Our Advocate and our Friend is our Teacher.

The Holy Spirit will teach you everything.

"Jesus said to his disciples: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him. 

"But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a ­little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. 

"On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. 

"Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him." (John 14: 15 - 21).

Sunday of the 6th week of Easter.

Two weeks to Pentecost. The excitement is growing. The disciples were advised to retreat to the Upper Room and prepare for this phenomenal event.  The Holy Spirit? Why does He matter?

"The Holy Spirit, whom Christ the head pours out on his members, builds, animates, and sanctifies the Church. She is the sacrament of the Holy Trinity's communion with men." (CCC 747). 

This is He and this is what He does. He is also the Lord and Giver of life. The eternal life we start enjoying here and now when we believe in Jesus. He is also the Abundant life promised by Jesus in John 10: 10.

If you have received Him but not yet activated this awesome Person, prepare for Pentecost Sunday on May 28th through intense desire and prayer.

"If you love me, keep my commandments, says the Lord,

and I will ask the Father and he will send you another Paraclete,

to abide with you for ever." (John 14: 15 - 16).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of Our Lady of Fatima.

Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. 

"Jesus said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, ­realize that it hated me first. 

"If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. 

"Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 

"And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me." (John 15: 18 - 21).

Saturday 13th May 2023 in the 5th Week of Easter is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. 

The feast of Our Lady of Fatima celebrates the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three shepherd children at Fatima in 1917. The message of Fatima is continued conversion to God and dedication to Mary through commitment to pray the Holy Rosary.

The Gospel for today shows the reality and certainty of persecution in the Christian ministry. 

The disciple of Christ is the bearer of the Good News. He is kind, gentle and generous in his ways. Naturally he expects to be welcomed with smiles and open arms. This does not always happen. What he may experience may be outright rejection of his person and his message. He is treated as a bearer of Bad News who deserves persecution.

This is why Jesus teaches his naive disciples this basic lesson: Remember! Remember! Remember! Forget this lesson and you will be fried as a fish. I Jesus am the Lord, you are my servants. I am the Rabbi. You are my disciples. The people I am sent to, reject My message. They curse me and maltreat me. Before your eyes, they will crucify Me. Tell Me honestly: How do you think they will treat you? You bear my name. My name provokes their hatred.

Since God cursed the Ancient Serpent, the warfare between Satan and man has not abated:  "From now on you and the woman will be enemies, as will your offspring and hers. You will strike his heel, but he will crush your head.” (Genesis 3: 15).

We see in the Old Testament, the types and shadows of the persecuted Jesus Christ:

Abel persecuted by Cain, Jacob by Esau, Joseph by his brethren, David by Saul, Elijah by Ahab. 

These are examples to drive home the teaching of Jesus.

If the disciples of Jesus do not take special care to study the Scriptures and remember the message of Jesus, they will merit a rebuke from the Master:

“You are such foolish, foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures!  Wasn’t it clearly predicted by the prophets that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his time of glory?” (CF Luke 24: 25).

Never forget the words and works of the Lord. Because the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Cf Revelation 19: 10).

"I received My human face from My Mother. When you contemplate My Face, it is her beauty that you are contemplating. I received My created beauty from My Mother. My uncreated beauty is the radiance of the glory of the Father on My humanity."  (IN SINU JESU).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of Saints Pancras, Nereus & Achileus, Martyrs.

The Feast of Saints Nereus, Achileus and Pancras. 

"Jesus said to his disciples: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.

I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.

"It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. 

"This I command you: love one another.” (John 15: 12 - 17).

Friday 12th May 2023 of the 5th Week of Easter.  

The Church celebrates today the feast of three youthful soldier martyrs. St Pancras (+ 304). Roman. Martyred at 14 under Emperor Diocletian. Also today: Saints Nereus and Achilleus, Roman soldiers. Both martyred under Emperor Trajan.

 The Church rejoices in saints that bore witness to Jesus at very young age, viz: Agnes, Perpetua, Felicity, Agatha, Maria Goretti, etc.

In our key Scripture for today, we reflect on the Call, the Choice and the Anointing we have from God our Father. 

When God wanted to start His family, He called Abraham. Through faith and obedience, Abraham became fruitful. Other examples of people in the Bible that God chose, called and anointed are:

Moses, Joseph the Prince of Egypt, David, John the Baptist and Paul the Apostle.  All of them responded to God with faith and obedience and became fruitful. 

The Call Today is loud and clear:

"It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you." (John 15: 16).

Today Jesus reminds us of His ringing Call: "To go and bear fruit that will remain." We know that the only fruits that remain and abide are fruits produced by the Holy Spirit.

The Lord Jesus is looking for a generous response like this:

"I will be a witness to You in the world O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of Your name among my brothers, Alleluia! " (Psalm 18:50;  22 :23.)

 "Let Mary never be far from your Lips and from your heart.

Following her, you will never lose your way.

Praying to her, you will never sink into despair.

Contemplating her, you will never go wrong." (St Bernardine of Siena),

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Saved by Grace through Faith.

We are saved by grace through faith.

"After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said to the Apostles and the presbyters, 

“My brothers, you are well aware that from early days God made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe. 

"And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the Holy Spirit just as he did us. 

"He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts.

Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 

"On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they.” 

"The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them.

After they had fallen silent, James responded, “My brothers, listen to me. Symeon has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name. The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written:

"After this I shall return and rebuild the fallen hut of David; from its ruins I shall rebuild it and raise it up again, so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord, even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked. Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things, known from of old.

"It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God, but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood.

"For Moses, for generations now, has had those who proclaim him in every town, as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath." (Acts 15: 7 - 21).

Thursday 11th May of the 5th week of Easter.

 The first Reading of today (Acts 15: 7 - 21) is what is often referred to as the first Church Council of Jerusalem. 

The rights, privileges and obligations of the Gentile Christians were defined and codified: "but tell them by letter." Scripture! 

What won the argument between the party of the Pharisees and the non Judaisers was this critical insight:

"And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the holy Spirit just as he did us." (Acts 15: 8). That is to say: God saves all people by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2: 8).

Brothers and sisters, rejoice in this truth. Let nothing keep you from enjoying fully the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, eternal life and all the fruits of Salvation.

"We believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they.” (Acts 15: 11). This silenced the whole assembly. They understood that the Holy Spirit has spoken.

"O God, by whose grace,

though sinners, we are made just

and, though pitiable, made blessed,

stand, we pray, by your works,

stand by your gifts, that those justified by faith may not lack the courage of perseverance.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever." (Collect, Thursday of the 5th week of Easter).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Devotion to St Joseph

Act of Consecration to St. Joseph

EVERY WEDNESDAY 

O dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life. After your example may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen 

Memorare to St. Joseph

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession were left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power I fly unto you and beg your protection. Despise not O Guardian of the Redeemer my humble supplication, but in your bounty, hear and answer me. Amen.

🙏🙏🙏

Litany of St. Joseph

Lord, have mercy on us

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us,

Christ, graciously hear us. 

God the Father of heaven,

have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the World, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God,

have mercy on us. 

Holy Mary, pray for us.

St. Joseph

Renowned offspring of David,

Light of Patriarchs,

Spouse of the Mother of God,

Chaste guardian of the Virgin,

Foster father of the Son of God

Diligent protector of Christ

Head of the Holy Family

Joseph most just

Joseph most chaste

Joseph most prudent

Joseph most strong

Joseph most obedient

Joseph most faithful

Mirror of patience

Lover of poverty

Model of artisans

Glory of home life

Guardian of Virgins

Pillar of families 

Solace of the wretched

Hope of the sick

Patron of the dying

Terror of demons.

Protector of Holy Church

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Jesus.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Jesus.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Jesus.  

He made him the lord of his household

And prince over all his possessions.

Let us pray:

O God, in your ineffable providence you were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen. 

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

Solemnity of St Joseph 32023

SeekFirstcommunity.com 

The Feast of St Damien of Molokai, Patron Saint of Lepers.

Without Me, you can do Nothing. 

"Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.

"You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you.

"Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.

"I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.

"Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. 

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.

"By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

(John 15: 1 - 8).

Wednesday 10th May 2023 of the 5th Week of Easter. 

Wednesday 10th May 2023 in the 5th Week of Easter is the feast of St Damien Joseph de Veuster of Molokai. (1840 - 1889). Priest. Belgian missionary. Father Damien requested to be sent to the leper colony in Molokai, in Hawaii where he spent the rest of his life ministering to lepers. Four of these years were lived in confinement after he contracted leprosy. St Damien was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 11, 2009. He is the patron saint of people with leprosy.

The three things St Augustine urged Christians to study every day so that they may abide in Christ and produce rich harvest are:

#1. Commandments.

#2. Examples.

#3. Sacraments.

Examples or biographies or lives of the Saints are important because examples are the best teachers.

In our key Scripture for today Jesus says that if you want to bear much fruit in the Christian life, you must abide in Him. Without Him, you can do nothing. Not a little. But nothing. 

Here are 5 saints who embraced this teaching of Jesus and bore abundant fruit. All these saints are still bearing fruit today through their religious families.

#1. St Francis of Assisi.

#2. St Dominic.

#3. Mother St Teresa of Kolkata.

#4. St. Ignatius Loyola.

#5. Mother Angelica of EWTN.

What are the 7 Daily Habits of these  saints?

#1. Prayer.

#2. Word of God.

#3. Eucharist.

#4. Penance: About weekly.

#5. Examination of Conscience.

#6. Spiritual Reading.

#7. Ministry (Faith sharing).

Their lives shone with the fruits of the Holy Spirit: Charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity.

You too can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. (Cf Philippians 4: 13).

"The Mystical Body of Christ needs the gentle and perfect ministrations of the most pure hands of Mary. She is sent from heaven—without leaving her glorious heavenly throne—to nurse the ailing members of the Mystical Body and to restore health to the Church wheresoever she is weakened by sin or poisoned by evil. There cannot be—and there will not be—a full restoration of unity until the divinely appointed role of the Mother of Jesus is recognized and confessed. The same is true when it comes to the healing of broken lives and of souls." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, January 29, 2009 ).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Jesus Christ our Peace gives us His Special Gift of Peace.

The Marvelous Peace of Christ. 

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. " (John 1 4: 27.... 31).

Tuesday 9th May 2023 in the 5th Week of Easter.

The Gospel for today is a practical solution to the problem of fear, worry and doubt. 

Jesus gave this comforting message the night before His death. He was leaving His disciples a farewell Gift. Not a huge bank account or a sprawling real estate in the city center. But PEACE!

Jesus calls this Gift "My Peace." This is true because Scripture calls Jesus "our Peace." He is also the Prince of Peace. We are talking here about perfect peace. First let us see what the Peace of Christ is not. It is not Pax Romana, the peace imposed on a conquered nation by force by the conqueror. It is not the peace of a welfare state. It is not the peace you feel if you are in good health, the kids are behaving and your 401K is fantastic.

The peace that Jesus bequeaths to Christians is His own peace. Peace in the midst of crisis because you know who your Security is. The world does not know this peace and cannot know it until they bend their knees to Jesus. This peace is supreme remedy for fears, worries and doubts.

The most perfect health, marriage, finance, job, tools goes  through its periods of trial and uncertainty.  The aftermath of these Times and Seasons is a growing confidence that God is always in control. His mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence is working out all things for our good.

The Peace of Christ is real. It is for us Christians. Claim it. It banishes fear.

"Even if the grave sins of men provoke God’s justice and merit his just punishments, we must not forget that he is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, that he has appointed Mary most holy as the generous steward of his merciful gifts."  (Saint Paul VI).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Powerful, Merciful and Mysterious Providence of God.

ALL IS PROVIDENCE

"There was an attempt in Iconium by both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with their leaders, to attack and stone Paul and Barnabas. 

They realized it, and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside, where they continued to proclaim the Good News.

At Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth, who had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him, saw that he had the faith to be healed, and called out in a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet.”

 He jumped up and began to walk about. When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they cried out in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in human form.”

 They called Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes,” because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, for he together with the people intended to offer sacrifice.

"The Apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their garments when they heard this and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, “Men, why are you doing this? We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all Gentiles to go their own ways; yet, in bestowing his goodness, he did not leave himself without witness, for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts.”

 Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them." (Acts 14: 21 - 26).

Monday 8th May 2023 in the 5th Week of Easter. 

Paul and Barnabas healed the crippled man in Lystra by a pure act of Divine Providence. The same Divine Providence cares for ALL His creation with tender care and solicitude. Paul stated this clearly here:

"... yet, in bestowing his goodness, he did not leave himself without witness, for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts.”

The Doctrine of Divine Providence is clearly taught in Sacred Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. The Church has followed Scripture closely on this. It is no surprise that the official magesterium, all Church Fathers and Doctors have delighted in presenting the Doctrine of Divine Providence. In short, they proclaim: NOTHING IN THE WORLD IS ACCIDENT. EVERYTHING IS PROVIDENCE. 

For me, this is the most powerful and delightful revelation in the Scriptures. 

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com