Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this First Friday in January 2024.

First Friday in January 2024.

Start this Year strong by honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus on January 5th. See yourself stronger in faith by July 2024 and finish in December in top form and count your blessings.

Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion.

#1. "I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life."

What does Jesus mean by the state of life?

Every human being lives in one of two states:  married life for majority of people and single state.

In the single state, there are men and women who have committed themselves to Consecrated life. Human needs are not the same always for the two groups.  Whether you find yourself married or single, this is is your predestined means for holiness and passport to heaven.

In Promise #1, the Lord promises to provide all the graces necessary in all the circumstances of life, viz:

 Please remember that the Lord Jesus knows exactly what you need and when you need it. Trust Him.

Remind the Lord often of these promises.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday, 5th of January 2024.

For the full list of 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

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com 

"Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy Name is the greatest spiritual force in the world today.... " (Blessed Henry Suso - 1290 to 1365).

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious.

Feast of St Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious and Foundress. 

“John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” 

"The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” 

"They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. 

"Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah,” which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus.

"Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas,” which is translated Peter.” (John 1: 35 - 42).

 Thursday, January 4th 2024 in the Season of Christmas is the feast of St Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774 - 1821). 

St Elizabeth Ann Seton is an American  Religious. Elizabeth is blessed as wife, mother, educator and founder of a religious order. She was born in New York. 

Why is she significant in the Church in America? She founded the Sisters of Charity, a teaching order that has made a significant contribution to education and the American parochial school system. Secondly, she was the first person born in continental United States of America to be canonized a saint.

But more to the point is that Elizabeth Ann Seton found the fullness of Jesus Christ and His teaching in the Catholic Church. Like Andrew and John in our Scripture of today, Elizabeth must have exclaimed when she converted to Catholicism and received into the Church: "I have found the fullness of knowledge and faith in Jesus. I have found the Eucharist!"

One of the beautiful maxims of St Elizabeth Ann is:

"Cheerfulness prepares a glorious mind for all the noblest acts." (St Elizabeth Ann Seton). 

"Behold a wise woman who has built her house. She feared the Lord and walked in the right path." (Proverbs 14: 1 - 2).

“Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy Name is the greatest spiritual force in the world today.... " (Blessed Henry Suso - 1290 to 1365).

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus.

THE Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. 

"John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said,

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

"He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.”

"John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him.

I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.” (John 1: 29 - 34).

Jesus is the name given to our Redeemer before He was born.

The name Jeshua in Hebrew means God Saves!  It is a name that is so appropriate for Jesus because He saves everyone who puts his faith in Him.

Even before the Gospels were written, the Name of Jesus has been revered and venerated. In fact, the power of the Name of Jesus is one of the four pillars of Apostolic Witness. 

Others are:

#1 The Death of Jesus.

#2 The Resurrection of Jesus.

#3 The Witness of Sacred Scriptures to these events.

Is there any wonder that this hymn from the Letter to the Philippians below is the earliest liturgical hymn recorded? This hymn is a historical testament that Liturgy (the Mass) precedes the written Gospels.

"At the name of Jesus, every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2: 10 - 11).

Demons fear the Name of Jesus. Use it often as an armor of protection. The Jesus Prayer, "Jesus have mercy on me" is a full prayer. Use it when you need a quick prayer.

According to St Bernard of Clairvaux, Doctor of the Church, "The sweet name of Jesus produces in us holy thoughts, fills the soul with noble sentiments, strengthens virtue, and nourishes pure affections.... This name is the cure for all diseases of the soul." 

St Bernardine of Siena who wrote a good deal on the power of the name of Jesus teaches:

"The Name of God is awesome; in it is found the ardor of the flame which consumes, the wrath which chastises, the weight which crushes; but all these things have been tempered in the wellspring of mercy by Jesus Christ Who was smitten with love for us in the womb of the Virgin Mary."

If you say the Rosary every day, you mention the name of Jesus at least 60 times a day. 

The name of Jesus is the sweetest sound in every language.

Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!

Jesus, I Trust in You.

“Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy Name is the greatest spiritual force in the world today.... " (Blessed Hernry Suso - 1290 to 1365).

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazienzen Bishops and Doctors of the Church.

Feast of Sts Basil the Great and Gregory Nazienzen. Bishops and Doctors of the Church. 

"This is the testimony of John. 

When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?”

he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted,

“I am not the Christ.” 

So they asked him,

“What are you then? Are you Elijah?” 

And he said, “I am not.” 

“Are you the Prophet?”

He answered, “No.” 

So they said to him,

“Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? 

What do you have to say for yourself?”

He said:

“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,

‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’

as Isaiah the prophet said.” 

Some Pharisees were also sent. 

They asked him,

“Why then do you baptize

if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” 

John answered them,

“I baptize with water;

but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,

the one who is coming after me,

whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” 

This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing." (John 1: 19 - 28).

Tuesday , January 2nd 2024 is the feast of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazienzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church. 

“Who are you?”..... “What are you then?.... What do you have to say for yourself?” (John 1: 19, 21, 22).

The priests, levites and Jewish leaders have been watching the ministry of St John the Baptist for a while. At long last, they decided to hear from the horse's mouth the identity of this austere prophet.  John did not beat about the bush:  “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord.”  (John 1: 23).

And you? Who are you? What is your purpose on earth? What do you do for the Church of God?  All these are apt questions to reflect on as we prepare to celebrate the feast of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday January 7th marking the end of the Christmas Season.

We celebrate today, January 2nd, two great 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).

The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January. 

“Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy Name is the greatest spiritual force in the world today.... " (Blessed Henry Suso - 1290 to 1365).

There is power in the Name of Jesus! 

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

1 - 1

The Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. 

“Brothers and sisters:

When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,  

born of a woman, born under the law,  

to ransom those under the law,  

so that we might receive adoption as sons.

As proof that you are sons,  

God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,  

crying out, “Abba, Father!”

So you are no longer a slave but a son,  

and if a son then also an heir, through God. (Galatians 4: 4 - 7). 

Monday January 1, 2024 in the Octave of Christmas is the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

"Mary is acclaimed by Elizabeth, at the prompting of the Spirit and even before the birth of her son, as "the mother of my Lord". In fact, the One whom she conceived as man by the Holy Spirit, who truly became her Son according to the flesh, was none other than the Father's eternal Son, the second person of the Holy Trinity. Hence the Church confesses that Mary is truly "Mother of God" (Theotokos)." (CCC 495).

Our key Scripture says that in the fullness of time, God fulfilled the promise He made long ago. Are you waiting for the fullness of time on anything? Health, family, finances, job, tools and necessary resources?

Our Scripture today indicates that nothing happens until the fullness of time, the Kairos time. Do you have a relationship with Mary the Mother of God? Mary who after Jesus is our greatest intercessor in Heaven by the gracious and mysterious will of God is waiting to embrace and help you.  Mary is key to our knowledge and relationship with Jesus her Son. Mary is the only human being who knew Jesus from conception to His death to His Resurrection.

Mary Mother of God pray for us.

SeekFirstCommunity Team wishes you a 2024 full of Peace:

The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace and prosperity. 

The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January. 

“Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy Name is the greatest spiritual force in the world today.... " (Blessed Henry Suso - 1290 to 1365).

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

LITANY OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS.

Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

Lord, have mercy

Lord, have mercy

Christ, have mercy

Christ, have mercy

Lord, have mercy

Lord, have mercy

God our Father in heaven

have mercy on us

God the Son,

have mercy on us

Redeemer of the world

have mercy on us

God the Holy Spirit

have mercy on us

Holy Trinity, one God

have mercy on us

Jesus, Son of the living God

have mercy on us

Jesus, splendor of the Father

have mercy on us

Jesus, brightness of everlasting light

have mercy on us

Jesus, king of glory

have mercy on us

Jesus, dawn of justice

have mercy on us

Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary

have mercy on us

Jesus, worthy of our love

have mercy on us

Jesus, worthy of our wonder

have mercy on us

Jesus, mighty God

have mercy on us

Jesus, father of the world to come

have mercy on us

Jesus, prince of peace

have mercy on us

Jesus, all-powerful

have mercy on us

Jesus, pattern of patience

have mercy on us

Jesus, model of obedience

have mercy on us

Jesus, gentle and humble of heart

have mercy on us

Jesus, lover of chastity

have mercy on us

Jesus, lover of us all

have mercy on us

Jesus, God of peace

have mercy on us

Jesus, author of life

have mercy on us

Jesus, model of goodness

have mercy on us

Jesus, seeker of souls

have mercy on us

Jesus, our God

have mercy on us

Jesus, our refuge

have mercy on us

Jesus, father of the poor

have mercy on us

Jesus, treasure of the faithful

have mercy on us

Jesus, Good Shepherd

have mercy on us

Jesus, the true light

have mercy on us

Jesus, eternal wisdom

have mercy on us

Jesus, infinite goodness

have mercy on us

Jesus, our way and our life

have mercy on us

Jesus, joy of angels

have mercy on us

Jesus, king of patriarchs

have mercy on us

Jesus, teacher of apostles

have mercy on us

Jesus, master of evangelists

have mercy on us

Jesus, courage of martyrs

have mercy on us

Jesus, light of confessors

have mercy on us

Jesus, purity of virgins

have mercy on us

Jesus, crown of all saints

have mercy on us

Lord, be merciful

Jesus, save your people

From all evil

Jesus, save your people

From every sin

Jesus, save your people

From the snares of the devil

Jesus, save your people

From your anger

Jesus, save your people

From the spirit of infidelity

Jesus, save your people

From everlasting death

Jesus, save your people

From neglect of your Holy Spirit

Jesus, save your people

By the mystery of your incarnation

Jesus, save your people

By your birth

Jesus, save your people

By your childhood

Jesus, save your people

By your hidden life

Jesus, save your people

By your public ministry

Jesus, save your people

By your agony and crucifixion

Jesus, save your people

By your abandonment

Jesus, save your people

By your grief and sorrow

Jesus, save your people

By your death and burial

Jesus, save your people

By your rising to new life

Jesus, save your people

By your return in glory to the Father

Jesus, save your people

By your gift of the holy Eucharist

Jesus, save your people

By your joy and glory

Jesus, save your-people

Christ, hear us

Christ

Lord Jesus, hear our prayer

Lord Jesus, hear our prayer

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world

have mercy on us

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world

have mercy on us

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world

have mercy on us

Let us pray.

As we venerate the most holy Name of Jesus,

mercifully grant us, Lord,

that, savoring its sweetness in this life,

we may be filled with everlasting joy

in our heavenly homeland.

Through Christ our Lord.

R/. Amen.

℟. All those you protect, O Lord, shall be glad and ring out their joy.* You shelter them; in you they rejoice, those who love your name.

℣. They will walk, O Lord, in the light of your face; they will find their joy every day in your name.* You shelter them; in you they rejoice, those who love your name.

________

Let us pray.

Lord God,

    teach us at all times to fear and love your holy name,

for you never withdraw your guiding hand

    from those you establish in your love.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

________

Let us praise the Lord.

– Thanks be to God.