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.

Daily Bible Verse @
Seekfirstcommunity.com

How do you make important decisions in life? According to Pope Francis in a letter celebrating 400th anniversary of St Francis de Sales whose feast day is today: "Where the greatest love is to be found?"

“The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him.

"A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.”

"But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”

"And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3: 31 - 35).

Tuesday 24th January 2023 in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Francis de Sales (1567 - 1622), Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Born in France, he was the Bishop of Geneva where he combatted Calvinism. He founded with St Jane Frances de Chantal the Order of the Visitation Nuns. St Francis de Sales is an accomplished author and the patron saint of authors and journalists.

"Then I said, As is written of me in the scroll, Behold, I come to do your will, O God."  (Cf Hebrews10:1-10). Mary too lives by the Will of God. So should we her children.
If knowing this truth, you bend to any other will but the Will of God, you are a little lapping dog. Sorry, I am not yet as gentle as St Francis de Sales. I say it as I see it.
Wake up now brethren and let us ask the grace to conform our will to the Will of God. (Cf Romans 12: 2).

Not my will but Thy Will be done O Most Loving and Adorable Father.

St Francis de Sales is patron saint of writers and journalists. He is one of my patron saints. St Francis de Sales pray for us.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

"The statutes of the Lord are true,
all of them just;
More desirable than gold, than a hoard of purest gold,
Sweeter also than honey or drippings from the comb.
By them your servant is warned;
obeying them brings much reward." (Psalm 19: 10 - 12).

Sunday 22nd January 2023 of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time is the Word of God Sunday.

Below is the way Pope Francis suggests we observe the Word of God Sunday:

*1. Enthrone the sacred text.*
*2. Highlight the proclamation of the Word of the Lord.*
*3. Emphasise the honour due to the word of God in the homily* .
*4. Celebrate the Rite of Installation of Lectors or a commissioning of Readers.*
*5. Provide training for Readers.*
*6. Give a Bible, or one of its books, to everyone.*
*7. Encourage people to read and pray with Scripture daily,* *especially through the practice of Lectio Divina.

I rejoiced when Pope Francis established the Word of God Sunday in 2019 to be celebrated on the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. I love Sacred Scripture and Sacred Scripture has loved me back. It has given me joy, peace, hope and wisdom. On the 18th of January 2023, I clocked 6000 reflections on Daily Mass Scripture. Thank You Holy Spirit.

I celebrate the Word of God Sunday with the Responsorial Psalm 27 in today's Liturgy. Why? Because of the incredible promises in this Psalm 27. As mentioned above, Scripture has been good to me and on my part, I am greedy for all God's promises in Sacred Scriptures.

The Responsorial Psalm 27:
"The Lord is my light and my salvation;whom should I fear?
The Lord is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?

"One thing I ask of the Lord;
this I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, that I may gaze on the loveliness of the Lord and contemplate his temple.

"I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord."

If you can wait for the Lord for the fullness of time, you will enjoy every one of the promises the inspired you to appropriate and pray for.

Happy Word of God Sunday to all our readers.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com