THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD. 

In the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, we have a new opportunity to encounter Jesus anew as the great Light of the World. 

"When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

"Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

"The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and 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—and you yourself a sword will pierce—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

"There was also a prophetess, Anna, the ­daughter of ­Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was ­eighty-four. She never left the temple, but ­worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the ­redemption of ­Jerusalem."

"When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him."  (Luke 2: 22 - 40).

Thursday 2nd February 2023 in the 4th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of the Presentation of Our Lord. 

Forty days after the Nativity of Jesus Christ, Mary and Joseph presented Him in the Temple in obedience of faith. 

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the holy Prophet Simeon and the Prophetess Anna appeared in the Temple in obedience of faith to bear witness to the faithfulness of God to His promise. 

Brethren, in the celebration of the Presentation of the Lord, let us renew our faith in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar so that we can experience the a transformative encounter with Jesus who is very eager to embrace us with His merciful love. 

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Why does God choose the weak and poor of the world? Moses, David, Abraham Lincoln, Cyrus, Barack Obama, Popes Benedict and Francis?

"Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters.

"Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.

"Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God.

"It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 1: 26 - 31).

Sunday January 29th 2023 of the 4th week in Ordinary Time.

Brethren, our reflection this Sunday comes from First Corinthians 1: 26 - 31.

We know that as the Baptized, we are the Chosen, Called and Anointed. We are called to be the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. We are called to be priest, prince and prophet. From this same call, you become the salt and light of the world.

But who am I to be called and elevated to so high a pedestal? I have less than a great education. I have next to zero pedigree. I don't consider myself to be a physically strong person. Yet, Christ Jesus chose me, called me and anointed me and I was transformed. I believe and I know that I can do all things because of Jesus Christ who empowers me.
You too my dear friend can claim this truth without hesitation.

Blessed are the poor in spirit.
Rejoice and be glad; your reward will be great in heaven.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." (Psalm 103).

"Brothers and sisters: In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children:

"My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges.

"Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as his sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.

"So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.

"Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled."  (Letter to the Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15).

Wednesday February 1st 2023 in the 4th Week of Ordinary Time.

I heard the above Scripture in a Sunday Mass for the first time after tumbling down the mountain top of corporate ladder to the dark hole in the valley. I have never imagined that misfortune can be engineered by God to serve our higher purpose.

So I was happy and delighted to read again at home this glorious message of Abba Father to me, the once prodigal son:
"Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as his sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it."

My response to the Father is best expressed in the Responsorial Psalm 103 of today's Mass:

"Bless the Lord, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.

"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him,
For he knows how we are formed;
he remembers that we are dust.

"But the kindness of the Lord is from eternity to eternity toward those who fear him,
And his justice toward children’s children among those who keep his covenant." (Psalm 103).

Now consider this question: Where would I be today if not for the residue of grace I received at Baptism? By faith I recognized at once that the Reading from Hebrews that Sunday morning was for me.

You too my friends, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by Him; for whom the Lord loves, He disciplines; He scourges every son and daughter He acknowledges.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

DAILY BIBLE VERSE: CHÚA DẸP BỎ SÓNG GIÓ : MC 4, 35-41

"The things that we love tell us what we are." (St Thomas Aquinas, OP. Doctor of the Church).

"On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him.

"A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up.

"Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”

"The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”

"They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?” (Mark 4: 35 - 41).

Saturday January 28th 2023 in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Angelic Doctor, St Thomas Aquinas, OP. (1225 - 1274). Italian. Dominican Priest. Doctor of the Church. He wrote the Summa Theologica and other great books. Apart from being one of the greatest theologians in the Church, Thomas is noted for his humility and holiness.

“Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” This is the apparently exasperated rebuke of the disciples by Jesus.  The disciples had seen signs and wonders performed by Jesus.

Were are the storms in your life today? Family, Health, Finances, Job, Property or Tools?  Or have you nothing to worry about but your future?

All storms are sanctioned by God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence. Because the storms are sanctified, they are blessings and more often than not blessings in disguise.

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

Storm times are testing times.  Where do you place your trust? Who is your security? Who is the first person you call upon to help you?

"My foes treat me harshly all the day; yes, many are my attackers.
O Most High, when I am afraid,
in you I place my trust.
I praise the word of God;
I trust in God, I do not fear.
What can mere flesh do to me?"  (Psalm 56: 3 - 5)

The whole of Sacred Scripture teaches one lesson:  Love God with all your heart and put Him first in everything.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.
Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil."  (Matthew 6: 33 -34)

When we put God and His interests first in our affairs, we experience a state that can be described as "No fear, No Worry, No Doubt."   Because Jesus Himself has promised that:
"Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  (Luke 8: 50, Mark 5: 36)

As we open our hearts and minds to the word of God with confident trust, we experience the power of faith to rule and calm the furious storms that arise in our lives.

"Do not fear: I am with you;
do not be anxious: I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."  (Isaiah 41: 10).

"They cried to the Lord in their distress; from their straits he rescued them, he hushed the storm to a gentle breeze, and the billows of the sea were stilled." (Psalm 107).

God works silent miracles all the time for us. Show appreciation like the sailors. God is very pleased by our gratitude.

"They rejoiced that they were calmed, and he brought them to their desired haven.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his kindness and his wondrous deeds to the children of men." (Psalm 107).

Such lessons from the Scriptures build up our faith. Don't miss them.

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