Do not neglect to do good..

First Saturday in February - Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

Do not neglect to do good. 

"Brothers and sisters: Through Jesus, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind.

"Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow, for that would be of no advantage to you.

"May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep by the Blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus our Lord, furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will. May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13: 15 - 17, 20 - 21).

Saturday February 4th in the 4th Week of Ordinary Time. Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today is the first Saturday of February 2023. 

Our reflection is from the first Reading, Hebrews 13: 15 - 17, 20 - 21. 

Brethren, the Spirit urges us: "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind."

You may ask: What good does the Holy Spirit wants me to do? Holy Mother Church has prepared for us a suitable list:

CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY

1. Feed the hungry

2. Give drink to the thirsty

3. Clothe the naked

4. Shelter the homeless

5. Visit the sick

6. Visit the imprisoned

7. Bury the dead

SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY

1. Instruct the ignorant

2. Counsel the doubtful

3. Admonish sinners

4. Bear wrongs patiently

5. Forgive offences willingly

6. Comfort the afflicted

7. Pray for the living and the dead

In considering our individual gifts and abilities, I like to be guided by the example of the Apostles Peter and John:

"Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, [rise and] walk.” (Acts 3: 6). Peter gave the crippled man a lot. While many of us will not be able to perform such miracle, we can all pray for the needy. Scripture teaches that the effective prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. 

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have. 

The Responsorial Psalm 23 encourages us to trust in the Lord our Good Shepherd who will never let us be wanting of anything we need for ourselves and the extra to do good to our neighbors. 

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

In verdant pastures he gives me repose.

Beside restful waters he leads me;

he refreshes my soul." (Psalm 23).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com 

Believe God on money.

Feast of Saints Blaise and Ansgar. 

"Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have" 

"Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.

"Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves, for you also are in the body. 

"Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.

"Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you. Thus we may say with confidence:

"The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?

"Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13: 1 - 8).

Friday 3rd February in the 3rd Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Blaise and Ansgar. It is also the First Friday in February. 

 St Blaise (+316), Bishop and Martyr. St Blaise is famous for the cures through his intercession of diseases of the throat. Hence the blessings of the throat in all Churches in the world during Mass today. I have taken advantage of this grace for many years.

Today is also the feast of St Ansgar (801- 865) Bishop. Born in France, Ansgar ministered in Denmark and Sweden where many miraculous cures were attributed to him.

Our key Scripture for reflection is from Hebrews 13: 1 - 8. This famous Scripture deals with three themes: Marital purity, Hospitality and Money. 

We shall reflect on Money. Of the 7-War Zones in the Christian life: Health, Family, Money, Job, Tools and possessions, Food and Worry about the future, the hardest to submit to the authority of faith is Money. 

"Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you. Thus we may say with confidence:

"The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?" 

By faith, Saints Blaise and Ansgar believed that God is rich enough to provide all their material and spiritual needs. They left everything behind and followed Jesus into the missionary fields where they spent their lives building a Kingdom that will last forever. 

You and I have the opportunity to embrace the obedience of faith and be freed from the anxieties caused by Mammon. 

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com 

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this First Friday in February 2023.

February 3, 2023  -  First Friday in February. 

Dear friends, what will you do if you know for certain that each of of the 12 Promises of Jesus to the devotees of the Sacred Heart is true? You will feel like a man or woman who has won a lottery. You will say: Merciful God, thank You. Now I can start living. 

Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month.  HOW:

 BY ATTENDING MASS AND RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION on 9 consecutive First Fridays. 

In the 2nd  month of the year 2023, we look at Promise #2.

#2.  "I will give peace in their families."

Peace in the family is the foundation of health and prosperity. Do not doubt this. Moreover, if there is peace in the family, there will be peace at work and school, peace in the nation and peace on earth! 

What is Peace? Peace is the calmness, tranquility, deep security you feel in the depth of your heart, soul and mind because you know that in spite of the apparent turbulence, All is well.  All is well because Jesus is in control of the world and everything that affects you. You come to appreciate this peace most when civil war is raging in your family, health, finances, job, your possessions and tools. All things  fall apart and the center can no longer hold. Enters the Peace of Christ. 

This is the peace that Jesus promises us today. 

Jesus is our peace. He is the Prince of Peace.  Would you accept today His generous offer of peace in your family? 

Father, in Your will is our peace! 

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, 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 Presentation of Our Lord Jesus.

THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD. 

In the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, we have a new opportunity to encounter Jesus anew as the great Light of the World. 

"When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

"Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

"The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,

“Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted—and you yourself a sword will pierce—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

"There was also a prophetess, Anna, the ­daughter of ­Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was ­eighty-four. She never left the temple, but ­worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the ­redemption of ­Jerusalem."

"When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him."  (Luke 2: 22 - 40).

Thursday 2nd February 2023 in the 4th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of the Presentation of Our Lord. 

Forty days after the Nativity of Jesus Christ, Mary and Joseph presented Him in the Temple in obedience of faith. 

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the holy Prophet Simeon and the Prophetess Anna appeared in the Temple in obedience of faith to bear witness to the faithfulness of God to His promise. 

Brethren, in the celebration of the Presentation of the Lord, let us renew our faith in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar so that we can experience the a transformative encounter with Jesus who is very eager to embrace us with His merciful love. 

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com 

First Friday in February 2023

February 3, 2023  -  First Friday in February. 

Dear friends, what will you do if you know for certain that each of of the 12 Promises of Jesus to the devotees of the Sacred Heart is true? You will be like the man or woman who has won a lottery. You will say: Merciful God, thank You. Now I can start living. 

Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month.  HOW: BY ATTENDING MASS AND RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION. 

In the 2nd  month of the year 2023, we look at Promise #2: "I will give peace in their families."

#2.  "I will give peace in their famili.Peace in the family is the foundation of health and prosperity. Do not doubt this. Moreover, if there is peace in the family, there will be peace at work and school, peace in the nation and peace on earth! 

What is Peace? Peace is the calmness, tranquility, deep security you feel in the depth of your heart, soul and mind because you know that in spite of the apparent turbulence, All is well.  All is well because Jesus is in control of the world and everything that affects you. You come to appreciate this peace most when civil war is raging in your family, health, finances, job, your possessions and tools. All things  fall apart and the center can no longer hold. Enters the Peace of Christ. 

This is the peace that Jesus promises us today. 

Jesus is our peace. He is the Prince of Peace.  Would you accept today His generous offer of peace in your family? 

Father, in Your will is our peace! 

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, 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 

By faith, I accepted the Father's discipline.

"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." (Psalm 103).

"Brothers and sisters: In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children:

"My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges.

"Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as his sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.

"So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.

"Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled."  (Letter to the Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15).

Wednesday February 1st 2023 in the 4th Week of Ordinary Time.

I heard the above Scripture in a Sunday Mass for the first time after tumbling down the mountain top of corporate ladder to the dark hole in the valley. I have never imagined that misfortune can be engineered by God to serve our higher purpose.

So I was happy and delighted to read again at home this glorious message of Abba Father to me, the once prodigal son:
"Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as his sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it."

My response to the Father is best expressed in the Responsorial Psalm 103 of today's Mass:

"Bless the Lord, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.

"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him,
For he knows how we are formed;
he remembers that we are dust.

"But the kindness of the Lord is from eternity to eternity toward those who fear him,
And his justice toward children’s children among those who keep his covenant." (Psalm 103).

Now consider this question: Where would I be today if not for the residue of grace I received at Baptism? By faith I recognized at once that the Reading from Hebrews that Sunday morning was for me.

You too my friends, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by Him; for whom the Lord loves, He disciplines; He scourges every son and daughter He acknowledges.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St John Bosco, Founder of the Salesians.

"We do not go to Holy Communion because we are good; we go to become good..." (St John Bosco).

"When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.”

"Jesus went off with him and a large crowd followed him.

"There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.

"Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?”

"But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, Who touched me?” And he looked around to see who had done it.

"The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.

"Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

"While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”

"Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official,

“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

"He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him.

"Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was.

"He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat." (Mark 5: 21 - 43).

Tuesday 31st January 2023 in the 4th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St John Bosco (1815 - 1888), Italian Priest. John Bosco is called the "Apostle of Youth." He was a great educator and father to the young. He founded the Salesian School to educate boys and girls.
St John Bosco is the patron saint of apprentices, young people and Catholic publishers and editors.

The Gospel today from Mark 5: 21 - 43 confirms our reflections in the past few days on the power of faith.

By faith the woman afflicted with hemorrhages touched the hem of the garment of Jesus and was healed instantly.

By faith, Jairus the synagogue official sought out Jesus to heal his daughter who was at the point of death. By faith Jairus believed Jesus when he was told:“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

By faith St John Bosco heard the call of Jesus to be a father and educator to the fatherless and established the Salesian Congregation to educate young boys. By faith the Salesians are today still engaged in this work of faith and labor of love.

Lord Jesus, grant us the faith that moves mountains. St John Bosco, pray for us.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Do you know the power of faith?

 “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” (St. Augustine).

"Brothers and sisters: What more shall I say? I have not time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, did what was righteous, obtained the promises; they closed the mouths of lions, put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword; out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders.

"Women ­received back their dead through resurrection. Some were tortured and would not accept deliverance, in order to obtain a better resurrection.

"Others endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword’s point; they went about in skins of sheep or goats, needy, afflicted, tormented.

"The world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and on mountains, in caves and in crevices in the earth.

"Yet all these, though approved because of their faith, did not receive what had been promised. God had foreseen something better for us, so that without us they should not be made perfect."

Monday 30th January 2023 of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time.

We continue our reflection today on the first Reading: Hebrews 11: 32 - 40. God intended faith to deliver a nuclear-like power to those who believe.

"Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, did what was righteous, obtained the promises; they closed the mouths of lions, put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword; out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders."

The above paragraph is evidence of the power of faith. All the cited cases happened in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, Mary by faith said Yes to become the Mother of God. Simon-Peter, Andrew, James and John left their occupation at once by faith and followed Jesus when Jesus said to them: "Come. Follow me and I will make you fishers of men."

In the Christian Era, Saints Paul, Timothy and Titus, Angela Merici, Thomas Aquinas, St John Bosco, etc, heard the call of Jesus Christ and left everything by faith and followed Jesus.

Brethren, without faith, one can not please God and one is condemned to accomplish little or nothing in life.

Faith is a supernatural gift of God. The easiest and most direct way of getting faith is to ask for it. God who is faithful and true promises: "Ask and you shall receive."

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com