A message of reconciliation we can appreciate.

"God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself, and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled." (2 Corinthians 5: 19).

Sunday 6th September 2020, 23rd Week in Ordinary Time.

One word to sum the theme of the Scripture messages this Sunday may be Reconciliation. Between God and man - first Reading. Between man and man - second Reading and the Gospel.

God desires reconciliation with the sinner. He can do it by Himself but He wants our partnership. This is why the Father sent His Son to become man and reconcile humanity to God.

If man is able to love his neighbor as himself, there will be no need for a ministry of Reconciliation.  "Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13: 10).

Our love for God is in direct proportion of our awareness of God's love for us. Our love for our neighbor is in direct proportion to our awareness that our neighbor is like ourselves created in the image and likeness of God therefore we all are children of God. It is the responsibility of parents to inculcate this lesson in their children even before the age of reason.

The Church exercises its ministry of Reconciliation through catechesis, evangelization and the sacraments. We do this best when two or more people are gathered in the name of Jesus and reconcile members and pray for healing in the community. Jesus promises to be always present.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of Mother St Teresa of Kolkata.

"What do you possess that you have not received? But if you have received it, why are you boasting as if you did not receive it?" (1 Corinthians 4: 7).

Saturday 5th September 2020, 22nd Week in Ordinary Time.  Most Masses today may honor the Blessed Virgin Mary as today is the First Saturday in September.  Today is also the feast of St Teresa of Kolkata (1910 - 1997). Founder of the Missionaries of Charity. She won the Nobel Prize.

How did I find myself in the beautiful Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on September 4th 2016 for the Mass of the Canonization of St Teresa of Kolkata happening in Rome that very day? Coincidence or Providence?  St Teresa of Kolkata became my patron saint from that day. She is the Saint of Mercy.

Our key Scripture for today is a challenging one: "What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if all you have is from God, why act as though you are so great, and as though you have accomplished something on your own?"
Everything is a gift from God: Country, race, education, wealth, health, job, family, etc. Do we forget this sometimes? Have you not heard people claim:  'We built this and that?' Consider this comforting truth from the Liturgy of the Hours:

"T'is not from chance our comfort springs but from Your gracious ordaining O Father of mercies." (Cf 2 Corinthians 1: 3 - 4).

We honor on this First Saturday of September two great Mothers:

The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope and Mercy and Mother St Teresa of Kolkata, Mother of the Poorest of the Poor and Saint of Mercy. We ask our Mothers to pray for us who are in most need of mercy.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Comparing Jesus with the Baptist and the Pharisees.

"The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.” (Luke 5: 33).

Friday 4th September 2020, 22nd Week in Ordinary Time. Also First Friday in September.

Everything Jesus said and did during His public ministry was done openly and in the day time. Why? He wants people to hear and see for themselves and judge who He is. A tree must be judged by the fruit. Jesus clearly is greater than John the Baptist whose mission was to prepare His way. As for comparing Jesus with the Pharisees, judge for yourselves if there is any basis for this.

How do we judge? People, races, countries, churches, individuals, etc? First, the Scripture teaches us not to judge at all. Leave all judgment to God who is most qualified to judge. Human beings see only the outward appearances, God sees the heart and inner reality of everything.

As for the concern of the scribes and the Pharisees with regard to fasting and prayers, Jesus has a short answer for His challengers:
"New wine must be poured into fresh wineskins." (Luke 5: 38). Meaning: Open your eyes and see. I am doing New Things!

"I am the light of the world, says the Lord; anyone who follows me will have the light of life." (John 8: 12)

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the First Friday of September.

September 4, 2020 - First Friday in September.

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which Jesus made through St Margaret Mary Alacoque to all who honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month. In the 9th month of the year 2020, we look at Promise #9.

#9.  "I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honored."

This is a very easy condition to fulfill. Just buy the Sacred Heart of Jesus picture from a Catholic Bookstore or Amazon and place it in a prominent place in your home. Now you can pray to Jesus: Bless my home as You promised. I honor Your Sacred Heart image displayed in my home.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday.

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

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

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First Friday in September 2020.

September 4, 2020 - First Friday in September.

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which Jesus made through St Margaret Mary Alacoque to all who honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month. In the 9th month of the year 2020, we look at Promise #9.

#9.  "I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honored."

This is a very easy condition to fulfill. Just buy the Sacred Heart of Jesus picture from a Catholic Bookstore or Amazon and place it in a prominent place in your home. Now you can pray to Jesus: Bless my home as You promised. I honor Your Sacred Heart image displayed in my home.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday.

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

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

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He left everything and followed Jesus.

"Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” (Luke 5: 5).

Thursday 3rd September 2020, 22nd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Servant of the Servants of God, St Gregory the Great. (540 - 604). Pope and Doctor of the Church.  When God found David, He exclaimed with delight: "I have chosen David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him. My hand will be with him; my arm will make him strong." (Psalm 89: 21 - 22). This Scripture can be applied to Pope Gregory the Great.

In our Gospel of today, Jesus calls Peter, James and John from professional fishing to fishers of men. Scripture says:  "They left everything and followed him." (Luke 5: 11). Gregory the Great was called from the City Hall where he was the Mayor of Rome to be fisher of men. He too left everything and followed Jesus.

Our key Scripture for today is very personal to me. I remember when I was a salesman knocking on doors. Sometimes, I would work an entire week without making a single sale. To add to the pain, I was on 100% commission. I would moan to Jesus:
“Lord, I have worked hard all week and caught nothing." Note the next words of Peter: "But at your command I will lower the nets.”

Here is the lesson:
#1 Our faith implies our obedience.
#2 The just man shall live by faith.
#3 Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

The Lord Jesus called Gregory from civic life to be an apostle. He called Peter, James and John from professional fishermen to be apostles. Is Jesus calling you to serve Him as an apostle, evangelist, catechist, missionary?

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com 

I was born for this One Purpose.

"[Jesus] said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” (Luke 4: 43).

Wednesday 2nd September 2020, 22nd Week in Ordinary Time.

In our key Scripture for today, Jesus says that He must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God EVERYWHERE because He was born for this very purpose. When Pilate asked Jesus if He was a King, the King of the Universe replied: "For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."  (John 18: 37).

Jesus came into the world for one grand Purpose: To inaugurate the Kingdom of God. He does this through teaching and preaching; through healing and feeding the hungry. Most importantly, He ushers in the Kingdom through His passion and death on the Cross.

Jesus created a permanent Apostolic College to ensure the historical growth of the Church till His Return. The seed of the kingdom exists in the Church. (Cf CCC 671). Why does all this matter to you? It matters a great deal because Jesus says to you:  "Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6: 33). Put simply, this means: If you want to be a stockholder in the Kingdom Enterprise, you must make this Enterprise your priority in everything. When you join the Enterprise, you sign the code of conduct which you are expected to adhere to. This is the code of holiness. Three things are tied together in the great promise of Matthew 6: 33:
#1 Make the kingdom top priority.
#2 Be holy or righteous.
#3 Believe firmly that God will provide all your needs.

These three stand together. What God has joined together, let no man tear asunder.

What are the rewards and privileges of living Matthew 6: 33? Jesus promises ALL YOUR NEEDS will be met. Besides, you will receive the greatest gift: the Awesome Holy Spirit. He comes to you with Seven Gifts: Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. With all these, you are ready to say with Jesus:

"The Lord has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives." (Luke 4: 17).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The People were amazed at the teaching of Jesus.

"He taught them on the sabbath,  and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority." (Luke 4: 31 - 32).

Tuesday 1st September 2020, 22nd Week in Ordinary Time.

The common folk in the Synagogue in Capernaum were amazed at the teaching of Jesus. They recognized its quality and authority. We know that Jesus exercised His ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit. What exactly did the worshippers in the Synagogue observe about the teaching of Jesus?
#1 Simplicity.
#2 Clarity.
#3 Truth.

Even the enemies of Jesus conceded that He spoke the truth because He fears no man. A great obstacle to communicating the Gospel today is that there is existential threat to the truth. There is so much falsehood, fake teaching and news. Jesus guarantees the truth to the only Church He founded. The Holy Spirit will teach the Church every truth that Jesus has communicated during His public ministry. How does this work in practice?

#1 The Sacred Magisterium: The Pope is the Pastor-in-Chief and the Supreme Teacher in the Church.
#2 Sensus Fidelium: The Holy Spirit works through the People of God (the men and women in the pew) to guarantee faithful and trustworthy doctrine. If the Bishops err in the formulation of doctrine, they are corrected by the infallible "INSTINCT OF FAITH" (Sensus Fidelium) planted in their hearts by the Holy Spirit.

Why do people with the spirit of the world not accept the truth? The answer is in today's first Reading.

"Now the natural person does not accept what pertains to the Spirit of God, for to him it is foolishness, and he cannot understand it, because it is judged spiritually." (1 Corinthians 2: 14).

How do you avoid the trap of falsehood prevalent in the current environment?

#1 Make the Holy Spirit your partner.
#2 Read the word of God with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
#3 Those who say the Holy Rosary regularly are promised protection from heresies. (#4 of the 15 Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary) Checkout below:
http://seekfirstcommunity.com/2020/08/the-15-promises-of-mary-to-those-who.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sacred Heart Prayer and Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Sacred Heart 12 Promises

The Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary

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

2. I will give peace in their families.

3. I will console them in all their troubles.

4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.

5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.

6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.

7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.

8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.

9. I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honored.

10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.

11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced.

12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under My displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.

+ Imprimatur: E. Morrogh Bernard, Vic. Gen.,  Westmonasterii, 1954

“Jesus knew and loved us each and all during his life, his agony and his Passion, and gave himself up for each one of us.  ‘The Son of God ….loved me and gave himself for me.’  He has loved us all with a human heart.  For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation, ‘is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that….love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings’ without exception.”  (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #478)

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The Sacred Heart of Jesus Prayer:

O most holy Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore You, I love You, and with a lively sorrow for my sins, I offer You this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure, and wholly obedient to Your will. Grant, good Jesus, that I may live in You and for You. Protect me in the midst of danger; comfort me in my afflictions. Give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, Your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death. Amen.

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ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS 

 Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.

I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. 

Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.
I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted Servants. Amen.

-- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Seekfirstcommunity.com

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Seek first the kingdom of God and 
his righteousness, all these things will be given you  besides." (Matthew 6:33) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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The 15 Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary.

The Fifteen Promises of Mary to Christians Who Recite the Rosary

1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces.
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.
3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against Hell; it will destroy vice, decrease sin and defeat heresies.
4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities and will lift them to the desire of eternal things.  Oh, that soul would sanctify themselves by this means!
5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish.
6. Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred Mysteries, shall never be conquered by misfortune.  God will not chastise him in His justice; he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just, he shall remain in the grace of God and become worthy of eternal life.
7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in Paradise.
9. I shall deliver from Purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven.
11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.
12. All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.
14. All who recite the Rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only Son, Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion to my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.
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TODAY This Scripture is FULFILLED.

"Jesus said to them, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4: 21).

Monday 31st August 2020, 22nd Week in Ordinary Time. We start the reading of the Gospel of Luke for weekday Masses all the way to Advent.

Two words capture my interest in the key Scripture for today: TODAY, FULFILLED. On the Sabbath in the Synagogue in Nazareth, it was Jesus turn to read the Scriptures. He carefully selected a passage from Isaiah about the job description of the expected Messiah and read it. Then He rolled up the scroll and sat down. Then Jesus said:  “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” Let us consider our keywords TODAY and FULFILLED.

#1 TODAY: Just as every human being has his birthday, so does a prophecy has its fulfillment Day. That Day is called in Scripture the Fullness of time. "There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens." (Ecclesiastes 3: 1).

At the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, the Prophet and Prophetess Simeon and Anna mysteriously appeared in the Temple on the Day of the Presentation.

What promises are you waiting their fulfillment? Write down the promise in bold letters and put it on the wall in your bedroom where you can see it every day. Don't forget to put the date on it. "For the vision [promise] is a witness for the appointed time, a testimony to the end; it will not disappoint. If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late." (Cf Habakkuk 2: 2 - 3).

God is faithful to every single promise He makes. But every promise has its Day of Fulfillment. In the fullness of time, God makes everything beautiful. (Cf Ecclesiastes 3: 11).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Get away from Me Satan!

"From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised." (Matthew 16: 21).

Sunday 30th August 2020, 22nd Week in Ordinary Time.

Jesus first prediction of His passion, death and resurrection marks a turning point in His ministry. The disciples did not understand His prediction. Perhaps they did not even want to hear Him speak of bad news at all, certainly not suffering and death.
“God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” Peter remonstrated with Jesus.

What is your opinion about the Crucifixion? Suffering in your life? Suffering in the world?
The Cross is God's will and path for our salvation. No Cross, No Crown. “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (Luke 24: 25 - 26).

So we are foolish to imagine that there could be salvation without suffering. Suffering is a divine necessity. Look around you and see the truth in nature. A seed must die in the ground before it sprouts to bring new life. A woman at childbirth wonders whether her end has come. But soon, she is smiling with the child in her arms.

One of the most powerful truths I learned from the Gospels is this: "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8: 32).
The reverse of this is equally astonishing. You are imprisoned by the falsehood you believe. The Devil is the Father of lies. He sows falsehood and lies everywhere. That is why Jesus rebuked Peter sharply on this occasion.
“Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” (Matthew 16: 23).

How do we protect ourselves from the deadly lies of the Devil? The answer is in the 2nd Reading today:
"Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12: 2).

#1 Read and meditate on the word of God every day.
#2 Pray every day.

"Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later." (Romans 8: 18).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Martyrdom of St John the Baptist.

“I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” (Mark 6: 25).

Saturday 29th August 2020, 21st Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Martyrdom of St John the Baptist.

Who is John the Baptist? John is the son of Zachary and Elizabeth. When Mary visited Elizabeth, John  leapt in her mother's womb in recognition of Jesus. When he came of age, he retired to the desert to prepare for his exacting ministry. In the fullness of time, he came to the River Jordan and began preaching and baptizing people for repentance in preparation for the ministry of Jesus Christ. It was here that he condemned the adulterous life of King Herod. Herodias, the concubine of Herod took revenge on the Baptist and demanded his death when a good opportunity presented itself.

John's martyrdom is a cause of joy and hope for Christians. John died about the age of 32. Was his life in vain? Of course not. You think of the hundreds of martyrs that the Church honors every year. We honor them to remind everyone that Heaven is real for the faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Hell is also real for those who reject Jesus completely.

If someone asks you: How do you know that Heaven is real? Your answer could be among others: Look at the martyrs. Intelligent and beautiful men and women! Could they have thrown away the only life they had for nothing? Think of all the Apostles, Saints Cecilia, Agatha, Thomas More, Lawrence, etc.

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10: 28)

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of a Celebrity - St Augustine.

 "Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour." (Matthew 25: 13).

Friday 28th August 2020, 21st Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Augustine. (354 - 430).African. Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church. Son of St Monica who procured his conversion through copious tears. Once God the Father willed that St Augustine "will serve us," St Augustine was baptized by St Ambrose of Milan, great Bishop and Doctor of the Church. St Augustine is a prolific writer and without doubt one of the greatest doctors of the Church. His greatest works are: THE CONFESSIONS and THE CITY OF GOD.

How do we tie our key Scripture of today to the life of this great man?
At the very end of the Parable of Ten Virgins, Jesus said: "Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour." (Matthew 25: 13). In short, this may well be the summary of the teachings of Jesus. "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?" The 5 foolish virgins made sure their dresses, hair, finger nails, etc were perfect. But they neglected the most important thing. To anticipate the delay of the Bridegroom and prepare for the delay accordingly. The wise virgins did not neglect their appearances but asked the question: "What if there is a delay?" This question made the difference.

My friend, are you wise or foolish? How prepared are you for the inevitable? Let us be clear of one thing: There is a likelihood of delays in the promises of God. Check this out in the Scriptures. Early Christians complained to the Apostles that the Second Coming of Christ was delayed.

Test your Preparedness for delays:
How willing are you prepared to embrace God’s gracious and mysterious will for you in these areas:
#1 Health versus Sickness.
#2 Poverty versus Wealth.
#3 Children versus Childlessness.
#4 Job versus No Job.

"Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour."

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Monica, Mother of St Augustine.

"The woman who fears the Lord will herself be praised. Her children have called her most blessed, her husband has sung her praises." (Cf. Proverbs 31: 30, 28 - Entrance Antiphon).

Thursday 27th August 2020, 21st Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Monica (331 - 387). African. Mother of St Augustine, Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church.

The Church cannot praise our saint of the day enough. Look at our key Scripture taken from the Entrance Antiphon from the special Mass for St Monica. Almighty Father accepted the motherly tears of St Monica for the conversion of the once prodigal Augustine. St Monica also handled a difficult husband, the once alcoholic Patricius, a pagan city councilor. He died a baptized Christian. At a time when wife beating was not considered a crime, Monica counseled her married friends how to handle their husbands. According to Monica, despite the fact that her husband was both a pagan and alcoholic, Patricius  never threatened her.
The Church made Monica the patronness of married women and a model for Christian mothers.

Who will doubt that we need many Monicas today.  We need women who are strong in Christian virtue and able to supervise a Christian household. How can the young preserve purity and chastity? Maternal advice can look like this. Call it a 5 - WAY Plan:
#1 Daily Prayer: Vital Necessity.
#2 Daily word of God.
#3 Frequent Holy Communion.
#4 Frequent Confession.
#5 Spiritual Reading.

If you do this, "God will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (Cf 1 Corinthians 1: 9).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Do not deny food to those who need it.

"In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat." (2 Thessalonians 3: 10).

Wednesday 26th August 2020, 21st Week in Ordinary Time.

Our key Scripture for today thrust us into the all important question of work and benefits. Work is a divine command. (Genesis 3: 19). Jesus worked as a self-employed small business man in the carpentry trade. But work is also a privilege. "The Lord God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it." (Genesis 2: 15).

In God's Divine Providence, He designed that certain people may desire work but are unable to work because of one disability or another. These include groups named several times in the Scriptures: widows, orphans and migrants. Others are: the old and the sick. Governments and the Church support these people through the food pantries. The Church have supported these groups through the centuries through groups like St Vincent de Paul. And internationally through Caritas International.

What is the message of the first Reading? To remind us that there are a chunk of our fellow human beings who go to bed without food every day.
Why can't God give them food Himself directly? God can of course provide each human being (7 Billion) every necessity. Church Fathers like St John Chrysostom say that God wills our participation because that is how we atone for our sins and are sanctified. God wills that every Lent, we fast, pray and give alms for this reason. The Church affirms that nothing is more effective in dealing with Sin than Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving. (FPA). Don't wait till Lent 2021. The hungry needs you today.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Two great examples of holding fast to traditions.

"Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours." (2 Thessalonians 2: 15).

Tuesday 25th August 2020, 21st Week in Ordinary Time. We celebrate the lives of two saints. Remember that in honoring these two saints, we are in fact glorifying our Lord Jesus Christ who is King of kings and Lord of lords. He promised that those who follow Him will reign forever with Him. And those who honor the saints glorify Him. Never miss an opportunity to glorify Jesus.

St Louis of France (1214 - 1270). He lived a simple life characterized by prayer and penance. God was pleased with Louis and raised him from the cares of earthly rule to the glory of heavenly kingdom.

We celebrate also today:
St Joseph Calasanz (1557 - 1648). Spanish Priest who dedicated his life in charity and patience to the education of poor children.

What is the common factor between King Louis and Father Joseph? They were separated by nearly 300 years. The key is in the first Reading for today: "Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours." (2 Thessalonians 2: 15).

If you do not stand firm and steadfast in the ancient faith in which you were baptized, you will be unable to resist all the modern heresies.

What are the core spiritual practices handed down to us to help us be steadfast?:
#1 Prayer.
#2 The word of God.
#3 Eucharist.
#4 Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The above are the minimum. Then, you must nourish your faith constantly by the Creed (Credo). Knowing the Creed well will provide you with the sword and shield of the spirit that will enable you to cut to pieces the modern heresies.

Stand firm and hold fast and tightly to the Faith.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Bartholomew, Apostle.

"Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” (John 1: 45).

Monday 24th August 2020, 21st Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Bartholomew, Apostle and Martyr. St Bartholomew is also known as Nathanael. Tradition says that St Bartholomew worked and was martyred in India.

When Philip told his friend Bartholomew that they found Jesus, he said:  “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
But Philip, the excellent Evangelizer said to him, “Come and see.” Both Philip and Bartholomew fellowshipped with Jesus that afternoon and both became His disciples.

Who is Jesus planning to draw near to Him through you? Evangelization should not be a scary topic. It could be likened to seeing a deal or sales promotion in the supermarket or Amazon and sharing that information with a friend.

For Evangelization, the first step might be sharing Scripture or spiritual content with someone. For example, sharing this post with a friend. Then you can invite the friend to a special event in your parish or Mass. You start with one person and before you know it, you have dozens from family, friends and co-workers in your list. And your list continues to grow. A lady teacher I met in an early morning Mass in my parish many years ago sent me an inspiring Bible verse by text message later that day. She did the same thing the next day. After about seven days, I got the message and started sending out daily Bible verse.

Be a Philip. Introduce somebody to Jesus today. Share your faith.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com 

The hordes of hell will fail in their assault on the Church.

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16: 16).

Sunday 23rd August 2020, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time.

The Gospel of today Matthew 16: 13 - 20 celebrates the investiture of Peter and his successors as the unshakable rock on which the Church founded by Jesus Christ is built. It is the confession of Peter inspired by God the Father that unleashed this privilege. The first Reading from Isaiah 22: 19 - 23 foreshadows today's Gospel when Isaiah writes about the newly promoted Eliakim:
"He [Eliakim] shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. I will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; what he opens, no one will shut, what he shuts, no one will open. I will fix him as a peg in a firm place, a seat of honor for his ancestral house." (Isaiah 22: 21 - 23).

Jesus now makes Peter the Eliakim of the seed of the kingdom of God on earth.
"You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it." (Matthew 16: 18).

If the Church is not of divine origin, it could never have survived the coup d'etat of Martin Luther. Many of the princes of Europe at the time predicted that the Church was finished. At the Council of Trent, things went badly for the Church and its official representatives for over 90% of the time. Almost at the last moment through divine intervention, the Church upheld its faith that it is the will of God that Divine Revelation comes to us from three sources:
#1 Sacred Scripture.
#2 Sacred Tradition.
#3 Sacred Magisterium.

Not just Sacred Scripture but the other two as well.

These three are co-dependent like a three-legged stool. The gates of the underworld can never hold out against the Church.

Thank You Jesus.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

The Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

"Blessed are you who have believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord will be fulfilled. (Luke 1: 45).

Saturday 22nd August 2020 is the Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

What are we celebrating today? We are celebrating the truth that the Father gave us the Mother of His Son Jesus to be our Queen and Mother. (Cf the Collect of this Feast).

Mary prophesied during her visit to Elizabeth that all generations shall call her blessed. All generations indeed call her blessed for two principal reasons:

#1 She is the Mother of the Son. (Divine Maternity).
#2 She is the Mother of the King of the Universe and therefore the Queen Mother.

From the Cross, Jesus said to the Apostle John representing humanity: "This [Mary] is your mother."

The Church recently revised the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Litany of Loreto) and added these three praises to this ancient and popular prayer of the Church:

*MOTHER of Mercy.
*MOTHER of Hope.
*COMFORT of Migrants.

I say the Litany every morning after the Rosary. I am so delighted by these new titles because the world today is desperately in need of the mercy of God and the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Here are my favorite titles of Mary as Queen:

Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
Queen of families,
Queen of peace.

Here are my favorite titles of Mary as Mother:

Mother of Christ,
Mother of the Church,
*MOTHER of Mercy
Mother of divine grace,
*MOTHER of Hope,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good Counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Savior.

"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee! Blessed art thou among women." (Cf Luke 1: 28 Gospel Acclamation).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com