The Triumphant Entry of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem.

"And when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken and asked, “Who is this?” And the crowds replied, “This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.” (Matthew 21: 10 - 11).

Sunday 5th April 2020, Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. Today we honor Christ Jesus our triumphant King.

From time immemorial the Church has honored her triumphant King and Savior through processions and waving of palms on Palm Sunday. This has been done in war and peace, during plagues and normal time. It is difficult to find in history a time when this is not the case. The universal Church is experiencing today what no prophet had foretold. We must place our faith and destiny in the hands of the Bishops whom Jesus committed the entire Sacraments of Salvation  and instructed us in no uncertain terms:
"Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” (Luke 10: 16).

"The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying:
“Hosanna to the Son of David;
blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.” (Matthew 21: 9).

"Cease striving and know that I am God." (Psalm 46: 10.)

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

You must die.

"Christ was handed over, to gather into one the scattered children of God." (Communion Antiphon: Cf. John 11: 52).

Saturday 4th April 2020 of the 5th week of Lent is the feast of St Isidore (560 - 636), Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Isidore was Bishop of Seville in Spain and a leading light in the Church in Spain. He initiated many local Church councils. St Isidore earned his place among the Doctors of the Church by his rigorous scholarship especially his extensive Encyclopedia (Etymologies) which was popular up to the Middle Ages.

We are on the Eve of Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. The plot to kill Jesus has thickened at this point. Who wants to kill Jesus and who will benefit most from His disappearance from the religious-political scene?
“You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.” (John 11: 49 - 50).
This is the voice of the High Priest, Caiaphas. He provides a powerful motive for the criminal conspiracy. The fate of Jesus is sealed.

The plan of the Father for the salvation of the world has taken a definitive path to victory. Is God the Father incapable of stopping the execution of His beloved Son Jesus? Or all the evils in the world? Just one word will stop them. "In the most mysterious way God the Father has revealed his almighty power in the voluntary humiliation and Resurrection of his Son, by which he conquered evil."
The Cross has been ordained by the Father from eternity to be the means of our Salvation. No Cross, No Crown. No Trials. No Triumph.

As we enter the most holy Week of the year, we pray for the grace to understand the meaning of the Cross in our lives.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Open your eyes and see...

*This post from Anglican Bishop Ikeakor raises interesting questions and should engender discussion among the faifhfuls.*

....IF NOT...THEN WHY THE NOISE...?

"THEN AARON TOOK THE CENSER AS MOSES COMMANDED, AND RAN INTO THE MIDST OF THE ASSEMBLY;AND ALREADY THE PLAGUE HAD BEGUN AMONG THE PEOPLE. SO HE PUT IN THE INCENSE AND MADE ATONEMENT FOR THE PEOPLE. 

...AND AARON THE PRIEST STOOD BETWEEN THE DEAD AND THE LIVING; SO THE PLAGUE STOPPED. " ( NUMBERS 16: 47-48).

....INTELLIGENT WORSHIP OF GOD IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM INTELLECTUAL WORSHIP OF GOD. 

.....INTELLECTUAL WORSHIPPERS SMARTLY AND BOLDLY DECLARE THAT IT IS NOT THE CHURCH THAT IS SHUT DOWN, BUT THE BUILDING. 

.......NOW MY MAIN WORRY AND CONCERN IS: CHURCH LEADERS ARE BOLDLY ASKING THEIR PRIESTS, AND PASTORS TO STAY INDOORS AND PRAY PRIVATELY WHEREAS THE GOVERNMENT HAS MAGNANIMOUSLY DECLARED THAT THOSE ON ESSENTIAL DUTIES SHOULD GO TO WORK. 

..... MY QUESTION: DOCTORS, NURSES, PHARMACISTS ARE ON ESSENTIAL DUTIES..

.....BANKERS ARE ON ESSENTIAL DUTIES? 

......JOURNALISTS AND BROADCASTERS ARE ON ESSENTIAL DUTIES?

.....THE POLICE, ARMY, ROAD SAFETY,  CIVIL DEFENCE Etc ARE ON ESSENTIAL DUTIES? 

.....BUT PASTORS, PRIESTS, AND BISHOPS WHO ARE TAKING CHARGE OVER THE IMMORTAL SOULS OF MEN AND WOMEN HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT THEY ARE NOT ON ESSENTIAL DUTIES????

.....AARON THE PRIEST STOOD BETWEEN THE DEAD AND THE LIVING TO MINISTER TO THE PEOPLE DURING THE PLAGUE. BUT WE HAVE RUN INSIDE OUR HOUSES ASKING OUR CONGREGATIONS AND PARISHIONERS TO MINISTER TO THEMSELVES DURING THE PLAGUE. 

.....AT WHAT POINT DO WE (PRIESTS)LEAD GOD'S FLOCK BY EXAMPLE OF FAITH AND SACRIFICIAL COMMITMENT TO GOD AND HIS PEOPLE? 

......SOME DOCTORS AND MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS HAVE DIED IN THE COURSE OF ATTENDING TO THE VICTIMS OF PANDEMICS, YET OTHERS DID NOT RUN AWAY FOR FEAR OF DEATH. 

......WHAT EXACTLY IS THE MESSAGE CHURCH LEADERS ARE PASSING TO THE WORLD BY KEEPING MUTE AND SHUTTING DOWN CHURCHES? 

......WHERE AND WHEN DO WE DECLARE THE POWER OF RESURRECTION OF CHRIST TO WORLD? 

.....WHERE DOES THE WORLD RUN TO NOW THAT THE CHURCH IS SHUT DOWN? 

.....WHO MINISTERS TO THE AGED, THE SICK, THE DEPRESSED, THE FEARFUL, AND THE HURTING AT SUCH A CRITICAL TIME LIKE THIS ? ....SHOULD IT NOT BE THE PRIESTS AND THE PASTORS? 

......IF IT IS GOD'S WILL THAT WE DIE IN THE COURSE OF MINISTERING TO HIS PEOPLE...

WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL WITH THAT? 

......WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW ARE CHRISTIAN MARTYRS MADE....IN THEIR ROOMS AND ABODES OF HIBERNATION? 

......WHAT IS THE IMMUNITY OF THE POLICE, ARMY, FRSC, NSCDC , AND EVEN DOCTORS AGAINST THE PANDEMIC WHY THEY  ARE NOT SHUTTING DOWN? 

......IF THE PRIESTLY WORK AND VOCATION IS NOT AMONG THE ESSENTIAL DUTIES, WE SHOULD ALL RESIGN, AND JOIN THE POLICE, ARMY, JOURNALISTS, AND STOP EXTORTING PEOPLE THROUGH OFFERINGS, TITHES AND SEEDS. 

.....IF WE CANNOT GIVE HOPE TO THE PEOPLE IN THEIR TIME OF DISTRESS, WHY SHOULD WE ASK FOR THEIR HELP (TITHES, DONATIONS ETC.) IN TIMES OF  PEACE AND TRANQUILITY? 

.....IF THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST CANNOT BE CHALLENGINGLY AND RISKINGLY DECLARED NOW  BY PRIESTS, PASTORS AND CHURCH LEADERS, WHY THE NOISE AFTER NOW??

......SCIENCE IS FAILING THE WORLD, TECHNOLOGY IS FAILING THE WORLD, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS FAILING THE WORLD. THE LAST HOPE OF THE WORLD IS JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH.  

......IT IS FOOLISH WISDOM TO SHIELD PEOPLE FROM CORONAVIRUS, AND EXPOSE THEM TO THE WRATH OF GOD IN EVERLASTING HELLFIRE.  THEIR BODIES ARE MORTAL, BUT THEIR SOULS ARE IMMORTAL. 

......IT IS A FEARFUL THING TO FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD.  

.....I WANT YOU TO KNOW AND BE ASSURED THAT CHRIST JESUS IN YOU IS THE ONLY HOPE OF GLORY, SAFETY, AND ETERNITY.  

.....WHILE YOU OBSERVE AND KEEP EVERY OTHER PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR SAFETY, REMEMBER THAT THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS IS A STRONG TOWER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS RUN INTO IT AND THEY ARE SAFE AND PROTECTED. 

..... NOTE: " IF THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD DOES NOT SPEAK TO YOU CONCERNING THIS WRITE UP AFTER READING IT, DON'T RISK THE MISTAKE OF NEGATING IT." KEEP BOTH YOUR COMMENDATION AND CRITICISMS TO YOURSELF.

+Ephraim Ikeakor

Do you believe you are god?

"Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods” (John 10: 34).

Friday 3rd April 2020 of the 5th week of Lent is also First Friday in April.

Our Scripture pick for today says that we are gods. Do you believe that you are a god or can become a god? Let us see:

Our journey to becoming god started in the free grace God offered us in Baptism. Baptism makes us adopted sons and daughters of God. We become the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ and the beloved children of God. Romans 8 says that those who are called through Baptism and accepts their call through faith are justified by God. That is, they are made righteous or holy. Holiness is an attribute of God. And those justified receive the Holy Spirit and are glorified by God to become like His Son Jesus. Jesus, the unique and only begotten Son of God is glorified through the Cross. We too are becoming like Jesus and before we are fully transformed will be glorified through the Cross.

What is the end game in all this? The Holy Spirit comes to us with His gifts and fruits. These gifts and fruits are the characteristics and attributes of God. Exercising these gifts and fruits make us not just godlike but gods. Those who make it to eternal life will have the properties of God.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the First Friday of April 2020.

April 03, 2020 First Friday in April.

Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month.  In the 4th month of the year 2020, we look at Promise #4.

#4.  "They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death."

With the Corona Virus Pandemic, the 4th Promise of the Sacred Heart of Jesus cannot be more timely than now. Note that there are two promises here:
#1 The Sacred Heart will be your assured refuge in this crisis. Whatever happens, this faithful and precious promise will be your armor and protection.

#2 If the Lord decides to call you home through this pandemic, because you placed your trust in His Sacred Heart and His promises, your transition to eternal life will be filled with peace and you will experience the presence of Christ beside you.

What more can any Christian ask for? St Augustine says:  "If you pray well, you live well. If you live well, you die well. If you die well, all is well."

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by renewing your consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and if you cannot receive Jesus in physical Communion, receive Him in Spiritual Communion.

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

http://sfjweb.com/?q=content/sacred-heart-12-promises

Seekfirstcommunity.com

St Francis of Paola, Patron Saint of Plagues.

"God did not spare his own Son, but handed him over for us all;
with him, he has given us all things." (Romans 8: 32 - Communion Antiphon).

Thursday 2nd April 2020 of 5th week of Lent is the feast of St Francis of Paola (1416 - 1507), Hermit. Francis attracted followers and they formed a community of Hermits with the Rules of the St Francis of Assisi to guide them. Gifted in diplomacy, the hermit Francis was used by the Church for sensitive diplomatic missions. St Francis of Paola is patron saint of the following:

• Plague
• Sterility
• Sailors, boatmen, mariners
• Travellers
• Naval officers

Our key Scripture is from the Communion Antiphon. If Abba Father could sacrifice Jesus on the Cross because of His love for us, It is ridiculous to think that He could deny us anything good for us. Imagine what God did for our Saint of today. For his holiness and obedience, God made him patron saint of issues affecting Christians.

We believe in the Communion of the Saints. Christ Jesus our Lord is glorified when we honor His saints. Although all the saints are enjoying heavenly bliss, they are still engaged in the affairs of the Church militant on earth. They experienced our struggles and know our needs. Ask for the aide of the saints with Obedience of Faith and Obedience of humility thus:

JESUS I TRUST IN YOU COMPLETELY. THROUGH THE Intercession OF ST FRANCIS OF PAOLA, I SURRENDER MYSELF TO YOU COMPLETELY. TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING YOUR WAY. AMEN.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

If we live, we live. If we perish, we perish.

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

Wednesday 1st April 2020 of the 5th week of Lent. When Jesus says that if you persevere in feeding on His word, you will come to know the truth and the divine truth you know will set you free, I can vouch that this is not April fool. It is the truth.

The truth (divine reality) frees us from the fear, worry and doubt 

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

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

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

If you have not dwelt in the word of God for a long time, how can you ever know the truth that can set you free? I enjoy freedom in a number of areas in my life and I am profoundly grateful. 

Hear the bold answer of the three Jewish boys to their tormentor who believed he had supreme power: Oh Nebuchadnezzar, if we live, we live. If we perish, we perish.

The boys know the Scriptures and they know the truth that set them free from fear of death. How did the story end? Read on below:

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

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

I live to please My Father.

"The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him.” (John 8: 29).

Tuesday 31st March 2020 of the 5th week of Lent. Can you believe this is the end of March, end of the 1st quarter of 2020? The ides of March may have come but has not passed.

In the Gospel of today, the Jews asked Jesus a point blank question: "Who are you?" Jesus ties Himself to the Father in the answers He gave them. The one I like most is this: "I always do what is pleasing to him. [Abba Father]” How about you my friend? Whom do you always want to please? Your wife, husband, child, boss, the president? Who do you fear most to displease?

"I believe in the Communion of the Saints." Who are the saints? The saints are our brothers and sisters who have ran the race we are running and experienced the abundant life [life in the Spirit] here on earth by imitating Jesus in pleasing the Father in everything. Now they are enjoying their reward in the fullness of the Kingdom of God where they continue pleasing the Father by continuous praise and worship.

Lent is the time to pray for grace to realize that the Kingdom of God is already here among us. If you are not enjoying it now says St Catherine of Siena, it is wishful thinking to believe that when your eyes are closed in death, you will.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Woman you are set free.

“Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8: 7).

Monday 30th March 2020 of the 5th week of Lent. The sacred texts present us with the story of two women. One is Susanna, beautiful and wife of a very wealthy man. The other is a simple woman caught in the act of adultery. Both women were accused of adultery, a sin punishable by death in those days and still so in Moslem countries. There are a number of lessons in the two narratives.

#1 Satan is the Father of lies and the Book of Revelation calls him the Accuser of the brethren. Do you know anyone who delights in pointing fingers and quick to accuse? Unjust accusations against Jesus and Stephen led to their deaths.

#2 Corruption of power. Susanna was accused by two elderly judges whose advances she spurned. The woman caught in adultery was accused by those who caught her and judges who wanted her dead. Judges and lawyers face continuous temptations to bribery and corruption, crimes that are still rampant everywhere.

#3 The stories ended well in the marvelous timely Divine Interventions. God used Daniel in the case of Susanna and Jesus the Divine Mercy in the case of the woman caught in the act of adultery.

What do we take away from the two stories? "The whole assembly cried aloud, blessing God who saves those who hope in him." (Daniel 13: 60). The reaction of the people shows that they understood that a miracle happened. They glorified God and their faith became strengthened. This is also the takeaway for us because every Bible narrative is there to build up our faith in a loving and merciful God.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com