A good tree must bear good fruit.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Will of God on Marriage.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

How to avoid the Unquenchable fire.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr.

O HOLY SPIRIT, COME INTO MY LIFE THROUGH MARY.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Chair of St Peter the Apostle.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

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

UNTESTED FAITH LIKE AN UNTESTED SOLDIER IS UNRELIABLE.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Be merciful as Abba Father is merciful.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

My yoke is easy and my burden light.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

You are Jesus the Messiah of God.

LORD JESUS, I AM WHO YOU SAY I AM.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

People begged Jesus to heal the blind man.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

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

 RELEASE ME FROM THE SNARE THEY HAVE HIDDEN FOR ME. 

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

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

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

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

What are these sins?

"For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world." (1 John 2: 16).

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Bible Verse @  Seekfirstcommunity.com 

Feast of the Great Missionary Brothers: Cyril and Methodius.

TRIALS ARE JOYFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TRUST GOD AND HE WILL BE THERE FOR YOU ALWAYS.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GOD WILL PROVIDE.

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

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

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

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

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

"They all ate and were satisfied."

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

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God provides All our needs as He promised.

GOD WILL PROVIDE.

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

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

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

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

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

"They all ate and were satisfied."

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

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Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

TO JESUS THROUGH MARY.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other battles of Prayer in the Bible:

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

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

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

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

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

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A PURE HEART CREATE IN ME O GOD.

CREATE IN ME A PURE HEART O GOD!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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