I am who You say I am O God.

THE DEVIL QUESTIONED THE IDENTITY OF JESUS DURING HIS TEMPTATION. "IF YOU ARE TRULY THE SON OF GOD..." IN EVERY TEMPTATION, THE DEVIL IS QUESTIONING OUR IDENTITY. ANSWER THE DEVIL:
"I AM WHO GOD SAYS I AM. I AM THE CHILD OF GOD. GOD IS SUPPLYING ALL MY NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS PROMISE.."
TRUST IN GOD TO HELP YOU.

"Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, One does not live on bread alone.” (Luke 4: 1 - 13).

Sunday 6th March 2022, First Sunday of Lent.

First Sunday of Lent, the Church presents us the Temptation of Jesus in the Desert according to St Luke.  Nobody can go through life without multiple desert experiences. Jesus was severely tempted after 40 days of rigorous fasting. He was tempted to abandon the path His Father marked out for His mission for a grandiose scheme of the Devil.

Jesus ate nothing during the 40 days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, One does not live on bread alone.”

If you do not know your IDENTITY IN CHRIST, you will be an easy prey for the Devil. He will suggest to you your "true identity" and then sell you a fake ID Card to be carried all the time.  What if your area of weakness is money (bread). The devil might suggest that you are born to be a millionaire, own fine houses and beautiful clothes, etc. Do not be deceived. The word of God in the Scriptures reveal our TRUE IDENTITY. Armed with this truth, you can strike back at the Devil. Here are a few Scriptures about money:

#1 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be." (Matthew 6: 19 - 21).

#2 "Keep your lives free from love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, 'I will never leave you, I will never abandon you'" (Hebrews 13:5).

#3 Man does not live on money alone.  Man is created to live on every word that comes from the mouth of God.  (Cf Matthew 4 : 4).

Jesus defeated Satan by quoting the Scriptures. Can we afford to do less? Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ, says St Jerome.

"The Eucharist is heaven on earth; the Eucharist is My Church on earth already assumed into heaven. Heaven is wheresoever the words of consecration have been pronounced over the bread and wine in the holy oblation, for there I am present, even as I am present in the glory of My Ascension, adored by the angels, praised by all the saints, held in the divine gaze of My Father, and burning with the fire of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Amen. Believe this and you will find heaven on earth, while waiting and hoping to see My Face in glory."  (IN SINU JESU, May 29, 2014 Ascension Thursday).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Matthew gave a dinner for Jesus for calling and choosing him.

TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN GOD'S MIGHTY, MERCIFUL AND MYSTERIOUS  PROVIDENCE  IS THE TRUTH THAT SETS US FREE FROM FEAR, WORRY AND DOUBT.
EXERCISE THIS TRUST AND CONFIDENCE AND SEE IT GROW.

"Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” (Luke 5: 25 - 32).

Saturday 5th February 2022, Saturday after Ash Wednesday.

The Pharisees and their scribes became scandalized when they saw that Jesus ate with sinners and tax collectors.

Jesus heard their murmuring and said to them: “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”

Levi who is also called Matthew left everything: job, money, house and property and friends and followed the stranger named Jesus. This strikes me as a great act of faith. Matthew was not a saint when Jesus called him. But Jesus did not come to call saints.  Paul describes his own calling thus:
"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.  Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 1: 12 - 14).

The word Mercy is found in the Bible countless times.  Abba Father Himself is described as the "Father of mercy and God of all consolation."  (2 Corinthians 1: 3). 

In the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we find abundant mercy waiting for everyone.  To receive mercy is as simple as ABC:
+Ask for Mercy.
+Be Merciful.
+Completely trust Jesus for Mercy.

Jesus delights in sinners because sinners give Him the opportunity to show off His mercy. Why did Jesus institute the Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion? The Divine Mercy Devotion? Jesus delights in mercy.

"My apostles wanted for nothing so long as I was with them.  In having Me in their midst, they had the very Source and Creator of all that is, that was, and that ever will be. You have Me close to you. I am here before you in the Sacrament of My love. Remain with Me for My sake; I will provide for you." (IN SINU JESU, Tuesday, February 3, 2009)

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Casimir of Poland.

JESUS ATE NOTHING DURING HIS 40 DAYS IN THE DESERT. HE STRENGTHENED HIS SPIRIT AND WAS ABLE TO DEFEAT SATAN IN THE SPIRITUAL WARFARE THAT FOLLOWED.

"The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”  (Matthew 9 : 14 - 15)

Friday 4th March 2022, Friday after Ash Wednesday is the feast of St Casimir (1458 - 1484). Son of King Casimir IV of Poland and Lithuania. Casimir stayed away from the court life. His siblings, the princes and princesses were not interested in religion.  His faith and piety shone out. Casimir had a great devotion to the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary. St Casimir is the patron saint of Poland.

The short Gospel of today deals with fasting. Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving are the 3 pillars of Christian spiritual life.
What is your attitude about fasting? Do you fast? How often? What do you fast from?

On the three pillars of the spiritual life, the Church teaches:
CCC 1434: "The interior penance of the Christian can be expressed in many and various ways. Scripture and the Fathers insist above all on three forms, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, which express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others. Alongside the radical purification brought about by Baptism or martyrdom they cite as means of obtaining forgiveness of sins: efforts at reconciliation with one’s neighbor, tears of repentance, concern for the salvation of one’s neighbor, the intercession of the saints, and the practice of charity “which covers a multitude of sins.”

Fasting is indispensable for a healthy spiritual life. No one should be dispensed from fasting because all fasting is not fasting from food. Some people cannot fast from food for health reasons. But they can abstain from meat and alcohol on Friday and Wednesday. Others abstain from television, texting, movies and gambling. Fasting is a sign that one is serious about his spiritual life.

"One does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4: 4).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

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

March 4th, First Friday in March, 2022.

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 3rd  month of the year 2022, we look at Promise #3.

#3.  "I will console them in all their troubles."

In Promise #3, Jesus says  "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  (John 16: 33 ). We note that Jesus does not promise a trouble free life.
Consider also:
"My son, if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal." (Sirach 2: 1).

Troubles are opportunity to grow spiritually.  "I promise to be your strength in proportion to the trust you place on Me." The more you trust Jesus, the more He is your comfort, strength and security in trials.

Remind the Lord often of these promises. Remind Him also of His promise to answer every prayer. (Matthew 7: 7).

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the First Friday of March, 2022.

"I am your Friend. I have chosen you to be in life and in death the privileged friend of My Sacred Heart. I bless you and I bless those whom you entrust to the mercy of My open Heart. The light of My Face shines upon you. Believe in My love for you. I will never abandon you, never disappoint you. My plans are for your happiness, for your holiness, for your peace. Have no fear. I will do for you all that I have promised, and your heart will rejoice, and you will praise and glorify Me forever." (IN SINU JESU, Wednesday, December 19, 2007).

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

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

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Thursday after Ash Wednesday is the feast of the Educator, St Katherine Drexel.

BY FASTING, PRAYER AND ALMSGIVING BREAK WITH YOUR ADDICTIONS, SINFUL HABITS IN THIS HOLY SEASON OF LENT. GOD WILL NEVER SPURN A HUMBLED, CONTRITE HEART. 

"Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”
"Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” (Luke 9: 22 - 25).

Thursday 3rd March 2022, Thursday after Ash Wednesday is the feast of St Katharine Drexel (1858 - 1955), Virgin and Foundress of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. She was a generous philanthropist. Katharine was a wealthy heiress from the rich and famous family of the Philadelphia society. She realized that it profits her nothing to gain the whole world and put her eternal destiny in jeopardy. She listened to the Call of Jesus Christ to teach the message of the Gospel and bring the Eucharist to African-American and Native American people in the South of the United States. In 1915, Katharine founded the Xavier University in New Orleans. At her death in 1955, over 500 of her sisters were teaching in 63 schools.

"If anyone wishes to come after me, he must take up his cross daily and follow Me.
“The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”  (Luke 9: 22 ).

At the beginning of Lent 2022, we hear Jesus speaking of the absolute necessity and the inevitability of His suffering.   Why is the Spirit giving us this Scripture now?  Consider these reasons:

#1.  Are you fully aware of the power of the cross and the necessity of your own suffering?
#2.  No following of Christ without some type of suffering.  Rejection of the cross is rejection of Jesus Christ.  (Pope Benedict XVI).
#3.  The Son of Man must suffer before His glorification.  (Luke 24: 26).  What is a divine necessity for Jesus is true for us.

Saints Therese of the Child Jesus, Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Siena, Thomas Aquinas, Peter Canisius are some of the 37 Doctors of the Church. They are all great men and women who taught the truth of the faith with clarity, simplicity and integrity. They added nothing of their own and were all subject to the Magisterium of the Church. They showed us by example how to live the Christian life.  They all suffered physical, emotional and spiritual pains.   Each one of them accomplished their destiny in spite of their terrible sufferings.

Our suffering is blessing in disguise.  No cross, no crown.
So at the beginning of Lent 2022,  the mystery and contradiction of the cross is set before us.

The follower of Jesus Christ whose desire is to do the will of God is destined for rejection, suffering and even death. But if he perseveres, he is promised the Resurrection.

"Father, in Your will is our peace."

"You cannot see from where you are in this life now the power and value of sufferings united to My own. Anything given to Me, anything placed in My priestly hands, I lift up and offer to the Father, covered with My precious Blood. It is this that makes your sufferings, even the smallest ones, precious to Me, and precious in the sight of My Father." (IN SINU JESU,
Saturday, October 25, 2008).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Ash Wednesday. Prepare for Spiritual Combat.

LENT IS A DESERT EXPERIENCE. IN THE BIBLE, THE DESERT IS A PLACE OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE. THEREFORE PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR: FASTING, PRAYER AND ALMSGIVING. THE SPIRITUAL WARRIOR ADVANCES ON HIS KNEES.

"Yet even now—oracle of the Lord—return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God, For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting in punishment." (Joel 2: 12 - 13).

Wednesday 2nd March 2022, Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the holy Season of Lent.  Lent is the Season appointed for repentance and spiritual purification. Our God is kind and merciful. Let this truth encourage us to turn to the Lord without fear for our inward renewal.

Lent is the Journey of Faith to the supreme joy of Easter. If we die with Christ, we shall rise with Christ.

"Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!
Harden not your hearts today,
but listen to the voice of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!" (Cf. Psalm 94:8).

The 40 day period of Lent is God's gift to us to become New Creation.

"The prayer of adoration at night has the power and efficacy of that prayer made with fasting that I recommended to My apostles as the means of expelling demons from the souls whom they torture and oppress. For this reason, the demons fear and hate adoration made at night, while the angels rejoice over it, and place themselves at the service of the soul who desires to do it." (IN SINU JESU, Monday, November 12, 2012 At the Priory).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

If you leave everything and follow Me, your reward will be huge.

TODAY IS MARCH 1ST 2022. THE CHURCH HONORS ST JOSEPH IN THE MONTH OF MARCH.  HOW? WE REMEMBER HIM IN OUR DAILY PRAYERS. WE LOVINGLY ASK FOR FAVORS FROM HIM.
WHO IS ST JOSEPH?
ST JOSEPH IS THE HUSBAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE FOSTER FATHER OF JESUS CHRIST, THE GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH AND A TRUSTED FRIEND AT THE HOUR OF DEATH.

"Peter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come." (Mark 10: 28 - 30).

Tuesday March 1st in the 8th Week in Ordinary Time. 

Our key Scripture for today is a tremendous promise of our Lord Jesus Christ. This promise motivated His disciples to join the Jesus Revolution. It still motivates the young novice in 2022 to enter a religious congregation and the missionary to pack her bag for a missionary field in a distant land. Jesus promises that anyone who leaves everything for His "sake and for the sake of the gospel will receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands."

How do we know that this promise is true? Is there any proof that it has ever been fulfilled in the past? The answer is:
#1. If the promise has never been fulfilled, there will be no new missionaries or martyrs in the Church. People are going to the mission fields every day and people are laying down their lives for Jesus Christ every day.
#2. Consider a few modern saints: John Paul II, Mother Teresa of Kolkata, Fulton Sheen, etc. They gave up everything and followed Jesus. While still living on earth, they were filled with divine comfort and joy and eternal life when they died.

What is eternal life? Eternal life is the Abundant life we enjoy when we are filled with the Holy Spirit and with His gifts and fruits. This life is compatible with the suffering that Jesus promises His disciples in our key Scripture: The great promise comes "with persecutions."
Can you take this?

"Let them beg Me for the grace of spiritual fatherhood, and I will give it to them in abundance. Such a man was Saint Joseph. He was the living image of My Father, and he was chosen by My Father to be a father to Me in My sacred humanity. Let My priests go to Saint Joseph. He will obtain for them this priceless gift of spiritual fatherhood, and he will guide them in the delicate and difficult work of being true fathers to souls." (IN SINU JESU, Friday, November 15, 2013).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

You lack one thing.

IF YOU DESIRE GENUINE SUCCESS IN LIFE, NEVER MIX GOD AND MONEY. NO MAN CAN SERVE GOD AND MONEY AT THE SAME TIME. SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN EVERYTHING YOU DO. AND YOU WILL SUCCEED GOD'S WAY!
THE RICH YOUNG MAN WANTS TO EAT HIS CAKE AND HAVE IT ALL!

"As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal... The rich young man replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” (Mark 10: 17....27).

Jesus looked with love at the rich young man who came to Him for advice and Jesus said to him:   “You are lacking in one thing."
What is the One Thing holding you back from fully embracing Jesus?  Money, job, possessions, comfort?  Letting go that one thing is your path to fulfillment and genuine happiness.

At the root of the young man's negative response is: Lack of faith and lack of wisdom. It is a sad and tragic response. The many possessions of the man have now possessed him and made him a slave. We see this situation too often in life. The Lord Jesus provides a solution in Matthew 6: 33.
"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." (NLT).

THE ONE THING WE LACK IS THE VERY ONE THING WE NEED. 

"The Lord became my Protector.  He brought me out to a place of freedom;  He saved me because He delighted in me."  (Cf Psalm 18: 19-20 RM)

"The riches of My kingdom are for all whom I have redeemed with My own Blood, but it pleases Me to bestow them through My Mother, the Queen and Mediatrix who stood at the foot of My Cross, offering Me and offering herself with Me. Today she reigns with Me in paradise.  All that I won for souls from My Father on the altar of the Cross, with My Mother at My side, I will now pour out on souls through her Heart and through her hands." (IN SINU JESU, Tuesday, January 8, 2008).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

A good tree must bear good fruit.

THE SHOEMAKER WILL MAKE SHOES. THE TAILOR WILL MAKE CLOTHES. THE PRIEST WILL MAKE SACRIFICES. A GOOD TREE WILL BEAR GOOD FRUITS.

“A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles." (Luke 6: 39... 45).

Sunday 27th February 2022 in the 8th Week of Ordinary Time.

Everyone will like to bear good fruit and bearing good fruit is what the Christian life is all about. When I think about bearing good fruit for Jesus, I am encouraged by what Jesus teaches: Without Me, you can do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. (Cf John 15: 5). So I become a beggar. "Jesus, you know that without You, I can do absolutely nothing. Help me please! I want to bear good fruit for You."

Remain in Me if you want to bear good fruit. "Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned." (John 15: 5 - 6).

How do we remain in Jesus to bear good and great fruit? How did St Teresa of Kolkata, Mother Angelica of EWTN, Fulton Sheen, etc remain in Jesus and bore good and lasting fruits?
They prayed a lot. They received Holy Communion every day. They go to frequent Confession. Although none of them was a Scripture scholar, they knew the Bible well because they live in the Bible. In one word, they loved Jesus and showed it.

Now that you know this, do the same and you will be blessed.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

Lord Jesus have mercy on us. Increase our faith and heal our bodies and minds.

IF "THE FERVENT PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS PERSON IS VERY POWERFUL," HOW MUCH MORE THE PRAYER OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD?

"Beloved: Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing a song of praise. Is anyone among you sick? He should ­summon the presbyters of the Church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.... The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful."  (James 5:13.... 20).

Saturday, 26th February 2022, in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Brothers and sisters. I have a confession to make:
#1. I believe in Prayer.
#2. I believe in the word of God.
#3. I believe in Miracle.
#4. I surrender everything to God.

Our key Scripture for today asserts that "The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful."
In July 2021, the Lord Jesus healed my sick heart and set me free of worries about every form of sickness. A prayer partner in my Church said Jesus healed me because I am holy. Righteousness and holiness means exactly the same thing in the Bible. Abraham is righteous or holy because he believed the promise God made him. God justified or made Abraham righteous because Abraham believed God. David is righteous or holy because he believed in the promises of God. The Blessed Virgin Mary is righteous or holy because when the Archangel Gabriel announced to her that she will be the Mother of God, Mary thought for a second and said to herself, since the Archangel is from God, he must be a faithful, true and credible messenger. Mary believes and says: "Behold I am the maid servant of the Lord. Let what God has promised be done to me."

July is the month we honor the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. At end of June 2021, I read the words below of the Blessed Virgin Mary to a mystic in the book, IN SINU JESU.

"The Blood of my Son brings purity and healing and new life wherever it flows. Implore the power of the precious Blood over yourself and over all priests. Whenever you are asked to intercede for souls, invoke the power of the precious Blood over them, and present them to the Father covered with the Blood of the Lamb." (Mary, IN SINU JESU pg 37). Since I have known Mary all my life to be a faithful, true and credible witness, I believed her testimony. I prayed for healing for my heart every day in July 2021 and Jesus healed me.

Am I holy in the usual and ordinary meaning of holiness? Ask people who live with me. They will laugh until their ribs ache. How then do I account for the healing? I simply believed the words of a Mother speaking to a son She loves and has shown many favors in the past.

You too can be holy by believing and begging for healing. Do you know another word for BEGGING? HAVE MERCY ON ME. THIS IS WHY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH REPEATS OFTEN IN HER LITURGIES: "LORD HAVE MERCY ON US."
You can do the same. To read about the Testimony on my healing, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2022/01/testimony-of-how-jesus-healed-my-heart.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Will of God on Marriage.

MARRIAGE AND THE CHURCH WERE PUT ASUNDER BY THE WILL OF MAN. TOO BAD!

"Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan.......
The Pharisees approached him and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him. He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?”......
"But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”
(Mark 10: 1.... 12).

Friday 25th February 2022 in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time.

“Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” (Mark 10: 2).

This is the big question in today's Gospel.   Jesus responds:
"But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.  For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother [and be joined to his wife],  and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh."  (Mark 10: 6 - 8).

And then Jesus adds:
"Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”  (Mark 10: 9).

Marriage and Holy Orders are two Sacraments of Service in the Church.
Through these Sacraments, married people and clergy, viz: bishops, priests and deacons are equipped by grace to build up the Church.  Both institutions are in dire crisis today.  Less than 40% of married couples who have been married for 35 years or more are still married to the same person.  We can do better because the grace of the Sacraments are there to support fully the state of married life. The grace is not ineffectual. You cannot force the grace on people. God the Father told St Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church in her book the DIALOGUE that you cannot force people to go to Heaven.

"The Lord God said: It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suited to him."  (Genesis 2: 18).

The Holy Spirit, the Ultimate Helper walks along us in the Journey of life. He is a shy Spirit and will not force Himself upon us.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

How to avoid the Unquenchable fire.

ONLY THE TRUTH WE KNOW CAN MAKE US FREE FROM FEAR, WORRY AND DOUBT.

"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched." (Mark 9: 41... 50).

Thursday 24th February 2022 in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time.

One week today, we shall be in the beautiful and grace-filled Season of Lent. (Lent starts March 2, 2022). The Gospel theme today may be characterized as: scandal, sin and severe punishment. To avoid the pronounced punishment, be prepared for necessary and painful detachments from materialistic snares.

From the beginning, the Church has recognized Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving as three disciplines ordained by the merciful Father to deal with sins. The Church teaches:

"The interior penance of the Christian can be expressed in many and various ways. Scripture and the Fathers insist above all on three forms, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, which express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others. Alongside the radical purification brought about by Baptism or martyrdom they cite as means of obtaining forgiveness of sins: effort at reconciliation with one's neighbor, tears of repentance, concern for the salvation of one's neighbor, the intercession of the saints, and the practice of charity "which covers a multitude of sins." (CCC #1434).

Avoid the temptation to dilute the word of God or the wisdom of the Church.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr.

O HOLY SPIRIT, COME INTO MY LIFE THROUGH MARY.

"At that time, John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us."  (Mark 9: 38.... 48)

Wednesday 23rd February 2022, in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of an Apostolic Father, St Polycarp. (circa 69 - 155). Bishop of Smyrna in Turkey. Martyr. St Polycarp was instructed in the faith by St John the Apostle. He, Polycarp instructed St Irenaeus who became a Bishop and an early Church Father in France.

In the Gospel from Mark 9, we read:
"At that time, John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”

A propos the sovereignty and independence of the Holy Spirit, Jesus says:  "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3: 8 NIV).

Are you trying to block the action of the Holy Spirit in your life or in the life of someone else?
“Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us."

What do you think of the work of evangelization going on by other Christian churches?
Do you believe that the presence of Jesus is active outside the Catholic Church?
Jesus Christ founded the Catholic Church. Let us thank the Lord Jesus who provided the path of salvation outside the Church.

"My Heart thirsts for the love of the saints. To those who come to Me, I will give love and holiness. And in this shall My Father be glorified.  And this shall come to pass through the intimate action of My Spirit. Where I am present in the Sacrament of My love, there also is the Spirit of the Father and of the Son. It is by the Holy Spirit that My Eucharistic presence is My glorious presence to the Father in heaven, and it is by the Holy Spirit that My Eucharistic presence touches the souls who adore Me to unite them to Me, and to bear them up even before My Father’s face."  (IN SINU JESU, Monday, October 29, 2007).

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The Feast of the Chair of St Peter the Apostle.

OBEY PETER AND YOUR BISHOP.
REJECT SATAN'S STRATEGY OF DIVIDE AND CONQUER.

"When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply.... “... ... And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16: 13....19).

Tuesday 22nd February 2022, in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time is the Feast of the Chair of St Peter the Apostle.

What are we celebrating today?
+ The Pope as Bishop of Rome.
+ St Peter, the Chairman of the Church and his successors to the Chair of St Peter.
+ The Teaching Authority of the Popes.
+ The universal Magisterium of the Roman Church.
+ The unity of the Church founded upon the Apostle Peter and his successors.
+ Our faith based on the Confession of the Apostle Peter.

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

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

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

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

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Feast of St Peter Damian, OSB, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

UNTESTED FAITH LIKE AN UNTESTED SOLDIER IS UNRELIABLE.

"As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, and John and approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes ­arguing with them...... “Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit........ I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.”

Jesus appeared to be annoyed when He chided the disciples and the father of the epileptic boy of lack of faith. The father of the epileptic boy answered:

”But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”  Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.”  Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9: 22 - 24).

Monday February 21st, 2022 in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time is  the feast of St Peter Damian (1001 - 1072). Italian. Benedictine monk. Bishop and Doctor of the Church.  The monk-Cardinal whose life we celebrate today is a Reformer in the make of the great reformers of the Church:  Saints Francis of Assisi, Dominic, Ignatius Loyola, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, etc. . Damian  urged his fellow clergy to live upright lives. Many clergy at all levels were at that time living sordid lives. But Peter pursued reforms with the heart of a pastor.

In the Gospel of today from Mark 9: 14 - 29, the father of the epileptic boy was desperate to see his son healed at all cost.
”But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

The Bible has a lot to teach about the necessity of Faith:
#1 Without faith, we cannot please God.
#2 Although man cannot live on bread alone, the just man lives by faith.
#3 This world is in a bitter and deadly conflict between good and evil. Victory must come to the side with faith.
Etc,

How do we get this precious faith?
Faith comes from hearing/reading the word of God constantly. To this, add prayer. For prayer and faith are like joined twins that can never be separated.

Your prayer must be fired by confident and expectant faith for God Himself has promised: Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will swing open for you.

"The Eucharist is transforming for all who receive Me with faith and with confident devotion, but it is especially so for My priests. It is by the reception of My Body and Blood that you will grow in My friendship and in the shining priestly holiness by which I want to be glorified in you and in all My priests." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, January 3, 2008 The Holy Name of Jesus).

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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.

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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).

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