Holy Spirit Parish, New Hyde Park, NY

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. "For nothing will be impossible for God. (Luke 1: 37). Tuesday 8th December 2020, 2nd Week of Advent is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. This is the patronal feast of the United States of America.... What is the Immaculate Conception and why does it matter? In the first Reading today from Genesis, God said to the Serpent: "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; They will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel." (Genesis 3: 15). This is the promise of our Redemption after the fall of Adam and Eve. God chose Mary before the foundation of the world and prepared her to be the sinless Mother of His Son and kept Mary sinless from the first moment of her conception. Mary said Yes to God's plan to use her body for this mission. Only a pure Vessel can hold a pure God. Why does this matter? Jesus is 100% God and 100% Man. Although Mary is 100% human, it is absolute necessity that the Mother of the Redeemer be not tainted with the least sin. Mary's generosity in giving her Yes made the Incarnation possible. Mary said, Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. (Luke 1: 38). The total faith and surrender that Mary displayed here is rewarded by God's special revelation to Mary: "For nothing will be impossible for God. (Luke 1: 37). Let this words nourish our faith today and always. When you are afraid, when you worry, when you are tempted to doubt God's power and promises, redouble your trust in God and remember that nothing will be impossible for God. Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this First Friday, December 4th. December 4th, 2020 - First Friday in December 2020. 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 12th and last month of the year 2020, we look at Promise #12.... #12. "The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under My displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour." Friends, this is a tremendous promise. Let us thank our Lord Jesus Christ for such a generous offer. I was once close to death. My priest came and brought the healing Presence of Jesus in His precious anointing. Whenever I think of Promise #12, I remember that awesome occasion and privilege. You will appreciate this promise when you are close to death. No fear. No worry. No doubt about your eternal destiny. Because of the pandemics, many may not be able to receive Jesus in Holy Communion this First Friday. You can make a Spiritual Communion. Prayer for Spiritual Communion: My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen. Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by attending Holy Mass. For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, go to http://seekfirstcommunity.com//12-promises-of-sacred-heart Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

Come hungry to the banquet of the Lord. "Jesus summoned his disciples and said, My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way. (Matthew 15: 32). Wednesday 2nd December 2020, first Week of Advent.... Our key Scripture for today is the background to the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves. The entire Liturgy of the word today centers on food, banquet and celebrations. Let us capture them one by one. #1. Collect (Opening Prayer). "Prepare our hearts, we pray, O Lord our God, by your divine power, so that at the coming of Christ your Son we may be found worthy of the banquet of eternal life and merit to receive heavenly nourishment from his hands." How do we prepare our hearts for the eternal banquet? #2. First Reading (Isaiah 25: 6 - 10). "On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines." (Isaiah 25: 6). This mountain is type and shadow of the Sanctuary where the Lord God prepares for us a banquet of the word of God and the holy Eucharist. #3 Responsorial Psalm: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23: 1). Do you find yourself in constant want or need? I need a new car, shoe, job, suit, whatever? If the Lord is truly your Good Shepherd, you will be pretty content most of the time. The restless spirit harbors the spirit of the world. We are warned not to compromise with the spirit of the world but to allow the word of God to shape our vision of the world. (Cf Romans 12: 2). #4 The Gospel: "They all ate and were satisfied." (Cf Matthew 15: 29 - 37). How do you feel when your Good Shepherd feeds you? If you are not satisfied, then what and who can satisfy you? The spirit of the world is a restless spirit, full of discontentment. Reject him. Tell him boldly: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com