Sunday 26th December 2021, is the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Our key Scripture for today is not my first choice. I am constrained to use it.
This text is usually cut out from the proclamation of the message from Colossians 3: 12 - 21. Why is it left out? Are the liturgists afraid of offending some fashionable women in the congregation.  Some women may think that it is old fashioned to talk about: "Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord."

"Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord." may well be the key to the success and integrity of marriage. I know I was challenged in the RCIA class on the text. The example of St Monica, the mother of St Augustine has been helpful. Augustine wrote about the experience of his mother in the CONFESSIONS. St Monica is the patron saint of married women and counseled many married women. She used the revelation in Colossians 3: 13 - 21 in her counseling. Monica was married to Patricius who was not a Christian. Patricius was ill mannered and a drunkard. "Patricius never for once laid hands on me or abused me in any way." How is that, the women wanted to know. Simple. Monica quoted Colossians 3: 13 - 21 and explained it to the women.

Pope Benedict the XVI advised the Austrian Bishops during an apostolic visitation to preach the WHOLE Gospel season and out of season. This works, stated the Pontiff.
What would become the message of the Archangel Gabriel to Mary if he announced: "Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you. Bye bye." The world would still be waiting for the Incarnation.

It could be said that women bear disproportionate yoke for peace in the home. The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is a family where Mary's human, womanly and spiritual gifts found the fullest expression and left us a holy example.

Holy Family of Mary, Jesus and Joseph pray for us.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

Wednesday 22nd December 2021, 4th Week of Advent.

This Wednesday, our key Scripture is the extraordinary generosity of Hannah, the mother of the Prophet Samuel. We know the story. This is the testimony of Hannah, the mother of Samuel to the high priest Eli.  Hannah is one of my favorite Bible characters. Why?
+ Hannah believes in prayer.
+ She believes in miracle.
+She has an incredible spirit of gratitude.

Hannah was barren. She pleaded with God for a son. At last, the Lord heard Hannah and granted her the little Samuel. When Samuel was 3 years old, Hannah brought Samuel to the Temple of the Lord and dedicated him to the Lord.  Look at the image. The little boy had never seen anyone like the high priest with his huge beard and robed in the high priestly vestment. Little Samuel was frightened and clung tightly to his mother's gown. After the dedication, Hannah went home empty handed.

Where have we noticed such extravagant generosity to God?
#1 The Widow's Mite. (Mark 12:41–44, Luke 21:1–4).
#2 The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple. (Luke 2:25–35).

What are the lessons for us from Hannah's gesture to God?

#1 You can never out do God in generosity.
#2 Do not be afraid to dedicate all your time, talent and treasure to God.

God raises the needy from the dust;
from the dung heap He lifts up the poor, to seat them with nobles
and make a glorious throne their heritage. (Cf 1 Samuel 2: 8).

"The Virgin Mary, my Mother of Perpetual Help, the Mediatrix of all graces, will look after all the details, even as she did in Saint John’s home when she lived with him." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, October 4, 2007 Saint Francis of Assisi).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Tuesday 21st December 2021, 4th Week of Advent is the feast of St Peter Canisius SJ, Priest and Doctor of the Church.

"Besides being a sage, Qoheleth taught the people what he himself knew, having weighed, studied and emended many proverbs. Qoheleth took pains to write in an attractive style and by it to convey truths(Ecclesiastes 12: 9-10).

Peter Canisius was born in Nijmegen, Holland in 1521. Peter studied canon law at Cologne University and Louvain. After his studies, he joined the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) and distinguished himself in teaching, preaching and writing. Peter Canisius became a type of Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes 12: 9-10, 12). He was a sage who shared liberally the fruits of his arduous studies in many books. "When I discovered your teaching, I devoured it. Your words brought me joy and gladness; you have called me your own, O Lord my God." (Jeremaiah 15:16) Peter Canisius could say the same thing.

In 1555, St Peter Canisius published his famous Catechism, (Summa Doctrinae Christianae), which was the Catholic answer to Luther's great work. This Catechism which was translated into more than 16 languages during Peter Canisius's life became a model for catechisms up to this day. The Lord sustained him in the priesthood till the end of his life: "The Lord has sworn an oath and he will not retract; you are a priest forever, in the line of Melchisedech" (Psalm 110:4)

St Peter Canisius died in 1597 and was canonized and declared a saint and Doctor of the Church in 1925. "He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a reward from God his savior. Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob." (Psalm 24: 5-6) His feast day is December 21.

In our key Scripture from Luke, Elizabeth made two revelations through the power of the Holy Spirit :
#1. The Mother of my Lord visits me.
#2. Mary, you are made completely righteous because like Abraham and David you dared to believe the promises of God to you.

And you Reader, do you believe in the promises of God to you?
The period of waiting and expectations will soon be over. You receive in proportion to your desire and expectations.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com