We must bear witness to what we have heard and seen.

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN MARY, LOVE GROWS THROUGH KNOWLEDGE. IN THIS MONTH OF MAY, MARIAN MONTH WHEN THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH HONORS MARY, WE PLAN TO INCLUDE A SNIPPET OF MARIAN TEACHING ON THE BLOG FOR THE 31 DAYS OF MAY.

Bearing witness to who we are is a duty.

"We are witnesses of these things, as is the holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him.” (Acts 5: 32).

Sunday May 1st 2022, 3rd Sunday of Easter.

“We [Sanhedrin] gave you strict orders, did we not, to stop teaching in that name? Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,...... God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” (Acts 5: 27....41).

Peter declared that we must bear witness to what we have seen and heard. Are you ready? What does it mean to bear witness or to be sent on a mission? What does the Church say?

"The duty of Christians to take part in the life of the Church impels them to act as witnesses of the Gospel and of the obligations that flow from it. This witness is a transmission of the faith in words and deeds. Witness is an act of justice that establishes the truth or makes it known." (CCC 2472).

Bearing witness to Jesus is a duty and a necessity from our privileges as Christians.
"It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you."  (John 15: 16).
I will bear witness to You in the world O Lord, I will spread the knowledge of Your name to my brothers and sisters.

We honor the Virgin Mary in May.
1. "It is impossible for a client of Mary, who is faithful in honouring and recommending himself to her, to be lost." (St Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop & Doctor of the Church. Founder of the Redemptorist. One of the most eminent Mariologists in the Church.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of St Pius V, Pope.

THE ROSARY IS THE WEAPON. (ST PADRE PIO).

"When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum...... When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading." (John 6: 16....21).

Saturday 30th April 2022, in the 2nd Week of Easter. 
30th April is the feast of Pope St Pius V. (1504 - 1572). Italian. Dominican Friar. Pius had tremendous impact in the post Tridentine Church of the 16th century. Some of his accomplishments are: implementing forcefully the decrees of the Council of Trent, building seminaries, publishing the Roman Catechism and revising the Missal and the Breviary. 

Pius V is credited for saving Europe from Islamic domination in 1571 in the Battle of Lepanto. That victory was attributed to the power of the Holy Rosary which was recited continuously by soldiers, lay people and clergy. This is the origin of the Feast of the Holy Rosary celebrated on October 7th.

Jesus said to the Apostles who panicked on seeing Him walking on the sea towards their boat in the dark of the night: “It is I. Do not be afraid.” Jesus puts them at ease by identifying Himself: "It is I." This expression could mean "I AM." His word, the self identification of Yahweh was enough to calm their nerves.

St Hildegard of Bingen, Doctor of the Church says that the word of God is Divine Command. A single word from God is enough to bring light, courage, peace and joy to our hearts.

Once upon a time, I spent a night alone in a house in the countryside. The house had a wall round it with a gate. There were fruit trees in the backyard. About 1 am in the morning, I heard a large thud that sounded like some heavy person had jumped into the yard. I was deeply frightened. I sat on the bed in cold sweat wondering what to do. "Look for a heavy object like metal or wood to defend yourself." At that moment, I heard these words in my heart:
"If the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain do the sentries defend it."

The full Verse of the Psalm is this:
"Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain." (Psalm 127: 1).
This is one of my favorite verses in the Scriptures. The Lord used the same Scripture I repeat so often to bring me peace that dark night.

Jesus used the Scripture I know to identify Himself." "I AM here. Do not be afraid." I went back to sleep and slept till about 7 am. When I checked the backyard to see what happened, I saw that it was a large breadfruit that had fallen down.

Jesus says to us:
"It is I. Do not be afraid!" God is in His word. And His word is Divine Command. All things obey God. (Psalm 119: 11). The word of God accomplishes everything it is sent to. (Cf Isaiah 55: 7-8).

Memorize your favorite Scriptures. You do not know when they will come handy.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Catherine of Siena, Virgin & Doctor of the Church.

GOD IS CLOSER TO US THAN WATER TO A FISH. (ST CATHERINE OF SIENA).

“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. (Matthew 11: 25 - 26).

Friday April 29th 2022, 2nd Week in the Easter Season is the feast of a giant of the faith: St Catherine of Siena (1347 - 1380). Italian Dominican Tertiary. Virgin and Doctor of the Church.

Catherine died at the age of 33 and accomplished for the Kingdom of God what most of us could never accomplish even if we live to be 90 years. 

She brought about the renewal of the Church in a period of moral laxity. She was instrumental in reuniting the Church during the great Western Schism. She authored a spiritual classic, THE DIALOGUE. Catherine is the first woman to be named Doctor of the Church. She is the patron saint of plagues and Italy and co-patron saint of Europe with St Benedict.

God set St Catherine on fire with divine love and boldness in the service of the Church. And Catherine set the Church on fire with her zeal and service.

"Be who you were created to be, and you will set the world on fire." St Catherine of Siena said and lived this maxim. One of the poignant lessons of our key Scripture from Acts 4: 31, the first Reading is the power of prayer. God answers prayers.

A few quotes to nourish our faith from St Catherine of Siena:

1. “Love follows knowledge.”
2. “The human heart is drawn by love.”
3. "Humanity is nothing of itself; what we have, we have from God by grace, not because he owes it to us."
4. “God is more willing to pardon than we have been to sin.”
5. “What father ever gave up his son to death for the sake of his slave!”.
6. “God was made man and man was made God.”
7. “Proclaim the truth and do not be silent through fear.”
8. “All the way to heaven is heaven, because Jesus said, "I am the way.”

Let us note that St Catherine of Siena had no formal education.

"Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children." (Matthew 11: 25).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of Saints Louis Marie de Monfort and Peter Chanel.

"NEVER WILL ANYONE WHO SAYS HIS ROSARY EVERY DAY BECOME A FORMAL HERETIC OR BE LED ASTRAY BY THE DEVIL." (ST LOUIS MARIE DE MONFORT, APOSTLE OF THE ROSARY).

"The one who comes from above is above all. ...... He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit." (John 3: 31...36).

Thursday April 28th 2022, 2nd Week in the Easter Season.

April 28th is the feast of two French saints: St Peter Chanel and St Louis de Monfort.

Louis de Monfort was born on the 31st of January 1673 in Monfort in France. Louis was ordained a priest in 1700. His great contribution was in fostering devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the holy Rosary.
In 1715, he founded the Missionaries of the Company of Mary. Among his books which are still in print are: TRUE DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN; SECRET OF THE Rosary.

Louis de Monfort made the Rosary one of the most popular Catholic devotions throughout the world. Catholics everywhere are indebted to him for articulating the incredible
powers of this simple devotion.

St Peter Chanel (1803 - 1841). Priest and Martyr. St Peter Chanel died a martyr in the island of Futuna in the Oceania.

The Holy Spirit and Peace are the dominant theme of the Easter Season.

We are told that God does not ration His Holy Spirit. When you ask for the Holy Spirit in faith, be sure you will receive what you ask for. God told Solomon when he asked for wisdom and not for riches and power: "Here and now I grant you what you ask for and more."

Jesus promises: Ask and you shall receive. If you ask for the Holy Spirit, your Father will be so delighted that He will give you what you ask for at once.

The Father does not ration the Holy Spirit. It means you receive in direct proportion to your desire and capacity to receive. The Holy Spirit is the source of abundant life.

Ask for the Holy Spirit today.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

When God gives you a Mission, His support is TOTAL.

"LET NOTHING TROUBLE YOU, LET NOTHING FRIGHTEN YOU.
GOD NEVER CHANGES.
PATIENCE OBTAINS ALL THINGS.  HE WHO POSSESSES GOD LACKS NOTHING : GOD ALONE SUFFICES." (ST TERESA OF AVILA).

"The high priest rose up and all his companions, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and, filled with jealousy, laid hands upon the Apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them [Peter and John] out, and said, “Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life.” When they heard this, they went to the temple early in the morning and taught."  (Acts 5: 17....  26).

Wednesday 27th April 2022, in the 2nd Week in the Easter Season.

A note in the margin of the Daily Roman Missal for Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Easter reads: "Mission/Purpose Wednesday." Why? The Scriptures for this Wednesday are replete of Mission statements. Peter and John discovered in Acts 5: 19 - 20, that when God anoints you for a mission, no force on earth can stop you. Did not God promise:

"I have set in front of you an open door that no one can shut." (Revelation 3: 8 CEB).

In the Gospel of today, we are urged to proclaim the Good News to everyone, everywhere in the world:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." (John 3: 16).

Our response to the divine invitation to come forward and participate in the work of evangelization is proposed for us in the Entrance Antiphon:

"I will be a witness to You in the world O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers, Alleluia! " (Psalm 18:50;  22 :23 RM)

Yes Lord, I will share Your Gospel with my brothers and sisters.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

What do we know about the first Christians?

JESUS CHRIST IS THE TRUTH. ONLY ABSOLUTE TRUTH CAN GIVE US ABSOLUTE STABILITY IN THIS WORLD.

The Apostles bore powerful witness to the Resurrection of Jesus.

"The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the Apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need." (Acts 4: 32 - 37).

Tuesday, April 26th 2022, of the 2nd week of Easter.

The first Reading from Acts 4: 32 - 37 answers our curiosity: How did those very first Christians live? They had no doubt great problems but also great community life. Our key Scripture for today deals with one crucial aspect: The Apostles testified with powerful sermons to the Resurrection of Jesus. Their testimony was so convincing that many people believed.

The Resurrection of the Lord became their magnificent obsession. This is a very important and interesting point given their initial timidity after the Crucifixion. What made the difference? Let us hear from Jesus.
"You must be born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified]." (John 3: 7 AMP).
In plain language it means: "To understand and believe in the Resurrection of Jesus and bear witness to it by your life day after the day, you must receive and activate the gift of the Holy Spirit."

All things are created twice. The first creation is earthy and earthly. Like Adam. The second creation is heavenly like Jesus.
Do you embrace your mission of bearing witness to the Resurrection of the Lord by sharing your gifts of time, talent and treasure?

"Alleluia, alleluia!
You, O Christ, are the faithful witness, the First-born from the dead, you have loved us and have washed away our sins with your blood. Alleluia!" (Revelations 1: 5).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Mark the Evangelist.

GOD CREATED THE SMART PHONE, INTERNET AND SOCIAL MEDIA FOR THE NEW EVANGELIZATION. THIS MAY INDICATE THAT THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST IS IMMINENT.

"Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16: 15.... 20).

Monday 25th April 2022, 2nd Week in the Easter Season is the feast of St Mark the Evangelist. (AD 12 - 68 AD). Cyerene from Libya in North Africa. Also called John Mark. Son of Mary who provided her home as a place of meeting for the early Christian community in Jerusalem.
Mark worked with Saints Paul and Barnabas and later with St Peter the Apostle. St Mark founded the Church in Alexandria where he is honored with a beautiful Basilica.
St Mark is the patron saint of Egypt, Copts, Mainar, Venice and Barristers.

St Mark is the writer of the  Gospel according to St Mark.

The Holy Spirit commands us in today's Gospel:
"Go into all the world, and proclaim the Gospel to every creature."

Today, this mission of universal evangelization is very urgent. Recent Popes are insistent that the Church mobilize for New Evangelization.

Why did God create the Internet and cell phone at this time? Probably over 50% of mankind today can be reached through social media groups, viz: Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, etc.

It is possible for most people to share the Gospel with family, friends, colleagues, etc.
Not everyone is called by God to be Mark the Evangelist. Not everyone of us can write like St Augustine. Most people receive the word of God daily from different sources. What inspires you can inspire a family member, a friend or colleague. Share it through text, email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
Do not be afraid. You may be surprised how much it will be appreciated. The Holy Spirit will help you.

Most of my ministry in evangelization is sharing content created by others. All I need is the help of the Holy Spirit to discern the material as the truth. It will be terrible to distribute error or untruth. I share blogs, music, photos, videos and any content that contains the truth and can help people grow their faith and relationship with God. The word today encourages each of us to share the Gospel. Practice makes perfect.

"Go into all the world, and proclaim the Gospel to every creature."

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Celebrate the Mercy of God on Divine Mercy Sunday.

WHEN TWO ELEPHANTS FIGHT, THE GROUND TELLS THE STORY. DIVINE MERCY MANIFESTS ITSELF THROUGH RECONCILIATION.

"Jesus said to them [Apostles] again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,“Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”  (John 20: 21 - 23).

Sunday April 24th, 2nd Sunday of Easter. Sunday of Divine Mercy.

The universal Church celebrates today the Solemnity of Divine Mercy. (Always 2nd Sunday of Easter).  Jesus is the Face of Mercy of Abba Father.  Mercy is the name and essence of God the Father revealed to us through His Only Son, Jesus the Christ. The open Heart of Jesus is the symbol and seat of Mercy.  Mercy is promised to all.

To demonstrate that the powerful gift and message of Mercy that Jesus shared in His public ministry will remain in the Church after His Ascension, Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation and gave His Apostles and their successors the power to forgive sins.

To prepare ourselves to receive and retain Mercy, the ABC OF MERCY is very useful.  It is called  ABC because, it is an acronym that can be remembered easily and secondly it is as simple as ABC.

A:  Ask for Mercy.
B:  Be Merciful.
C:  Completely Trust Jesus for Mercy.

God is rich in mercy and is waiting for us to turn to Him to blot out all our sins and receive us in His merciful love.
Mercy, mercy. Nothing but mercy!

"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by."  (Psalm 57: 1)

"Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself." (The Diary of St Maria Faustina, #950).

To learn how to recite the Divine Mercy Rosary, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/10/how-to-recite-divine-mercy-rosary.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Mission is Urgent. All the Resources have been provided. Go!

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE SPIRIT OF EVANGELIZATION AND POWER. PRAYER IS THE ACTIVATOR OF POWER. FAITH AND PRAYER GO TOGETHER. I BELIEVE, THEREFORE I PRAY. I PRAY BECAUSE I BELIEVE.

"But later,[on the First Day - Sunday] as the Eleven were at table, Jesus appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every ­creature.” (Mark 16: 9...15).

Easter Saturday 23rd April, 2022 in the Octave of Easter.

Jesus said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16: 15).

I like the way the AMPC translation renders the Great Commission, our key Scripture for today.
"And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race]." (AMPC).

Preaching and publishing become two sides of the same coin.  A lot of evangelization today is done through all types of non-verbal communication through publishing media: blogs, podcasts, videos and zoom apps, newspapers and magazines, radio and television. All are necessary to bring the Good News to everyone, everywhere in the world. Our task is not done until the whole human race has heard the amazing grace of Jesus Christ, the Good News. This task has become more urgent today than ever.

Abba Father wills that everyone must come to the knowledge of truth and repentance. He equipped the Church for this mission by sending down the Awesome Holy Spirit to drive this mission.

We see the power of the Holy Spirit in the moving testimony of Peter and John before the entire Supreme Court of Israel in the first Reading:
"Peter and John, however, said to them [the Justices] in reply, “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4: 19 - 20).

With the presence and gifts of the Holy Spirit, we have all we need to fulfill the Great Commission. May the Lord grant us success. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Come and have breakfast children.

THEY SAY THAT LOVE ENTERS THROUGH THE STOMACH.

"Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.”  So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish." (John 21: 5 - 6).

Easter Friday, 22nd April 2022  in the Octave of the Solemnity of Easter.

Our Gospel of today (John 21: 1 - 14) is one of my favorite passages in the Gospel. It is one of the post Resurrection appearances of Jesus to His brothers. He seeks them out everywhere to be with them and encourage them. He prepares a breakfast for His disciples.

Why do I find this passage comforting?
#1. As a salesman, I know what it means to toil a whole week and catch nothing. Isn't it comforting to know that Jesus knows the hideouts of all the fish? The fishermen obeyed the advice of the stranger on the shore and their disappointment was turned into comfort and joy.

#2. “Come, have breakfast.”
In the Gospels, a number of important teachings of Jesus happened around the dinner table. Good food and eating are essential to a healthy spirituality.
Jesus invited the Apostles to come and eat and there was an unforgettable party there at the shore.

Can thunder strike twice in the same place? Jesus reveals Himself to His disciples through familiar words and actions. John was the first to make the connection of this miraculous catch of fish to the earlier incident.

Jesus is constantly invading our spaces trying to catch our attention. He is the great Hound of Heaven.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Cast off your fears and bear witness to what you have seen and heard.

CHRISTIAN, SHAKE OFF YOUR FEARS OF BEARING WITNESS TO YOUR SAVIOR WITH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

"While they [Disciples] were still speaking about this, Jesus stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet." (Luke 24: 35.... 48).

Easter Thursday 21st April in the Octave of Easter.

The Apostles gathered in the Upper Room could still not shake off the gruesome events of Good Friday by now three days ago. Jesus had since appeared to Mary Magdalene and some women, to Peter and some Apostles, to Cleopas friend and his on the road to Emmaus. In spite of all these, the Apostles were still frightened and many questions and doubts agitate them.

Jesus said two weighty and important things to His disciples gathered in the Upper Room the very Sunday of the Resurrection:
#1. “Peace be with you.” (Luke 24: 36).
#2. "You are witnesses of these things." (Luke 24: 48).

Peace is the dominant post-Resurrection greeting of Jesus. Peace here means Shalom, the sum total of all graces and mercies flowing from the heart of God to men of good will who are now fully redeemed by the death and Resurrection of Jesus. No more recriminations or remembrance of denials and cowardly flight from the scene of the crime. All sins are washed away. Enjoy My Shalom!

At the end of His brief speech, the Risen Lord said: "You are witnesses of these things." "You" means we Christians singing the Easter Alleluia are His witnesses. We are to bear testimonies with our life and work to Jesus, to His Good News. As we bear testimony to the power of the name of Jesus with faith, miracles will happen as we hear in the first Reading Acts 3: 11 - 26.

"O chosen people, proclaim the mighty works of him,
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light, alleluia." (1 Peter 2: 9).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Cross is the only way to salvation.

JESUS SOUGHT OUT HIS STRAY SHEEP  CLEOPAS AND FRIEND. HE SEEKS US OUT WHEN WE ARE FOOLISH AND GO ASTRAY. THE MORE WE REALIZE HOW MUCH JESUS LOVES US, THE MORE WE CAN STOP RUNNING.

"And Jesus said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!  Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (Luke 24: 25 - 26).

Easter Wednesday 20th April 2022, in the Octave of Easter.

Our Lord and Teacher, Jesus Christ called the two disciples He met on the road to Emmaus foolish and slow of heart. Why? Cleopas and his companion were foolish because they did not believe faithful and credible witnesses in Jerusalem that Jesus has risen from the dead. They knew that some disciples of Jesus said that Jesus had risen from the dead. Why did they not believe these people? Jesus founded a Church and wants us to believe the Teaching Authority of the Church. Look at the chaos in the protestant church. If you are not happy with the teaching of your pastor, you shop for a new church or you start your own church if you can.

Although Cleopas and his friend may not have been Scripture scholars, they trusted a lot in their judgment about the "events in Jerusalem". Are you one of those who believe you know more than your pastor and Bishop?

Jesus also called the two men "slow of heart" which means sluggish in mind and dull of perception. It is possible that their minds envisioned a worldly Messiah that will make them rich but were closed to any other possibilities.

The truth of the matter is that there is a divine necessity that Jesus must suffer before He enters into His glory. What is a divine necessity for Jesus is a divine necessity for Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, John the Baptist, and you and me.
No cross, no crown. No trial, no triumph! It is a hard lesson.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Mission of Mary Magdalene.

MARY MAGDALENE LINGERED AT THE TOMB AND WAS REWARDED BY BEING THE FIRST PERSON TO SEE THE RISEN JESUS.
SOME PEOPLE COMPETE TO BE THE FIRST TO LEAVE THE CHURCH AFTER HOLY MASS?

"Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher." (John 20: 11.... 18).

Tuesday 19th April, Easter Tuesday in the Octave of the Solemnity of Easter.

After asking Mary Magdalene why she was weeping, Jesus said to her:

“Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."

Jesus gave Mary Magdalene the great commission of bearing news of His Resurrection to the all male Apostles. Mary ran with the news to the Apostles.

Who is this woman, Mary Magdalene?
#1. Certainly not the wife of Jesus as alleged by the silly once popular book, Da Vinci Code.
#2. Probably the woman of Mark 16: 9 who had 7 demons expelled from her. Once released from demonic oppression, Mary clung tightly to Jesus and His ministry.
#3. Jesus and His disciples received no salary, stipends or subsidies for their ministry. How did they survive? Mary of Magdala headed a group of zealous women who supplied the needs of Jesus and the disciples from their resources.
#4. Mary Magdalene stood with the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Apostle John under the Cross and witnessed the agony of the Crucified from the very beginning to the end.
#5. Jesus rewarded Mary to be the first eyewitness to see Jesus after His Resurrection. He commissioned Mary to take the great news to His brothers. No wonder Mary is called the "apostle to the apostles."

What are the lessons from the profile of Mary Magdalene?
Mary has a heart that returns love for love. She never forgets a favor done to her. Mary Magdalene is one of my patron saints. I pray through her intercession for the grace to know the Heart of Jesus intimately, to love Him passionately and to follow Him everywhere.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

God raised Jesus whom you crucified.

FATHER, I BELIEVE THAT IN YOUR INFINITE GOODNESS, YOU MAKE EVERYTHING TO THE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE WHO LOVE YOU.

"This man, [Jesus] delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.  But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it." (Acts 2: 23 - 24).

Today is Monday April 18th in the Octave of Easter. Easter is the greatest feast in the Church liturgical calendar.

Each of the first 8 days after Easter Sunday is a solemnity (high feast). 50 days from Easter to the Feast of Pentecost on June 5th are all feast days of Easter. If during the 40 days of Lent, you fasted, abstained or disciplined yourself in any way, then you can appreciate the 50 days of Easter feast. It is 50 days of feasting and celebrating your faith. Fasting and abstinence are suspended till after Pentecost. The Bridegroom is with us. Sorry, we cannot fast. We want to enjoy the promised change of season. (Cf Psalm 1).

Our key Scripture today (Acts 2: 23 - 24) teaches us a very important truth. This is a truth that can fill you with knowledge and wisdom that you can use every day. I will use another strategic Scripture to convey the lesson:

"And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.  For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers." (Romans 8: 28 - 29 AMP).

The Crucifixion of Jesus was no accident of history. It was pre-planned. Just as your entire life is pre-planned from your birth to your tomb.

Brothers and sisters, remember: Easter is not a one day celebration. It is a Season. That is why it is also called Eastertide. Enjoy the holy joyful Season.

"Alleluia, alleluia!
This day was made by the Lord:
we rejoice and are glad.
Alleluia!" (Psalm Psalm 117: 24).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Christ has risen indeed. Happy and a glorious Easter.

LORD JESUS, I BELIEVE. INCREASE IN ME FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE.

Sunday April 17, 2022, EASTER SUNDAY. The Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When Peter and John entered the empty tomb, they saw what gave them a pause and serious matter for reflection. Jesus was not in the tomb. But the burial clothes were neatly arranged as if the person simply slipped through the clothes without disturbing them in any way. John observed this and concluded that there could be only one explanation: Jesus has risen from the dead.

This incident explains why Jesus forecast His passion and death and none of the disciples remembered it.  "They did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead." (John 20: 9). Nothing like the Resurrection of a dead person had ever happened before. There is no historical precedence in the Scriptures.

With the reality of the Resurrection, we can heed the Scriptures when it tells us to:

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43: 18 - 20).

Have you observed anything that make you believe that Jesus is risen and alive?  There are two incontrovertible reasons to believe in the Resurrection of Jesus:
#1. The existence of the Church.
#2. The self-sacrificing work of missionaries all over the world for 2000 years.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

HOLY SATURDAY AT THE EASTER VIGIL. JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED.

THE WOMEN GAVE THE NEWS OF THE RESURRECTION TO THE APOSTLES BUT THEY DID NOT BELIEVE THEM. 

“Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day.” And they remembered his words. Then they returned from the tomb and announced all these things to the eleven and to all the others. The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; the others who accompanied them also told this to the apostles, but their story seemed like nonsense and they did not believe them." (Luke 24: 1 - 12).

Saturday April 16th, Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter. 

My brothers and sisters, we celebrate tonight the Great Easter Vigil. The Church allover the world will be trembling with excitement and joy when the great Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) rings out. I want to offer for our reflection some key truths from the Easter Proclamation:

#1 "This is our Passover feast, when Christ, the true lamb is slain, whose blood consecrates the homes of all believers."

#2 "What good would life have been to us if Christ had not come as our Redeemer?"

#3 "The power of this holy night dispels all evil, washes guilt away, restores lost innocence, brings mourners joy; it casts out hatred, brings us peace and humbles earthly pride."

#4 "Therefore heavenly Father, in the joy of this night, receive our evening sacrifice of praise, your Church's offering."

#5 "May the Morning Star which never sets find this flame still burning:

Christ, that Morning Star, who came back from the dead, and shed his peaceful light on all mankind, your Son who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen."

This is our Passover Feast.

“God raised up Jesus, freeing him from the pains of death” (Acts 2:24).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com 

Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord.

JESUS CHRIST WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR SINS.

“Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.”
So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And Pilate said to them,
“Behold, the man!”
When the chief priests and the guards saw him they cried out,
“Crucify him, crucify him!”
Pilate said to them,
“Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him.” (The Passion of the Lord according to St John).

Friday 15th April 2022, Good Friday of the Lord's Passion.

The Jewish leaders see the death of Jesus on the Cross as the execution of a criminal.  “If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.”

"But he was pierced for our sins,
crushed for our iniquity.
He bore the punishment that makes us whole, by his wounds we were healed." (Isaiah 52: 5).

How do you see the death of Jesus on the Cross?
"It is love "to the end" that confers on Christ's sacrifice its value as redemption and reparation, as atonement and satisfaction. He knew and loved us all when he offered his life. Now "the love of Christ controls us, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died." (CCC 616).

We adore You O Christ and worship You because of Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Holy Thursday, the Beginning of the Easter Celebrations.

YOU WILL NEVER WASH MY DIRTY FEET. NO WASHING YOUR FEET, NO INHERITANCE WITH ME.

"If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.  I have given you a model [example] to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do." (John 13: 14 - 15).

Thursday 14th April 2022, Holy Thursday, Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper.

Jesus gives us a new commandment this evening:  "Love one another as I have loved you." (John 13: 34). This new commandment is now enfleshed in an unforgettable Example. Consider for a moment the power of example, testimony and biography. The three which are synonymous are unparalleled way of teaching. It works for kids. It works for their parents.

Today is Holy Thursday.  According to ancient tradition, the Church celebrates this evening the Mass of the Last Supper.  When Jesus celebrated the first Mass at the Last Supper, the Apostles did not understand what He was doing.  The narrative of today's Gospel is dominated by the event of the washing of the feet of the apostles, an event so significant that it was incorporated into the Holy Thursday liturgy from ancient times.  What does this event mean for us?

Jesus the Lord and Teacher of the Apostles just washed the dirty feet of the astounded Apostles and then called it an example.

Whose feet will you prefer to wash?
"If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.  I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do."  (John 13: 14 - 15).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

This is the Hour. The appointed time is here.

LOVE CARES MORE FOR OTHERS THAN FOR SELF.

"One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over....

"When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.” (Matthew 26: 14.... 25).

Wednesday 13th April 2022, in Holy Week.

Towards the end of His life, Jesus reveals more and more the testimony of Sacred Scripture about the gathering storm of His passion and death.

About Judas, he said, "The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed." (Matthew 26: 24).

Jesus ministry is framed around "appointed time," "fullness of time." There may be a number of reasons why Jesus at this time wants to anchor His disciples on the testimony of Scripture about Him and His mission.

#1. His death would shatter whatever faith the disciples had in Him. It therefore became necessary that they learn that He is the Lord of history and knew everything that would happen in His passion.
#2. The disciples would see too that He entered His passion and death freely of His own accord. He was not trapped in Gethsemane and arrested as a helpless fugitive from justice.

Paul wrote that Christ died and rose from the dead according to the Scriptures, that is, according to the plan of God predicted in the Scriptures.

As we approach the Easter Triduum, our faith in Jesus as both God who knows the past and future and as Man who manifested fear in Gethsemane of His suffering should grow.

"The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19: 10). Jesus testifies that Scripture is the word of God and worthy of our veneration and faith. What Scripture prophesies must come true. Scripture prophesies what Jesus did in His public ministry. When you share the testimonies of the miraculous in the work of Jesus in your life, you create a condition for a new miracle. What Jesus has done once, He replicates.

"There are graces destined for My priests in this the night of My agony and of My betrayal that are not given at any other time. I am bound tonight. I have already been taken, and My captors led Me away as a lamb to the Slaughter. I am silent but My Heart watches and waits for My priests. If only they would come to Me, I would undo the bonds that hold them in slavery. I would give them light in the spiritual darknesses that oppress them. I would speak to them words of comfort and of compassion." (IN SINU JESU, Maundy Thursday Night March 20, 2008).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Believe Me. One of you will betray Me.

WE NEED ENDURANCE TO PERSEVERE IN DOING GOD'S WILL. THE REWARD IS HUGE.

"Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”.....

"Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Peter said to him, “Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.” (John13:21-33...... 36-38).

Tuesday 12th April 2022 of Holy Week.

Our Gospel of today is the beginning of the Last Supper Discourse. The foreboding events of the next 24 hours weighed heavily on Jesus. Jesus is 100% Man and 100% God. The human part of His nature dreaded the agony in the garden, the brutal interrogations with curses, slaps and spitles. The crowning with thorns and dreadful flagellations. The Crucifixion!

Jesus shares His groomy ruminations with His friends: “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

Three of the disciples are mentioned by name:
#1. Judas, the traitor.
#2. The simplistic and over confident Peter.
#3. John the Evangelist simply described as "the one whom Jesus loved."

Why did Judas and Peter betray Jesus? Perhaps the more important question is: Why did Peter repent and Judas did not?
Why do some Christians hear the call to come to Jesus in the Sacrament of Penance and respond and why do others hear and not respond?

Every sin is a betrayal. Every recourse to the Sacrament of Reconciliation is acting like Peter. Every refusal to accept reconciliation and healing is being a Judas.
My friend, do not say your sin is a small one. Christ Jesus died for sin. Not for big sin or small sin. Every big sin starts from a small sin.
Sow a thought and you reap a word. Sow the word and you reap an action or deed. Sow the deeds continuously and you reap a character. Character is destiny.

Judas was treasurer of the group.
"Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or to give something to the poor."
Judas helped himself little by little from the purse.

The opportunity for last Reconciliation before Easter might be right now. My Parish has the last Call on Good Friday from 12 noon to 3 pm. Help me Lord, I plan to be there.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com