The Law of love and freedom and grace.

"If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you; if you trust in God, you too shall live; he has set before you fire and water; to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand." (Sirach 15: 15 - 16).

Sunday 16 February 2020 in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time may be called the Commandments Sunday because the Law of God dominates all the liturgical texts this Sunday. Below is how we should welcome the Law of God:

"The New Law is called a law of love because it makes us act out of the love infused by the Holy Spirit, rather than from fear; a law of grace, because it confers the strength of grace to act, by means of faith and the sacraments; a law of freedom, because it sets us free from the ritual and juridical observances of the Old Law, inclines us to act spontaneously by the prompting of charity and, finally, lets us pass from the condition of a servant who "does not know what his master is doing" to that of a friend of Christ - "For all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you" - or even to the status of son and heir." (CCC 1972).

What is your attitude to the Ten Commandments? An ancient dictum says that correct thought is the key to correct action. Jesus reveals the fullness of grace and purpose of the Commandments. We cannot enjoy the fullness of life that Jesus promises in John 10: 10 without embracing God's gracious and mysterious will as laid down in the Ten Commandments.

The Law of God is the will of God and His will is a holy life for everyone. (Cf 1 Thessalonians 4: 3).
Those who say that holiness is not for everybody are saying in fact that peace, joy and happiness are not for everyone. They contradict the Scriptures. The saints are full of joy, peace and happiness. They are the best advertisement for Jesus.

"If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you." (Sirach 15: 15).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

They all ate and were satisfied.

“Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?” (Mark 8: 4).

Saturday 15th February 2020 in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time.

An African proverb says: "What man will allow the foam of the soap to cover his eyes and prevent him from seeing when he is standing in the river?" The source of all bread is standing in their midst, yet the apostles ask: “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?”

We hear the same groaning from our churches every day: Where can we get enough money for this and that charity or project? Is this your problem too? Then hear the word of God:

#1 "Man does not live on bread alone. There is life for him in every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4: 4).

#2 "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6: 33).

#3 "The just man shall live by faith." (Romans 1: 17, Galatians 3: 11, Hebrews 10: 38 & Habakkuk 2: 4).

If these promises of God are not true, then our religion is worse than useless. In vain do we seek God, pray and worship God, go to Church on Sunday and perform all religious rituals.
But WHAT IF God's word is true, are you enjoying fully your patrimony as a son or daughter of the Most High?

"They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over—seven baskets. There were about four thousand people." (Mark 8: 8 - 9).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of St Cyril and St Methodius.

"I have placed You as a light for the Gentiles, So that You may bring [the message of eternal] salvation to the end of the earth." (Acts 13: 47).

Friday 14th February 2020 in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the great missionary brothers, Saints Cyril and Methodius (+869) & (+885),Priest and Bishop respectively. Which mother will not be proud to have this pair as sons?  They are probably among the greatest missionaries in the the history of the Church. They are patron saints of Europe.

One of the spiritual insights I learned during my Cursillo weekend is that where you are this moment and place is not an accident. God has placed you Here and Now for a Purpose. Our Scripture for today from the first Reading for the feast of our great saints instructs us:
"I have placed You as a light for the Gentiles, So that You may bring [the message of eternal] salvation to the end of the earth." (Acts 13: 47).

Start blooming where you are planted. Make friends with our missionary pioneers: Paul, Cyril and Methodius and ask them to help you. When we honor the saints by asking them to obtain favors for us from Jesus, we glorify the Lord. Part of the reward of Heaven is the positive influence we can have on our loved ones on earth and those who ask for our intercession. How many patron saints do you call upon to ask for favors. Do not deprive yourself this vital resource.

St Cyril and St Methodius pray for us.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Solomon's heart was not entirely with the Lord.

"When Solomon was old his wives had turned his heart to follow other gods, and his heart was not entirely with the Lord, his God, as the heart of David his father had been." (1 Kings 11: 4).

Thursday 13th February 2020 in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time.

We see in the first Reading today the unraveling of a great nation and the reasons and consequences of it. We studied the life of David from his days as a shepherd boy to his last Testament to Solomon on his death bed. Did Solomon learn anything from his father David's last counsel to him?

"For  everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope" (Romans 15: 4).

Solomon in his desire to build the greatest kingdom in the world "did not follow the Lord unreservedly as David his father had done." (Cf 1 Kings 11: 6). The consequences were disastrous for his family and his kingdom.

Where are you tempted today to compromise with the world in spite of this clear warning:
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12: 2).

Solomon succumbed to the temptation to compromise with the world. He lost the friendship of God and subsequently his kingdom was torn in two. Are you tempted to enjoy the casinos on Saturday night and holy Mass on Sunday morning? The Sacred Scriptures are God’s love letter to His family.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

What price are you willing to pay for wisdom?

"Happy are your servants, happy these ministers of yours, who stand before you always and listen to your wisdom." (1 Kings 10: 8).

Wednesday 12th February 2020 in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time.

What is genuine riches? God owns everything in the world. He created everything and found everything He created good. Otherwise He would not have created it, He said. Yet God desires to bestow on His children genuine riches, the best in His storehouse. The Queen of Sheba traveled across deserts and rivers to visit King Solomon not to beg for gold or silver or form military alliance. She brought far more gold and spices than Solomon had ever seen. The Queen came to visit King Solomon to learn Wisdom.

"Happy are your servants, happy these ministers of yours, who stand before you always and listen to your wisdom." (1 Kings 10: 8).
Consider the price the Queen was prepared to pay for this. This reminds us of the Parable of Jesus:
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it." (Matthew 13: 45 - 46).

What price are you prepared to pay to receive the Holy Spirit? God does not need your silver and gold or spices. You do not need to traverse deserts and oceans to receive the Holy Spirit. All you need is desire and ask and you will receive.

The Holy Spirit is the Lord and Giver of Abundant life, the Spirit of Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge and Power.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Lourdes of Our Lady - Home of Miracles.

"Listen to the petitions of your servant and of your people Israel which they offer in this place. Listen from your heavenly dwelling and grant pardon.” (1 Kings 8: 30).

Tuesday 11th February 2020 in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Who is Our Lady of Lourdes? She is of course one and the same Lady we honor under the titles of Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Our Lady of Good Counsel, etc. One Lady, many titles. "From now on all generations will call me blessed." (Luke 1: 48).

In 1858, the Mother of the Redeemer appeared in Lourdes, France to a 14 year old girl who later became St. Bernadette. She subsequently appeared 17 other times in the same location. Today, a beautiful Basilica stands on the site to immortalize the event.

The first Reading today celebrates the dedication of the wonderful Temple of Solomon. Listen to the prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the Temple: "Listen to the petitions of your servant and of your people Israel which they offer in this place. Listen from your heavenly dwelling and grant pardon.” (1 Kings 8: 30). From 1858 to the present day, millions of pilgrims from all over the world continue to visit Lourdes where thousands of all types of miracles have been certified by a multinational team of experts.
It is not an accident that as we are reminded of the great House of God built by Solomon, we are celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The Ark of the Covenant.

The Mother is always with the Son, always and everywhere.
Our Lady of Lourdes pray for us.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Where is your marketplace where you meet the hurting?

"Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed." (Mark 6: 56).

Monday 10th February 2020 in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Scholastica (480 - 547), Virgin. St Scholastica is the Twin sister of St Benedict who is reputed to found Western Monasticism. St Scholastica was inspired by her twin brother's vision and rules. She founded the Order of Benedictine Nuns. The Order is still serving the Church in some countries in the world including the United States.

"Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him [to heal them.]
Jesus healed the sick by allowing them to touch the tassels of his cloak.

Where is your market place? It could be a supermarket, post office, school, gas station, stadium, etc. There are people who are hurting in  these places. Unfortunately, they may not come to touch the hem of your gown or pants. You have to fish them out. Fishing out the hurting starts with your morning prayer before you leave home. "O Jesus, lead me, guide me and use me to touch the hurting You place in my path today. Amen." If you pray with expectant faith, your prayer will be answered by a grateful God who is looking for people like you.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

What type of light am I?

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house." (Matthew 5: 14 - 15).

Sunday February 9, 2020 in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time. You may call this Sunday the Light Sunday. There are 12 mentions of Light in the liturgical texts. A strong message.

Christ Jesus says to me this Sunday: Emmanuel, you are the light of the world. Jesus leaves me to figure out what this means for me as a lay person in the Church. I find that the synonyms of light are:
Illumination, brightness, brilliance, glow, dazzle, sunlight, etc.

Consider light as a means. What is the end? The glory of God. Just as the Cross is a means and the end is the glory of Jesus Christ.

How can I shine for Jesus in "my world?" How can I glorify Jesus? What words of Jesus are continually tugging at my heart?

#1 "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6: 33).
The world is in the dark about this great design and promise. I will shine this light everywhere because I know it is true.

#2 "You are the light of the world." (Matthew 5: 14).
God's word  teaches that the "Will of God" is the key to our peace, success and prosperity. This is my light. I share and shine this light by urging my friends and everyone to: "Pray to accept God's gracious and mysterious will always, everywhere in everything."

Below is what the Church teaches on how lay people can fulfill their mission as the salt and the light of the world:

"They exercise the apostolate in fact by their activity directed to the evangelization and sanctification of men and to the penetrating and perfecting of the temporal order through the spirit of the Gospel. In this way, their temporal activity openly bears witness to Christ and promotes the salvation of men. Since the laity, in accordance with their state of life, live in the midst of the world and its concerns, they are called by God to exercise their apostolate in the world like leaven, with the ardor of the spirit of Christ." (Apostolate of the Laity, Apostolicam Actuositatem).

Frequent Holy Communion and Sacrament of Reconciliation are indispensable tools.
" The sacraments, especially the most Holy Eucharist, communicate and nourish that charity which is the soul of the entire apostolate." (... Apostolate of the Laity).

How do you respond to the summons of our Lord Jesus Christ to New Evangelization?

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Solomon chose wisdom.

"Whatever you ask I shall give you."
(1 Kings 3: 5).

Saturday 8th February in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Jerome Emiliani (1481 - 1537), Priest and St Josephine Bakhita (1869 - 1947). "Josephine Margaret Bakhita, F.D.C.C., was a Sudanese-Italian Canossian religious sister active in Italy for 45 years, after having been a slave in Sudan. In 2000 she was declared a saint by the Catholic Church." (Wikipedia).

God said to Solomon in a dream: "Whatever you ask I shall give you."
(1 Kings 3: 5). Solomon chose wisdom and God is very pleased.
"Because you asked for this—you did not ask for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies—but you asked for discernment to know what is right—  I now do as you request." (1 Kings 3: 11 - 12). God granted Solomon a very wise mind and heart and topped the gift with riches and glory.
Jesus teaches us to go for the highest gift:
"The Father in heaven [will] give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him” (Luke 11: 13). The Holy Spirit is the mother of all gifts. He is the Abundant life promised by Jesus in John 10: 10.

Like Solomon, let us take God at His word seriously and ask Him with confident and expectant faith that we may receive all that He plans to give us.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Eulogy of David.

"With his every deed he offered thanks to God Most High, in words of praise. With his whole heart he loved his Maker and daily had his praises sung." (Sirach 47: 8 - 9).

Friday 7th February in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time is also the First Friday in February.

The first Reading is from the Book of Sirach, written about 100 years before the birth of Jesus by a Jew of Alexandria. The Book of Sirach has been part of the the Canon of Holy Scriptures from the earliest time. The study in the profile of David reaches its crescendo today.

Just as the Blessed Virgin Mary is blessed among all the women, the author of Sirach wants to show why  David is first among all  kings.

According to the author of Sirach, 

David is compared to a choice fat selected with care for sacrifice. His victory over Goliath with a slingstone was recognized by the people as a miracle and a sign that God is with him. 

After God confirmed His choice of David with a royal crown, God supported his military campaigns by granting him victory after victory. 

David's greatness lies in the attributes below:

"With his every deed he offered thanks to God Most High, in words of praise. With his whole heart he loved his Maker and daily had his praises sung." (Sirach 47: 8 - 9). 

The author of Sirach goes on to say:

"He added beauty to the feasts

and solemnized the seasons of each year With string music before the Altar, providing sweet melody for the psalms so that when the Holy Name was praised, before daybreak the sanctuary would resound." (Verse 10).

At the the very center of religion is worship and sacrifice is the very essence of worship. David knew this secret of God. The high road to the heart of God is worship, praise and thanksgiving. 

No wonder God is pleased to wipe out all the sins of David. 

"The Lord forgave him his sins and exalted his strength forever;

He conferred on him the rights of royalty and established his throne in Israel." (Sirach 47: 11).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com 

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this First Friday in February.

February 7, 2020  -  First Friday in February.

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 2nd  month of the year 2020, we look at Promise #2.

#2.  "I will give peace in their families."

What is Peace? Peace is the calmness, tranquility, deep security you feel in the depth of your heart, soul and mind because you know that in spite of the apparent turbulence, All is well. You come to appreciate this peace most when civil war is raging in your family, health, finances, job, your possessions and tools. All things  fall apart and the center can no longer hold. Enters the Peace of Christ.

This is the peace that Jesus promises us today.

Jesus is our peace. He is the Prince of Peace.  Would you accept today His generous offer of peace in your family?

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by attending Holy Mass.

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

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

Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Paul Miki and Companions.

Looks like "When the time of David’s death drew near, he gave these instructions to Solomon his son:  “I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong and be a man!  Keep the mandate of the Lord, your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees as they are written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in whatever you do, and wherever you turn." (1 Kings 2: 1 - 3).

Thursday 6th of February in the 4th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Paul Miki of the Society of Jesus (+ 1597), Priest and 25 Companion Martyrs. St Paul Miki, a Japanese Jesuit and his 25 companions faced death courageously in Nagasaki, Japan in 1597 and thus were the first Christian martyrs in East Asia. The bloody persecution of the Church in Japan wiped out the Church in Japan and seemed to have obliterated the missionary efforts of St Francis Xavier and others. The mystery of Divine Providence is inscrutable!

Our hero David, the warrior and champion is ready to go back to God.  David calls his son and successor Solomon and gave him the Last Testament. He tells him all he needs to know to succeed as king of Israel. This sounds similar to what God says to Joshua after Moses died:
"Only be strong and steadfast, being careful to observe the entire law which Moses my servant enjoined on you. Do not swerve from it either to the right or to the left, that you may succeed wherever you go." (Joshua 1: 7).

Solomon and Joshua are to adhere scrupulously to God's commandments. This is the principle of success for earthly rulers and for all of us. The Bible teaches that it is God who promotes and demotes. He reveals all the questions to us. Have God's principles of success changed?
No! History continues to validate these laws for success every day.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The people at first liked the Rabbi Jesus.

"When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished." (Mark 6: 2).

Wednesday 5th February 2020 in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Agatha (+250), Virgin and Martyr. St Agatha was martyred under the Emperor Decius. Agatha has been venerated from ancient times. She is the patron saint of breast cancer and other breast diseases. Jesus Christ is glorified when we honor the saints.

Teaching is the core ministry of Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. So Jesus is both the Teacher and the Subject. The people listening to Jesus on this Sabbath day in His town soon noticed the simplicity, authority and power of His teaching. They moved quickly from amazement to query His credentials.

Jesus taught His disciples not to worry about credentials and long resumes. The Holy Spirit will teach you all you need to know and will remind you everything you have learned from Me.
We witnessed Jesus' words validated when Peter and John appeared before the Sanhedrin for criminal prosecution for teaching without license. (Acts 4: 1 - 22). St Stephen the first Martyr before the Sanhedrin at his trial (Acts 7)and when he debated the Jewish apologists.

Do not fear those who demean or contradict your faith. Put all your trust in the Holy Spirit in you. He is your Paraclete, Advocate and the Voice that is promised to speak in court for you.

Jesus, I trust in You. I surrender myself completely to You. Take care of everything.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

My son Absalom, ho ho ho ho!

"The king was shaken, and went up to the room over the city gate and wept. He said as he wept, “My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 19: 1).

Tuesday 4th February 2020 in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time.

David was crowned in Hebron at the age 30 and reigned in Jerusalem for 33 years. For the past couple of weeks, we have been studying the profile of King David. David is a most worthy subject of study because God calls David "a man after my heart", champion and promises a dynasty to David from where Jesus Christ the everlasting King will come from. Not surprisingly, David emerges to be the most lofty personage in the Bible after Jesus the Christ. What are the qualities that catapulted David to numero #1?
Enter COMPASSION. Compassion is Mercy, the attribute that makes us divine. God is Mercy and Mercy is God.

David mourns tenderly for Absalom whom the court of public opinion says deserves to die. From the Cross, Jesus Christ prays: "Father forgive them for they know not what they have done." He goes on to forgive the repentant thief: "This day, you shall be with me in paradise."

Jesus Christ, Son of David is the Face of the Mercy of God. God made the threshold of mercy so low that it is ridiculous not to reach up and grasp it. It is the ABC of Mercy:
A: ASK FOR MERCY.
B: BE MERCIFUL.
C: COMPLETELY TRUST JESUS FOR MERCY.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Throat diseases and St Blaise.

"As David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, he wept without ceasing. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. All those who were with him also had their heads covered and were weeping as they went." (2 Samuel 15: 30).

Monday 3rd February 2020 in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Blaise (+316), Bishop and Martyr. St Blaise is famous for the cures through his intercession of diseases of the throat. Hence the blessings of the throat in all Churches in the world during Mass today. I have taken advantage of this grace for many years.

Today is also the feast of St Ansgar (801- 865) Bishop. Born in France, Ansgar ministered in Denmark and Sweden where many miraculous cures were attributed to him.

Our key Scripture for Monday shows David in dire crisis. A coup d'etat is in progress in Jerusalem led by Absalom, David's son. David was compelled to leave Jerusalem in a hurry. An incident happened on his way to exile which demonstrates David's profound faith in God and His Divine Providence. David was verbally assaulted by Shimei from the same clan of King Saul. He hauled stones on David as he followed David and the army guarding David. The army asked permission from David to kill Shimei.
"Suppose the Lord has told him to curse David; who then will dare to say, ‘Why are you doing this?" (2 Samuel 16: 5). Again we see David resisting the suggestion by his military to shade blood even when he might have been justified in public opinion. David understands that court of public opinion is different from the judgment of God.

What lessons can we learn from today's Scripture:

#1 Even kings and presidents are not spared crisis. St Teresa of Avila advises us to be always prepared for trials. Trial and crisis are part of God's sovereign governance of the world.

#2 "So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.  Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5: 6 - 7).

David teaches us how to be faithful and trusting in God under an extreme crisis. May this lesson be a light for our path today.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Mystery of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” (Luke 2: 29 - 32).

Sunday 2nd February in the 4th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. It is hard to believe that forty days have sped by since Christmas.

The Presentation of the Lord is a Joyful Mystery because Jesus is presented to us as Christe Lux Mundi.  Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. The light that enters our mind and heart and drives out darkness.

This light is first given us at our Baptism when a lighted candle is given to the parents of the child. This is a symbol of the true light that has been kindled in the new child of God. The parents promise to fan this light through Christian formation.

What does the light of Christ mean?  As Christians, we receive the light of Christ through the word of God. Jesus Christ is the Word of God. When the Gospel is proclaimed in Church at Mass, it is Jesus Christ Himself speaking to us.  Lighted candles on both sides of the lectern indicate the presence of Jesus who is speaking to the Church through the deacon or priest.

The word that we receive from the proclamation of the Gospel and the breaking open of the proclaimed word (homily) should light up our mind with the truth we need to guide us. We carry this light to our homes, work, everywhere.

Lord help us to shine our light without fear.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

You have despised Me David.

“I have sinned against the Lord.” (2 Samuel 12: 13).

Saturday 1st February 2020 in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time.

The confession of our hero, the man after God's heart whom the Father calls a champion is pithy and full of sorrow. First, let us consider what is sin from God's point of view:

#1 "You have despised me." (2 Samuel 12: 9). Sin is showing contempt to God, despising the Lord. A pretty strong language. If you report that someone has despised you, one may wonder whether a  shameless racist or sexist language was used.

#2 "You have utterly spurned the Lord by this deed [sin"] (2 Samuel 12: 14).
The dictionary defines SPURN as "Reject with disdain or contempt."
Did David decide in his heart to disdain God? Of course not. He wanted some fun. But God sees sin as disloyalty, unfaithfulness and outrage. God sees sin too as ingratitude. Consider all that He does for us as His adopted children. (Psalm 103: 1-5). Do not listen to the false teachers on television who tells us that sin doesn't matter. God loves you just as you are. Look rather to the Cross for 15 seconds and you will understand sin.

But in sin and repentance, David shows himself a true hero, a champion and the man after God's heart.

"A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me... ." (Responsorial Psalm 51).

The repentance of David is immortalized in Psalm 51. The Church prays the entire Psalm every Friday. Kings and queens, Popes and Bishops, soldiers and common man have used this penitential Psalm given to us by David down the centuries.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Champion commits a mortal sin.

"From the roof David saw a woman bathing; she was very beautiful." (2 Samuel 11: 2).

Friday 31 January 2020 in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St John Bosco (1815 - 1888), Priest. John Bosco is called the "Apostle of Youth." He was a great educator and father to the young. He founded the Salesian School to educate boys and girls.

David our hero and man after God's heart commits a grievous sin. "From the roof he saw a woman bathing; she was very beautiful."
David saw a woman. What does woman mean here? Woman here is a type for money, luxurious car, flashy clothes, food, great paying job, etc. In short, anything that entices the eye.

"For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world." (1 John 2: 16 NLT).

The Sacred Text above implies that we shall never be totally free of concupiscence although we become children of God by our immersion in the waters of Baptism. Hence the necessity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

“Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22: 31 - 32).
Just as the sin of King David contributed in making him a humble and great King, so the terrible betrayal of the Lord by Peter helped to make him a great Apostle and Pope.
Where there is abundance of sin, be sure there is abundance of mercy. Never forget the ABC of Mercy:
A - ASK FOR MERCY.
B - BE MERCIFUL.
C - COMPLETELY TRUST JESUS FOR MERCY.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

To the one who has, more will be given.

"To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” (Mark 4: 25).

Thursday 30 January in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time.

In Baptism, the baptized become the adopted children of God with gifts of the Holy Spirit. If you develop your gifts of time, talent and treasure, you receive more and grow. If you bury your gift, even the one talent you may have will be taken away from you. Every gift you possess has an expiration date on it. Use your gift and receive more or hide your gift and lose it.

It also matters a great deal how you use your gifts. In companies, only workers who are observed to consistently work extra hours without pay or observation are flagged for promotion. Listen to Jesus:
"The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you." (Mark 4: 24).

Is the word of God the light that guides your investment of your time, talent and treasure? When you make the Kingdom of God and His righteousness your top priority, then ask what you may, you will receive it.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

He who finds the word of God has found an everlasting treasure.

"But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.” (Mark 4: 20).

Wednesday 29 January 2020 in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time.

Last Sunday is the Word of God Sunday. Today, we have a delicious menu of the word of God. "But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”
Allow yourself to be excited by the promise. To produce a sixty and a hundred fold harvest is in your hands. Nobody can make it otherwise. What can I do, you may ask.

Answer: Remain the good soil you were made in your Baptism. What if I have soiled my Baptismal garment? Ask for mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Lord promises to make you new again with sanctifying grace. God our Creator and Father knows our weaknesses and has provided adequately tools to help us remain a Good Soil. If you choose life today and choose to use the time tested tools God has given us, you will bear much fruit season out of season. Here are the 7 Daily Habits of Saints:
#1 Prayer
#2 Word of God
#3 Eucharist
#4 Penance/Reconciliation
#5 Examination of Conscience
#6 Ministry/Faith Sharing
#7 Spiritual Reading

Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the grace and the perseverance to live and remain the Good Soil. Your reward will be huge and unbelievable.

"The seed is the word of God, Christ the sower; whoever finds this seed will remain for ever." (Gospel Acclamation).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com