Peter sinks because of doubt.

“Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”  Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”  He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.  But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14: 27 - 30).

Sunday 9th August 2020, 19th Week in Ordinary Time.

Why do we doubt the word of God? Jesus allows Peter to sink in order to teach us a lesson about the power of faith and the consequences of unbelief. God is truth and His promise is always true and certain.

When man listens to the devil, the Father of lies, what does he hear? Man hears that God does not mean what He says. You can't trust Him. God is not kind and faithful. Look at the world and see the mess the world is in. It is all God's fault. Satan deceived Adam and Eve through such lies. Peter started to sink because he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the confusion all round him.

"The sum of your word is truth; and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever." "And now, O LORD God, you are God, and your words are true"; this is why God's promises always come true. God is Truth itself, whose words cannot deceive. This is why one can abandon oneself in full trust to the truth and faithfulness of his word in all things." (CCC 215).

When God said to Mary: You will conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit and become the mother of God. Mary chose to believe God.
When God said to Abraham to leave his country at the age of 75 and start a new life in a foreign country, Abraham chose to believe God. You too can choose today to believe the precious promises of God to you.

God Never Fails!

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Dominic, OP.

"Then the Lord answered me and said: Write down the vision Clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. The rash man has no integrity; but the just man, because of his faith, shall live." (Habakkuk 2: 2 - 4).

Saturday 8th August 2020, 18th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Dominic, OP (1170 - 1221). Priest. Spanish. St Dominic founded the Order of Preachers. This religious order has contributed to the mission of the Church for some 800 years. The Dominicans promote Scripture study and the Holy Rosary.

Have you ever waited on God for something absolutely essential to your life and happiness? Fruit of the womb, a life partner, that job, etc? Then you should write out our key Scripture for today and post it in strategic locations in your home.

"Write down the vision Clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late."
This Scripture is a gem of revelation. It reveals to us how God works.
#1. God does nothing until the fullness of time. (Ecclesiastes 3: 1).
#2 In the fullness of time God makes everything beautiful. (Ecclesiastes 3: 11).

You grow to know how wonderfully God is faithful only if you write down His promises and the date you receive them. In 2015, EWTN sent me a prayer request card for the Divine Mercy Novena on Divine Mercy Sunday. I wrote 4 critical needs and sent off the card. I placed a copy of my prayer intentions on the wall in my work area. I never looked at it till a few months ago. That is after five years! When I did, I was shocked. Every single one of the four petitions has been granted in a way far exceeding my wildest expectations. Think of this: what would have happened if I did not write it down and post it on the wall?
You might ask: why didn't I check on it from time to time? Little faith. I did not expect anything to happen. Today I have learned. My walls are full of small hand written notes of God's precious promises.

Our famous Scripture for today ends: "The rash man has no integrity; but the just man, because of his faith, shall live." Do you know what this means?

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The challenges of following Jesus.

“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 16: 24 - 25).

Friday 7th August 2020, 18th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Sixtus II, Pope and Martyr. (+ 258). Sixtus with four of his deacons were captured at the Altar while celebrating Mass and beheaded at the order of Emperor Valerian. Today is also the First Friday in August when we honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Today's Gospel appears to be chosen for the saints we are celebrating today. Jesus laid down the grim cost of discipleship:
#1 Take up your cross and follow me. Your cross are the trials that you can't escape: health, joblessness, poverty, etc.
#2 Be prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice with your life if it becomes necessary. "For whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

As the God-Man filled with the Holy Spirit and Wisdom, Jesus knew that no one will respond to His challenge unless the bait is bigger than the sacrifice. And it is. Here is what Jesus promises:
1. The Holy Spirit with His gifts and fruits are promised.
2. The Presence of Jesus is always with the disciple.
3. Peace, joy, courage, contentment are always there on tap.

These are real benefits. I am currently reading the Lives of Saints. It appeared as if more than a third are martyrs. They are made up of mature men and women, boys and girls, princess and peasants, clerics and lay faithful. I asked: What made all these people choose to give up their lives if this is the only life they have?

The saints who took up the challenges of discipleship believed Jesus. Do you believe Jesus?
"For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct." (Matthew 16: 27).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

First Friday in August 2020.

August 07, 2020 First Friday in August.

Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month.  In the 8th month of the year, we look at Promise #8.

#8.  "Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection."

Who are the fervent souls?
Fervent souls are people who hear the word of God and take it to heart. They allow the word to influence their thoughts, words and actions. They place the Kingdom of God and holiness of life above every other thing. Even while living on earth, they experience the peace, joy and contentment of the Blessed. Because they trust and honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus, they grow from strength to strength.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday, August 7th 2020.
For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, click the link below:

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

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The great Feast of the Transfiguration.

"In a resplendent cloud the Holy Spirit appeared. The Father’s voice was heard: This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him." (Cf Matthew 17: 5 Entrance Antiphon).

Thursday 6th August 2020, 18th Week in Ordinary is the great Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

What is the Transfiguration? In the presence of Peter, James and John, witnesses chosen by Him, Jesus' face and clothing became dazzling with light. Moses and Elijah were present conversing with Jesus.

Why the Transfiguration?
#1 To have 3 eyewitnesses to the testimony of the Father to Jesus as the beloved Son of God.
#2 To confirm the testimony of Moses and Elijah.
#3. To show clearly the divinity of Jesus as God.
#4 To reveal the future of mankind. We shall be like Jesus at the Resurrection.
#5 To note the command of the Father to listen to Jesus as the anointed authority of God's Word.

We cannot listen to Jesus without the power of the Holy Spirit. Are there any biblical and historical ways we can listen and discern the sure voice of our Shepherd speaking to us?

1. "I speak to you through the Scriptures."
2. "I speak to you through my holy servants."
3. "I speak to you through the Holy Eucharist."
4. "I speak to you directly through locution."
5. "I speak to you through dreams."

The Lord's personal message to you is called Rhema. Treasure this Utterance more than silver and gold. Your destiny is in the Message. I believe my Rhema is: "Seek first the kingdom of God and His holiness and I will take care of all your needs.

Listen to the voice of the Son as the Father commanded us.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major.

"Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour." (Matthew 15: 28).

Wednesday 5th August 2020, 18th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major. This Basilica was dedicated after the definition of the Dogma of Mary as the Mother of God in the Council of Ephesus in 430. The great Church was later renamed as St Mary Major.

The Blessed Virgin Mary said to the Angel Gabriel: "Let it be done to me according to your word." And the Word became Flesh in her womb. With this, Mary is acclaimed our great example of Faith. In our key Scripture for today, Jesus said to the Canaanite woman: “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour." (Matthew 15: 28).

What is faith? Before the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel, Mary knew God as Almighty, All-knowing, All-powerful, All-loving, All-merciful, etc. Her profound personal knowledge of God is the foundation of her faith.
The Canaanite woman is a believer who was searching desperately for a miraculous healing for her child. She heard about Jesus from a friend or a neighbor. She believed immediately what she heard about the miraculous power of Jesus. She packed her bag and went in search of Jesus. Her strong faith and expectations created resilience in her. She was prepared to be rebuffed by Jesus and was determined to have her miracle.

The Bible praises faith as one of the greatest gifts of God and a profound mystery. A little child is capable of great faith as a very old woman. Some of my favorite Scriptures on faith are:

#1 "The just shall live by faith." We live by faith and not by sight or feeling. Like the Blessed Virgin Mary, we live by the word of God that cannot fail.
#2 "We are saved by grace through faith." God's grace is abundant to save us and fulfill the desires of our heart but you must accept the word you receive in faith.
#3 Faith comes by hearing the personal word of God to you and saying a firm Amen to it.

The 11th Chapter of Hebrews is the list of some of the most important people in the Bible. They all achieved fame and greatness through their faith.

You too can overcome every challenge through faith. Two great tools to help develop your faith:

#1 Daily consumption of the word of God.
#2 Daily conversation with God through prayer.

Since you know this, you will be blessed if you do it.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Patron Saint of Parish Priests - St John Vianney.

"Leave them [Pharisees] alone. They are blind men leading blind men; and if one blind man leads another, both will fall into a pit." (Matthew 15: 14).

Tuesday 4th August 2020 is the feast day of the patron saint of parish priests, the Curé of Ars, St John Vianney (1786 - 1859). French. What do you want from your parish priest?
#1 Celebrate Mass with reverence and devotion.
#2 Always be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and be the face of the loving mercy of Jesus Christ.
#3 Assist the poor as best as they can.

St John Vianney did the above three to the highest degree.

Our key Scripture for today indicts teachers of religion who are blind to the truth and revelations of God while leading millions to dark holes. Jesus Christ our Teacher complained to mystics like St Catherine of Siena that He Jesus endowed many priests with good brains and provided generously the scholarship for their training in the best universities. When they graduate, they pursue careers and serve themselves. So the all powerful Divine Providence chose simple women like Saints Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, Therese of the Child Jesus and made them Doctors of the Church. Do you know what a Doctor of the Church means? These are people who are certified by the Church as authoritative teachers of the faith. You can trust them. They are not so-called scholar PhDs whom Jesus characterize as "blind men leading blind men."

St John of Vianney is a trustworthy servant. Let us pray constantly to the Lord to send numerous such priests to the harvest.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Rough Seas in Pandemics.

"At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14: 27).

Monday 3rd August 2020, 18th Week in Ordinary Time. Pandemics is anything but ordinary.

The early Church adopted the idea of lectionary [Book of Daily Mass Readings] from the Jewish custom of reading extracts from the Old Testament on the Sabbath. The lectionary has evolved and the last revision was 1994. The daily Mass Readings we find in the lectionary are inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Roman Missal is my Book for reading and meditating on the word of God daily because I believe that God uses the inspired texts and its daily arrangements in the lectionary to speak one message to the Church worldwide.

What does the Spirit seem to be saying to the world today through the Mass Readings?

#1 "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4: 4 Gospel Acclamation).

Some people worry too much about the economy, job and money but God reminds us He is in control.

#2 "At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14: 27).

The disciples of Jesus were terrified by the rough sea and storms. The boat symbolizes the Church today adrift in the open wild and unfriendly sea of the pandemics. We disciples of Jesus are attacked by fear, worry and doubts. What may God be saying to the world before calming the sea? The answer may be in the first Reading for today:

# 3 "For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: A yoke of iron I have placed on the necks of all these nations serving Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and they shall serve him; even the wild animals I have given him." (Jeremiah 28: 14).

Nebuchadnezzar may symbolize false gods and idols especially money and materialism.

Jesus knows exactly where we are on the sea. He knows exactly what we need: Repentance, Reconciliation and Revival. O that we will listen to His voice today. Let us not harden our hearts.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com