Are you ready for your opportunity to bear witness?

"They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name.  It will lead to your giving testimony." (Luke 21: 12 - 13).

Sunday of the 33rd week in Ordinary Time. Next Sunday will be the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. It marks the end of the current Liturgical Year. Can you hear from the Scriptures the drumbeat that shift our gear to end times?

In brief, before the end comes, there will be a shakedown of the faith of everyone. Only those who have learned to be faithful from the daily practice of the faith will survive. Those who have put their faith on hold will run to their parents, siblings, children, neighbors and bang on the door and cry in panic: "Please give us some oil for our lamp!"

"By your perseverance you will secure your lives." (Luke 21: 19).

Do not postpone the practice of your faith. There will be no opportunity to go to the Church, get into your home to search for your Bible or Rosary.

"Master,’ they said ‘when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be that this is about to take place?"

O that you hear His voice today, harden not your hearts.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Ask and keep asking and you will receive.

"Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary." (Luke 18: 1).

Saturday of the 32nd week in Ordinary Time. Jesus teaches on the vital necessity of Prayer. Commenting on this teaching from her historic experience with the saints in salvation history, the Church explains:

"Pray constantly . . . always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father." St. Paul adds, "Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance making supplication for all the saints." For "we have not been commanded to work, to keep watch and to fast constantly, but it has been laid down that we are to pray without ceasing." This tireless fervor can come only from love. Against our dullness and laziness, the battle of prayer is that of humble, trusting, and persevering love. This love opens our hearts to three enlightening and life-giving facts of faith about prayer." (CCC 2742).

The teaching on Prayer is very simple to remember:
Pray always.
Pray everywhere.
Pray about everything.

ASK, SEEK and KNOCK. Jesus promises that you will receive what you ask for. You will find what you are looking for and the door you knock on persistently will be opened to you. ALL in accordance to God's gracious and mysterious Will. 

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Albert the Great, Church Father and Scientist.

St Albert the Great. 

"Foolish by nature were all who were in ignorance of God, and who from the good things seen did not succeed in knowing the one who is, and from studying the works did not discern the artisan." (Wisdom 13: 1).

Friday of the 32nd week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Albert the Great (1206 - 1280), Bishop, Order of Preachers (Dominican), theologian and scientist and last but not the least, Doctor of the Church. When I see a scientist who thumbs his nose at religion because he has a couple of doctorates, I ask him: "Are you more learned than St Albert the Great or St Augustine?"

Our Daily Scripture verse for today calls scientists who pretend not to know God, foolish. They investigate the heavens and the earth and discover their secrets. They never ask: How did this stuff get here? Who made them? St Paul says in Romans that such scientists suppress the truth by their wickedness. He goes on to say:

"For what can be known about God is evident to them, because God made it evident to them.  Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made. As a result, they have no excuse." (Romans 1: 19 - 20).

Let us thank God the Father for the life of St Albert the Great who combined his human wisdom and divine faith to advance knowledge and science.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

ALL things serve You.

"All things serve you." (Psalm 119: 91).

Thursday of the 32nd week in Ordinary Time. Our meditation today is from the Responsorial Psalm 119.

How many famous ALL Scriptures do you know? I have three favorites:

#1. "ALL things serve You." (Psalm 119: 91).

#2. "We know that ALL things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8: 28).

#3. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of ALL comfort." (2 Corinthians 1: 3).

In the Creed, we profess our faith in the Father ALL Mighty God. It is very comforting to know that ALL things serve our Father: man, sun, moon, wind, fire, water, stars, wildlife, etc. Everything without exception. To serve means to obey God absolutely with no possibility of resistance or disobedience.

Most Christians find comfort in Romans 8: 28 which proclaims that no matter what happens, God is in control and therefore No fear. No worry. No doubt.

I like particularly 2 Corinthians 1: 3 that reminds us that none of the comforts, encouragements or consolation we enjoy in life comes from Chance. The word Chance is not in the Bible. ALL things come from the gracious ordaining of our God and Father.

"God orders ALL things for good." (Wisdom 8: 1).

"Almighty and merciful God,
graciously keep from us ALL adversity, so that, unhindered in mind and body alike, we may pursue in freedom of heart the things that are yours. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son." (Collect, today).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of St Frances Xavier Cabrini, Patronness of Immigrants.

“Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine?  Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”  Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” (Luke 17: 17 - 19).

Wednesday of the 32nd week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850 - 1917), Virgin and Patroness of immigrants. Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini served well the immigrants of America in obedience to the order of Pope Leo XIII. Her anniversary is a reminder of our debt to widows, orphans and immigrants.

In two weeks, we shall be celebrating Thanksgiving. Our Gospel meditation for today is a great lesson to shape our minds and hearts for Thanksgiving 2019.

Are you postponing thanking God for anything? Health, family blessings, financial prosperity, new job or promotions, sold homes or new cars, plentiful food, peace about the future? How about the Daily Bread of the Eucharist? Do you know that the Eucharist means Thanksgiving? To him whom much is given, much will be required.

For the leper who did not postpone his Thanksgiving, Jesus said: “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” (Luke 17: 19). Beware: what you think is now yours may not be yours until you return to give thanks. For the Lord orders:
"In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5: 18).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The souls of the saints are in the hand of God.

"The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace." (Wisdom 3: 1-3).

Tuesday of the 32nd week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Josaphat (1580 - 1623), Bishop and Martyr. Born in Poland to Orthodox parents, Josaphat became a Catholic. As Bishop, he worked for the unity of the Orthodox and the Roman Church and was martyred for his efforts.

November is the month we remember in a special way the souls of the faithful departed. An Indian guru said to the disciples on his death bed: "When you remember me, I shall be present." Exactly! Is this not what we do in the Eucharist? This is why Memorial is one of the many names of the Eucharist. How do you remember your loved ones who are on the other side of life? Because our saint of the day is a canonized saint, we remember Josaphat through the Sacred Liturgy. You can remember your loved ones through offering Mass, Rosary and prayers for them.

"Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself." (Wisdom 3: 5).

After brief chastisement, that is purification, these souls will be admitted to Paradise to enjoy eternal life with Jesus.

"Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect." (Wisdom 3: 9).

Amen!

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Martin of Tours, Veteran of Veterans.

“Increase our faith.”  The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you." (Luke 17: 5 - 6).

Monday of the 32nd week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Martin of Tours (316 - 397), Bishop. Martin was a soldier in the imperial army of Rome. After he encountered Jesus Christ, he became a Christian and a man of peace. Today is also Veteran holiday in the USA, Armistice Day in other countries. November 11  served in the past as a day of memorial of signing peace treaties.  The treaty to end World War One was signed on the Feast of St Martin of Tours, November 11th. Hail Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace. Happy Veterans Day!

"Increase our faith." What is the connection between Faith and Prayer. I have two favorite quotations from two great men on faith and prayer.

#1. If you pray, you are saved. If you do not pray, you are lost. (St Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church).
#2. I believe because I pray.  (Karl Rahner, SJ hailed as one of the greatest theologians.

The only thing Jesus called a vital necessity is Prayer. Not work. Not fasting. (CCC 2742). Therefore if you want your faith to grow, start praying.
Pray always. Pray everywhere. Pray about everything. And before you know it, you too will be enjoying the fruits of the faith that moves mountain.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

We believe in the Resurrection of the dead and life everlasting.

"That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called ‘Lord’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob;  and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” (Luke 20: 37 - 38).

Sunday of the 32nd week in Ordinary Time. Do you know that November is the month the Church prays especially for the poor souls in purgatory? They are poor because the purification process is not a champagne party. Moreover, many of these souls have nobody to pray for them.

Do you scoff at the idea of the Resurrection of the dead, eternal life, heaven and hell? A Protestant friend of mine asked me once: "Why do you people pray to and for dead people?" I answered him by pointing to our Scripture verse for today. God Himself says that "He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” Jesus silenced the Sadducees  through this Scripture. My friend had no answer.

We profess this faith:
"I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of the saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen."

If you believe in the Resurrection and life everlasting, live as you believe.

“In learning and professing the faith, you must accept and retain only the Church’s present tradition, confirmed as it is by the Scriptures…. Now I order you to retain this creed for your nourishment throughout life and never to accept any alternative, not even if I myself were to change and say something contrary to what I am now teaching, not even if some angel of contradiction, changed into an angel of light, tried to lead you astray. For even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which you have now received, let him be accursed in your sight.” (St Cyril of Jerusalem, Father of the Church).

If there is no Resurrection of the dead, then the Church has deceived billions of people for over 2000 years. St John Henry Newman said  that what so many people have believed for so many years cannot be wrong.

"The King of the world will raise us up to live for ever." (Cf 2 Maccabees 7:1-2,9-14).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast and Dedication of the Mother of All the Church in the World.

"I have chosen and consecrated this house, says the Lord, for my name to be there forever. (2 Chronicles 7: 16).

Saturday of the 31st week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica.
The Lateran Basilica in Rome is the Pope’s own church as the Bishop of Rome. It was dedicated in 324 AD. It is the Mother Church of all the Churches in the world and the sign of the unity of the Church built on the Apostles. All the Bishops of the world, successors of the Apostles manifest this unity through their union with the Bishop of Rome, the successor of Peter.

We the Faithful are the living and chosen stones that make up the edifice of our Basilica, Cathedral or our humble Parish Church. May God increase the growth of the Church.

On this day, let us also remember that each Basilica, Cathedral and Church in the world foreshadows the heavenly Jerusalem. It is in the holy Sanctuary we partake of the Sacraments.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

You have been found wanting in the management of the assets entrusted to you.

"What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward." (Luke 16: 2).

Friday of the 31st week in Ordinary Time. When the boss asks: "What is this I hear about you?" How do you react to the query?

Tell me how you have managed your time, talent and treasure, the boss queries. Like the fruitless fig tree, do you understand that you have less than one year to become fruitful? When your stewardship of time, talent and treasure is found wanting, cry out to the Holy Spirit for help. God will not tolerate a fruitless fig tree after the probation period is over.

O that you will hear His voice today, do not harden your heart.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

If one vote counts for the politician, should one helpless lost soul not count for you?

"I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15: 10).

Thursday of the 31st week in Ordinary Time. Today's Scripture verse calls our attention to the power of One. The businessman understands the power of one. One customer counts. One dollar counts. The politician understands the power of one. One vote counts. Why? It adds up. The preacher, the evangelist should understand clearly from the Parable of Jesus today that even in heaven, one sinner who is saved is a cause for celebration.

"I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Be prepared to preach or teach to whomever the Lord sends you. 100 people or just one person. Your Director, Christ the Lord has a good reason for whatever He does. He who is faithful in small things will be faithful in big things. The mustard seed is the smallest seed when planted. It grew to become a big shrub and all the birds of the forest delight in sheltering and nesting on it.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

When you understand the necessity of the Cross, you too will embrace it.

"Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14: 27).

Wednesday of the 31st week in Ordinary Time. Jesus proclaims the necessity of the Cross for His followers. Imagine an interview for a job. The potential employer declares upfront that those who would be considered must be prepared to give up the right hand. People would walk away and see the situation as crass insanity.

Jesus came to inaugurate the Kingdom of God, the eternal reign of God among men. This Kingdom is unlike anything that has been seen on earth. Consider some of the characteristics of the Kingdom:

The Kingdom starts like a tiny mustard seed. The appointed king has no house, no money, no car, no servants. The king is powerless to resist arrest. He was tried and sentenced to death by crucifixion.  During the trial of the king, He told the judge: “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants [would] be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” (John 18: 36).

Jesus conquered evil on the Cross. Jesus Christ, King of the Jews reigned from the Cross.
"But in the most mysterious way God the Father has revealed his almighty power in the voluntary humiliation and Resurrection of his Son, by which he conquered evil. Christ crucified is thus "the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." It is in Christ's Resurrection and exaltation that the Father has shown forth "the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe". (CCC 272).

The Cross therefore became the cherished emblem of the disciples of Jesus. With this understanding, we can embrace the Cross.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Rejoice always in hope.

"Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer." (Romans 12: 12).

Tuesday of the 31st week in Ordinary Time. Advent is round the corner.

"Be happy in your hope. Do not give up when trouble comes. Do not let anything stop you from praying." (Romans 12: 12 NLV).

Hope is confident waiting for something to happen. To hope and to wait is the same thing. Christian hope is a confident hope. Once upon a time, I prayed for a desire close to my heart. I came away from prayer with the deep impression that God was asking me to wait. I was happy and waited in hope. After a few years, nothing happened. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life." (Proverbs 13: 12). My hope was beginning to slip. Then I suddenly found myself facing a great challenge. I woke early the next morning and prayed and cried about the issue. 24 hours later, God had resolved the issue. No deferred hope this time. I was very happy.

The same God who moved mountain in this problem is the God who asked me to wait. I came to see that there is a good reason why God is asking me to wait. Through the light of understanding I came to rejoice in hope. I pray and persevere in prayer. Both confident hope and steadfastness in prayer, help me endure trials as I wait on God.

Grant Father we pray, that we may hasten without stumbling to receive the things you have promised.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Once called by God always called.

"For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11: 29).

Monday of the 31st week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Charles Borromeo, Bishop (1538 - 1584). St Charles Borromeo was one of the architects of the successful conclusion of the Council of Trent. A great reformer, he worked hard for the implementation of the decrees of the Council. He established seminaries and had catechisms produced.

"For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [for He does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call]." (Romans 11: 29 AMP). Thank You Abba Father for this promise. I am a huge beneficiary of this mercy and I give here testimony to this truth. Father, open the hearts and minds of those who are unsure of this truth to come to the throne of Your mercy and grace with great confidence to receive abundant mercy.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Zacchaeus succumbed to the charm of Jesus.

“Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” (Luke 19: 8).

Sunday of the 31st week in Ordinary Time. Zacchaeus experiences the irresistible power of the Presence of Jesus. Result: Instant and profound conversion. Many thieves and fraudsters who are caught red handed try to negotiate the terms of the settlement. Not Zacchaeus. His attitude is: Lord, I give up everything to be a part of You and Your Enterprise.

Taking a cue from the conversion of Zacchaeus, the Church teaches:
"Jesus calls to conversion. This call is an essential part of the proclamation of the kingdom: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel."......... It is by faith in the Gospel and by Baptism that one renounces evil and gains salvation, that is, the forgiveness of all sins and the gift of new life." (CCC 1427).

"But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things; and you overlook sins for the sake of repentance." (Wisdom 11: 23).

I will praise Your name forever my King and my God.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of All Souls.

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself." (Philippians 3: 20 - 21).

Saturday of the 30th week in Ordinary Time is the Feast of the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed traditionally called the Feast of All Souls. Where are your loved ones who have departed from this life? They are no longer Australian citizens, or American or Mexican citizens. If they died in Jesus Christ, their citizens is now in heaven. Are they enjoying eternal life right away with Jesus? Possibly. Most likely, they "await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself."

This purification or transformation that most of us need is what the Church calls Purgatory. Furthermore, "All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven...... The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned." (CCC 1030 - 1031).

"Listen kindly to our prayers, O Lord,
and, as our faith in your Son, raised from the dead, is deepened,
so may our hope of resurrection for your departed servants also find new strength.
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 of the Mass of All Souls).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Solemnity of All Saints.

“Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?”.... “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (Revelation 7: 13 - 14).

The Church worldwide celebrates today a major feast in its Liturgical Calendar: The Solemnity of All Saints. In the Communion of Saints, we celebrate the Communion of holy people and holy things. Man is the apex of creation. It is therefore fitting that a holy person glorifies God's work of creation.

"Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness." (CCC 1024). The Church declared.

Our Scripture verse today teaches that in order to be among those in white robe, you must must make that robe white again in the blood of the Lamb. Brethren, do not be afraid of this for your Father is determined to give you the Kingdom. Make this Kingdom your first priority and the holiness it requires and everything else here on earth and in heaven shall be given to you.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Don't forget to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus also on the Solemnity of All Saints.

November 1st, 2019 - First Friday in November: Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us.

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus:  Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month.  In the 11th month of the year 2019, we look at Promise #11.

#11.  "Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced."

Friday, November 1st , 2019 is  the Solemnity of All Saints, a major feast in the Church Calendar. The Church remembers all the souls of the just who are in heaven with Jesus. The Sacred Heart of Jesus, who is true and faithful Witness promises us that "Those who propagate the devotion to His Sacred Heart shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced."

Do you trust the promises of Jesus or do you not?

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday.

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, click the link below:

http://sfjweb.com/?q=content/sacred-heart-12-promises

FOR BLOG ON ALL SAINTS, HEAD HERE: Seekfirstcommunity.com

When God is with you, you accomplish important things.

"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8: 31).

Thursday of the 30th week in Ordinary Time is the 31st of October.

Brethren, make our Scripture for today personal: "If God is for me, who can be against me?" If you do not know the powerful punch of this Scripture, it may be because you do not fully know who God is! "The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits." (Daniel 11: 32 NKJV).

If God is for you in your job, who can be against you? When God is with you in your family, health, finances, possessions your objectives and heart's desire will be accomplished. What if you do not know your God or His plan for your life? You will be like a heir to a great estate and fortune who sleeps under the bridge as a homeless because he is ignorant of the fact that less than a kilometer from him is his father's estate.

Those who minister to the dying report that in the last few days of life, their greatest regret is not having invested time to know God.
Now that you know, you will be blessed if you do it.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

God can write straight with crooked lines.

"We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified." (Romans 8: 28 - 30).

Wednesday of the 30th week in the Ordinary Time. Brethren, what does Scripture mean by "All things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose?"

Our daily Scripture verse for today contains one of this most significant word: "ALL." Define simply, ALL here means No exceptions, No discriminations, No exemptions. It means the Whole, Todo, Tuus.

We have supreme confidence in Divine Providence based on this significant revelation in Romans 8: 28. God promises: "No matter whatever happens, you are covered. I am able to write straight lines with crooked lines. Where you are now is exactly where I want you to be. I AM GOD."

Come back to this Scripture again and again to nourish your soul. As you do, your insight into what it means for you expands more and more.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com