God loves us first.

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." (Leviticus 19: 18).

Sunday 23rd February in the 7th week in Ordinary Time. You may call this Sunday: Love Sunday because of the emphasis on love in the liturgical readings of today.

What is love? I never understood what love truly means until I met the word waiting for me in 1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 7:
Love is to be patient and kind to your neighbor and stranger. Love does not envy; it does not boast and it is not proud.
If you dishonor others, if you are self-seeking, if you are easily angered or keep records of wrongs, sorry, you do not understand a thing about love.

The Romans say: "Nobody can give that which he does not have." How do you get love? Start from this truth: God first loves us even when we are unlovable. In 1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 7, He shows us some of the attributes of His love: patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, long suffering, etc. We can not imitate God's love except the Holy Spirit helps us. The Holy Spirit is our Paraclete and Advocate and always ready and willing to help us.

Now that you know how dearly you are loved, you will be blessed if you do the same.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Chair of St Peter.

"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).

Saturday 22nd February 2020 in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Chair of St Peter, the Apostle.

We celebrate today the mission of St Peter and his successors as universal teacher and pastor of the world-wide Church. Jesus Christ, Head of the Church conferred and guaranteed the stability of the office the Petrine Ministry.  It is amazing that the office of the Pope, the Supreme Pontiff has not failed. Good men and bad men had been popes but the integrity of the teachings of Jesus Christ has been preserved faithfully. This is what we celebrate today.

Have you ever heard Jesus say that He prayed for you? I felt this at the beginning of my conversion and this word of knowledge (rhema) has always bring comfort to me in difficult periods. If Jesus Himself  prays for me to the Father, then all is well in spite of all appearances. In fact, we are all Simon Peter. Jesus prays for each of us. He promises to be with us always and everywhere. Trust Jesus!

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Reformer. Meet St Peter Damian.

"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." (Mark 8: 34).

Friday 21st February 2020 in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Peter Damian (1001 - 1072), Benedictine monk, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Peter Damian lived over 200 years before St Francis of Assisi and almost 500 years before St Ignatius Loyola. When we honor the saints, we glorify Jesus Christ, the King of all Saints. 

It would appear that the Scriptures in the Liturgy today is written to celebrate the life of the monk-Cardinal whose life we celebrate today. Damian was a reformer who urged his fellow clergy to live upright lives. Many clergy at all levels were at this time living sordid lives. But Peter pursued reforms with the heart of a pastor unlike Martin Luther (1483 - 1546) who preferred to tear up the seamless garment of the Body of Christ and got nether the reform he sought but instead thousands of petty churches quibbling over doctrines.

I like the Opening Prayer in Mass of St Peter Damian:

"All-powerful God, help us to follow the teachings and example of Peter Damian. By making Christ and the service of His Church the first love of our lives, may we come to the joys of eternal light, where He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever."

May we all say Amen!

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

"Listen, my beloved brothers. Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?" (James 2: 5).

Thursday 20th February 2020 in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time.

That God has a preference for the poor is obvious from the ministry of Jesus. Who are the first people to notice Jesus and seek His help? Who in the society is more likely to be hungry, sick and outcast? The poor! When people of high class in society seek out Jesus for a desperate healing, for example: the Centurion, Jairus, or the rich woman with the issue of blood, their desperate need placed them in the class of the Anawin. Every disadvantage is a blessing and an opportunity.

Who are the poor among us today? The orphans, widows and immigrants (the Bible calls them strangers because this is how the Egyptians saw the Jewish immigrants). From the time of Abraham, the class of the poor has remained constant. As it was in the beginning so it is today.

A melodious refrain we sing in the Liturgy is "The Lord hears the cry of the poor." How true! Although God in His omnipotence can provide the necessities of all His creatures,  God says to man: Increase and multiply. I charge you to take good care of My creation.

The poor seeks the Lord at all times. He answers them and delivers them from all their fears. If God Almighty has given you more than you need, do not hoard your surplus.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Believe what you read. Practice what you believe.

"Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves." (James 1: 22).

Wednesday 19th February 2020 in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time.

When I read James 1: 19 - 27 (our 1st Reading today), I was stung by two reproaches from the holy word.  "Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves." What is the Lord trying to tell me? I spent hours in the word of God every day. I try to go to Mass many days a week. I try to be an active member of the RCIA. But I do not go to the Soup Kitchen nor visit the sick or prisoners. There are other corporal and spiritual works of mercy I don't even think about.

Lord Jesus, I am encouraged when You talk of persevering in the word:

"But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does." (James 1: 25).

Brethren, let us believe what we read. Let us teach what we believe. Let us practice what we believe and teach. Then we shall be immensely blessed by "the perfect law of freedom."

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

How much do you remember and understand God's interventions in your life?

"Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened?  Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember?" (Mark 8: 17 - 18).

Tuesday 18th February 2020 in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time.

Jesus chides His disciples for not remembering all the wonderful things He does daily in their midst. As good disciples (students), they should not only remember but seek to understand the reasons behind every divine act.

In the first Reading from James 1, the Teacher reminds us that every single good gift we enjoy comes from God and not from chance or lottery. Therefore it is crucial to remember everything God is doing in our lives. It is equally important to understand that when the Lord permits scarcity or problems in our lives, His intervention is certain. To remember and to understand are two great habits of the disciple.

There must always be trials. But have no fear, I have overcome the world.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Ask for Wisdom with confident and expectant faith.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it." (James 1: 5).

Monday 17th February 2020 in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Seven Founders of the Order of Servites (13th century), Religious. The Servites are a Confraternity of the Order of the Servites of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They lead a life of prayer and penance.

Our chosen Scripture today from James 1: 1-11 is a gift to everyone. My heart glows with joy as I read and reread it.

What is Wisdom? Although I coveted the gift of Wisdom as long as I can remember, I had to look it up since I wasn't even sure what it is. This is what I found below from an excellent source (NABRE):

"Wisdom: a gift that God readily grants to all who ask in faith and that sustains the Christian in times of trial. It is a kind of knowledge or understanding not accessible to the unbeliever or those who doubt, which gives the recipient an understanding of the real importance of events. In this way a Christian can deal with adversity with great calm and hope (cf. 1 Cor 2:6–12).

I like what I read. The sacred text below shows how to acquire this mother of all gifts:

"But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways."

Brethren the above needs no commentary. God told Solomon:
"I give you what you request here and now." God is not a liar. He will do the same for you and me.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

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

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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