With joy you will draw water from the well of salvation.

"Jesus answered and said to her [the Samaritan Woman]'  "If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” (John 4: 10).

Sunday 7th March 2021, in the 3rd Week in Lent.

Jesus talks with the Samaritan Woman in the Gospel for this Sunday. Human thirst like hunger can be unbearable. The People of Israel grumbled against God and Moses in the desert when they were tormented by thirst. (Cf Exodus 17: 3). It is thirst that brought the Samaritan Woman to the Well.

What are you thirsting for today? Jesus helped the Samaritan Woman to develop a thirst for the Big Gift of God.
"With joy you will draw water from the fountains of salvation." (Isaiah 12: 3).
Water is one of the symbols of the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures. God promises us a big Gift, a wonderful Gift in the Person of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is so unlike anything we know of. This is how Jesus characterizes the Big Gift:

"Jesus answered and said to her [the Samaritan]  “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4: 13 - 14 ).

Every Christian who has been baptized in the Holy Spirit has testified that the Big Gift of God exceeds all expectations. Go for the Big Gift. Be fired up by the Holy Spirit.  To learn more about the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/10/gifts-fruits-of-holy-spirit-and.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Prodigal Son is still in Jail after 8 years!

"You must rejoice, my son,
for your brother was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found." (Luke 15: 32)

Saturday 6th March 2021, in the 2nd Week in Lent.

Are you one of those that feign ignorance of the spirit of Unforgiveness and insane desire for vengeance and retribution in our culture?
A young white male now in his early 30 was caught stealing an inexpensive object about eight years ago. Unfortunately for him, that was his second offense. He is still in jail. The mom, sister to a close friend mourns for him every day. His parole has been opposed by Christians. "He must learn his lesson."

Let us rejoice sister and brother. "Our brother was dead, but he is now alive. He was lost and has now been found.”  It is appropriate to make merry. Do not resent Abba Father because He shows mercy to outrageous sinners.

We must believe firmly in God’s plan of salvation for all people.
I ask you:
What is the significance of the ring, sandals, and robe, the Father of the Prodigal gave to the son? They are symbols of full restoration. What God has restored, you must not dare to condemn.

Abba Father is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in mercy.

To learn more about the Father's merciful love, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/09/abba-father.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

COMPENDIUM OF CATHOLIC TEACHINGS

THE COMPENDIUM OF CATHOLIC TEACHINGS 

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Catholic Treasurers III 

(Can you please share and send this to any Catholic or any Catholic group you know).

1) LEVELS OF CARDINALS:

a. Cardinal deacon

b. Cardinal priest

c. Cardinal bishop

2) CATEGORIES OF CHURCHES:

a. Mission

b. Out Station

c. Parish

d. Cathedral (Vicariate-diocese-archdiocese)

e. Basilica

3) CATEGORIES OF PRIESTS:

a. Diocesan priest

b. Societan priest (e.g: MSP, SPS, SMA etc)

c. Religious priest (Augustinians, Benedictines, Franciscans, Dominicans, Jesuits, Spiritans etc) 

4) HIERACHY OF THE CHURCH

a. Lay Faithfuls

b. Deacons

c. Priests/religious

d. Bishops

e. Arch-bishops

f. Cardinals

e. Pope (The Vicar of Christ Jesus on Earth)

5) MINISTERS OF THE CHURCH:

a. Cantors

b. Lectors

c. Acolytes 

d. Choir

e. Deacon

f. Priests/religious

g. Bishops

h. Cardinals

i. Pope

6) CATEGORIES OF BISHOPS:

a. Auxiliary Bishop

b. Co-adjustor Bishop

b. Bishop

e. Arch-bishop

7) Categories of Religious:

a. Monks (men)-Nuns (women)

b. Mendicants

c. Hermits

d. Seculars

😎 THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES:

1. Faith

2. Hope

3. Charity

9) TYPES OF PRAYER: 

a. Liturgical prayers: Holy Mass, Divine Office etc.

b. Non-liturgical prayers: Holy Rosary, Prayers to Saints and Angels, private prayers etc.

POSTURES OF PRAYER:

a. Standing

b. Sitting

c. kneeling

d. bowing (it could be simple or deep)

e. genuflecting (it could be single or double)

f. laying 

11) SINS AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST:

a. Presumption

b. Despair

c. Resisting the known truth

d. Envy of another’s spiritual good

e. Obstinacy in sin

f. Final impenitence

12) SINS THAT CRY OUT TO HEAVEN:

a. Willful murder

b. The sin of Sodomy

c. Oppression of the poor

d. Defrauding laborers of their wages

13) CONDITIONS FOR MORTAL SIN:

1. Grave matter

2. Full knowledge

3. Deliberate consent

14) WAYS WE CAN PARTICIPATE IN OTHER PEOPLE’S SINS:

a. By counsel

b. By command

c. By consent

d. By provocation

e. By praise or flattery

f. By concealment

g. By partaking

h. By silence

i. By defense of the ill done

15) THE TEN COMMANDMENTS:

1. Thou shall not have other gods besides Me

2. Thou shall not say the Name of the Lord thy God in vain

3. Remember to keep holy the Lord ’s Day

4. Honor thy father and thy mother

5. Thou shall not murder

6. Thou salt not commit adultery (all forms of sexual immoralities are included: masturbation, homosexuality, incest, bestiality, rape, lust etc).

7. Thou shall not steal

8. Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor

9. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s wife

10. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s goods

16) THE GREATEST COMMANDMENTS:

1. To love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength.

2. To love thy neighbor as thyself.

17) THE EVANGELICAL COUNSELS:

1. Voluntary poverty

2. Perpetual chastity

3. Entire obedience.

18) THE PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH/ DUTIES OF A CATHOLIC:

1. To go to Holy Mass and refrain from servile work on Sundays and holy days

2. To go to Confession at least once a year (traditionally done during Lent)

3. To receive the Eucharist at least once a year, during the Easter Season (known as the "Easter duty")

4. To observe the days of fasting and abstinence

5. To help to provide for the needs of the Church according to one's abilities and station in life

6. To obey the marriage laws of the Church

19) THE POWERS OF THE SOUL:

1. Memory

2. Intellect

3. Will

20) THE PILLARS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH:

1. The Apostles Creed

2. The Seven Sacraments

3. The Ten Commandments

4. The Lord's Prayer

5. The Holy Mass

6. The Holy Rosary

7. The intercession of God’s Angels and Saints

21) PILLARS OF THE CHURCH'S AUTHORITY:

1. Sacred Scripture

2. Sacred Tradition

3. Living Magisterium

22). The Munera (Duties of the Ordained):

a. Munus docendi (duty to teach, based on Christ's role as Prophet)

b. Munus sanctificandi (duty to sanctify, based on Chris's role as Priest)

c. Munus regendi (duty to shepherd, based on Christ's role as King)

23) THE LEVELS OF THE CHURCH:

1. The Church Militant (Christians on Earth)

2. The Church Suffering (Christians in Purgatory)

3. The Church Triumphant (Christians in Heaven)

24) THE MARKS OF THE CHURCH:

1. Unity

2. Sanctity

3. Catholicity

4. Apostolicity

25) THE 12 TRIBES OF ISRAEL IN ORDER OF THEIR BIRTH:

1. Reuben

2. Simeon

3. Levi

4. Judah

5. Zabulon

6. Issachar

7. Dan

8. Gad

9. Asher

10. Naphtali

11. Joseph (Menasseh and Ephraim)

12. Benjamin

26) THE BEATITUDES:

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

2. Blessed are the meek: for they shall posses the land.

3. Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted.

4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.

5. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

6. Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.

7. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.

8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

27) THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS:

1. Jesus is Condemned to Die

2. Jesus is Made to Bear His Cross

3. Jesus Falls the First Time

4. Jesus Meets His Mother

5. Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

6. Veronica Wipes Jesus' Face

7. Jesus Falls the Second Time

8. Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

9. Jesus Falls the Third Time

10. Jesus is Stripped

11. Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

12. Jesus Dies on the Cross

13. Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross

14. Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

28) THE 20 MYSTERIES OF THE HOLY ROSARY:

JOYFUL (Mondays and Saturdays):

1. Annunciation

2. Visitation

3. Nativity

4. Presentation

5. Finding Jesus in the Temple

LUMINOUS: (Thursdays)

1. Baptism of Jesus.

2. Manifestation of Jesus at the wedding feast of Cana.

3. Proclamation of the kingdom of God.

4. The Transfiguration.

5. The institution of the Holy Eucharist

SORROWFUL (Tuesdays and Fridays):

1. Agony in the Garden

2. The Scourging

3. Crowning with thorns

4. Carrying of the Cross

5. Crucifixion

GLORIOUS (Wednesdays and Sundays):

1. Resurrection

2. Ascension

3. Pentecost

4. Assumption

5. Coronation 

NB: Throughout the Lenten season, the Sorrowful Mysteries is to be prayed only.

29) CHOIRS OF ANGELS IN ASCENDING ORDER:

1. Angels

2. Archangels

3. Principalities

4. Powers

5. Virtues

6. Dominions

7. Thrones

8. Cherubim

i9 Seraphim

30) LEVELS OF REVERENCE:

1. Dulia: the reverence we give to Saints

2. Hyperdulia: the reverence we give to Mary as the greatest of Saints and Mother of God

3. Latria: the reverence and worship we give to God alone

31) THE 14 HOLY HELPERS:

1. St. George, Martyr, April 23

2. St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, February 3

3. St. Pantaleon, Martyr, July 27

4. St. Vitus, Martyr, June 15

5. St. Erasmus (Elmo), Bishop and Martyr, June 2

6. St. Christopher, Martyr, July 25

7. St. Giles, Abbot, September 1

8. St. Cyriacus (Cyriac), Martyr, August 8

9. St. Achatius, Martyr, May 8

10. St. Dionysius (Denis), Bishop and Martyr, October 9

11. St. Eustachius (Eustace), Martyr, September 20

12. St. Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr, November 25

13. St. Margaret of Antioch, Virgin and Martyr, July 20

14. St. Barbara, Virgin and Martyr, December 4

32) THE 7 LAST WORDS OF CHRIST:

1. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34)

2. Amen I say to thee: This day thou shalt be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)

3. Woman, behold thy son. . . .Behold thy mother. (John 19:26-27)

4. Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani? (My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?) (Matthew 27:46, ref. Psalm 21)

5. I thirst. (John 19:28)

f. It is consummated.(John 19:30)

6. Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit. (Luke 23:46, ref. Psalm 30:6)

33) THE 4 LAST THINGS (THE NOVISSIMA):

1. Death

2. Judgment

3. Heaven

4. Hell

34) THE CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY:

1. To feed the hungry

2. To give drink to the thirsty

3. To clothe the naked

4. To shelter the homeless

5. To visit the sick

6. To visit the imprisoned

7. To bury the dead

35) THE SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY:

1. To counsel the doubtful

2. To instruct the ignorant

3. To admonish sinners

7. To comfort the sorrowful

5. To forgive all injuries/offenses

6. To bear wrongs patiently

7. To pray for the living and the dead

36) CLASSES OF GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT KNOWN AS CHARISMATA:

1. Teaching

2. Faith

3. Grace of healing

4. Apostleship

5. Prophecy

37) THE SACRAMENTS:

1. Baptism

2. Confirmation/Chrismation

3. Holy Eucharist

4. Penance (Confession/Reconciliation)

5. Holy Matrimony

6. Holy Order

7. Anointing of the Sick

40) THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:

1. Wisdom

2. Understanding

3. Counsel

4. Fortitude

5. Knowledge

6. Piety

7. Fear of the Lord

41) THE THREE EMINENT GOOD WORKS:

1. Prayer

2. Fasting

3. Alms-giving

42) FRUITS OF THE HOLY GHOST:

1. Charity

2. Joy

3. Peace

4. Patience

5. Benignity

6. Goodness

7. Longanimity

8. Mildness

9. Faith

10. Modesty

11. Continency

12. Chastity

43) CARDINAL VIRTUES:

1. Prudence

2. Justice

3. Fortitude

4. Temperance

44) LITURGICAL SEASONS:

1. Advent

2. Christmas

3. Ordinary Time

4. Lent 

5. Easter

45) THE APOSTLES OF JESUS AND HOW THEY DIED:

a. Matthew: Killed by a sword in Ethiopia.

b. Mark:  He was dragged by horses in Alexandria-Egypt through the streets until he was dead.

c. Luke: Was hanged in Greece.

d. John:  Though he was boiled in huge basin of boiling oil in Rome; yet he miraculously did not die has the result but late become the only Apostle to die naturally.

e. Peter: was crucified upside down on an x-shaped cross. According to the Church Tradition, it was because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die in the same way that Jesus Christ had died.

f. James: He was beaten to death with a fuller's club.

g. James the Son of Zebedee: He was beheaded at Jerusalem. 

h. Bartholomew: Known as Nathaniel also, was martyred in Armenia where he was flayed to death by a whip.

i. Andrew: He was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Patras-Greece. After being whipped severely by seven soldiers they tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony. His followers reported that, when he was led toward the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words: 'I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it.' 

j. Thomas: He was stabbed with a spear.

k. Jude: was killed with arrows.

l. Matthias: The apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot was stoned and then beheaded.

m. Paul: He was tortured and then beheaded by Emperor Nero at Rome in A.D 67. 

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From CATHOLIC WORLD in WHATSAPP 

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

"Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the scriptures: "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes’?" (Matthew 21: 42).

Friday 5th March 2021, in the 2nd Week in Lent is the First Friday in March.

I had an unforgettable experience with our key Scripture for today: "The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone." In the first experience, this was quoted to me by the Head of Personnel of a large company when he handed me a letter of promotion. The background was this: After a period of internationalization, everyone believed an immediate promotion was in the works for me. It never came till five years later.

The second experience with this Scripture came when the job was gone after three years. A regional manager I had known not too well quoted the Scripture to me when he learned I was no longer with the company. This key Scripture is a Messianic prophecy applying to Jesus.

What am I to make of this Scripture? God wants us to understand a central truth of Salvation. This truth is called Divine Providence. It can be understood as Divine Plan, Blueprint, Purpose, Design. God governs all things from Beginning to End through His Divine Providence. We see it in our first Reading today. Joseph was sold by his siblings and ended up in Egypt as a slave. This seemingly blind act of jealousy was part of God's Plan to save the family of Jacob and make Joseph the Prince of Egypt.

The Passion and Resurrection of Jesus was all part of God's plan for the salvation of humanity. This plan  was conceived long ago and faithfully executed. The doctrine of Divine Providence has been called the most beautiful and comforting doctrine in the Deposit of Faith.

Mary answered: Be it done to me according to Your Plan. And the Word became Flesh.

What does the Church teach on Divine Providence? To find out, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2021/03/the-church-on-divine-providence.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Church on Divine Providence.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church :

321 Divine providence consists of the dispositions by which God guides all his creatures with wisdom and love to their ultimate end.

322 Christ invites us to filial trust in the providence of our heavenly Father (cf.Mt 6:26-34), and St. Peter the apostle repeats: "Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you" (I Pt 5:7; cf. Ps55:23).

323 Divine providence works also through the actions of creatures. To human beings God grants the ability to cooperate freely with his plans.

324 The fact that God permits physical and even moral evil is a mystery that God illuminates by his Son Jesus Christ who died and rose to vanquish evil. Faith gives us the certainty that God would not permit an evil if he did not cause a good to come from that very evil, by ways that we shall fully know only in eternal life.

SeekFirstcommunity.com

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this First Friday, March 5th.

March 5th, First Friday in March, 2021.

Jesus promised 12 special graces and favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month.  In the 3rd month of the year 2021, we look at Promise #3.

#3.  "I will console them in all their troubles."

In Promise #3, Jesus does not promise a trouble free life.  "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  (John 16: 33 ). Consider also:
"My son, if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal." (Sirach 2: 1).

Troubles are opportunity to grow spiritually.  "I promise to be your strength in proportion to the trust you place on Me." The more you trust Jesus, the more He is your comfort, strength and security in trials.

Remind the Lord often of these promises. Remind Him also of His promise to answer every prayer. (Matthew 7: 7).

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the First Friday of March, 2021.

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 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 Patron Saint of Poland, St Casimir.

"He [former rich man] said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent." (Luke 16: 30).

Thursday 4th March 2021, in the 2nd Week in Lent is the feast of St Casimir (1458 - 1484). Son of King Casimir IV of Poland and Lithuania. Casimir refrained from the court life. His siblings, the princes and princesses were not interested in religion.  His faith and piety shone out. Casimir had a great devotion to the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
St Casimir is the patron saint of Poland and Lithuania.

Imagine yourself at a Sunday Mass where the Preacher is someone who died three months ago and came back to life after a week in the grave.  You listen with wrap attention as he speaks of what he saw of heaven and hell. How would this experience affect your faith? You become more devout? More Eucharist and Confession? More sensitivity to the poor and afflicted?
If you say Yes to this query, Abraham will say to you point blank:  Man, you are not serious!

The Pharisees and the Religious elites challenged Jesus to climb down from the Cross and they would believe in Him and become His followers. We know what happened. They never believed Him. They never became His followers. Instead, they persecuted His followers.

What is the import of today's Scripture verse?
We have everything we need to become strong Christians from the word of God preached daily in the churches and from the witness of the saints living in our midst.

O man, "Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." (Ephesians 5: 14).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

What do you desire? What do you want?

“What do you wish?” (Matthew 20: 21).

Wednesday 3rd March 2021, in the 2nd Week in Lent is the feast of St Katharine Drexel (1858 - 1955). Virgin and Religious Nun. American. Educator and Foundress of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. Her passion for the education of Indians, and community of color translated in opening mission schools. She founded Xavier University in New Orleans. By the time she was taken home for her eternal rewards, more than 500 of her sisters were teaching in 63 schools.

In our key Scripture for today, Jesus asked the mother of James and John:  “What do you wish?” What if Jesus asks you today, Lent day 2021: What do you want? What is your desire? Some might answer:
a. Important position like Treasurer or finance minister.
b. Great family.
c. Great health.
d. Billions of dollars.
e. Great estate.

Desires are very important revelator of who we are. St Ignatius Loyola, the creator of the Spiritual Exercises writes that Desire makes a man. Therefore watch your desires. The senses are the gateways to desire into the heart. Watch what you admit.

If you allow the Holy Spirit to transform your mind and heart through His word, He transforms your desires at the same time. You no longer desire the things the world desires that make you conform to the thinking and habits of this world. You have a new heart and a new mind enabled to discern the will of God in everything. This will empower you to prove to yourself and your friends that the will of God /plan of God for you is the best possible thing.

"Find your delight in the Lord who will give you your heart’s desire." (Psalm 37: 4).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Humility by Example.

"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23: 12).

Tuesday 2nd March 2021, in the 2nd Week in Lent.

Today, the lesson from our key Scripture is humility. What is humility? Here is a definition by example:
+ Jesus Christ is humility.
+ St. Mary is humility.
+ St Martin de Poress is humility.
+ St Brother Andre is humility.

How about me? I was sharing faith experience with a prayer partner, when he told me that he was reading a book on humility. Why? I asked. "Everybody thinks I am very proud!" I laughed aloud and he wondered why I found the idea amusing. I answered: "Because over 75% of people who know me tell me in my face that I am proud, arrogant, vain, haughty, etc." I added with a laugh: "They just don't think but they tell me to my face." How did I handle this liability, he wanted to know. I have many patron saints. I wrote down those whose humility impressed me like the Blessed Virgin Mary and prayed to them daily to obtain the grace of humility for me. Prayer  always seems to me a direct way to obtain spiritual gifts than study. Today I am not bothered about what people call me or think of me. I am not bothered whether I am raised to honor or humbled or cast down. Thank You Jesus for your merciful love.

JESUS-EMMANUEL I trust in Your merciful love. I do not depend on my filthy works. I surrender myself completely to You. Take care of everything Your way according to Your Plan and Providence for me?

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Be merciful as Abba Father is merciful to you.

"Be merciful, as your Father is merciful, says the Lord." (Luke 6: 36).

Monday 1st March 2021, in the 2nd Week in Lent.

Jesus urges us to show pity on others, to be tender, compassionate, forgiving just as Abba Father treats us.

How is Father merciful to us?
A few examples from the Scriptures:

#1. Bless the Lord, my soul; and do not forget all his gifts,
Who pardons all your sins, and heals all your ills." (Psalm 103: 2 - 3).

#2." The Lord’s acts of mercy are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent;
They are renewed each morning—great is your faithfulness!"
(Lamentations 3: 22 - 23).

#3.
“Ah, Lord, great and awesome God, you who keep your covenant and show mercy toward those who love you and keep your commandments and your precepts!" (Daniel 9: 4).

The Scriptures have been constant in showing us that our God is the Father of mercies and the God of all consolations. He waits for the sinner to come home as in the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

What does this God of mercy expect from His children? He expects three things that can be summarized under the acronym of ABC of Mercy:
#A: Ask for mercy.
#B: Be merciful.
#C: Completely trust Jesus for mercy.

Jesus is the face of mercy of God the Father.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com