The Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

BEHOLD SATAN WILL SIFT YOU LIKE WHEAT.

“Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat,  but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22: 31 - 32).

Sunday 10th April 2022 is Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion.

We remember Christ's Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem to accomplish His mission through the Cross.

Just as Satan was given permission to sift Job in the Old Testament like wheat, Satan has again been given permission to sift Simon Peter. Yes. To sift you and me like wheat. Our most merciful Savior and Teacher has prayed for us and has given us a cheat sheet to pass this test.

“Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test.” Jesus said. (Luke 22: 46).
Your cheat sheet from the Master is: STOP SLEEPING AND PRAY.

Jesus taught that Prayer is a vital necessity. While Jesus never taught that we WORK Always,  Jesus asks us to pray always. St Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church teaches that a Christian who does not pray is lost. A Christian who does not pray will not experience miracles. Of course the most merciful heart of Abba Father succours His children always. But only those who pray recognize these silent miracles. One of the signs of a dying faith is cessation of prayer in Christian life.  The Christian who does not pray cannot overcome temptations. He has a wide open door for Satan to tempt him in all sorts of ways.

Through the power of Prayer, Jesus is strengthened in His inner self and ready to embrace the will of His Father during His temptations, especially in His agony in the Garden.

"Father, if this chalice cannot pass without my drinking it, your will be done." (Matthew 26: 42).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Why must this good Man die like a criminal?

"THEY UNITED IN MAKING PLANS TO ARREST JESUS BY THREACHERY AND HAVE HIM PUT TO DEATH."

"Many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what Jesus had done [Raising of Lazarus to life] began to believe in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

"So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we going to do? This man is performing many signs. If we leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our land and our nation.”

"But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.” He did not say this on his own, but since he was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God.

"So from that day on they planned to kill him. (John 11: 45..... 56).

Saturday 9th April 2022 of the 5th week of Lent.

We are on the Eve of Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. The plot to kill Jesus has thickened at this point. Who wants to kill Jesus and who will benefit most from His disappearance from the religious-political scene?

“You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.” (John 11: 49 - 50).
This is the voice of the High Priest, Caiaphas. He provides a powerful motive for the criminal conspiracy. The fate of Jesus is sealed.

The plan of the Father for the salvation of the world has taken a definitive path to victory. Is God the Father incapable of stopping the execution of His beloved Son Jesus? Or to stop all the evils in the world? Just one word from the Father will change everything.

"In the most mysterious way God the Father has revealed his almighty power in the voluntary humiliation and Resurrection of his Son, by which he conquered evil." (CCC 272).

The Cross has been ordained by the Father from eternity to be the means of our Salvation. No Cross, No Crown. No Trials. No Triumph.
As we enter the most holy Week of the year, we pray for the grace to understand the meaning of the Cross in our lives.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

I perform my Father’s works.

I WISH TO LIVE AS I PRAY. IF I PRAY WELL, I LIVE WELL. IF I LIVE WELL, I DIE WELL. IF I DIE WELL, ALL IS WELL.
LEX ORANDI, LEX CREDENDI, LEX VIVENDI.

"If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize [and understand] that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” (John 10: 37 - 38).

Friday 8th April 2022, of the 5th Week of Lent.

The enemies of Jesus were not just ignorant of the ways of God, they also suffer from unbelief. Unbelief may be the deadliest sin in the Bible. An example of Unbelief is seeing the sun shining and you maintain that it is total darkness. The Israelites saw the work of God in the Red Sea. They ate manna and drank fresh water in the desert and still refused to believe in God's goodness and power.

Jesus appealed to His work. The Jews should know the works of the future Messiah from the Scriptures. Healing, casting out demons, feeding the masses, raising the dead, teaching and preaching.  These works should make someone of good will to examine the claims of Jesus more deeply before rejecting Him. They refused to believe the proofs before them and paid  very costly consequences. No miracle. No participation in the fruits of salvation were available to the unbelieving group.
The Bible urges us to beware of the deadly sin of unbelief. Unbelief leads to the sin of rebellion like in Massah and Meribah. (Cf Ps 95).

When we look at Jesus as a true, faithful and credible witness, we cannot but note the quality of His life style. A tree is known by its fruits says Jesus. The fruits everybody can see from the life of Jesus are: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness and more. These are the very fruits by which a Christian can be recognized in the world.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of St John Baptist de la Salle, Patron Saint of Teachers.

ABBA FATHER KEEPS ALL HIS PROMISES. CONSIDER ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE WHO ATTEST TO THIS TRUTH :
ABRAHAM, JOSHUA, DAVID, ELIZABETH, PETER, PAUL, ETC.
HERE IS A TRUTH THAT CAN MAKE US FREE.

"Here is my covenant with you: you are to become the father of a multitude of nations." (Genesis 17: 4).

Thursday 7th April of the 5th Week of Lent 2022 is the feast of Saint John Baptist de la Salle. (1651 - 1719). French Priest. He founded the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

He died on Good Friday, April 7, 1751 and was canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1900. In 1950, Pope Pius XII named St John de la Salle patron saint of teachers.

We draw our inspiration for reflection from the Responsorial Psalm 105. This word of God /Promise of God can set us free from anxiety and doubt.

The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

"Look to the Lord in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.

"You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the Lord, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.

"He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations—
Which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac.

"The Lord remembers his covenant forever."

God remembers all His promises to Abraham and fulfills every one of them. He remembers His promises to the Blessed Virgin Mary and fulfills every promise. Joshua reminded the people that God has not defaulted in a single promise He made to Israel. The Lord remembers all His promises to David and fulfills all.

Our God is a Father who keeps His promises. This truth which I learned from Scripture and believe, helps me to deal with fears, anxiety and doubt. Thank You Father, O Faithful God!

"Glory and praise to you, O Christ!
Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life; you have the message of eternal life.
Glory and praise to you, O Christ!" (John 6: 63, 68).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.

TRUST AND OBEY. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO BE HAPPY IN JESUS BUT TO TRUST AND OBEY.
12 DAYS TO EASTER SUNDAY. NOT TOO LATE TO TEST THIS WORD OF GOD AND SEE THE TRUTH OF IT.

“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8: 31 - 32).

Wednesday 6th April 2022 of the 5th week of Lent. When Jesus says that if you persevere in feeding on His word, you will come to know the truth and the divine truth you know will set you free, what does the Teacher mean?

The truth (divine reality) frees us from fear, worry and doubt
and dread that falsehood imposes on us. Pope Benedict when he visited the oil rich country of Angola was shocked to see how the population was still shackled by fears of evil spirits, disease and death. He remarked that Angola received Christian missionaries about 500 years ago. At that time, Europe was still shackled with similar fears and superstitions. But the light and truth of Christ has since dispelled those fears in Europe.

Today, Europe needs a fresh burst of the light of Christ because the continent is again in darkness because of materialism, atheism and hedonism. The consequences are dire. Most European countries have today minus zero birth rate. They abandoned Christianity in large scale. They welcome Moslems with open arms to work and maintain their standards of living. Islam will be the majority religion in Europe in about 50 years.

In the 1st Reading from the Book of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar asked the three Jewish boys: "Who is the God who can deliver you out of my hands?" We hear the same threat today everywhere from strong men and bosses: "Is it true you will not work on Sunday? Who is the God who can deliver you out of unemployment?"

If you have not remained in the word of God, how can you ever know the truth that can set you free?

Hear the bold answer of the three Jewish boys to their tormentor who believed he had supreme power: Oh Nebuchadnezzar, if we live, we live. If we perish, we perish.
The boys know the Scriptures and they know the truth that set them free from fear of death. How did the story end? Read on below:

"Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, ‘Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: he has sent his angel to rescue the servants who, putting their trust in him, defied the order of the king, and preferred to forfeit their bodies rather than serve or worship any god but their own."

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of St Vincent Ferrer, OP.

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

"Jesus said to them [Pharisees], “You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.” So they said to him, “Who are you?”

Tuesday 5th April 2022 of the 5th week of Lent is the feast of St Vincent Ferrer, OP. (1357 - 1419). A Spanish Dominican. Versed deeply in Holy Scriptures and Theology, he can be discribed as a super preacher.
His powerful preaching stemmed the erosion of faith in Europe during one of the most contentious periods in Church history. The period of the pope and anti-pope, the Avignon Captivity was right in this period.
Vincent preached in Italy, France, Spain and Germany. St Vincent Ferrer died on April 5th 1419 at the age of 62.

In the Gospel of today, the Jews asked Jesus a point blank question: "Who are you?" Jesus ties Himself to the Father in the answers. "I always do what is pleasing to him. [Abba Father]”

Who are you? If you do not know who you are, the Devil will give you a spurious answer like we hear in the world: "I am born to be rich and great.. I am beautiful. I am Irish. I am American, etc." The correct answer is:  "I AM WHO YOU SAY I AM."
Who is WHO here? The Father who created us and gave us an identity. He calls you: My child. Baptized for eternal life. Light of the world. Fisher of men, etc. Know who you are and you give Satan a run for his money.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Isidore of Seville, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

IN THE BATTLE AGAINST SIN AND EVIL, BE VIGILANT ALWAYS. PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR DAY AND NIGHT.

"Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8: 7).

Monday 4th April 2022 of the 5th week of Lent is the feast of St Isidore (560 - 636), Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Isidore was Bishop of Seville in Spain and a leading light in the Church in Spain. He initiated many local Church councils. St Isidore earned his place among the Doctors of the Church by his rigorous scholarship especially his extensive Encyclopedia (Etymologies) which was popular up to the Middle Ages.
In 1992, Pope John Paul II declared St Isidore of Seville the patron saint of the Internet.

The sacred texts present us with the story of two women. One is Susanna, beautiful wife of a very wealthy man. The other is a simple woman caught in the act of adultery. Both women were accused of adultery, a sin punishable by death in those days and still so in Moslem countries.

There are a number of lessons in the two narratives.
#1 Satan is the Father of lies and the Book of Revelation calls him the Accuser of the brethren. Do you know anyone who delights in pointing fingers and quick to accuse? Unjust accusations against Jesus and Stephen led to their deaths.

#2 Corruption of power. Susanna was accused by two elderly judges whose advances she spurned. The woman caught in adultery was accused by those who caught her in the act and religious judges who wanted her dead. Judges and lawyers face continuous temptations to bribery and corruption.

#3 The stories ended well in the marvelous timely Divine Interventions. God used Daniel in the case of Susanna and Jesus the Divine Mercy in the case of the woman caught in the act of adultery.

What do we take away from the two stories? "The whole assembly cried aloud, blessing God who saves those who hope in him." (Daniel 13: 60). The reaction of the people shows that they understood that a miracle happened. They glorified God and their faith became strengthened. This is also the takeaway for us because every Bible narrative is there to build up our faith in a loving and merciful God.

St Isidore of Seville pray for all those who do their ministry on the Internet, earn their livelihood on the web and get their education from the Internet.

"Now, be silent. Adore Me. Trust Me. I have only begun to show you the path of holiness that I am opening before you. And give thanks to Me, for I have saved you, through a particular intervention of My most holy Mother, from the fate that the Evil One was preparing for you for so long a time." (IN SINU JESU, Friday, March 28, 2008).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The accused woman surprised by mercy wept for joy.

LET THE PERSON WITHOUT SIN BE THE FIRST TO THROW A STONE.

"In your kindness blot out my sins."

"Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.....

"Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

...... And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” (John 8: 10..... 11)

Sunday 3rd April 2022, of the 5th Week of Lent. Final Sunday before Holy Week.

Today's  Gospel celebrates Divine Mercy and Divine Intervention. The woman caught in adultery is guilty. If Jesus had not intervened in the nick of time, the story would have ended differently. This woman is surprised by Mercy.

Jesus became the Face of Mercy for the Adulterer who gazed into the Face of God and heard these words:  “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

"Forgiveness is the remission of sins.  For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again."  (St. Augustine).

The Bible has many examples of the merciful love of God. When you hear this testimony of mercy, put yourself in the place of the beneficiary of mercy and claim it for yourself.
"The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19: 10).
What does this mean? Scripture is filled with examples of mercies and miracles that you can claim as prophecy, that is divine promise to you. 

"The blessing of the priest is a great means by which good is made to triumph over evil, love over hatred, and mercy over judgment. Similarly, the blessing given with the relics of My saints pleases Me much. I am glorified in My saints, and I pass through them to distribute the riches of My Heart in the universe of souls." (IN SINU JESU, Wednesday, October 10, 2007).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Jesus Christ is still a cause of divisions today.

"FROM THE VERY BEGINNING - FROM THAT NIGHT IN THE CENACLE WHEN I HANDED OVER THE MYSTERIES OF MY BODY AND BLOOD - MY FACE AND MY HEART HAVE BEEN PRESENT IN THE MOST HOLY EUCHARIST."

"Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said, “This is truly the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But others said, “The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he? Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David’s family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him."

Saturday 2nd April 2022  of the 4th Week in Lent.

As Jesus embarked in His public ministry, dissension and division followed Him everywhere. No surprise at all because Simeon prophesied this to Mary and Joseph in the Temple during the Presentation of Jesus.
"Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted." (Luke 2: 34).

Like the Prophet Jeremiah, Jesus "knew their plot because the Lord informed me; at that time you, O Lord, showed me their doings." (Cf Jeremiah11:18-20).
"So a division occurred in the crowd because of him [Jesus]." (John 7: 43).

Jesus was born to be a sign of contradiction. This is true while he was walking the muddy terrain of Galilee as it is today, 2000 years after He ascended into Heaven. Let us consider the cause of dissensions about Jesus in 2022:

#1. The First is Ignorance: The dissenters in the days of Jesus could have easily learned that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and not in Nazareth. They did not care to find out. "Ignorance of Scripture is Ignorance of Christ." (St Jerome).
#2. Today, people can look at the religious terrain in Christianity and ask: Did Jesus truly found 60,000 churches?  The multiplicity of churches is a great cause of scandal and dissension.
#3. Some claim that the doctrine of Jesus is too harsh and restrictive. Why can't people destroy babies in the womb if they choose to or marry whoever  they wish? For example.
#4. Who is this Jesus to tell us how to live our lives?

“Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted," proclaims prophecy. The Day of reckoning is coming. It came for the Jews in 70 AD. It will come for everyone sooner than later.

"O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge;
save me from all my pursuers and rescue me, lest I become like the lion’s prey, to be torn to pieces, with no one to rescue me. " (Psalm 7).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

This is the hour. The appointed time.

"TRUST ME WITH THE TIMING OF ALL THINGS." - JESUS CHRIST.

"They tried to arrest him, but his hour had not yet come." (Cf John 7: 30).

On Friday, 1st April 2022 also the First Friday of April, in the 4th week of Lent 2022, we reflect on the Hour of Destiny.

Jesus refers uncannily to His hour not yet come or His hour that has come. What is this hour that Jesus talks about all the time?

We know that the biblical concept of time is divided into Chronos from where we get chronology: years, months, weeks, hours, minutes, etc. Is this what Jesus means when He talks of the Hour? For example: Friday. April 1st. 2022? Or does He allude to Kairos, which can be interpreted as the hour of grace, the appointed time  set by the Almighty Father for the execution or realization of His plans, purposes, designs and providences.

God’s Kairos hour governs all events in the life of Jesus, viz: Birth, Baptism, Desert Experience, Transfiguration, Last Supper, Passion, Death and Resurrection to mention but the outstanding ones.

It also governs the major events in our life. Are you impatient that some prayers or expectations of yours have not been fulfilled? Are you in the appointed time? Nothing happens in God's government of the world before the appointed time.

"There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens." (Ecclesiastes 3: 1).

In the fullness of time, Jesus would hand over Himself to be glorified on the Cross. For the Cross is the appointed means of the glorification of the Son of Man. Before that hour, no enemy can harm Jesus.

As followers of Jesus, our lives are hemmed in by God's loving and powerful Providence. If we make the Kingdom of God and His holiness the top priority of our life, God's promise of provision and protection for us will never fail.

"Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory! Now, now – it is the Lord who speaks –come back to me with all your heart, for I am all tenderness and compassion." ( Joel 2: 12 - 13).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday, April 1st 2022 by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion.

April 1st , 2022  First Friday in April in the Season of Lent.

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.  In the 4th month of the year 2022, we look at Promise #4.

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

The key phrase in this promise is THE HOUR OF DEATH.  Death is a divine appointment in which there is no negotiation.

I consider Promise #4 a great Promise.  St Augustine says:  "If you pray well, you live well. If you live well, you die well. If you die well, all is well."  To die well therefore is what every human being must desire. 

The Church declared St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin, patron saint of a Happy Death.  I believe in the Resurrection of the dead and life everlasting. The thought of dying no longer scares me.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus THIS First Friday by attending Holy Mass and receiving the Eucharist.

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sacred Heart devotional prayers and prayer intentions click the link below:

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

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The work that I do testify for Me.

"YOU WILL BE FILLED WITH POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES ON YOU, AND YOU WILL BE WITNESSES FOR ME TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH."

"But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me." (John 5: 36).

Thursday 31st March 2022 of the 4th week of Lent.

Today we look at the "testimony" of Jesus. We ask: What are the credentials of Jesus? How do we know that this Man is who He claims to be?

In His trial before Pontius Pilate, Jesus affirms that the purpose He came into the world is to bear witness to the truth. Jesus, according to His own testimony is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

To validate that Jesus is who He claims to be, we match His claims with His works. A Trauma doctor must be able to perform in a critical emergency situation in order to be believed. If not, he is considered an impostor, a fraud.

Jesus is genuine and authentic in every sense. He healed every type of sickness. He raised the dead. He cast out demons. He fed thousands from a few loaves and fish. He taught people the message of eternal life. Jesus fulfilled every profile of the Messiah prophesied by Isaiah and other prophets.

How about His character? Jesus is irreprochable in His personal conduct.
Finally, He was crucified and rose from the dead as prophesied by Himself. He appeared to those He chose to see Him. His Apostles who saw Him after His Resurrection were all prepared to die and actually died to testify to the truth of His Resurrection.

The Church Jesus founded which shall never be destroyed by forces of evil is alive and following the Way of her Lord all over the world. The lives of the Saints continue to be irrefutable advertisement for the authenticity that the Church is the Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit.

"The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19: 10). That testimony is alive today in the Church in miracles, healing, teaching and witnessing to the truth of the Gospel.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Behold NOW is the time for MERCY!

O LORD ARISE TO HAVE MERCY ON THE CHURCH. FOR THIS IS THE TIME TO HAVE MERCY. YES LORD, THE TIME APPOINTED FOR MERCY HAS COME.
"BEHOLD NOW IS THE FAVORABLE TIME. THIS IS THE DAY OF SALVATION."

"Thus says the Lord: In a time of favor I answer you, on the day of salvation I help you; and I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people, To restore the land and allot the desolate heritages, Saying to the prisoners: Come out! To those in darkness: Show yourselves! Along the ways they shall find pasture, on every bare height shall their pastures be. They shall not hunger or thirst, nor shall the scorching wind or the sun strike them; For he who pities them leads them and guides them beside springs of water....

"But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you." (Isaiah 49: 8... 15).

Wednesday, of the 4th week of Lent 2022.

The kindness and mercy of God is in full display in our first Reading. The People broke the Covenant with God and suffered as a result. The suffering was crushing. They must have muttered thus: "We are convinced now that God has utterly forsaken and forgotten us." How close have you been to despair? You pray for recovery from illness but no sign of healing. For the mending of a broken family but things get worse. For financial improvement but slide into bankruptcy. Or any one of the conditions that befalls man on earth.
If you or your loved ones is in any of the above situation, God has a special good news for you in His word today.

"Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you." (Isaiah 49: 15).
But in case you still have some doubts, "See, upon the palms of my hands I have engraved you." The Lord God assures us. (Isaiah 49: 16).

Now, the ball is in your court:
To believe or not to believe. It is a choice. If you believe, appropriate the Scripture, write it down, memorize it and repeat it until it is yours.

"The LORD is faithful in all his words and holy in all his works.
The LORD lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down." (Psalm 145: 13 - 14).
The Lord is gracious and merciful. His mercies never fail.

"Glory and praise to you, O Christ!
God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son: everyone who believes in him has eternal life.
Glory and praise to you, O Christ!" (John 3: 16).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Yes Lord, heal me today.

OUR GOD IS OUR HEALER, OUR REFUGE IN ALL TYPES OF DISTRESS. HE IS OUR STRENGTH. CALL ON HIM WITH ABUNDANT TRUST IN THE DAY OF DISTRESS AND HE WILL ANSWER YOU. GOD NEVER FAILS!

"There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem at the Sheep Gate a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda, with five porticoes. In these lay a large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked.” (John 5: 1.... 6).

Tuesday 29th March 2022, in the 4th Week of Lent.

Our Gospel of today records the encounter of Jesus with a crippled man. Jesus knew he had been in this condition for 38 years. What the man did not know was that Jesus was not there by chance or accident. Jesus had a divine appointment with the crippled man on that day and place and time. Happily the crippled man was ready and received his healing.

We are saved by grace through faith. The day Jesus freed me from the oppression of alcohol by His merciful love, I received a free gift but I cooperated with Jesus like the crippled man by saying "Yes Lord. Heal me."

Where do you need healing in your life? Jesus is always passing by. Are you ready for Him?

"My Mother is the agent of all healing, the chosen instrument of the Holy Spirit for the restoration of life, of light, and of unity in every place or instance where these are lacking. Not until this sovereign disposition of My Father is recognized and confessed will there be the healing, purification, and sanctification of the priesthood and of the Church for which so many souls labour and offer themselves. None of these objectives can be obtained by human means, or even by spiritual ones, apart from the role that belongs to My Mother and to none other, because she alone is the Immaculate and, so, is alone the human instrument fit for the workings of the Holy Spirit." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, January 29, 2009).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Incredible faith of the royal official.

FEAR IS USELESS.
WORRY IS USELESS.
DOUBT IS USELESS.
WHAT IS NEEDED IS TRUST.

"Then Jesus returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death. Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left." (John 4: 43.....54).

Monday 28th March 2022 of the 4th week of Lent.

In our key Scripture for today, we see an example of faith. Faith is the radical trust and confidence in the word of Christ. Jesus said simply to the Royal Official: “You may go; your son will live.” The Scripture records:
"The man believed what Jesus said to him and left." (John 4: 50).

Our faith contains our obedience. We see the example in the Gospel of today. To say that "I believe" and act contrary to what you believe is not faith but hypocrisy.

If any Christian invests time and resources to learn what Faith is and how Faith works, the harvest will be incredibly huge and this gift will keep giving and giving all your life.

Consider Faith as Obedience. The Royal Official heard Jesus say: Don't worry. Go home. Your son is OK. He believes and went home. He obeyed the directive. No questions. No arguments. Are you able to imitate his action and show the Obedience of Faith?

Consider also that the man's faith was prepared by what he heard about Jesus before he met Him.
"When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death."

When we read the Gospel, we see many healings and miracles. The stories are preparing us to believe and deepen our Faith in Jesus. You do not know when you will stand face to face with Jesus needing His help. Faith comes from hearing. Hearing the word of God and believing it.

"Many priests do not have a real and practical faith in My Eucharistic presence. Do they not know that the Eucharist encloses within itself all the merits of My Passion? Let them recover the faith of their childhood. Let them come to find Me there where I am waiting for them and I, for My part, shall work miracles of grace and holiness in them." (IN SINU JESU, Monday, October 29, 2007).

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Trust confidently in merciful love of Jesus.

"THE GRACE OF A GOOD DEED IS DOUBLED WHEN IT IS DONE WITH PROMPTNESS AND SPEED" - ST GREGORY NAZIANZEN.

"Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger.  I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you." (Luke 15: 17 - 18).

Sunday 27th March of the 4th week of Lent.

We reflect on the model of conversion offered us in the story of the Prodigal Son. Conversion, metanoia is what Lent is all about. Not just a conversion from a life of sin, but conversion from a mediocre Christian to a Spirit-filled Christian, on fire to be an ambassador for Christ. This is possible for everyone because of the mercy of God who has promised that Lent is a favorable time for mercy and favors.

Let us reflect on the insight of the Church  about conversion using the Parable of the Prodigal Son:
"The process of conversion and repentance was described by Jesus in the parable of the prodigal son, the center of which is the merciful father: the fascination of illusory freedom, the abandonment of the father's house; the extreme misery in which the son finds himself after squandering his fortune; his deep humiliation at finding himself obliged to feed swine, and still worse, at wanting to feed on the husks the pigs ate; his reflection on all he has lost; his repentance and decision to declare himself guilty before his father; the journey back; the father's generous welcome; the father's joy - all these are characteristic of the process of conversion. The beautiful robe, the ring, and the festive banquet are symbols of that new life - pure worthy, and joyful - of anyone who returns to God and to the bosom of his family, which is the Church. Only the heart of Christ who knows the depths of his Father's love could reveal to us the abyss of his mercy in so simple and beautiful a way."(CCC 1439).

Be who you are redeemed to be:
A new creation and ambassador for Jesus Christ. (Cf 2 Corinthians 5: 17 - 21).

"Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!
I will leave this place and go to my father and say:
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.’
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!" (Luke 15: 18).

"My Heart burns with love for you and for the brothers I have given you. Yes, they are also your sons, for I have entrusted them to your fatherly care, and I ask you to love them with a paternal tenderness. Do not be weak in loving them nor afraid to challenge them to conversion of life and to growth in holiness. I give to you and to them all the graces necessary to go forward and to bear fruit that will last for the sake of My beloved priests and for the holiness of My Bride the Church, even in the face of her enemies." (IN SINU JESU, Monday, July 11, 2011 After Second Vespers of Our Holy Father Saint Benedict).

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The Repentant Tax Collector and the Presumptuous Pharisee.

BY  PRAYER, FASTING AND ALMSGIVING, BREAK WITH YOUR ADDICTIONS AND SINFUL HABITS IN THIS HOLY SEASON OF LENT. GOD IS WAITING.

"Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector......
‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector.....
"But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18: 9 - 14).

Saturday 26th March 2022 of the 3rd week of Lent. Our Gospel today is the narrative of the Pharisee and the Public Sinner.

What are the lessons for us on this mid point of Lent.
#1 The Pharisee trained in theology and spirituality does not know the God he claims to serve. Jesus came to call the sinner and not the righteous. Heaven rejoices exceedingly over one sinner who repents. "It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice." (Hosea 6: 6).
#2 The Publican no doubt is guilty as accused.  Like the Good Thief beside Jesus on the Cross at Calvary, the Tax Collector heard about the extraordinary mercy of God. He believes what he heard and came to the Temple to seek out the God of all mercies and the Father of every consolation. He seeks and found what he sought and went home transformed and justified.

Let us observe a couple of things about the tax collector:
He does not raise his eyes to heaven. He beat his chest, a sign of repentance and sorrow. The Church makes us repeat this gesture when we say the Confiteor (I confess to Almighty God and to you my brothers and sisters... " Humility is a condition for receiving mercy.
We cannot think of mercy without remembering the teachings of Jesus on mercy. Mercy is given to whoever asks for mercy no matter the sin. But he who receives mercy must extend mercy.

"O God, be merciful to me a sinner." (Luke 18: 13).

Harden not your hearts today,
but listen to the voice of the Lord.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Your Child shall be Yeshua and Emmanuel

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? "SON, THEY HAVE NO WINE.... DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU."

"The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered....

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus....

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.....

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”  (Luke 1: 26..., 38).

Friday 25th March 2022 is the
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. A feast day in Lent: No fasting. No abstinence.
What does the Annunciation of the Lord celebrate?

"The Annunciation to Mary inaugurates "the fullness of time", the time of the fulfillment of God's promises and preparations. Mary was invited to conceive him in whom the "whole fullness of deity" would dwell "bodily". The divine response to her question, "How can this be, since I know not man?", was given by the power of the Spirit: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you." (CCC 484).

Mary heard the word of God from the Archangel Gabriel and believed what she heard. In the first Reading today, King Ahaz heard the word of God from the Prophet Isaiah (7: 10 - 14) and did not believe. Mary believed and became Mother of Christ and our exemplar in faith. Ahaz exhibited unbelief and became a nonentity in history.

Believe in the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved.

"I am your Mother, the Mother given you by my Son Jesus, from the Cross, in the solemn hour of His sacrifice. And you are my son, dear to my Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, precious to me, and ever under the mantle of my protection. Let me live with you as I lived with John, the second son of my Heart and the model for all my priest sons down through the ages. Speak to me simply and with complete trust in the compassion of my maternal Heart and in the power given to my maternal intercession." (IN SINU JESU, Wednesday, March 25, 2009).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Jesus is stronger than Satan.

BECAUSE THE BLIND CANNOT SEE THE SUN, IT DOES NOT FOLLOW THAT THE SUN DOES NOT SHINE.
JESUS CONTINUES HIS WORK OF HEALING IN THE CHURCH.

"Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed. Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?" (Luke11:14.... 23).

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed Satan, the author of death and brought life to light through the Good News. (Cf 2 Timothy 1: 10).
Unfortunately brothers and sisters, many Christians live today as if this promise is something for the future.  This promise is for here and now. If you are not enjoying all the privileges, be good to yourself and ask:
What is going on?
Why am I often sad?
Where is the victorious life promised by Jesus?
Why am I not enjoying it?
Now listen to Jesus:
"No one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house."  (Mark 3: 27).
Which king reigns in your house? The strong man Satan or the Stronger Man Jesus? You must give Jesus all the keys in your home: health, family, finances, job, tools/possessions, food and your future.
You remember the song:
"When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, 
What a glory He sheds on our way! 
While we do His good will, He abides with us still, 
And with all who will trust and obey.…"

Trust, Obey and Surrender are the Only way to enjoy life in the Kingdom.  Jesus is in control.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of St Turibius of Mongrovejo, Missionary Bishop.

BELIEVE WHAT YOU READ.
PRACTICE WHAT YOU BELIEVE.
TEACH WHAT YOU PRACTICE.
THEN YOU WILL BE GREAT IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

"But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5: 19).

On Wednesday 23rd March 2022 of the 3rd Week of Lent, we hear this injunction from the Master:  Study the Law. Observe the Law. Teach the Law.

Today 23rd March 2022 is the feast of St Turibius of Mogrovejo (1538 - 1606). Spanish. Missionary Bishop and Archbishop of Lima, Peru. St Turibius spoke up for the rights of the native peoples of South America and defended them against the rapacious instincts of the Spanish colonizers. The Archbishop saint is remembered in history for his unwavering love of truth.

One dominant theme from today's the Mass Readings: Teach the Law [the word]. The message comes strongly from the first Reading from Deuteronomy 4 and Matthew 5. Below are the Scriptures:

#1 "Israel, hear the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to observe." (Deuteronomy 4: 1).

#2 "See, I am teaching you the statutes and ordinances as the Lord, my God, has commanded me." (Deuteronomy 4: 5).

#3 "However, be on your guard and be very careful not to forget the things your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your heart as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children." (Deuteronomy 4: 9).

From the Gospel:

#4 "But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5: 19).

#5 "Whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5: 19).

The Church is in dire need of teachers of the word of God: catechists and evangelists. Without teaching and knowledge, a people perishes. (Cf Hosea 4: 6).

Therefore,
Believe what you read.
Practice what you believe.
Teach what you practice.

Every Christian who obeys the commandments of God is able to share the same by word and example.

"Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God!
Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life; you have the message of eternal life.  (Cf. John 6: 63, 68).

"As for you, dear son of mine, persevere in praying to me. Hold fast to my Rosary and beware of every ploy of the Evil One to separate you from it. My Rosary is your safeguard and your weapon in the fight against the forces of evil. At the same time, for you it is a remedy and a comfort. Do you not see how the Rosary has stabilized you? Do you not experience its healing and all its benefits? Pray my Rosary and teach others to do the same." (IN SINU JESU, Tuesday, December 11, 2007).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com