"In you and your descendants all the families of the earth will find blessing.  I am with you and will protect you wherever you go, and bring you back to this land. I will never leave you until I have done what I promised you." (Genesis 28: 14 - 15).

Monday of the 14th week in Ordinary Time. Our Daily Bible Verse is from Genesis 28. God chose Jacob instead of Esau to carry forward the Covenant and promises made to Abraham. We shall see that Jacob with developed commercial instincts is a worthy heir of Abraham. Listen to his answer to God:

“If God will be with me and protect me on this journey I am making and give me food to eat and clothes to wear,  and I come back safely to my father’s house, the Lord will be my God. This stone that I have set up as a sacred pillar will be the house of God. Of everything you give me, I will return a tenth part to you without fail.” (Genesis 28: 20 - 22).

How will God respond to this counter offer?

Our God is a Father who keeps His promises. Nothing is too marvelous for Him to do for those who love Him. God Never Fails.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

"In Jerusalem you shall find your comfort." (Isaiah 66: 13).

Sunday of the 14th week in Ordinary Time. The word to live by comes from Isaiah 66: 10 - 14).

The Lord God promises peace and prosperity and overflowing good fortune to Jerusalem after her period of chastisement. Jerusalem here is a type of the Church. We are urged to find our comfort in the Church and much more:
"Rejoice with her in her joy,
all you who mourn over her—
So that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast;
That you may drink with delight at her abundant breasts!" (Isaiah 66: 10 - 11).

What is this consoling breast, this abundant breast? Just think of the Church for a moment. What does the Church offer to the world? The Church offers to the world:

#1. The word of God.
#2. The 7 Sacraments.
#3. Light and wisdom through her authoritative teachings.

Everybody without exception is invited to "nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast;
and drink with delight at her abundant breasts!"

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed the man who seeks refuge in him." (Psalm 33: 9).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

“Although the voice is Jacob’s, the hands are Esau’s.” (Genesis 27: 22).

Saturday of the 13th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Maria Goretti (1890 - 1902), Virgin and Martyr. Maria died at the age of 12 defending her chastity. She witnessed to the power of Jesus Christ working in the little Ones. In her liturgy, the Church teaches us that God is the source of innocence and lover of chastity.

Our key Scripture is from Genesis 27: 1 - 29). We explore the mystery of the Call, the Choice and the Anointing. Why does God call Jacob instead of Esau, David instead of one of his brothers, Judas instead of Benjamin, Israel instead of Egypt? This is a great mystery.

"For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his treasured possession." (Psalm 135: 4).

God’s choice comes with blessings:

"May God give to you of the dew of the heavens and of the fertility of the earth abundance of grain and wine." (Genesis 27: 28).

Through the great mystery and gift of Baptism, we are all called, chosen and anointed as priest, prince and prophet.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

 “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Matthew 9: 11).

Friday of the 13th week in Ordinary Time is the First Friday of July and the feast of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 to 1539), Priest.

The Pharisees could not hide their disdain of Jesus for mingling with sinners and tax collectors. Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God will be like the net of a fisherman collecting both good and bad fish. Do you find this image of the Church disgusting? What type of Church do you secretly desire in your heart?

“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.  Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Matthew 9: 12 - 13).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

July 5, 2018 First Friday in July 2019.

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus:  Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month.  In the 7th month of the year 2019, we look at Promise #7.

#7.  "Tepid souls shall become fervent."

What is tepid?  Tepid is defined as lukewarm, slightly warm, unenthusiastic, apathetic, half-hearted.
Listen to what Jesus says about such persons:
"Because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth."  (Revelation 3: 16).

Are you lukewarm with regards to Jesus, to spiritual things? Regain your fire through devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Father Richard Morrow of the Cathedral of Christ the King died a couple of weeks ago at the age of 90. For most of his 62 years as a priest, he was devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and honored the Sacred Heart every First Friday.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by attending Holy Mass.

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

http://sfjweb.com/?q=content/sacred-heart-12-promises

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