First Friday in February 2021. Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

February 5, 2021  -  First Friday in February.

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus:  Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month.  In the 2nd  month of the year 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!

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

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday.

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

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

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Take nothing for the journey.

"He 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."

Thursday 4th February 2021, in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time.

The 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.
When I worked for Unilever and traveled to foreign countries, this was standard practice. But not in the Kingdom that Christ founded.  We must follow the teaching and example of the Way.

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 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. The Lord sits in Heaven and laughs at them:
"I told you: Seek first the kingdom of God and holiness of life above every other thing and all your needs shall be met." 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."

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Jesus was disappointed by the unbelief in His hometown.

"He was amazed at their lack of faith." (Mark 6: 6).

Wednesday February 3rd, 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 evangelical success in these nations.

Our key Scripture is about the great disappointment of Jesus because of the lack of faith of the people of Nazareth in His teachings and miracles. Jesus was so amazed by their unbelief because He invested a great deal of His ministry in His hometown.

Our trust in God is in direct proportion to our awareness of what God is doing for us. The more aware you are, the more grateful you become and the more you trust God the next time you are in need. Imagine the teenage girl whose mom grooms with tender care. One day the mother overheard her telling her friend that it was her classmate mother that gave her all she has and taught her the little home economics she knows.
For us adults, our version of this behavior is to attribute all our good breaks to luck or hard work.
Paraphrasing 2 Corinthians 1: 3 - 4, the Liturgy of the Hours put it poetically:
"Tis not from chance our comfort springs, Thou art our trust, O King of kings." (Liturgy of the Hours: #52 Lauds Hymn).

Jesus had good reason to be disappointed by the inexplicable unbelief of the people of Nazareth when He compared it with the striking faith of the Centurion and the woman with the issue of blood. The Centurion and the woman are foreigners.

There is a pricey cost to wilful unbelief:
"Jesus wasn’t able to do much of anything there—he laid hands on a few sick people and healed them, that’s all. He couldn’t get over their stubbornness."
In order words, unbelief costs you your miracles.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

“Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2: 34 - 35).

Tuesday 2nd February 2021, in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time is the great feast of the Presentation of the Lord. With this feast, the Church concludes the festivities of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. With the Presentation of the Child Jesus to His heavenly Father and the custom offering for the first born son Jesus, and the prophecy of Simeon, the saintly old prophet, the liturgical calendar now points to Easter.

Although this feast is not the Presentation of Mary but of Jesus, we want to reflect on the great insight into the Virgin Mother that we glean from this feast that we honor universally in the fourth mystery of the Holy Rosary. Consider Mary's: shining
Humility, silence, purity, obedience and charity.

Mary is the shining model of the Christian woman. St Monica, the mother of the great St Augustine imitated Mary. The result: Mother and son became great saints.
St Monica is the patron saint of these causes:
Married women and women with difficult marriages; undisciplined children; victims of adultery or unfaithfulness; victims of verbal abuse.

St Monica is a great intercessor for the causes listed above. The Blessed Virgin Mary is a greater intercessor for us in every need. She is the Mediatrix of all graces, all favors. Her intercession is indispensable in life in Christ. When in dire need, go to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Pray her Rosary every day.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Power of Faith.

"I have not time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,
who by faith conquered kingdoms, did what was righteous, obtained the promises." (Hebrews 11: 32 - 33).

Monday 1st February 2021, in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time.

Hebrews 11 is the great chapter on Faith. We have seen that Faith is one of the greatest gifts in life.        "For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith." (1 John 5: 4) proclaims the Beloved Disciple. What more could be said to convince you of the power of Faith.

Our key Scripture uses a powerful technique to convince us that without Faith, our lives will be unfulfilled. He uses testimonies and examples. Most of the names are familiar: David, Samuel. We can add Abraham, Elijah, Mary etc. These heroes of Faith teach us how to turn disadvantages into advantages with Faith. Their Faith is not a formality. If they are in battle, Faith is called upon as a vital armor. This trust in God is enduring through out the struggle.

How do we get this Faith?
#1. Daily nourishment with the word of God.
#2. Prayer is the activator of power in the mind.

A few examples of power producing prayer are below:

Father, I believe that You are a Father to me at every moment of my life, and that I am Your Child!
I believe that You love me with an infinite love!

I believe that You are watching over me night and day and that not a hair falls from my head without Your permission!

I believe that, in Your infinite Wisdom, You know better than I what is good for me.
I believe that, in Your infinite power, You can bring good even out of evil. 

I believe that, in your infinite goodness, You make everything to the advantage of those who love You:  even under the hands of those who strike me, I kiss Your hand which heals!

Prayers like the above affirm God's attributes in your mind at the moment of your greatest need. With bold faith, you can now ask for the specifics.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Jesus Christ the Rabbi.

"[Jesus] came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.  The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes." (Mark 1: 21 - 22).

Sunday 31st January, in the 4th Week of Ordinary Time.

In the public ministry of Jesus the Christ, He fed the crowd, He healed the sick. He cast out demons and raised the dead. The crowd and teachers of the law remembered Jesus most for His electrifying skills as a Teacher. "He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes."

Jesus bequeathed the authority to teach to the Church He founded. Where is this authority and how does it work? The authority is called Magisterium from the Latin word, magister which means teacher. It resides in the Pope who is the universal pastor and teacher in the Church. The Pope shares this authority with his Brother Bishops. Only with Bishops who are in Communion with the Pope. The Bishop is the Pastor-in-Chief and Teacher in his diocese. He delegates this authority to priests and catechists in his local church. The Teachers are to teach with clarity. No ambiguity. No equivocation.

The Devil is the agent who sows the tares after the farmer has planted the good seeds and gone home. Tares are pernicious doctrines, lies and campaigns of disinformation against the true doctrine of the Church. This cancer has plagued the Church from the very beginning. This is the greatest threat to the core mission of the Church, Evangelization. A House divided cannot stand. This is why we need to stand strong united in one heart, one mind and one purpose in the mission of Jesus Christ.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

How I deal with fears.

“Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” (Mark 4: 40).

Saturday 30th January 2021, in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time.

Can fear be learned? A child who sees her friend put her hand on a hot stove and be burned would be afraid to try the same thing. Just as fear can be learned and unlearned, faith and trust can be learned and forgotten.

The human mind can hold faith or fear but not faith and fear at the same time. In our key Scripture for today, we see the disciples of Jesus terrified by a raging sea. Jesus was in the boat sound asleep. They rudely woke Him up by their panicky screams. They showed that after all the miracles they had seen, they still lacked confidence in Jesus.

The first Reading from Hebrews and the Gospel from Mark deal with faith. Faith is probably the most important subject in the Bible. Without faith, we cannot please God. Without faith we cannot enjoy the fruits of Redemption like the Sacraments and miracles. In its essence, faith is a very simple concept to understand. Faith is believing that what God says to you is true and will happen come what may. For example: A woman prays for the fruit of the womb. God says: "Yes I will do it." The woman goes home and trusts in God's word. She knows that God's word cannot fail no matter how long it takes for the promise to be fulfilled. When it is fulfilled, she makes a note of it because she wants to remember it. She wants the remembrance to help her the next time she has needs.

Different people have developed different ways of dealing with fear. The one that works for me is from Mark 5: 36: "Fear is useless. All you need is trust."
I copy this Scripture and post it on the wall where I can see it easily. When I am afraid, I look at it and repeat it several times. I add: "This is my word from God. My word from God is not fear or worry or doubt but trust."

You can defeat fear, worry and doubt with faith. Read the Bible every day.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

What happened to your bold confidence?

"Therefore, do not throw away your confidence; it will have great recompense.  You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised." (Hebrews 10: 35 - 36).

Friday 29th January 2021, in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time.

Can you remember a time in your life when you trusted God with abandon? Perhaps graduation, wedding, first job, first house? Everything seemed possible. You believed the sky was the limit. What happened to that bold confidence? Yes, you had a couple of rude trials on the way and you allowed this awesome trust in God to die.

Now you have a second chance and you are learning what you did not know the first time about how faith works. You learn the following truths:

#1. The test of your sincerity, your conversion is endurance. What is your staying power (hang on) power when trial comes? One day, two weeks, a couple of months?
#2. The just person lives by faith. Faith in the promise of God which can never fail.
#3. A firm conviction that the gracious and mysterious will of God is the best thing for you always, everywhere and in everything.

Armed with this new knowledge, you resolve never again to neglect daily prayer, daily nourishment from the word of God. You commit yourself never to slacken in doing good to your neighbor.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Patron Saint of Catholic Schools, St Thomas Aquinas.

“Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” (Mark 4: 24 - 25).

Thursday 28th January 2021, is the feast of the Angelic Doctor, St Thomas Aquinas. (1225 - 1274). Italian. Dominican Priest. Doctor of the Church. He wrote the Summa Theologica. Apart from being one of the greatest theologians in the Church, Thomas is noted for his humility and holiness.

The NABRE rendition of our key Scripture for today is not clear. Let us use the NLT translation for our reflection today:

“Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” (NLT).

What is Jesus saying here?
Scripture is God's love letter to you. Do you read a love letter once? You read it many times. The more you read it, the more you appreciate the love codes and nuances. But those who have little love for the sender, browse through the letter rapidly and toss it away.

St Thomas Aquinas has a great  longing for the word of God and Jesus revealed to him a ton of truth.

Do you yearn to know Jesus passionately? Do you have a teachable heart? Do you try to apply the spiritual truths of Sacred Scripture to your life?
To receive, you must start by receiving the word Now. The more you receive what is offered Today, the more you will receive Tomorrow.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Sower of the seed is Jesus. If you find Him, you will find life and peace.

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

Wednesday 27 January 2021 in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Angela Merici (1474 - 1540), Virgin.  Italian. She founded the Ursuline Order, the first women teaching order in the Church. St Angela believed that the formation and education of Christian women is society's greatest investment.
Convinced of this truth, St. Angela Merici founded the Company of St. Ursula,  [Ursulines] a secular institute devoted to educating young women to be Christian wives, mothers, teachers, and catechists.

The Seed in the Parable of the Sower is the word of God and the Sower is Jesus the Word of God. Not every soil is born equal.

"Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit." (Mark 4: 18 - 19).

The causes of barrenness in Kingdom investment are listed in Mark 4: 18 - 19:
#1. Worries about this life.
#2. Deceitfulness of wealth.
#3. Desires of other things. For example: Success and nice things of life.

These three are killers of faith and peace.

What is the clear prescription by the Divine Physician? In order to return the soil to fruitfulness?
#1. Singleness of purpose in seeking and finding Christ Jesus. Put in another way. Seek Jesus and make Him your first priority in life. Make His way of talking and doing things your way. Believe absolutely that Jesus will provide all your needs always, everywhere and in everything.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Who is my mother?

 “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3: 34 - 35).

Tuesday 26th January, in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Timothy and Titus. Timothy (+ 97). Jewish mother and a Greek father. He was ordained by St Paul as Bishop of Ephesus. He was a disciple of Paul and traveled with Paul in some of his missionary journeys.
Titus (+ 96 or 107). Ordained Bishop of Crete by St Paul. Both Timothy and Titus had very difficult churches to oversee in Ephesus and Crete respectively.
The harsh experiences of Timothy and Titus as Bishops vindicates the prophetic utterance of Jesus in our key Scripture.  Those who do the will of God are the brothers and sisters and true disciple of Jesus. Encouraged by the letters of St Paul, Titus and Timothy persevered in their posts till their martyrdom.

The will of God. The will of God. What do you think of the will of God? This important phrase appears to have disappeared from Christian speech and literature.  When I was growing up, it was rare not to hear it or read about it many times a day. Yet our happiness, well being and destiny is tied to the will of God.

In the most important prayer Jesus left us, He intended that we pray: "Father, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven."
Mary who is our model disciple prayed at the Annunciation, and we must imagine at the Birth of Jesus in the stable and when the Boy Jesus was lost for three days and finally at the foot of the Cross:
"Be it done to me according to your will."

If you are able to discern God’s will in everything that concerns you, you will be a very happy person.  The will of God is not only good but the best and the perfect thing for you in everything. (Cf Romans 12: 2).
We pray in the Liturgy of the Hours: "Father, Your will is our peace." The peace of God is the Shalom of God containing our perfect and best desires.

The Church teaches that through the operations of Divine Providence, God provides us all our possible needs from womb to tomb in accordance with His generous riches. But the will of God is not only gracious but mysterious. Here are a few examples:
#1. Abraham and Sarah waited for 25 years for the fulfillment of the promise of a son.
#2. Joseph before he became the Prince of Egypt was sold as a slave to an Egyptian master who sent him to prison to languish until the fullness of time when God rescued him to fulfill His destiny for Joseph.
#3. David waited for about 15 years after he was anointed king of Israel to see the actualisation of the promise.
#4. Jesus Christ the sinless Son of God was tortured and crucified but rose from the dead.

All the above four examples and many more in the Bible are in accordance with the gracious and mysterious will of God and His most loving Providence.

I just finished reading an excellent book on the will of God by St Alphonsus Liguori, Founder of the Redemptorists, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. The book is called: "UNIFORMITY WITH GOD'S WILL." After finishing the book, I wondered why God did not put this book into my hand in the prime of youth. My life would be totally different. The answer is simple: This is the perfect time. All things work out for good to those who love and obey God. (Cf Romans 8: 28).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Conversion of St Paul.

 "It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you." (John 15: 16).

Monday 25th January 2021, in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time is the important feast of the Conversion of St Paul.

Why is the feast of the Conversion of the Apostle Paul a very important feast in the Church?

#1. Christ Jesus undertook the conversion of St Paul Himself. No delegation of duty. No intermediary. Like all the other Apostles, it was a personal choice, call and anointing.
#2. Paul is the greatest missionary and evangelist in the Church.
#3. Paul wrote most of the New Testament.

What do we learn from the Conversion of St Paul?
#1. We share a vocation with the great Apostle: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16: 15).
#2. People are converted through hearing the testimonies of converted people. Testimony also means witnessing. When you witness to what God has done for you, it is very powerful. If you received the COVID vaccine and witness to family and friends about how great you feel, you unleash the power of testimony, witnessing. This is why autobiographies and biographies are powerful genre of literature. They leverage the power of example and testimony.

It is not an accident that the Conversion of St Paul is repeated three times in the Acts of the Apostles in considerable length. The Holy Spirit is teaching the Church the best practice in Evangelization. Do not hide the blessings of God. Shout them.

"They [converts] only kept hearing that “the one who once was persecuting us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” So they glorified God because of me." (Galatians 1: 23 - 24).
This powerful example of Paul encouraged the faith of all.

The Church exists for only One Thing: Evangelization. Jesus is appealing to us:

"Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16: 15).
How do you start?
"You will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses..." (Acts 1: 8).
No Holy Spirit, No power. Ask the Lord Jesus with confident boldness for the Gift of the Holy Spirit for Evangelization. And you can start evangelizing right away with your smart phone. Do you have a phone with Internet connection? Do you  have an address book on your phone? Start sharing Scriptures and the blogs you like. Cost of Evangelization? $0.
Benefits: Joy and contentment that flood you because of the Obedience of Faith. It is ridiculous not to try.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

At last, the appointed time is here.

"After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:  “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1: 14-15).

Sunday 24th January 2021, 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time is designated the Sunday of the Word of God. Why is the 3rd Sunday in January set aside as the Sunday of the Word of God? The Word of God is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children. Most of the problems in life is because most people are ignorant of this truth.

Pope Francis set aside the 3rd Sunday in January to celebrate, study and disseminate the Word of God.

In our key Scripture for this Sunday, Jesus launched His preaching ministry with this Word of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
In the plan of God for our salvation, there are two periods:
#1. Time of prophecy. (Old Testament).
#2. Time of fulfillment. (New Testament).

Jesus says that all the promises predicted by all the prophets are being fulfilled now. How do you know these promises? How do you claim your own promises?

One night in 1986, I was sleepless in a hotel room. I was extremely anxious about a work problem with my company. The problem could end my career. In the restless anxiety, I picked up a Gideon Bible on the night table. It opened to Exodus 14: 13 - 14:
"But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

I read the above Word of God and it produced this remarkable effect on me: peace, joy and calmness. This was followed by hope that God will resolve the problem because He has spoken.  Although I had no experience with the power of the Word of God, I believed the message. The problem was resolved completely. My co-workers and friends asked: "What happened?"
To fix this miracle in my mind, I resolved to read the Word of God every single day of my life from that point. Ten years after the date, the Lord gave me the Daily Bible Verse ministry.

The promises of the Word of God are for all of us. What a tragedy that many ignore this treasure either through ignorance, apathy or laziness.

The light of this world is Jesus Christ. If you do not want to live in darkness, resolve today to read His Word every day and watch what will happen to you. You will grow in peace, wisdom and understanding. You will come to know Jesus better. "Ignorance of Scripture is Ignorance of Christ." (St Jerome).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

This man is insane.

"He [Jesus] came home. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” (Mark 3: 20 - 21).

Saturday, 23rd January 2021, in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time.

First let us consider the background to today's Gospel. Jesus is home in Capernaum. He has a room and board here. Simon Peter and brother Andrew also live here.
Where is Mary and the relatives of Jesus? They live in Nazareth, 30 miles away. The report they received of the activities of Jesus was so concerning that they decided to make the very long trip to confront Jesus.
For Jesus, constant preaching, teaching and healing was just the normal routine for the the Son of Man who had no time to stand and stare or eat. He was also training His seminarians to show them what ministry after seminary would look like.

The message for us here is not that Master and disciples have no time to eat but the cutting criticism from family and foe: "He is insane."
If you are super sensitive to criticism, forget ministry and look for a profession where you will be applauded always. Remember that Jesus says that He does not look for or care for the applause of human beings. Why? He knows who He is and that is enough that His Father and the Holy Spirit affirm Him.
Followers of Jesus should be inspired by this great truth. The praise of human beings are worthless. They sing your hosanna today and the next day shout from the top of their lungs "Crucify him. Crucify him."  Only God is worthy of trust.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Vincent the Deacon.

"Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him." (Mark 3: 13 - 19).

Friday 22nd January 2021, in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Vincent the Deacon. (+ 304). Spanish. Vincent tried to shield his Bishop in the fierce persecution of Emperor Diocletian but in vain. St Vincent the Deacon underwent one of the severest tortures in the history of martyrdom.

January 22nd in all of the dioceses of United States of America is dedicated to prayers and penance for all the sinful acts of abortion. As one who had stood outside Abortion Clinics in Houston, Texas, recited countless Rosaries for Prolife causes, as one who had attended hours and hours of meetings and prayers for the Cause, I have arrived at a painful but liberating conclusion about Abortion and Prolife movement in America. I put it in question:

Is Abortion a Satanic Trojan Horse in the Body of the Church in America designed by Satan to confuse and divide the Church so that to it is ineffective in the urgent work of Evangelization.
Read the sorry and embarrassing news today. (Thursday January 21st). Some Bishops are attacking other Bishops in the public arena all because of Abortion. Yet we sing Ubi Caritas (Where there is love, God is there). Is God still in the Church in America where fraternal charity is sacrificed on the altar of the so-called Prolife Cause?

Conclusion: I believe that
abortion is a demonic stronghold that God will unravel at His own time and way. God wants the glory of dismantling abortion to be His rather than the activists. Some Catholics believe that they can eliminate abortion in a better and faster way than God.

God delivered Israel from Egypt after 430 years. Not because God is weak and did not care but because NOTHING HAPPENS UNTIL THE FULLNESS OF TIME. (Cf Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 3: 11).
God's ways and will are mysterious. (Cf Isaiah 55: 8 - 9).

If correct thought is the key to correct action, our thoughts on this issue need to come under the scrutiny of Scripture and total Magisterium.

IN GOD WE TRUST!
Not in a President, Congress, Stock Market, Dollar. Not marching up and down in futile activism.

"It pleased God to remove my barrenness in His own time and way." (Sarah, wife of Abraham).
Not because God is weak but because the Almighty had set a time for the miracle.

Part of our key Scripture for today reads:
"He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons."

Those who are chosen, called and anointed have a precise marching order by Jesus:
#1. Abide with Me in the Eucharist, Adoration and Prayer. I need you more as a friend and companion than an activist. Remember that I am God. I don't need your help to unravel the demonic petulance of Abortion in the fullness of time.

#2. When you remain with Me long enough, you will learn to act like Me. My Spirit will start producing His fruits in you:
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity.

Lord Jesus, grant us the spirit of unity, peace and love.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Jesus is always willing and able to save us from all human catastrophes.

"Therefore, he [Jesus] is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7: 25).

Thursday 21st January 2021, in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Agnes (+ 304). Virgin and Martyr. Agnes who made a private vow of chastity to Jesus Christ resisted the attempt to force her into marriage. She was martyred at the age of 13. St Agnes is the patron saint of young girls and purity.

Two  things to note about our key Scripture for today:
#1. Jesus as our Eternal High Priest lives to make constant intercession for those whom He calls "My sisters and My brothers."
We know that at the heart of Worship is Sacrifice. At the heart of Sacrifice is Praise and Thanksgiving. As our Eternal High Priest, Jesus encourages His brothers and sisters to join Him in the ministry of Intercession.

#2. Jesus is always able to save those who are in need of mercy and approach the throne of grace with confident boldness through Jesus. Jesus is always willing and able to save us from sin, sickness, bankruptcy, war, etc.

We are continually in need of mercy. Jesus sees us through His lens of mercy. When we approach the throne of grace, we should approach not through our strength but through our weaknesses because this is how God sees us and thus moved to show us mercy.

As co-intercessors with Jesus, our behavior should be:
Ask for mercy.
Be merciful.
Completely trust Jesus for mercy.

John the Divine teaches that "God first loved us and sent his Son to be the sacrifice that takes our sins away, and we have known and put our faith in God’s love towards us." (1 John 4: 10).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Is it good to take your son to the hospital on Sunday?

“Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” (Mark 3: 4).

Wednesday 20th January 2021, in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time is also the feast of: 1.Pope St Fabian (+ 250). Italian. Fabian divided the diocese of Rome into seven diaconates. This facilitated aid to the poor. He suffered martyrdom under Emperor Decius.
2. St Sebastian (+ 288). Italian from Milan. Officer in the Imperial Guard under Emperor Diocletian. Martyred when he converted to Christianity.
3. Blessed Cyprian Michael Tansi (1903 - 1964). Nigerian. Trappist monk and priest. Beatified in Nigeria by Pope St John Paul II in 1998.
Why do we honor the saints? Jesus is glorified when we honor His saints. Their intercession is powerful.

In our key Scripture yesterday Monday, Jesus silenced His adversaries by teaching authoritatively: “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” (Mark 2: 27 - 28).

We have today another Sabbath controversy. Here we see Jesus on the offensive: “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” (Mark 3: 4). We know the answer to Jesus question from yesterday Scripture. The adversaries did not answer the question. They knew the answer but they had ill-will and hardness of heart.

The man with the withered hand represents all of us. What the Pharisees miss is that the great day of healing is the Sabbath, Lord's Day / Sunday and the Healer is still the same: Jesus Christ healing His ailing sisters and brothers through His word and through the Eucharist.

Is it good to increase the minimum wage or is it unlawful to so?
Is it good to give some relief to illegal immigrants or it unlawful to do so?
We all can be Pharisees and Herodians in what we consider good and bad.

Jesus speaks to us every day through the Scriptures proclaimed in the Sacred Liturgy. Same Scripture, same Liturgy all over the world. This is the type of reform that Pope St Fabian initiated.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Sunday Rest is one of God's best gift to man.

“The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” (Mark 2: 27 - 28).

Tuesday 19th January 2021, in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time.

The Sabbath in our key Scripture for today is the Day of the Lord or Sunday. With the Resurrection of Jesus on a Sunday, Sunday replaced the Sabbath as the day of Rest and Worship for the Church. What is God's intention for the Sunday Rest? God gave us the Sunday Rest for our spiritual, mental and physical rest. The Sunday Rest is therefore made for the benefit of mankind.

The third Commandment instructs us to keep holy the Sabbath Day (Lord’s Day/Sunday). This one day out of 7 days in the week, we must set aside to worship God, to get to know God through the Scriptures and to grow in spiritual maturity. As we do this, we grow in the truth that the Sunday Rest is indeed a rehearsal for the promised eternal rest. In eternity, there will be no work.

To correct the distortions by Pharisees on God's plan for the Sabbath, Jesus says that as Messiah, He has the authority to decide how the Sabbath should be observed.

Rejoice in God's generous provision of the Sunday Rest and use it to grow in spiritual and human maturity.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

A time for feasting and a time for fasting.

“Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?" (Mark 2: 19).

Monday 18th January 2021, in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time. This is the week of prayer for Christian Unity (January 18 to 25th).

Our key Scripture for today is on the subject of fasting in Christian life. Jesus our Way, Truth and Life teaches by words and example that there is a time for feasting and a time for fasting. Is there a time for fasting in your Christian walk?

From the beginning of Christianity, fasting is one of the cornerstones of Christian spirituality. Others are prayer and almsgiving.  We are reminded of this especially in the holy seasons of Lent and Advent. Fridays in Ordinary Time are highly recommended as days of abstinence.

What can we fast from?
Food, meat, wine, television, news, movies.

"Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” (Mark 2: 18).
There is a time for feasting and a time for fasting, Jesus replied and continued: My disciples will fast at the right time. New wine must be poured into fresh wineskins. (Cf Mark 2: 22).

Oh that you will listen to the Lord today. Harden not your hearts.

Fasting helps us to develop a deeper spiritual life. But do you know the best fasting?
Embrace God's gracious and mysterious will in everything, always and everywhere. This is the secret of holiness.  You will be able to discern the will of God which is our Summum Bonum (our greatest and most perfect gift) Cf Romans 12: 2.

If you are in Christ through faith, the Holy Spirit makes you a new creation. The old wine is thrown away. You are filled with the new wine of the Holy Spirit. (Cf 2 Corinthians 5: 17).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

I have found the Messiah.

“We have found the Messiah”... Then he [Andrew] brought Peter to Jesus." (Cf John 1: 41 - 42).

Sunday 17th January 2021, in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time.

Andrew found Jesus because his heart's great desire was to meet the expected Messiah. If your heart's great desire is to see millions of dollars in your bank account, you may miss Jesus even if He is knocking at your door. The Bible teaches: "Find your delight in the Lord who will give you your heart’s desire." (Psalm 37: 4).

Our desires are very important. Watch your heart carefully to see the desires driving you. St Ignatius Loyola is a saint that understands a great deal about desires. He said "Desires make a man." There are two types of desires:
#1. Desires placed in your heart by the Holy Spirit.
#2. Carnal desires. You know where they come from.

Jesus draws us to His love and plan for us through our desires. Andrew brought his brother Peter to Jesus after he met Jesus. Another desire fulfilled. Andrew is one of my patron saints because he is a born evangelist. He sees the Good News. He seeks out his brother right away to share it. Every day, you hear the word of God. You read the Scriptures. Ask the Lord to give you the desire to share the Gospel. The Good News is the best News in the world.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Go to Jesus with complete boldness in times of your failures.

"So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help." (Hebrews 4: 16).

Saturday 16th January 2021, in the 1st Week in Ordinary Time.

What a great and beautiful key Scripture we have today! Read this carefully and impress it deeply in your mind. You will be happier for it.
From the Gospel of today Mark 2: 17, we know where to go when we are sick and need a physician. We know where to go when we have sinned and are depressed.

How do we go to the source of kindly and unfailing mercy? We go with complete boldness because
we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God.

Brethren, whenever we have needs: family peace, children's rebellion, health issues, money problems, your job, your car, your home, you now know where to go with fearless confidence to receive unmerited favors for our failures and needs.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Son of Man has authority to forgive sins.

"The Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth." (Cf Mark 2: 10).

Friday 15th January 2021, in the 1st Week in Ordinary Time.

How do you reckon with sin?
"She [Mary] will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Mary's Son will be named Jesus (Yeshua) because He will save His people [us] from sin.

In our key Scripture for today, we see Jesus' answer to the challenge of the lawyers as to His power to forgive sin. The background of the story is the crippled man lowered from the ceiling to the presence of Jesus. Jesus could have commanded the man to stand up and go home. But instead He said: “Child, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2: 5).
Why did Jesus do this? Perhaps to teach that there is a connection between Sin, Suffering and Salvation.

The doctors of the law who challenged Jesus believe that the authority to forgive sins belongs to God alone. Jesus answered them by saying: I will prove to you that as Messiah, I can forgive sins by healing this crippled man. “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.”  He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone." (Mark 2: 11 - 12).

Every Sunday, we repeat in the Creed:
"I believe in the forgiveness of sins."
There is no salvation without the elimination of sin. Sin is the one cancer that blocks the benefits of salvation in our lives. When Jesus appeared to His disciples in the Upper Room after His Resurrection, He first said to them: "Peace be with you." Then He said: "Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (John 20: 23). Thus Jesus gave us the great gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, also called Confession or Penance.

If you do not use the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly, it is impossible for you to taste the full salvation that Jesus Christ procures for us by His Death.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Jesus heals everyone who comes to Him.

 "A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” (Mark 1: 40).

Thursday 14th January 2021, in the 1st Week of Ordinary Time.

Six days ago, we read from St Luke's Gospel the story of the man "full of leprosy" and saw how Jesus was delighted to heal him. Today we have the incident from St Mark. Let us see how The Passion Translation (TPT) renders our key Scripture for today:
"On one occasion, a leper came and threw himself down in front of Jesus, pleading for his healing, saying, “You have the power to heal me right now if only you really want to!” (Mark 1: 40).

Let us make some observations from what we have learned about Jesus from the Gospels:

#1. Jesus is always ready to do good.
#2. Jesus heals everyone who comes to Him.
#3. Jesus did not heal all the lepers in Israel. He healed only those who come to Him.
#4. The Bible teaches: "The nearer you go to Jesus, the nearer He comes to you." (Cf James 4: 7-8,10).
#5. If today you hear Jesus speaking to you, harden not your heart. (Cf Psalm 95).Remember the leper heard about Jesus and believed what he heard and got up to search for Jesus.

Conclusion: Nobody who comes to Jesus is turned away. Seek out Jesus today with expectant and confident faith and He will heal you.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Pray like Jesus.

"Rising very early before dawn, he [Jesus] left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed." (Mark 1: 35).

Wednesday 13th of January 2021, in the 1st Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Hilary Poitiers. (315 - 368). French. Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Hilary is remembered in history especially for three things:
#1. He defended the Divinity of Jesus Christ. He is 100% Man and 100% God.
#2. It is believed Hilary dealt the death blow to the Arian heresy which had plagued the Church for hundreds of years.
#3. Hilary developed an authoritative doctrine on the Holy Trinity.

Our key Scripture for today reveals something of the habit and prayer life  of our Lord Jesus Christ. We know that Jesus taught a great deal about Prayer. He called Prayer a vital necessity. Jesus taught us to pray with expectant faith, with persistence and humility. Prayer is key to the life of faith. St Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church says that if you pray, you will be saved. If you do not pray, assume that you are lost.

How is your prayer life? Let us consider 3 points:
#1. Time of Prayer: For Jesus, we see that His sacred time for prayer is early in the morning. First thing in the day.
#2. Place of Prayer: Our Guide to Prayer Jesus does not pray in the marketplace, café or restaurant. Jesus goes to an isolated place where He can be alone with His Father without distraction and interruption.
#3. Prayer Intention: Jesus prays a lot for His ministry and His followers. This is His persistent sacred intention in Prayer.

We can learn something from the prayer habits of Jesus to bless our prayer life. The Bible teaches us to:
#1. Pray always.
#2. Pray everywhere.
#3. Pray about everything.

If we can do the above, our faith will grow; our mental life will be healthy. We will be able to overcome most of the trials that life hurls at us.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com 

Jesus commanded the evil spirit to leave the possessed man.

"In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” (Mark 1: 23 - 24).

Tuesday 12th January 2021, in the 1st Week of Ordinary Time.

What do you know about demonic attacks and spiritual warfare? Our key Scripture for today gives us the opportunity to reflect on these important realities of Christian life and experience. If you are ignorant of these facts, you may accuse yourself of spiritual malpractice against yourself. What does Scripture say about this? A couple of examples:

#1. "For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens." (Ephesians 6: 12).
Discernment of Spirits can help pinpoint the source and cause of your problem.

#2. "Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5: 8).

Satan, Devil, Demon, Evil Spirit has been a force of contention for mankind since the Fall of Adam and Eve.
“What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” They know Jesus. They know who you are.

The Church has contended with demons since Jesus said to Peter:
"He [Jesus] turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

How do you protect yourself from demonic attacks or engage in spiritual warfare? The Church has taught a number of strategies which have been helpful to people.

#1. Prayer: Exercise your vigilance through constant prayer. Watch and pray that you do not enter into spiritual combat.
#2. Scripture: When Jesus was in the desert facing off the Devil in spiritual warfare, He used Scripture three times to defeat Satan thrice. Ignorance of the word of God is one of the greatest problems of Christians.
#3. Use the Sacraments frequently especially the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. These Sacraments are the heavy weapons in our spiritual arsenal.
"The weapons of our battle are not of flesh but are enormously powerful, capable of destroying fortresses. We destroy arguments and every pretension raising itself against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive in obedience to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10: 4 - 5).
#4. Do not neglect Sacramentals. Example: holy water, crucifix, bible,  chaplet/Rosary, holy pictures, Name of Jesus. If an enemy enters your house and sees these weapons of spiritual combat, the evil spirit may do a tactical withdrawal without engaging in combat.

If you are faithful to the above battle tested strategies from the accumulated wisdom and knowledge of the Church, you may never avoid spiritual warfare but you will win most battles and prove to yourself that these means are effective.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

This is your fullness of time.

“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1: 15).

Monday 11th January 2021, in the 1st Week of Ordinary Time.

Our key Scripture this first day of Ordinary Time speaks to me deeply. Why? I love the phrase "Fullness of time."  In God's loving Providence, nothing happens until the fullness of time. (Ecclesiastes 3: 1). In the fullness of time, God makes everything beautiful. (Ecclesiastes 3: 11).  Jesus says to us in today's message:  This is your Kairos moment, the fullness of time for you to hear and act on this word. God is saying the time is up. So listen carefully. I like the way the TPT translation puts it below.

“At last the fulfillment of the age has come! It is time for the realm of God’s kingdom to be experienced in its fullness! Turn your lives back to God and put your trust in the hope-filled gospel!” (Mark 1: 15 TPT).

After Jesus had made this critical proclamation, he called those who will help Him in proclaiming the Good News. To Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, He said:  “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1: 17). Jesus recruited James and his brother John with the same promise. We see from this that the proclamation of the imminence and urgency of the kingdom of God is the primary duty of all Gospel workers.

"But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?  And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!” (Romans 10: 14-15).

How beautiful are the feet of those who respond to the invitation of Jesus to be fishers of men. Do not be anxious for a moment about your qualification. Jesus qualifies everyone He calls as He qualified Peter.

"Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit." (Acts 2: 38).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The One who will baptize us with the Holy Spirit.

"I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the holy Spirit.” (Mark 1: 8).

Sunday 10th January 2021 is the great feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

John the Baptizer bore witness to Jesus as the expected Messiah who will baptize us with the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1: 8). Who is the Holy Spirit and why is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit the ultimate Christian experience?

This Sunday Liturgy is full of Holy Spirit themes. Here are a few:

#1. "All you who are thirsty, come to the water!
You who have no money, come, buy grain and eat;
Come, buy grain without money,
wine and milk without cost!" (Isaiah 55: 1).
This is invitation to grace and mercy. Of all God's gifts, the Holy Spirit is the Big Gift. The Free Gift.

#2. "With joy you will draw water from the fountains of salvation." (Isaiah 12: 3).
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of joy and consolations. We are promised in the Responsorial Psalm from Isaiah 12 that a rich experience of joy and consolations await us when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit.

#3. "The Spirit is the one that testifies, and the Spirit is truth." (1 John 5: 6).
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth who leads us to all the truth about the person and work of Jesus the Christ.

The Baptism of Jesus launches His mission. Our Baptism with the Holy Spirit should similarly launch our mission. This is because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Mission and specifically the Spirit of Evangelization. The Church exists for only one purpose: to evangelize. It is the Holy Spirit who helps us to accomplish this mission.

Have you been baptized with the Holy Spirit? Yes. At your Baptism. And the grace of the Holy Spirit you received at Baptism was strengthened or confirmed in the Sacrament of Confirmation.

What if you say: I have been baptized and confirmed but I don't experience the joy and consolations of the Holy Spirit. Why? There could be two principal reasons:
#1. Activate the Holy Spirit in you. Like a new credit card, you need to activate it before you can start to use it and enjoy it. How do you activate the Holy Spirit? The way I did was to make a 9 - Day Novena. There are many sites with Holy Spirit Novena templates.

#2. The second reason why you may not experience the promised joy, peace and comforts of the Holy Spirit is SIN. Get rid of the sin in your life and peace, joy and consolations will flow into your life.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Jesus must increase. I must decrease.

"He [Jesus] must increase; I must decrease." (John 3: 30).

Saturday 9th January 2021, last day in the Season of Christmas.

In the fullness of time, Jesus left Nazareth and after part-hiking and part walking, He got to the River Jordan and was baptized by John the Baptist. Later John was asked about Jesus:  “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” (John 3: 20). Then John added this thought provoking words:
"He must increase; I must decrease."  John is saying: Jesus is the Messiah. I am only the messenger. No hint of jealousy from John. Compare this attitude to what we know of clerical jealousy in the Church. John knew that the Bridegroom is the star and therefore deserves the place of honor.

Where must Jesus increase in your life? Where must you decrease? Do you struggle with pride and envy? We have a perfect answer in the first Reading:
"We have this confidence in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask, we know that what we have asked him for is ours." (1 John 5: 14 - 15).

Through prayers, I have gotten every good thing in my life. This is why I affirm:
+ I believe in Prayer.
+ I believe in the word of God.
+ I believe in Miracle.
+ I surrender everything to God's time and ways.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

If you wish, you can make me clean.

"When he [the leper] saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately." (Luke 5: 12 - 13)

Friday 8th January 2021, in the Season of Christmas.

In our Gospel Reading today, we learn of a man "full of leprosy", a disease as dreaded in the days of Jesus as cancer is today. But there is one important difference. Cancer does not carry any social stigma as leprosy. The leper was driven out of the society, forbidden to mix with people and not allowed to take part in synagogue worship. Life was hell on earth for the leper. The leper in today's Gospel by an act of Providence heard about Jesus and His miracles. He tracked Jesus down. Consider how he won the heart of Jesus:

#1. He prostrated himself. Posture of prayer.
#2. He said to Jesus: "If you wish.." This could mean: I want to be healed badly but I respect your sovereignty.
#3. "You can make me clean." I know all things are possible for God.

"Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately."

Note the action of Jesus. He touched the leper, followed by these comforting words: “I do will it. Be made clean.”

What can we learn from this? Whatever problem you may have, whether it is equivalent of being "full of leprosy," approach Jesus with confidence and expectant faith. Jesus will help you. The healing of the leper is a testimony, an example to encourage us to have full faith in Jesus.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Raymond Penăfort.

"Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region." (Luke 4: 14).

Thursday 7th January 2021, in the Season of Christmas is the feast of St Raymond Penăfort (1175 - 1275). Spanish Dominican Priest. Very erudite and advanced the knowledge of Canon Law. He died at the age of 100.

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit our key Scripture informs us. We can draw two insights from this statement:
#1. After His Baptism, Jesus was immersed in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit became a permanent resident in Jesus. The people noticed the change in the Man.
#2. Power is the dominant attribute of the Holy Spirit. It is through the power of the Spirit that Jesus teaches, evangelizes, performs all types of Miracles. The Holy Spirit is first and foremost the Spirit of power.

Why does this matter to us? As disciples of Jesus, we too have received the big Gift, the Promise of the Father: the Spirit of truth and power. We too can teach, evangelize and perform miracles in the power of the Spirit. What is then lacking in us? Faith! We learn from our first Reading today: "The victory that conquers the world is our faith." Faith is a mighty power. The Holy Spirit is activated by faith, dwells and works in the environment of faith.
Remember He, the Holy Spirit is the Gift of the Father. He is in you through faith and not through your hard and filthy works.

How then do you receive the greatest Gift. Ask for Him in faith and believe that you have received Him as promised and start giving thanks and praises. As you exercise your faith in loving God and your neighbor, you prove from your experience that He is in you and working through you.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Miracle Worker, St André Bessette.

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.(1 John 4: 18).

Wednesday 6th January 2021, in the Season of Christmas is the feast of St André Bessette, popularly known as Brother André. (1845 - 1937). Canadian. Religious Brother of the Congregation of the Holy Cross. Miracle worker when alive. More miracles now from Heaven. What is the contribution of Brother André to the building up of the mystical Body of Christ?
#1. Great devotion to St Joseph, the holy Spouse of the Immaculate Virgin Mary.
#2. Special commitment to the afflicted and the poor.

Pope Francis declared December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021 a special Year of St Joseph. I discovered the power of St Joseph as a powerful intercessor from the life of St Teresa of Avila.

What does it mean that "perfect love drives out fear?" God is love. His love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. If you know this truth and believe it, this truth will make you free. Free from foolish fears, worries and doubts. Example:

Jesus tells His disciples in our Gospel Reading:  “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” (Mark 6: 50).
Why were the disciples so terrified when they saw Jesus walking on water? Their knowledge of Jesus was still so imperfect. Look at this true formula:
NO KNOWLEDGE, NO LOVE.
NO LOVE, NO SERVICE.

As your knowledge of Jesus increases, your love for Jesus will increase. As your love for Jesus increases, your fears, worries and doubts will begin to decrease. Love and fear cannot exist in the same compartment. St Jerome teaches:
"Ignorance of Scripture is Ignorance of Christ." Ignorance of Scripture is at root of most of our problems.
Want to know Jesus? Immerse yourself in the Scriptures and ask Jesus constantly to reveal Himself to you.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St John Neumann.

"Everyone who has given up home,
brothers, or sisters, father or mother, wife or children or property for my sake will receive many times as much and inherit everlasting life." (Matthew 19: 29 Communion Antiphon).

Tuesday 5th January 2021, in the Season of Christmas is the feast of a great missionary priest, Bishop, Church planter, pioneer in the Catholic Schools system in USA. His name is St John Neumann (1811 - 1860). Born in Bohemia. Became Bishop of Philadelphia. Became a Redemptorist priest. Worn out by his labors, John died at the age of 49.

Did you notice the extraordinary promise in our key Scripture for today?
"Everyone who has given up home,
brothers, or sisters, father or mother, wife or children or property for my sake will receive many times as much and inherit everlasting life."

The Church is great because the Church has legions of women and men who have given up home,
brothers, or sisters, father or mother, wife or children or property to serve Jesus and to be salt of the earth and the light of the nations. This was true at the beginning of the Church. It remains true today.
Although these missionaries are enjoying their promised reward here in form of the peace of Christ and certainty of everlasting life, they rejoice every day because of their beautiful allotted portion and their inheritance: to serve the King.

Do you perhaps wonder how you can participate in the missionary work of the Church? Consider these ways:
#1. Pray for the success of the missions. St Therese of the Child Jesus (the Little Flower) is the patron saint of missionaries. She never left her convent for one day. She gained this status by her prayers and sacrifices.
#2. Missionaries do many things from education to health care, etc. Contribute financially to mission work.
#3. Offering up your trials and disappointments are great way of contributing to mission work.

The Lord Jesus is inviting us to bring the good news to the poor,
to proclaim liberty to captives. (Cf Luke 4: 17). What is your response?

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Educator, St Elizabeth Ann Seton.

"Beloved: We receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us." (1 John 3: 22 - 23).

Monday 4th January 2021, in the Season of Christmas is the feast of St Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774 - 1821). American. Wife, mother, religious, educator and founder of the Sisters of Charity. Elizabeth founded the first Catholic School in America for girls. She is the first native born American to be canonized saint. St Elizabeth Ann Seton is the patron saint of educators and widows.

Our key Scripture for today reinforces my deep trust in Prayer.
I believe in Prayer.
I believe in the word of God.
I believe in Miracle.
I leave the rest to God.

God promises us:
"We receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him."

My God, I desire to receive from You all the good things in life You have for me. If the price is doing what pleases You and keeping Your commandments, I am for it. Give me Your grace and mercy for I cannot live without them.

In the Gospel for today, Jesus in His very first preaching urges us: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4: 17).
Lord Jesus, I believe in Your promise on prayer. Give Your brothers and sisters the grace of repentance and constancy in Your service. Amen.

St Elizabeth Ann Seton lived the evangelical virtues of chastity, obedience and poverty until her death at the age of 46.
St Elizabeth Ann Seton pray for us.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The big Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord is today.

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” (Matthew 2: 2).

Sunday 3rd January 2021, in the Season of Christmas is the great Solemnity of the Epiphany.

Have you seen the star or are you still searching and asking: "Where is the newborn king of the Jews?"

Brothers and sisters, this is really a beautiful feast that offers us great insight into the mystery of salvation. Our salvation, redemption, assumption into Christ depends on one thing, only one thing: FAITH! Examples:

#1 The Magi, wealthy lords from the East entered the room where Christ lay with His simply clad mother and father in a sparsely furnished room . They saw and Believed that this is He.
#2 Simeon and Anna entered the Temple during the Presentation of Jesus to His heavenly Father. They saw a simple couple with two small pigeons, the offering of the poor. They saw and they Believed that this is He.
#3 At the crucifixion, Jesus battered body was hanging between two thieves. One of the thieves turned his head slightly and looked at Jesus. He saw and Believed that this is He, the Savior of the world.

In all three examples, our stars walked by faith and not by sight or feeling. 

In the feast of the Epiphany, we celebrate the fullness of time when God revealed His only Begotten Son to the nations through the Magi by the guidance of a star.

All nations become coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (Cf Ephesians 3: 6).

When you became a member of the Body of Christ through Baptism, you were asked: What do you seek from the Church of the living God? We know that the first thing we seek is Faith. Faith opens the door to every good thing in the world.

I believe in God the Father.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His Only Begotten Son.
I believe in the Holy Spirit.
I believe in the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I believe in life everlasting.
Amen.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of two great friends and saints: Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen.

"Remain in Him."  (1 John 2 : 27 & 28)

Saturday 2nd January 2021, in the Season of Christmas is the feast of two great friends, saints, Bishops and Doctors of the Church: Saints Basil the Great (329 to 379)and Gregory Nazianzen (329 to 389).  Both men, great friends in this world "proclaimed Christ crucified; Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God." (Cf 1 Corinthians 1: 23 - 24).

One of the words the Spirit gives the Churches today is: Remain. (1 John 2 : 22 - 28)  Several places in the first Reading, the Spirit urges us to "remain in Him."   (1 John 2 : 27,28)
What does remain in something or somebody mean? A few examples from the dictionary.
#1. Stay in the place that one has been occupying.
#2. Continue to possess a particular quality or fulfill a particular role. Eg: Constancy and fidelity.
#3. I'll treat you well, as long as you remain loyal.
#4. Abide in something or dwell in something.

The Spirit instructs us to remain in Jesus.

How do we remain in Jesus?
#1.  We remain in Jesus when we remain or abide in His word every day.  Jesus is in His word.
#2.  We remain in Jesus when we converse with Him in prayer.  When we pray, we talk to Jesus.  When we read the Word or a spiritual book, Jesus talks to us.
#3.  We remain in Jesus when we encounter Jesus in the Eucharist.  The Eucharist is the source, center and summit of the Christian life.
#4.  We remain in Jesus when we are aware of His promised presence in us as Emmanuel, the God who is always with us.

"And now, children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming."  (1 John 2: 28)

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Remember the Sacred Heart of Jesus - First Friday 2021.

January 1, 2021, Solemnity of Mary Mother of God is also -  First Friday in January, 2021.

In the 1st  month of the year 2021, we look at Promise #1.

#1.  "I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life."
 
What is your state of life?
A.  Married
B.  Single
C.  Divorced
D.   Adolescent

Jesus promises us here:  sufficient grace to cope with whatever happens.  We know that anything can happen anytime.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus every First Friday.

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

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

Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Solemnity of Mary Mother of God: Happy 2021!

"When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb." (Luke 2: 21).

Friday 1st of January 2021, in the 8th Day of the Octave of Christmas is the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God. As we celebrate the New Year, the beginning of the secular calendar, Mother Church celebrates the feast of St Mary as the Mother of God.

In our key Scripture for this Solemnity, we reflect on the important occasion of the naming of Jesus. On the eighth day of His circumcision, the Infant Child of Mary was named Jesus. In the Hebrew world, naming a child is a big deal. The name of the child is even a bigger deal. The child of Elizabeth and Zachary was named John in a ceremony surrounded by relatives, friends and neighbors and they named the little boy John, a name which means "God is gracious."

Mary and Joseph named their little Son, Jesus. A name that was bestowed by the Angel Gabriel at His conception. Jesus means "God saves." The name indicates who Jesus is and what Jesus will do as a person. He will be always our God who saves us from sin.

In her great joy at the conclusion of the Council of Ephesus in 431, by a universal acclaim by the people, Mary was bestowed the title Theotokos, a name which means "God Bearer."
This confirms the prophetic utterance of Elizabeth:
"Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1: 41 - 43).

Hail, Holy Mother! Happy Feast Day! You gave birth to the King, who rules heaven and earth for ever.  (Cf Entrance Antiphon).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com