THE FISHERMEN ABANDONED EVERYTHING AND FOLLOWED JESUS.

The fishermen abandoned everything and followed Jesus. 

"After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: 

“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

"As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. 

Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.

"He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him." (Mark 1: 14 - 20).

Sunday 21st January 2024 in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time. 

The very first word Jesus uttered in the mission field of Galilee is very important and significant:

“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

The phrase "The time of fulfillment" or the fullness of time will be sure to catch the attention of any religious Jew in the first century AD. This is why. Every prophecy comes to birth in the fullness of time. 

Does the proclamation of Jesus this Sunday in the third week of Ordinary Time has the same urgency for us now as the audience of Jesus in the first century AD? Absolutely sure. 

"Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart." (Hebrews 4: 12). 

In the fullness of time, Jesus came to Galilee and called four of His first disciples. They heard the Call and left everything and followed Jesus. They responded as they did because it is the fullness of time.

“Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy Name is the greatest spiritual force in the world today.... " (Blessed Henry Suso - 1290 to 1365).

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

JESUS MUST BE RESTRAINED.

Jesus must be restrained. 

"Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. 

"When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

Saturday 20th January 2024 in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Fabian, Pope and Martyr and St Sabestian, Martyr.

In the short Gospel of today, we reflect on the theme of opposition to the work of the Kingdom.

"My child, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials.

For in fire gold is tested,

and the chosen, in the crucible of humiliation.

Trust in God, and he will help you; make your ways straight and hope in him." (Sirach 2: 1, 5 - 6).

The Pharisees called Jesus possessed by demons. His relatives called Him mad.

Anyone who is determined to serve God must pay heed to the golden advice of Sirach:

"My child, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials.

For in fire gold is tested,

and the chosen, in the crucible of humiliation."

Saturday 20th January 2024, in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of: Pope St Fabian (+ 250). Italian.

* Fabian divided the diocese of Rome into seven diaconates. This facilitated aid to the poor. He suffered martyrdom under Emperor Decius.

* St Sebastian (+ 288). Italian from Milan. Officer in the Imperial Guard under Emperor Diocletian. Martyred when he converted to Christianity.

* Blessed Cyprian Michael Tansi (1903 - 1964). Nigerian. Trappist monk and priest. Beatified in Nigeria by Pope St John Paul II in 1998.

Why do we honor the saints? Jesus is glorified when we honor His saints. Their intercession is powerful.

“Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy Name is the greatest spiritual force in the world today.... " (Blessed Henry Suso - 1290 to 1365).

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Choice, the Call and the Anointing of the Apostles.

The Choice. The Call. The Anointing of Apostles. 

"Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him.m

"He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons:

"He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him." (Mark 3: 13 - 19).

Friday 19th January 2024 in the 2nd Week of Ordinary Time.

Our Gospel today from Mark 3: 13 - 19 deals with one theme: the Choice, the Call and the Anointing of the Twelve to be close friends and companions of Jesus Christ.

Jesus sent them out as Apostles to continue His ministry until He returns. In the representing of this Gospel today, Jesus is renewing His call to you and me. The Original Twelve are dead. The Gospel still needs to be proclaimed.

Lord Jesus, I have heard Your Call. Grant me the grace to respond generously. Amen.

“Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy Name is the greatest spiritual force in the world today.... " (Blessed Henry Suso - 1290 to 1365).

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Jesus heals Everyone who who approaches him with expectant faith and reverence.

Jesus heals Everyone who needs healing.

"He [Jesus] told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. 

"And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” He warned them sternly not to make him known." (Mark 3: 7...12).

Thursday 18th January 2024, is the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time. 

"He [Jesus] had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him."

What is it about illness that affects the human being so profoundly?

 In the trial of Job in the Book of Job, Satan said to God:

"But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face."  (Job 2: 5 NIV).

I read recently of a billionaire who was near death. He was asked: "What do you desire most now?" His amazing answer was: "I want God."

Faced with the mystery of suffering, the correct desire is: "I WANT GOD." Correct thought is the key to correct action. 

“Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy Name is the greatest spiritual force in the world today.... " (Blessed Henry Suso - 1290 to 1365).

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

THE BLESSINGS OF THE SUNDAY REST.

THE SABBATH IS MADE FOR MAN

"As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain.

At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” 

"He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of ­offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?”

"Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the­ sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the ­sabbath.” (Mark 2: 23 - 28).

Tuesday January 16th in the 2nd Week of Ordinary Time.

In Mark 2: 23 - 28, Jesus is entangled in a Sabbath controversy with the religious leaders.

 Jesus silenced them by saying: “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” (Mark 2: 27 - 28).

You, what do you consider lawful to do on the Sabbath [Sunday]? 

The Sabbath Rest is a key aspect of Judaism. The Sabbath day is sacred. The Sabbath Rest is one of the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai. 

Christianity being the daughter of Judaism adopted the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). The Sacred Magisterium of the Church (Teaching Authority) made Sunday the Day of Rest instead of the Sabbath (Saturday) because of the Resurrection of Jesus on Sunday.

Make no mistake about it, the requirement for the Sabbath Rest has not changed under Christianity. "Keep Holy the Lord's Day" is one of the most positive and beneficial commandments of the Decalogue. Let us list a few reasons:

#1 Sunday becomes a Day of Rest for the entire family.

#2 Sunday is the Day of mandatory worship of God in the Holy Eucharist.

#3 Sunday is a Day of exercise of faith in God who ordered the rest and promised to provide fully for the day.

#4 Sunday rest is rehearsal for eternal life. When this life ends, there will be no more work. It will be an eternity of enjoyment of the most beautiful liturgies and music and other things which eyes have not seen, nor eyes heard, nor has it ever entered the mind of man what God has prepared for those who love and obey Him.

Jesus observed the Sabbath scrupulously and desires His followers to do the same.

“Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy Name is the greatest spiritual force in the world today.... " (Blessed Henry Suso - 1290 to 1365).

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

THE ANNIVERSARY OF A MARTYR: MLK.

The Anniversary of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. 

"The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to Jesus and objected, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 

"Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. 

"No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.” (Mark 2: 18 - 22).

MLK like most of the saints and missionaries in our Catholic tradition was chosen, called and anointed for a specific mission. With his gifts of intellect and personality, he was tempted to ignore the call and go into politics like John Kennedy and the politicians or may be a prestigious vocation like the military. 

MLK was presented with the choice of fasting or feasting in the present world. He chose fasting for the good of mankind. 

His mission: To proclaim that America is God's own beautiful country. America is created by God for all His children. Not for White, Black or Brown. Not for Jews, Moslem or Christians. 

MLK proclaimed this truth season out of season. He rejected violence as a means of attaining this objective. 

On April 4, 1968, MLK was shot to death and paid the price Jesus and all the Martyrs paid for their mission. He was 39 years old. 

On the MLK anniversary, let us pray and fast that God's Destiny for America will be fulfilled without more bloodshed. 

“Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy Name is the greatest spiritual force in the world today.... " (Blessed Henry Suso - 1290 to 1365).

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com