the great House of God built by Solomon, we are celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The Ark of the Covenant.

The Mother is always with the Son, always and everywhere.
Our Lady of Lourdes pray for us.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Where is your marketplace where you meet the hurting?

"Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed." (Mark 6: 56).

Monday 10th February 2020 in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Scholastica (480 - 547), Virgin. St Scholastica is the Twin sister of St Benedict who is reputed to found Western Monasticism. St Scholastica was inspired by her twin brother's vision and rules. She founded the Order of Benedictine Nuns. The Order is still serving the Church in some countries in the world including the United States.

"Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him [to heal them.]
Jesus healed the sick by allowing them to touch the tassels of his cloak.

Where is your market place? It could be a supermarket, post office, school, gas station, stadium, etc. There are people who are hurting in  these places. Unfortunately, they may not come to touch the hem of your gown or pants. You have to fish them out. Fishing out the hurting starts with your morning prayer before you leave home. "O Jesus, lead me, guide me and use me to touch the hurting You place in my path today. Amen." If you pray with expectant faith, your prayer will be answered by a grateful God who is looking for people like you.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com