Be merciful as Abba Father is merciful.

WE ARE TRANSFORMED WHEN WE BECOME AWARE OF HOW MUCH GOD LOVES US.

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give, and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” (Luke 6: 27... 38).

"Be merciful, as your Father is merciful, says the Lord." (Luke 6: 36).

Sunday February 20th, 2022 in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time.

Jesus urges us to show pity on others, to be tender, compassionate, forgiving just as Abba Father treats us.

How is Father merciful to us?
A few examples from the Scriptures:

#1. Bless the Lord, my soul; and do not forget all his gifts,
Who pardons all your sins, and heals all your ills." (Psalm 103: 2 - 3).

#2." The Lord’s acts of mercy are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent;
They are renewed each morning—great is your faithfulness!"
(Lamentations 3: 22 - 23).

#3.
“Ah, Lord, great and awesome God, you who keep your covenant and show mercy toward those who love you and keep your commandments and your precepts!" (Daniel 9: 4).

The Scriptures have been constant in showing us that our God is the Father of mercies and the God of all consolations. He waits for the sinner to come home as in the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

What does this God of mercy expect from His children? He expects three things that can be summarized under the acronym of ABC of Mercy:
#A: Ask for mercy.
#B: Be merciful.
#C: Completely trust Jesus for mercy.

Jesus is the face of mercy of God the Father. Abba Father is rich in mercy.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him.

A BROKEN EGG CANNOT BE MENDED. JESUS IS GOD. HE ALONE CAN MEND A BROKEN EGG.

"Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus." (Mark 9  :2... 13).

Saturday February 19th 2022, 6th Week in Ordinary Time. Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

What is the Transfiguration?
In the presence of Peter, James and John, witnesses chosen by Him, Jesus' face and clothing became dazzling with light. Moses and Elijah were present conversing with Jesus. The voice of the Father was heard testifying "This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him."

Why is the Transfiguration such an important event?
#1 To have 3 eyewitnesses to the testimony of the Father to Jesus as the beloved Son of God.
#2 To confirm the testimony of Moses and Elijah. [the Law and the Prophet].
#3. To show clearly the divinity of Jesus as God.
#4 To reveal the future of mankind. We shall be like Jesus at the Resurrection.
#5 To note the command of the Father to listen to Jesus as the Father's anointed Messenger.

These three witnesses of the Transfiguration: Peter, James and John were to become witnesses to the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ. They bore witness to these eye witness events with their lives. Our faith as Christians is built on solid foundation and not on "cleverly deviced myths." (2 Peter 1: 16 - 19)

The Transfiguration of Jesus gives us a foretaste of Christ's second coming when the Elect will be transformed and become like Jesus as He appeared in the Transfiguration. The Transfiguration prepares us for the great mystery of our own Resurrection.

Because of the Transfiguration, we see Christ as our hope. We also understand that the victory over death and sin will come via the Cross.  The Cross is the Means of Salvation, Redemption, Glorification and Eternal life. This is the gracious and mysterious will of the Father.

"Come to Me in the Sacrament of My love, and I will continue to instruct you. When you are bewildered or at a loss, have recourse to Me and I will send forth My light and My truth to bring you to My holy mountain, that is, to the place where I will dwell in the midst of My priests, loved by them, adored by them—even as I heal, refresh, and sanctify them from the Sacrament of the Altar." (IN SINU JESU, Tuesday, February 3, 2009).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

My yoke is easy and my burden light.

SELF-DENIAL IS THE FIRST AND GREAT LESSON IN THE SCHOOL OF JESUS CHRIST

"He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it."  (Mark 8: 34 - 35)

Friday February 18th 2022, in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time.

We labor and are burdened in life over: Health, Family, Money, Job, Tools, Food, Future issues.  As the catechumens are advised in the Rite of Acceptance, the Cross of Christ is the only answer.   

Jesus laid down the grim cost of discipleship:
#1 Take up your cross and follow me. Your cross are the trials that you can't escape: health, joblessness, poverty, etc.
#2 Be prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice with your life if it becomes necessary. "For whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

As the God-Man filled with the Holy Spirit and Wisdom, Jesus knew that no one will respond to His challenge unless the bait is bigger than the sacrifice. And it is. Here is what Jesus promises:
1. The Holy Spirit is promised with His gifts and fruits.
2. The Presence of Jesus is always with the disciple.
3. Peace, comfort and joy, courage, contentment are always there on tap.

These are real and substantial benefits.  Think of this for a moment: How did so many Christians made up of mature men and women, boys and girls, princesses and peasants, clerics and lay faithful chose to give up their lives for the sake of Jesus Christ? Because they knew and believed that there is a better life waiting for them.

The saints who took up the challenges of discipleship believed Jesus. Do you believe Jesus?
"For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct." (Matthew 16: 27).

I believe that Jesus has designed a yoke for each of us that fits each perfectly and the burden we are given to carry from day by day is light.

"The exercise of faith increases faith. The exercise of confidence causes confidence to grow. One who approaches My tabernacle in faith is giving evidence of a complete reliance on My merciful love. The Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar is My Heart, open to receive those who will respond to My timeless invitation: “Come unto Me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, because I am meek and humble of heart, and you shall find rest to your souls. For My yoke is sweet, and My burden light.” (IN SINU JESU, Wednesday, January 10, 2012).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

You are Jesus the Messiah of God.

LORD JESUS, I AM WHO YOU SAY I AM.

"Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” (Mark 8: 27... 35).

Thursday 17th February 2022, in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Seven Founders of the Order of Servites also known as the Order of the Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (13th century).  Ecclesiastical recognition for the order as a religious order was given in 1304.  They lead a life of prayer and penance.

What happened in Caesarea Philippi in today's Gospel marks a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus. The Apostles have been with the Lord about three years. Now the ministry of Jesus is coming to a close. How much do they know about their Leader after three years? To Jesus' question: “Who do people say that I am?” The Apostles answered:  “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” From their response we know that the people think highly of Jesus because Elijah and John the Baptist were two of the most important prophets in the history of Israel.

“But who do you say that I am?" You who are reading this, most probably a baptized Christian. Who is Jesus to you? Every year we read this Gospel, we are supposed to show growth in the knowledge of Jesus.

When I was a child, Paul would say, I answered like a child. But today I answer thus: Jesus is my Savior, who reconciles me again and again with the Father after my sins. Jesus is Emmanuel who promised to be with me always and I know He keeps this promise. I am also updating my answer with this fact: Jesus is faithful to His promises as we expect God to be. Jesus is the God who heals me. He answers every prayer regardless of the lies of the Devil to the contrary.

Peter answered correctly, “You are the Christ.” The same Peter got the rebuke below for thinking like the world. If you think like the world, you will act like the world.

“Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

"If you could have heard the urgency and sorrow of My plea to Peter, James, and John! I did not merely ask them to watch and pray, I begged them to do so. I needed their prayer at that hour, just as I need the prayer of all My priests in this final hour that is coming and that is already upon My Church." (IN SINU JESU page 233).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

People begged Jesus to heal the blind man.

BEG GOD FOR WHAT HE PLANS TO GIVE YOU AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE IT.

"When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida, people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.........
Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly. Then he sent him home and said, “Do not even go into the village.” (Mark 8: 22.... 26).

Wednesday February 16th 2022, in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time.

What caught my attention in the Gospel of today is this sentence: "When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida, people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him."

In many instances of healing in the Gospels, it is reported that people begged Jesus. Jesus responds to ALL beggings for miracle by healing. Not a single instance did people approach Jesus and begged Him for healing did He not cure.

"Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to." (Matthew 18: 32).

Why is it so important to pay attention to all the instances of "Begging" in all the Healing narratives of the Gospel? It may be because Begging is a stronger word for Asking and Praying.

Prayer is the Activator of Power. Prayer causes the release of the Divine Providence towards you. St Augustine teaches that for those gifts God has planned to give you which are outside the general provisions of God for mankind, you must obtain them by begging God. In other words by praying intensely with faith and persistence for them.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Matthew 7: 7).

"If you could have heard the urgency and sorrow of My plea to Peter, James, and John! I did not merely ask them to watch and pray, I begged them to do so. I needed their prayer at that hour, just as I need the prayer of all My priests in this final hour that is coming and that is already upon My Church." (IN SINU JESU, March 28, 2013 Maundy Thursday).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

Feast of St Claude de la Columbiere, Confessor of St Margaret Mary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

 RELEASE ME FROM THE SNARE THEY HAVE HIDDEN FOR ME. 

"Blessed is he who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proven he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him. No one experiencing temptation should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one. Rather, each person is tempted when lured and enticed by his desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death." (James 1 : 12.... 18). 

Tuesday February 15, 2022 in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Claude de la Columbiere of the Society of Jesus.  (1641 - 1682). French Jesuit priest. Father Claude was a great preacher and writer. He is famous in history because he was the confessor of St Margaret Mary Alacoque, the visionary and mystic whom Jesus communicated the message of His Sacred Heart. St Margaret Mary had great challenges in making these messages accepted either in her convent or outside. St Claude de la Columbiere, her confessor discerned the genuineness of the revelations and lent his support in spreading the word. St Claude de la Columbiere died in 1682 at the age of 41 and was beatified in 1929 and canonized in 1992.

Our key Scripture for today deals with the mystery of Sin and Temptation. 

"Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.  Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death."  (James 1: 14 - 15).

What are these sins?

"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).

When you are tempted, you are in a Desert place in your spiritual journey. The Desert is a place of spiritual combat in the Scriptures 

"Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation,  for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him."  (James 1: 12).

Before you get to the Desert, you must be vigilant. 

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap." (Luke 21: 34.... 36).

"Release me from the snares they have hidden for me, for You are my refuge Lord." (Cf Psalm 31: 5). 

"Allow Me to speak words of peace to your soul. Trust Me in all things. Trust that I will not abandon you, nor will I deprive you of My friendship. My desire is to hold conversation with you, to speak to you, as I have often said, heart to heart, as a man converses with his best friend. Why do you doubt? Believe in My friendship for you. It is My gift to you, and I will not withdraw what I have given you out of the love of My Heart." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, October 17, 2008 Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque). 

Daily Bible Verse @  Seekfirstcommunity.com 

Feast of the Great Missionary Brothers: Cyril and Methodius.

TRIALS ARE JOYFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."  (James 1: 2 - 4).

How can you consider it a joyful thing when you are bombarded by trials in your marriage, health, finances and job?

Monday 14th February 2022 in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the two great missionary brothers, Saints Cyril and Methodius (+869) & (+885),Priest and Bishop respectively.
They evangelized parts of Europe in the 9th century, notably Moravia (present-day Czech Republic).  Pope John Paul II proclaimed them patron saints of Europe, along with St. Benedict, the abbot.

Where are the storms in your life today? Family, Health, Finances, Job, Property or Tools? 

All storms and trials are sanctioned by God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence. Because the storms are sanctified, they are blessings in disguise.

Storm times are exam times.  Where do you place your trust?  Who is the first person you call upon to help you? Jeremiah tells us in last Sunday's reading:
"Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the Lord. (Jeremiah 17: 5... 8).

When life throws you a knock out punch, ask why this is happening. Is this from God or is it an accident? David the man after God's heart is one who received far more punches from life than anyone in the Bible. The trials did wonders to shape his character. And character is destiny.  

St Paul teaches us the same lesson as St James in our key Scripture.
"We even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance,  and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope,  and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us." (Romans 5: 3 - 5).

David left us a winning formula for dealing with hard times. In one word, it is praise and thanksgiving.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

It is foolish to put our trust and hope in mortal man.

TRUST GOD AND HE WILL BE THERE FOR YOU ALWAYS.

"Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, but stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: it fears not the heat when it comes; its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit." (Jeremiah 17: 5 - 8).

Sunday 13th February 2022, in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time.  Jeremiah offers us curse or blessing as Moses before him.
"See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse." (Deuteronomy 11: 16).

What are the things that make our hearts turn away from the Lord? In one word: IDOLATRY! Something we love more than we love God. They could be any or all of the following:
Money, Job, Health, Family, Possessions, Food, Worries.

The Prophet Jeremiah continues:
"Blessed are those who trust in the Lord; the Lord will be their trust.
They are like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It does not fear heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still produces fruit." (Jeremiah 17: 7 - 8).

All the gold, silver and diamond belong to God. He provides food to all living things. Our future, destiny and security lie in His mighty hands.
How foolish it is to place your trust in mortal man who cannot save himself. Nobody gives that which has not says an old Roman proverb.

Things that move our hearts to trust in the Lord and receive blessings and be blessing to others are: Prayer, Word of God, Eucharist, Penance, Ministry, Spiritual Reading.

"Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your God, obeying his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land which the Lord swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give to them." (Deuteronomy 30: 19 - 20).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

God is faithful to His promises and provides All our needs.

GOD WILL PROVIDE.

“My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.” (Mark 8: 1.....10).

Saturday 12th February 2022 in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time.  Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23: 1).

Do you find yourself in constant want or need? Example: I need a new car, shoe, job, suit, house, whatever? If the Lord is truly our Good Shepherd, we ought to be content with what He provides. The promise to provide and protect is one of the great privileges of the children of God. Hence in the Our Father, we pray every day: GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD. Also: DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

In spite of these great assurances of divine provision and protection, there are noticeable insecurities about these in the Christian communities.
The restless spirit harbors the spirit of the world. We are warned not to compromise with the spirit of the world but to allow the word of God to shape our vision of the world. (Cf Romans 12: 2).

"They all ate and were satisfied."

How do you feel when your Good Shepherd feeds you? If you are not satisfied, then what and who can satisfy you? The spirit of the world is a restless spirit, full of discontentment. Reject him. Tell him boldly:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He is my Provider. I shall eat and be satisfied.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

God provides All our needs as He promised.

GOD WILL PROVIDE.

“My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.” (Mark 8: 1.....10).

Saturday 12th February 2022 in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time.  Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23: 1).

Do you find yourself in constant want or need? Example: I need a new car, shoe, job, suit, house, whatever? If the Lord is truly our Good Shepherd, we ought to be content with what He provides. The promise to provide and protect is one of the great privileges of the children of God. Hence in the Our Father, we pray every day: GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD. Also: DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

In spite of these great assurances of divine provision and protection, there are noticeable insecurities about these in the Christian communities.
The restless spirit harbors the spirit of the world. We are warned not to compromise with the spirit of the world but to allow the word of God to shape our vision of the world. (Cf Romans 12: 2).

"They all ate and were satisfied."

How do you feel when your Good Shepherd feeds you? If you are not satisfied, then what and who can satisfy you? The spirit of the world is a restless spirit, full of discontentment. Reject him. Tell him boldly:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He is my Provider. I shall eat and be satisfied.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

TO JESUS THROUGH MARY.

"And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”—that is, “Be opened!”—And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly." (Mark 7: 31.... 37).

Friday 11th February 2022, in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. It is also a Day of Prayer for the Sick.

In 1858, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to 14 year-old Marie Bernarde Soubirous  in Lourdes, France. She was to become St Bernadette Soubirous. The first apparition was followed by seventeen others. Many healing miracles happens in Lourdes. Lourdes has become a major pilgrimage center in the world. Six million pilgrims visit Lourdes yearly.

We have a miracle of healing in the Gospel Reading for today. Jesus healed a man that is deaf and with a speech impediment. "Jesus looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”—that is, “Be opened!”—And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly."

Do you need spiritual, physical or emotional healing? Ask Jesus with faith today. Ask with expectant and persistent prayer. It is Ok to go to Jesus through Mary. That is the way of Lourdes, Fatima and Guadalupe, etc. Believe that Jesus is still making the deaf hear and the dumb speak and cancer disappear and so forth.

"Let My adorers take their place before Me. Their faith, their hope, and their surrender to My merciful love will cause a great tide of healing love to pour forth from My sacred side and radiate from My Face. Thus will My adorers, without leaving My sanctuary, become also My apostles: messengers and instruments of My merciful love and of My burning desire to gather in the lost, to bind up the bruised, to tend the wounded, and to heal the broken-hearted." (IN SINU JESU page 231).

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Feast of St Scholastica, Virgin and Foundress of the Benedictine Sisters.

IF YOU PRAY WELL, YOU LIVE WELL. IF YOU LIVE WELL, YOU DIE WELL. IF YOU DIE WELL, ALL IS WELL.

"Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him.  She came and fell at his feet.
The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter." (Mark 7: 24.....30)

Thursday 10th February 2022, in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Scholastica, Virgin and Religious. (480 - 547). Italian. Religious nun.  She founded the Benedictine Nuns that continue to serve the Church for 1500 years. Scholastica is the twin sister of the great St Benedict. St Scholastica is the patron saint of education, convulsive children and  Benedictine Nuns.

Our Gospel today is a battle royale between Jesus and a strong woman. Jesus at first refused to grant her request perhaps to try her faith and persistence. Prayer is a battle.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that Prayer is a battle.  Read the entire paragraph below and mark it very well.

"Prayer is both a gift of grace and a determined response on our part. It always presupposes effort. The great figures of prayer of the Old Covenant before Christ, as well as the Mother of God, the saints, and he himself, all teach us this: prayer is a battle. Against whom? Against ourselves and against the wiles of the tempter who does all he can to turn man away from prayer, away from union with God. We pray as we live, because we live as we pray. If we do not want to act habitually according to the Spirit of Christ, neither can we pray habitually in his name. The "spiritual battle" of the Christian's new life is inseparable from the battle of prayer."  (CCC 2725).

This Syrophoenician prayer warrior has practiced the battle of Prayer for a long time before her encounter with Jesus.

Other battles of Prayer in the Bible:

#1.  Abraham praying to God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah. (Genesis 18: 16 - 33).

#2.  David praying that God spares his child of adultery with Bethsheba.  (2 Kings 12: 13 - 18).

#3.  The struggle of the persistent widow with the unjust judge. (Luke 18: 1 - 8).

St Augustine teaches that you can overcome God through persistent prayer. St Patrick writes that Persistence overcomes Resistance. Persistent Prayer produces results.

“For saying this, you may go.
The demon has gone out of your daughter.” When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone."  (Mark 7: 29 - 30).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

A PURE HEART CREATE IN ME O GOD.

CREATE IN ME A PURE HEART O GOD!

"From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.” (Mark 7: 14... 23).

Wednesday 9th February 2022, in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time.

Jesus says that the source of all the sinful habits are from inside the mind. Thoughts, words and actions defile a person and food does not defile.

Psychologists have recognized the importance of the mind in behavior:
Sow a thought, you reap a deed.
Sow a deed, you reap a habit.
Sow a habit, you reap a character.
Sow a character, you reap a destiny. It is true that your character becomes your destiny.

David after his adultery prayed:
"A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit.
(Psalm 51: 12).

What cleanses the heart?
The word of GOD, Prayer and Sacraments. 

"Intercession is not incompatible with adoration. The soul who adores Me present in the Sacrament of My love will be united to Me in My everlasting intercession before the Face of My Father. My intercession is everlasting even in the glory of eternity because I chose to keep the wounds in My hands and in My feet and in My side. They constitute an uninterrupted pleading for the sake of all: for those in glory that they may go from light to light and from sweetness to sweetness; for those on earth that they may find in My wounds healing, purity, and holiness; and for the souls in purgatory that by the merits of My holy wounds they may be refreshed and delivered." (IN SINU JESU, Friday, March 28, 2008).

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The Feast of Saints Josephine Bakhita and Jerome Emiliani.

"Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven, says the Lord." (Matthew 18: 3 Communion Antiphon. ).

Tuesday 8th February 2022, in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time. We celebrate the feast of two saints today:
++ St Josephine Bakhita (1869 - 1947). Sudanese. Virgin and Religious. Josephine was brought to Italy as a slave. By Divine Providence, she became a sister of the Canossian order. Her exemplary and holy life was noticed. She bore patiently and heroically her last illness. Pope St John Paul II brought her relics to Sudan where she was canonized in 2000. St Josephine Bakhita is the patron saint of Sudan and victims of human trafficking.

++ St Jerome Emiliani. (1481 - 1537). Italian. Priest. Jerome was wayward as a young man. When he was surprised by grace, his life changed 180 degrees. He founded a religious congregation (Somaschi) which looked after the sick, the poor and orphans and abandoned children. St Jerome Emiliani died of the plague while ministering to the afflicted.

In our key Scripture from Matthew 18: 3 from the Communion Antiphon, Jesus praises the humility of a little child.  What is humility?
Just like love, humility is patient and kind.  Humility is not jealous, conceited or proud. It does not keep a record of wrongs. In short, humility is love. St Josephine Bakhita is an examplar of humility. To climb from a little slave girl to the height of sanctity was done through patience and humility.

St Augustine says that Humility is the queen of virtues. He added that you can still get into Heaven by breaking every Commandment in the Book. But you can never get into Heaven without Humility.

Saints Josephine and Jerome pray for us.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

Ask Jesus for healing with faith and persistence.

"As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him [Jesus]. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 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: 53.... 56).

Monday 7th February 2022, in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time.

"They begged Jesus that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed." When it comes to healing and mercy, for Jesus, Asking is Receiving. Do not be shy to ask Jesus for healing. Jesus has healed me of minor pains and discomforts because I asked Him. In July 2021, Jesus healed my sick heart. What if I did not ask Jesus to heal me? I might be living with a pacemaker in my body. Who knows what else?

In our key Scripture for today, we observe the importance of faith in healing. The woman with the issue of blood was full of faith and desire to be healed. Prominent doctors tried but could not help her for twelve years. She heard of Jesus and believed in Him. She quietly crept behind Jesus and touched the hem of His clothes. She was instantly healed.  It is likely that the people of the village in Mark's narrative today knew of the story of the woman with the issue of blood. They brought the sick on mats to where Jesus landed in a boat. The relatives of the sick prepared their loved ones to come to faith through testimonies of healings by Jesus. The sick who believed and touched Jesus were healed instantly.

What is the lesson here?
You may make a pilgrimage to Lourdes, Fatima, Guadalupe or Medjugorie. Without faith, you go and come back disappointed.

The spiritual law here is simple to grasp. Whenever anyone in need comes to Jesus with expectant faith, he receives whatever he needs in accordance with the will of God. In all the pilgrimage sites mentioned above, many have received physical healing. Others have received spiritual and emotional healing. "All ate and were satisfied."

How is this so?
"Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes." (Romans 12: 2).

In God's will in our peace. How? Because God knows what is best for us not just today but for eternity.

"My divinity, and My pierced Heart, eternally open, a wellspring of healing mercy and of inexhaustible life for souls. For now, this is all that I will say to you. My Heart speaks to your heart. It is My joy to speak to you in this way. Trust Me with everything. Be at peace. Allow Me now to bless you from the tabernacle before you, in which I am hidden, but living and full of mercy for all who approach Me here." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, June 26, 2008).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Do whatever Jesus tells you.

We worked hard but accomplished nothing.

“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing." (Luke 5:1... 11).

Sunday 6th February 2022, in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time.  

“Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”  (Luke 5: 10).

Today's Gospel shows how Jesus called His first disciples.  There are plenty of lessons for everyone.

"After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” (Luke 5: 4).

Where you are and what you are doing now is no accident. You are where you are meant to be.  Jesus sees you.  He knows all about your successes and frustrations.

Jesus tested Simon, a seasoned fisherman to do something that professional fishermen would consider absurd.
"Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”  (Luke 5: 5 - 6).

Mary said to the servants at the first miracle at Cana: “Do whatever he tells you.”  (John 2: 5).  Would you do ridiculous things if Jesus asks you to?
Remembering Peter and the miraculous draught of fish and the servants at the Wedding at Cana would be a great inspiration at your moment of testing.  This sacred memory will be grace to anyone when such opportunity comes. It also helps greatly to know who Jesus is:
"The earth is the Lord’s and all it holds, the world and those who dwell in it."  (Psalm 24: 1).  Jesus is the Lord of the earth.

“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”  (Luke 5:  8).  Most of us will react like Peter in the presence of manifest holiness and power.
Let not thoughts of your unworthiness discourage you.  Remember this:
"And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified."  (Romans 8: 30).

"Lord Jesus, You came to set the world on fire with the good news, Your Gospel. You prayed that its flames would race through our hearts. Send Your Holy Spirit upon us to give us the courage to spread the Good News of Your burning love for us.  May all our hearts be open to change as the light of Your love and message reaches every corner of Your holy Church. May it chase away the darkness of sin and lead even those most distanced from You back into Your loving arms.
We pray to You, Lord Jesus through Mary Your Mother whose plea You will never refuse.  Amen."
(Office of Evangelization. Archdiocese of NY).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of St Agatha, Virgin and Martyr.

"The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”..... When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things." (Mark 6: 30 - 34).

Saturday 5th February 2022, in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time.  Today is the Feast of St Agatha, Virgin and Martyr.  Agatha died at the age of 20 in 251 AD under the persecution of Emperor Decius.
Along with Saints Agnes and Lucy, she is mentioned in the Roman Canon in Eucharistic Prayer 1.

Agatha is the patron saint for these causes and more:
Breast cancer, sterility, nurses, rape victims, single lay women and so on. (Source: Laudate).

“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” This is one of the most endearing statements of Jesus.

What does it mean that Jesus is our Good Shepherd?
Jesus was moved with pity for the welfare of those who followed Him seeking to hear the word of God.  When we seek Jesus, we shall find Him.  When we knock on His door, He shall open for us.

The wise old man gave this testimony worthy of notice:
"Neither in my youth, nor now in old age have I seen the righteous one abandoned or his offspring begging for bread."  (Psalm 37: 25)

If you follow Jesus, trust Him for your welfare and all your provisions.  Jesus knows your deepest needs.
Jesus the Good Shepherd is still with us today. It is in the Eucharist that we experience everything that the Good Shepherd offers.

Jesus says to a mystic:
"Do not the sheep follow the shepherd? Where are the green pastures prophesied by the psalmist king, if not in My Eucharistic presence?" (IN SINU JESU page 55).

"May the Virgin Martyr Saint Agatha
implore your compassion for us, O Lord, we pray, for she found favor with you by the courage of her martyrdom and the merit of her chastity.
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, Feast of St Agatha, February 5th).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

Herod wanted badly to meet Jesus.

"King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.” (Mark 6: 14.... 29).

Friday 4th February 2022,  4th Week in Ordinary Time is First Friday in February 2022.

"Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him."
Luke in his account of the martrydom of St John the Baptist informed us that Herod  "kept trying to see him. [Jesus]"

Why was Herod anxious to see Jesus? Herod had reasons to believe that John the Baptist whom he beheaded was a mysterious and great prophet. After the beheading of John the Baptist, Jesus launched His ministry in earnest and there was great excitement everywhere and people were talking. The chatter about Jesus reached the palace and Herod could not resist his curiosity to meet Jesus.

You who are reading this Blog Now has met Jesus. You meet Him one-to-one in prayer. You meet Him when you read His word. You meet Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. You meet Him in a substantial real way in the Most Holy Eucharist. Whenever you remember Him, Jesus is present to you.

If one of the Herods of our world were to ask you today: "Who is this Jesus?" Can you satisfy his curiosity to such a degree that you lead him to faith in Jesus?

It is St Jerome, Doctor of the Church and one of the greatest Scripture scholars who said: "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Jesus Christ." Jerome said this over 1500 years ago. The Church has affirmed from its experience down the ages the truth of this maxim. Will you ignore it?

In the first Reading from Ecclesiasticus, we read of the eulogy of King David. In the Gospel, we read of the great witness of life of St John the Baptist. Who will be the King David and John the Baptist of our time?

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday February 4th.

February 4, 2022  -  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.  HOW: BY ATTENDING MASS AND RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION.
In the 2nd  month of the year 2021, we look at Promise #2.

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

My friends, many people like this promise. Why? Because peace in the family is the foundation of health and prosperity. Do not doubt this. Moreover, if there is peace in the family, there will be peace at work and school, peace in the nation and peace on earth!

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.  All is well because Jesus is in control of the world and everything that affects you. 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?
Father, in Your will is our peace!

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

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Prayers and Prayer Intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/08/12-promises-of-sacred-heart-of-jesus.html?m=1

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The apostolic success of the students fishers of men.

"Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic." (Mark 6: 7.... 13).

Thursday 3rd February 2022, in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of two Bishops: Saints Blaise and Ansgar. Blaise (+ 316). Armenian. Martyred under Emperor Licinius. Blaise is known for his cures of throat ailments.

St Ansgar: (801 - 865). French. Worked in Germany, Denmark and Sweden. Known as the Apostle of the North for his great success in evangelizing these nations.

Our key Scripture for today from Mark 6 can be themed: How to succeed in the ministry of Evangelization.

Christ's disciples who we may call student fishers of men are now ready for practicum. This would be their first practice teaching. They were to take no worldly backup: food, plenty of clothes, laptop, smart phones, wallet with many credit cards and plenty of cash. They were not to plan for every contingency to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Jesus Christ wanted the student fishermen to travel completely free of baggage and totally dependent on God for their provisions. They would learn that God is trustworthy as a Provider. Hospitality has been fully arranged. The Providence of God leaves nothing to chance.

Not trusting and not obeying this principle of the kingdom is probably the principal reason why many churches have dire money problems today. They rush to banks for loans and more loans. They carry the heavy burdens of debt.  "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness above every other thing and all your needs shall be met." (Cf Matthew 6: 33). Holiness consists in acting as Jesus will act in every situation. "Do this and then try Me and see if I do not provide all your needs."

"So they [the Apostles] went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them."

Without Jesus, we can do absolutely nothing.
"The doing must be Mine. Yours it is to trust Me, to wait upon Me, to abide close to My Heart like the beloved disciple. When you are to do something that springs from My plan for you, you will find that thing easy to do, for I will give you light and strength and perseverance in the doing of it." (IN SINU JESU pg 261).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com