The One Who called me is faithful. He will accomplish it.

The One Who called me is faithful. 

"The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me;

“He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners,

to announce a year of favor from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God.

“I rejoice heartily in the LORD,

in my God is the joy of my soul; for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation and wrapped me in a mantle of justice, like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels.

As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, so will the Lord GOD make justice and praise spring up before all the nations." (Isaiah 61:1-2A, 10-11).

Sunday December 17th of the third Week of Advent.

I rejoice greatly in the message from Isaiah proclaimed in the first Reading today. 

No false modesty, I believe that the Holy Spirit is in me. I have grown to cherish the Holy Spirit because of His inspirations and power which I value enormously. I am also thankful for His gifts of prayer and joy.

When I read of what I am anointed to do, I became frightened. 

The Spirit of the Lord  "has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners,

to announce a year of favor from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God."

I am greatly encouraged when I found the answer to my fears in the second Reading from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24:

"May the God of peace make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it."

Brethren, the One who called us to the ministry "is faithful, and he will also accomplish it." What joyful words!

Happy Advent!

"Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. 

"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."

For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/11/novena-of-immaculate-conception.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Who is the new Elijah?

Elijah has already come. 

"As they were coming down from the mountain, the ­disciples asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 

"He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.

"So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist." (Matthew 17: 9, 10 - 13).

Saturday 16th December 2023 of the 2nd Week of Advent.

Nine days to Christmas 2023. Elijah has already come but some people did not recognize him. Some people today are still waiting for the first Coming of Jesus Christ. 

We are the baptized. The adopted sons and daughters of the Father and brothers of the Lord Jesus Christ. Do we recognize Jesus as our Brother? Do we offer Him the respects that is due to the first born? 

How do we wait for the Coming of Jesus in the Eucharist? If we are not aware of our relationship with Jesus through Baptism and the Eucharist, we may not be preparing for His Second Coming as we should. 

 "[We] are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober." (1 Thessalonians 5:5-6). 

Then, 

“Awake, O sleeper,and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14). 

Happy Advent!

"Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. 

"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."

For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/11/novena-of-immaculate-conception.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Stop behaving like naughty children.

You are like naughty children. 

"Jesus said to the crowds: 

“To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’

"For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ 

"The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ 

"But wisdom is vindicated by her works.” (Matthew 11: 16 - 19).

Friday December 15th 2023 of the 2nd Week of Advent.

Jesus called out to all of us in today's Gospel: Stop acting like naughty children. We all pretend we know more than Wisdom and holier than the most holy. More powerful than....

Accept who you are. Little beloved children of a most loving Father. A God who desires most to be called Father. 

Happy Advent!

December is the Month the Church honors the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

"Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. 

"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."

For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/11/novena-of-immaculate-conception.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.comc

The Feast of St John of the Cross, O'CARM. Priest and Doctor of the Church.

Feast of St John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church. 

"Jesus said to the crowds:

“Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

"From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force. 

"All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come. Whoever has ears ought to hear.” (Matthew 11: 11 - 15).

Thursday 14th December 2023 of the 2nd Week of Advent is the feast of St John of the Cross. (1542 - 1591). Spanish. Priest, Mystic and Doctor of the Church. 

Called Doctor of Mystical theology because of the depth of his understanding and writings on mysticism. Author of the classic: "The Dark Night of a Soul."

Our key Scripture from Matthew 11: 11 - 15 addresses a truth which every Christian is very aware of: "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force."

Why is this so? 

Because at the heart of Religion is Worship. 

At the heart of Worship is Sacrifice.

At the heart of Sacrifice is Blood. 

Tertulian the great third century African Theologian wrote that the "Blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity." No doubt about this. One of the most powerful devotions of the Church is the Precious Blood of Jesus.

Our saint of today, St John of the Cross suffered much terrible and inhumane persecution and torture from his own confreres, fellow Carmelites. If John of the Cross had asked Jesus: Lord, why is this happening? Jesus would have answered St John of the Cross: "Read the Signs. What am I doing? What am I saying?"  The Signs shall lead to the truth. 

St John of the Cross, a Mystic and Doctor of the Church did not possess the fullness of Revelation. Only Jesus Christ possesses the fullness of the truth. It is His gracious will to communicate this fullness of the truth to His Church.

“The endurance of darkness is the preparation for great light.”  (St John of the Cross, Mystic and Doctor of the Church). 

Happy Advent!

December is the Month the Church honors the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

"Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. 

"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."

For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/11/novena-of-immaculate-conception.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Lucy, Virgin and Martyr.

The Feast of St Lucy, Virgin and Martyr. 

"To whom can you liken me as an equal? says the Holy One.

Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these things:

“He leads out their army and numbers them, calling them all by name.

“By his great might and the strength of his power not one of them is missing!

“Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel,

"My way is hidden from the LORD,

and my right is disregarded by my God"?

“Do you not know

or have you not heard?

“The LORD is the eternal God,

creator of the ends of the earth.

“He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny.

“He gives strength to the fainting;

for the weak he makes vigor abound.

“Though young men faint and grow weary,

and youths stagger and fall,

They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength,

they will soar as with eagles' wings;

They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint." (Isaiah 40: 25 - 31).

Wednesday 13th of December 2023 of the 2nd Week of Advent is the feast of St Lucy, Virgin and Martyr. 

Lucy was born circa 283 AD in a noble Roman family. She consecrated her virginity early to Jesus Christ. When she refused to marry Paschasius, he was enraged and reported her to the government as a Christian. When all efforts to make Lucy change her mind failed, she was condemned to death. She was tortured and her two eyes were gorged out. 

 Lucy died a martyr under Emperor Diocletian (+304).  Lucy is the patron saint of the blind and all those who have eye trouble. Lucy had been venerated as a saint from antiquity. Her name is included in the Roman Canon. 

The first Reading from Isaiah 40: 25 - 31 is one of the sweetest and most encouraging words in Holy Scriptures. Scriptures say everywhere that it is good to wait for the Lord. This is the core message for us today.

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Do you wait for the Lord for anything? Health, family well-being, a new life, financial peace, job, a new car, home?

You should find much comfort in today's word of God. Do you know that nothing happens on earth unless God okays the event?

Do you know that for everything, God has assigned a particular time for it? Do you know that God makes everything beautiful in the fullness of time? Only in the fullness of time! 

If God permits you to be sick, lose your husband or job, it is for the best purpose for you. This is because ALL THINGS work out for good for those who love God. (Cf Romans 8: 28). Since nothing can happen without God willing it. It is impossible for God to will what is evil unless He plans to draw greater good from it.

The evil that happens to you shall never have the last laugh! 

"Don’t be impatient. Wait for the Lord, and he will come and save you! Be brave, stouthearted, and courageous. Yes, wait and he will help you....(Psalms 27: 14, 37: 25 - 2y).

Happy Advent!

"Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. 

"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."

For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/11/novena-of-immaculate-conception.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patronness of the Americas.

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

"The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.

"And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

"But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

"Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”

"But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”

"And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

"Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”

"Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her." (Luke 1: 25 - 38).

Tuesday 12th December 2023 of the 2nd Week of Advent is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The Church honors the Mother of the Redeemer with the title of Lady, Mother, Queen, Virgin, etc. Different titles to honor and show our love and devotion to the Holy Mother of God. 

The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe started in 1531, long before the United States of America. Mary appeared to Juan Diego, a young Aztec man. She was dressed as a simple pregnant Mexican woman. She left an imprint of herself on the tilma of Juan Diego. This Tilma is intact and is venerated today by pilgrims from all over the world in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. 

Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of the preeminent titles of Mary because of the significance of the event in Guadalupe, Mexico in 1531 and its continued relevance to the faith of Christians in the Americas because Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Patroness of the the Americas not just Mexico.

The Blessed Virgin Mary's apparition to St Juan Diego on December 12, 1531 set off a series of events, conversions, miracles and the building of a great Church which has since become a Basilica. It is estimated that annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Guadalupe is about 10 million.

“I have great hopes in your love for Christ and for men. There is a great deal to be done. Let us set out with renewed enthusiasm; united with Christ, under the motherly gaze of the Virgin, Our Lady of Guadalupe the sweet mother of priests and religious.” (Pope John Paul II) 

In our key Scripture for today, the Archangel Gabriel gave Mary a testimony of God's marvelous miracle for Elizabeth in order to confirm Mary's faith.

I love to hear stories of miracles. They build my faith. You too should cherish miracle stories. Better still, don't hide the wonderful things God is doing for you. Expect a miracle every day and share the story.

Mary said to Gabriel after she heard of Elizabeth big miracle, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1: 36 - 38).

Happy Advent!

"Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. 

"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."

For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/11/novena-of-immaculate-conception.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Damasus I, Pope.

Feast St Damasus I, Pope. 

"One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there, and the power of the Lord was with him for healing.

"And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence. But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.”

"Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?” 

“Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, “What are you thinking in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the one who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”

"He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God, and, struck with awe, they said, “We have seen incredible things today.” (Luke 5: 17 - 26).

Monday 11th December 2023, 2nd Week of Advent is the feast of St Damasus 1 (305 - 384). Pope.

Born in Rome but of Spanish descent. Damasus presided over the See of Peter when the Church was rocked by many heresies. Arian heresy had not yet been crushed. He defended the Church against schismatics.  Damasus is the Pope who commissioned St Jerome to translate the Bible into common Latin. This translation called the Vulgate made the Latin language the official language of the Church.

We have a miracle of healing in the Gospel of today. (Luke 5: 17 - 26.). 

Do you know that Faith is something that can be seen? 

"When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.”

Consider this: "He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him, saw that he had the faith to be healed... " (Acts 14: 9).

Yes, we all need that caliber of faith. A faith that is visible. A faith that shouts: See me. I believe. Heal me. 

Happy Advent! 

"Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. 

"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."

For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/11/novena-of-immaculate-conception.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com