THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS.

"Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is  my beloved Son. Listen to him.” (Mark 9: 7).

Sunday 25th February 2024, in the 2nd Week in Lent.

In today's Gospel of the Transfiguration, Abba Father acknowledged His Son Jesus as the dearly Beloved and urged us to listen to Him always and obey Him. 

What is the import of the Transfiguration in the ministry of Jesus? 

"The Transfiguration gives us a foretaste of Christ's glorious coming, when he "will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body." But it also recalls that "it is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God" (CCC 556).

How do we fulfill the command of the Father to always listen to His Beloved Son? 

#1. We listen to His voice in the Scriptures and obey it. 

#2. When we listen to our Bishops, we listen to Jesus. “Remember this: Whoever listens to your message is actually listening to me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me, and not only me but the one who sent me.” (Cf Luke 10: 16 TPT).

What is your experience of listening to Jesus? What do you hear? Has what you heard impacted your life?

“So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly. (Matthew 6: 33 TPT).

When I heard the above Scripture,  it burned in my heart and mind. I said to myself: This is my life Scripture. 

Saints teach us that listening to Jesus and  obeying Him can change our life. Don't be afraid to try.

For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com  

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES.

"Jesus said to his disciples: 

“You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.

“But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. 

“For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers and sisters only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5: 43 - 48).

Saturday 24th February 2024 in the 1st Week in Lent.

“Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.”

How to love your enemies: 

1. Pray for your enemies. 

2. Forgive your enemies. 

How to forgive your enemies? 

#1. Forgive at once.

#2. Forgive everyone without discrimination.

#3. Forgive always.

#4. Forgive everywhere.

#5. "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Forgive everyone. This step is modeled for us from the Cross.  Jesus forgave in real time those who were killing Him. He did not wait until Easter Sunday when He rose from the dead to forgive.

#6.  Pray everyday for all those whom you have offended, known or unknown to forgive you and set you free.

Jesus Christ invites us to a life of continual conversion so that we can pray Our Father (the Lord's Prayer) with confidence.

Prayer and Forgiveness are the two most powerful tools of the Christian. 

"If you pray well, you live well. If you live well, you die well. If you die well, all is well." (St Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church).

"Were you to ask what are the means of overcoming temptations, I would answer: The first means is prayer; the second is prayer; the third is prayer; and you, should you ask me a thousand times, I would repeat the same." 

(St Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church).

 For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com  

FEAST OF ST POLYCARP, APOSTOLIC FATHER. BISHOP AND MARTYR.

"Thus says the Lord God: If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced.

"Do I indeed derive any ­pleasure from the death of the wicked? says the Lord God. Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way that he may live?

" And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil, the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does, can he do this and still live? None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered, because he has broken faith and committed sin; because of this, he shall die.

“You say, “The Lord’s way is not fair!”

"Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair? When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.

"But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed, does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life; since he has turned away from all the sins that he committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die." (Ezekiel 18: 21 - 28).

Friday 23rd February 2024, in the 1st Week in Lent is the feast of an Apostolic Father, St Polycarp. (circa 69 - 155). Bishop of Smyrna in Turkey. Martyr. St Polycarp was instructed in the faith by St John the Apostle. He, Polycarp instructed St Irenaeus who became a Bishop and an early Church Father in France.

"But if the wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live. He shall not die!"  (Cf Ezekiel 18: 21 - 28)

On Day 10 of 40 of Lent 2024, the Scripture for today calls for Conversion and reminds us of God's bottomless mercy.

At the beginning of Lent, we saw that Lent provides a unique opportunity for continuous Conversion because of the immense outpouring of grace and mercy that God promises in this Season.  This grace and promises come through the selection of Scriptures the Holy Spirit has prepared for the Season of Lent. 

In verse 22 of the same chapter 18 of Ezekiel, God says that he who accepts the grace of Conversion "shall live because of the virtue he has practiced."

Some of these virtues are called 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

For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com  

THE FEAST OF THE CHAIR OF ST PETER THE APOSTLE.

THE CHAIR OF ST PETER THE APOSTLE. 

"When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

 Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16: 13 - 19).

Thursday 22nd February 2024, in the 1st Week in Lent is the Feast of the Chair of St Peter the Apostle.

What are we celebrating today?

+ The Pope as Bishop of Rome.

+ St Peter, more than the Chairman of the Church and his successors to the Chair of St Peter.

+ The Teaching Authority of the Popes.

+ The universal Magisterium of the Roman Church.

+ The unity of the Church founded upon the Apostle Peter and his successors.

+ Our faith based on the Confession of the Apostle Peter. 

To the question of Jesus: Who do people say I am?

"Peter said to Jesus: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus replied: You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church." (Matthew 16: 16, 18).

"The Lord says to Simon Peter:

I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail, and, once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22: 32). 

Let us pray today especially for our Holy Father Pope Francis and for the unity of the Church. 

"John made reparation for Peter’s denial of Me, not by standing in judgment over Peter, whom he honoured and loved as a father, but by weeping with Peter, and by offering himself in reparation for Peter’s fall." (IN SINU JESU, Tuesday, December 27, 2011). 

For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

THE FEAST OF ST PETER DAMIAN, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

FEAST OF ST PETER DAMIAN, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH. 

"The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: 

“Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and announce to it the message that I will tell you.” So Jonah made ready and went to Nineveh, according to the Lord’s bidding. Now Nineveh was an enormously large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began his journey through the city, and had gone but a single day’s walk announcing, “Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed,” when the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth.

When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in the ashes. Then he had this proclaimed throughout Nineveh, by decree of the king and his nobles: “Neither man nor beast, neither cattle nor sheep, shall taste anything; they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water. Man and beast shall be covered with sackcloth and call loudly to God; every man shall turn from his evil way and from the violence he has in hand. Who knows, God may relent and forgive, and withhold his blazing wrath, so that we shall not perish.” When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out.” (Jonah 3: 1 - 10). 

Wednesday February 21st, 2024 in the first Week in Lent is  the feast of St Peter Damian (1001 - 1072). Italian. Benedictine monk. Bishop and Doctor of the Church. 

 The monk-Cardinal whose life we celebrate today is a Reformer in the make of the great reformers of the Church:  Saints Francis of Assisi, Dominic, Ignatius Loyola, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, etc. . Damian  urged his fellow clergy to live upright lives. Many clergy at all levels were at that time living sordid lives. But Peter pursued reforms with the heart of a pastor. 

Our key Scripture is from Jonah 3: 1 - 10. This Scripture reminds us that God calls us to repentance this Lent 2024. There is no time to waste. God is waiting to see a humble and contrite spirit. He pleads: "Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart for I am gracious and merciful." (Joel 2: 12 - 13).

Do not delay the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

Remember the ABC of Mercy:

A: ASK FOR MERCY.

B: BE MERCIFUL.

C: COMPLETELY TRUST JESUS FOR MERCY.

A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spur.

Behold, now is the favourable time.

This is the day of salvation.

For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com  

JESUS TEACHES US HOW TO PRAY.

"Jesus said to his disciples:

“In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This is how you are to pray:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

“If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” (Matthew 6: 7 - 15).

I CANNOT SAY: FORGIVE ME MY SINS AS I FORGIVE THOSE THAT SIN AGAINST ME, IF I CONTINUE TO HARBOR A GRUDGE AGAINST ANYONE. 

"Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This is how you are to pray:

‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who ­trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’

“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

 (Matthew 6: 7 - 15).

Tuesday 20th February 2024 in the 1st Week of Lent. 

Jesus teaching on Prayer is without doubt His very best. Why? Prayer is the most important gift of God to His creation. Everyone needs Prayer. Even animals ask God for their food. "All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time." (Cf Psalm 104: 27). 

The absolute necessity of Prayer is summarized by St Alphonsus Liguori thus: If you pray, you will be saved. If you don't pray, you will be lost. 

Our reflection on the Our Father or the Lord's Prayer will focus on Forgiveness. 

Why did Jesus conclude the teaching on Our Father, the Lord's Prayer by stating unequivocally a precondition for the forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with the Father?

This is obviously an important theme for Jesus because He taught it in Matthew 18:21–35, which concluded thus: "Then in anger his master handed him [the unforgiving servant] over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

Reconciliation is crucial to enjoying the privileges of filial adoption. (Our sonship privileges from Baptism).

 A girl who ran away from home and lived a lawless life for a couple of years may be hesitant as she approaches home. The prodigal son understands that there are consequences for vagrancy and knows the importance of Reconciliation.

Many people claim that forgiveness of the other person is hard. Here are some lessons that can help forgiveness:

#1. Forgive at once.

#2. Forgive everyone without discrimination.

#3. Forgive always.

#4. Forgive everywhere.

#5. "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Forgive everyone. This step is modeled for us from the Cross.  Jesus forgave in real time those who were killing Him. He did not wait until Easter Sunday when He rose from the dead to forgive.

#6.  Pray everyday for all those whom you have offended, known or unknown to forgive you and set you free.

Jesus Christ invites us to a life of continual conversion so that we can pray Our Father (the Lord's Prayer) with confidence. NEVER FORGET THE SWEETEST WORD IN ALL OF Scripture is in the Our Father Prayer:

"Your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com