I am the handmaid of the Lord.

BEHOLD, I AM A MAID SERVANT OF THE LORD. 

"In the sixth month, 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: 26 - 38).

Sunday 24th of December 2023. Final Day of Advent. Christmas Eve. 

Today, the Sacred Scripture focuses on the Call and Mission of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of the Lord.  Who is Mary of Nazareth and why is she a powerful person in the history of salvation and life of the Church? 

#1. Mary is the only daughter of Joachim and Anne. A sweet joy of answered prayer to Joachim and Anne. The couple sensed her uniqueness and destiny and dedicated her to God and after she was weaned brought her to the Temple where she was educated by priests. 

#2. The Church draws most of her knowledge of the infancy narrative of Mary from credible non-biblical sources called Apocrypha. Remember that the Church discerns the truth of Revelation from not only Sacred Scripture but also Sacred Tradition and Sacred Magisterium. Sensus fidelium (the common faith of the faithful) plays a role in the discernment of truth in the Church. 

#3. The biblical sources of our knowledge of Mary are not voluminous but they contain all we need to know for our devotion and salvation. 

#4. The four Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, viz: Annunciation, the Luminous Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries and the Glorious Mysteries tell the whole story of salvation and who Mary is. If you do not pray the Rosary, you miss the acres of diamonds in your backyard. 

#5. The Blessed Virgin Mary is the only human being who knew Jesus Christ from the Visitation of the Angel Gabriel (the Annunciation) to the death of Jesus on the Cross, His burial and Resurrection. Mary was present in the Upper Room waiting and praying for the Holy Spirit to descend on Pentecost Sunday, the Birthday of the Church. 

#6. Mary continues to intervene in the lives of simple people in significant apparition events throughout Church history, viz: Guadalupe, Fatima, Lourdes, etc. 

We read today of how God sent the Angel Gabriel to a young woman with an astonishing promise. Gabriel told Mary that through the power of God, she will become the Mother of God. Once Mary fully understands the implications of the message, she replies:  "I am the handmaid of the Lord: let what you have said be done to me. (Luke 1: 38).

The Church elaborates:

"To become the mother of the Savior, Mary "was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role." The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation salutes her as "full of grace". In fact, in order for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God's grace." (CCC 490).

The Child we are expecting at midnight will "be ruler in Israel."

He is the King of the Universe and His origin is "from ancient times."  (Micah 1: 1).

He is the Lord who is always with us. The Emmanuel. He is the Lord who is Peace.

"O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!"

"I am your Mother, the Mother given you by my Son Jesus, from the Cross, in the solemn hour of His sacrifice. And you are my son, dear to my Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, precious to me, and ever under the mantle of my protection. Let me live with you as I lived with John, the second son of my Heart and the model for all my priest sons down through the ages. Speak to me simply and with complete trust in the compassion of my maternal Heart and in the power given to my maternal intercession." (IN SINU JESU, Wednesday, March 25, 2009The Annunciation).

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 John Kanty, Priest and Educator.

The Feast of St John Kanty. 

"When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.

“When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.”

“But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. 

Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him." (Luke 1: 57 - 66).

Saturday 23rd December 2023 of the 3rd Week of Advent is the feast of St John Kanty. (1390 - 1473). 

St John Kanty is Polish. Kanty is a priest, philosopher, physicist and theologian. 

What is striking about the life of St John Kanty is that this brilliant and highly educated man spent his entire priestly vocation in the ivory tower. Yet, he had the heart of a pastor of flocks. He seized every opportunity to help his needy students and the poor he encountered.

Our key Scripture is the narrative of the birth and naming of John the Baptist. It indicates that John the Baptist is a significant persona in salvation history. Let us sketch a profile of St John the Baptist:

#1 His name is John: "God is gracious."

#2.  He was sanctified in his mother's womb. He kicked his mother hard in the womb with excitement when Mary visited Elizabeth.

#3. John was chosen by the Father to be forerunner of Jesus Christ and to prepare His way.

#4. John baptized Jesus in the River Jordan.

#5. His humility is supreme. He said: "He [Jesus] must increase. I must decrease." And he allowed his disciples to switch allegiance and follow Jesus.

#6. John gave his life for Jesus. He was a great martyr for Jesus.

"[John's] birth brought great rejoicing; even in the womb he leapt for joy at the coming of Jesus Christ for human salvation.

He alone of all the prophets pointed out the Lamb of God.

And to make holy the flowing waters, he baptized the very author of Baptism and was privileged to bear him supreme witness by the shedding of his blood."  (From the Preface of the Mass of the Feast.)

Jesus paid St John the Baptist one of the greatest compliments:

"For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  (Luke 7: 28 KJB).

John is the Voice. He is not the Word.

I am just a servant of the Word. He must increase. I must decrease. O Lord Jesus Christ, may all Your servants decrease so that You increase in us.

As we near the Solemnity of Christmas, we thank God for the life and work of St John the Baptist. We remember too St John Kanty our saint of the day who continue to inspire us by his teaching and exemplary life.

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

Mary's Magnificat.

 

"Mary said:

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For he has looked upon his lowly servant.

"From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

"He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit.

"He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly.

"He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.

"He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever."

"Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months

and then returned to her home." (Luke 1: 46 - 56).

Friday 22nd December 2023 Advent Week Day.

Mary's Magnificent Magnificat is the Gospel of this Advent Week Day. We can only reflect on a line or two of this great prayer and prophecy. 

"He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly." 

Who are the mighty in history that had been dethroned? 

Caesars, Napoleon, Hitler, Stalin, etc. 

The word of God is living and powerful. "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Cf Revelations 19: 10). 

As we come to the end of 2023, can you interpret the prophecy below? 

"He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly." 

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 Peter Canisius, SJ Priest and Doctor of the Church.

THE FEAST OF ST PETER CANISIUS SJ. PRIEST AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH. 

 "Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

"When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said,

“Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

“For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped  for joy. 

"Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Luke 1: 39 - 45).

Thursday 21st December 2023 is the feast of St Peter Canisius of the Society of Jesus, Priest and Doctor of the Church.

Peter Canisius was born in Nijmegen, Holland in 1521. Peter studied canon law at Cologne University and Louvain. After his studies, he joined the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) and distinguished himself in teaching, preaching and writing.

In 1555, St Peter Canisius published his famous Catechism, (Summa Doctrinae Christianae), which was the Catholic answer to Luther's great work. This Catechism which was translated into more than 16 languages during Peter Canisius's life became a model for catechisms up to this day. The Lord sustained Peter in the priesthood till the end of his life: "

St Peter Canisius died in 1597 and was canonized and declared a saint and Doctor of the Church in 1925.

In our key Scripture from Luke, Elizabeth made two revelations through the power of the Holy Spirit 

#1. The Mother of my Lord visits me. Christ Jesus is Lord and God. 

#2. Mary, you are made completely righteous because like Abraham and David you dared to believe the promises of God to you. Faith is the passport to righteousness and eternal life. 

And you Reader, do you believe in the promises of God to you?

The period of waiting and expectations will soon be over. You receive in proportion to your desire and expectations. Believe! Believe! Believe! 

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

God can overcome the Impediments of Old Age.

THE IMPEDIMENT OF OLD AGE. 

"In the sixth month, 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: 26 - 38).

Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Advent.

Our reflection today is the awesome power of God of whom nothing is impossible or difficult.

Elizabeth heard the promise of God in her old age. Old age is a serious impediment for human beings. 

Elizabeth conceived with human agency, her very aged husband, Zachary for nothing is impossible for God.

Is this the first time we are seeing this type of miracle in the Bible? No! Sarah and Abraham begot Isaac at very advanced age.

God makes nonsense of the impediment of old Age. For nothing is impossible for God.

Mary conceived without human agency for nothing is impossible or difficult for God.

Our faith grows when we hear the promise of God and believe it. 

"The Lord spoke to Ahaz: Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!” (Isaiah 7: 10 - 14).

Ahaz heard the word of God and instead of rejoicing in faith, he despised the word of truth.

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 Problem of Zechariah.

The Problem of Zechariah.  

"In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

"Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.

"Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God, according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. 

"Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.

"But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. 

"He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 

"He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.”

"Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”

"And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”

"Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was gesturing to them but remained mute.

"Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home.

"After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.” (Luke 1: 5 - 25).

Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent.

In yesterday's Gospel Reading, we saw the operations of God's sovereign Providence in the choice of Mary and Joseph whose entire lives could be described as a Predestination.

Today, we see Elizabeth and Zachary, her husband who are also destined by divine Providence to be key players in the team of forerunners of the Messiah.

“Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.”

Their righteousness was not enough for the new dispensation of the Gospel. 

Zachary brought a serious problem of Unbelief to the Call of the Gospel. Zachary was old and Elizabeth was also old. This is a considerable impediment in the eyes of human beings. In the first Reading from Judges, the parents of Samson saw that all things are possible for God and all things are easy for God to do. After years of impotence, God removed their curse easily. 

In the new dispensation, in order to enjoy the promised blessings, miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit, we need faith and plenty of patience. Like Elizabeth, we will be severely tested in the school of Waiting before we can say:

"After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.”

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 Predestination of Mary and Joseph.

The Predestination of Mary and Joseph. 

"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. 

"When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.

"Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.

"Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. 

"She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,

"Which means “God is with us.” 

“When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

“He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus." (Matthew 1: 18 - 25).

Monday December 18th, Advent Weekday (O Adonai). 

The Gospel of today on how the Birth of Jesus came about is a familiar one. This Gospel reveals the Predestination of Mary and Joseph. 

The roles that Mary and Joseph played in salvation history were not arbitrary. Every step, every moment was predestined according to God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence. 

Our lives too are governed by the same sovereign Design, Purpose, Plan, and Providence of the all-powerful and loving God who prefers to be called Father. 

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