Friday, July 26, 2024
Thursday, July 25, 2024
THE FEAST OF SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANNE. PARENTS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
THE FEAST OF SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANNE, PARENTS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
"Jesus said to his disciples:
“Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart.
"The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away.
"The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.
"But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” (Matthew 13: 18 - 23).
Friday 26th July 2024 in the 16th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is what the Church says about Anne and Joachim:
"It was in the house of Joachim and Anne that the Virgin Mary received her training to be the Mother of God. Thus, devotion to Anne and Joachim is an extension of the affection Christians have always shown toward our Blessed Mother. We, too, owe a debt of gratitude to our parents for their help in our Christain formation." (Roman Missal).
"I came to you today as the little grandchild of Joachim and Anna. Tell Me that you are happy to have Me in this house, and invite Me to rule over your heart and in your life." (IN SINU JESU page 239).
The Parable of the Sower inclines us today to reflect on the following questions:
1. How do you cultivate the spiritual life?
2. How do you have deep root in your life in Christ?
3. Why do seeds sown in good soil flourish?
Anyone who is a regular reader of the Daily Bible Verse is not a seed sown among thorns.
For the seed of the life of Christ in you to grow and flourish, you need a Plan: The 7-Way Plan:
1. Daily Prayer.
2. Daily Word of God.
3. Frequent Holy Communion /Spiritual Communion.
4. Frequent Confession.
5. Daily Examination of Conscience.
6. Daily Spiritual Reading.
7. Daily Exercise of sharing your faith with someone whether a Christian or non Christian.
Our Saints of today, Saints Joachim and Anne are powerful intercessors. Ask for their help on any of your needs.
The Church honors the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July.
Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ purify and heal us.
For Prayers and Prayer intentions for the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/06/july-devotion-to-precious-body-of-jesus.html?m=1
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
THE FEAST OF ST JAMES THE APOSTLE.
FEAST OF ST JAMES THE APOSTLE.
"The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.
"He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.”
"Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”
"They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
"When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers.
"But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you.
"Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20: 20 - 28).
Thursday July 25th 2024 of the 16th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St James, Apostle.
James and John are sons of Zebedee, both fishermen. They left their nets and followed Jesus when He called them from their fishing occupation. Peter, James and John belong to the inner circle of the group of Apostles.
James was known as the Elder or Greater to differentiate him from his fellow Apostle called James. James was one of the Apostles with Peter and John who witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus on the Mountain and the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.
James was condemned to death under King Agrippa I and beheaded around 44 AD.
In the today's Gospel, to the request of Salome, the Mother of James and John that Jesus makes James Prime Minister and John Foreign Minister in His kingdom, Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
I like the fact that Salome understands that the word of God is a Command. It accomplishes everything it is sent to.
Often we do not know what we ask from God. But to the credit of James and John, they indicated that they were ready to die for Jesus. James was beheaded by King Aggrippa in 44 AD.
The Church honors the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July.
“I long to drink of his blood, the gift of unending love.” ( St Ignatius of Antioch).
Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ purify and heal us.
For Prayers and Prayer intentions for the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/06/july-devotion-to-precious-body-of-jesus.html?m=1
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
THE FEAST OF ST SHARBEL MAKHLUF, PRIEST AND HERMIT.
THE FEAST OF ST SHARBEL MAKHLUF, PRIEST AND HEEMIT.
"The words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah,
of a priestly family in Anathoth, in the land of Benjamin.
The word of the LORD came to me thus:
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I dedicated you,
a prophet to the nations I appointed you.
“Ah, Lord GOD!” I said,
"I know not how to speak; I am too young.”
But the LORD answered me,
Say not, “I am too young.”
To whomever I send you, you shall go;
whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Have no fear before them,
because I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.
“Then the LORD extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying,
See, I place my words in your mouth!
This day I set you
over nations and over kingdoms,
To root up and to tear down,
to destroy and to demolish,
to build and to plant." (Jeremiah 1: 1, 4 - 10).
Wednesday July 24th 2024 of the 16th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Sharbel Makhluf. (1828 - 1898). Lebanese Catholic priest, monk and hermit.
Sharbel is known for his great devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and the Blessed Sacrament and his filial devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was a great miracle worker during his life and after his earthly life. Sharbel died a Hermit in the ardor of sanctity in 1898.
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I dedicated you,
a prophet to the nations I appointed you" (Jeremiah 1: 5)
We reflect today on the Call of the Prophet Jeremiah.
Jeremiah received sanctifying grace in the womb for his prophetic mission.
"Before birth the LORD called me,
from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.*
He made my mouth like a sharp-edged sword,
concealed me, shielded by his hand.
He made me a sharpened arrow,
in his quiver he hid me." (Isaiah 49: 1 - 2)
Isaiah is another prophet who received supernatural grace in the womb of his mother. Supernatural or sanctifying grace is the unmerited favor and permanent disposition God places in a soul that enables us to love God, respond to His love, love our neighbor and be god-like. This is the same grace given to every Christian in Baptism. In the scriptures, we see instances of this in Isaiah, Jeremiah and John the Baptist."
“I have made you this day a pillar of iron!”
"The word of the Lord came to me: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you." (Jeremiah 1: 4-5).
How do we respond to the awesome call of God? Jeremiah gives us the inspired response below:
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence. He is like a tree planted along a riverbank, with its roots reaching deep into the water—a tree not bothered by the heat nor worried by long months of drought. Its leaves stay green, and it goes right on producing all its luscious fruit." (Jeremiah 17: 7 - 8 TLB)
The Church honors the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July.
"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." (Acts 20: 28).
Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ purify and heal us.
For Prayers and Prayer intentions for the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/06/july-devotion-to-precious-body-of-jesus.html?m=1
Monday, July 22, 2024
FEAST OF ST BRIDGET OF SWEDEN.
FEAST OF ST BRIDGET OF SWEDEN.
"While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him.
"Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.”
"But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matthew 12: 46 - 50).
Tuesday 23rd July 2024 in the 16th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Bridget of Sweden. (1303 - 1373).
St Bridget of Sweden was a housewife, mother of 4 boys and 4 girls. One of the girls, St Catherine of Sweden is a canonized saint.
Bridget persuaded her husband to become a Franciscan Tertiary with her.
When the husband died, St Bridget moved to Rome where she founded the Order of the Most Holy Redeemer.
St Bridget meditated long on the suffering and death of Jesus. God revealed to her the secrets of heaven. St Bridget is a mystic and authored books on ascetical and mystical theology. She is the patron saint of Sweden and co-patron saint of Europe.
Would you like to be called the brother, sister and mother of Jesus? Below is how your desire will be fulfilled:
"For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
If it is not possible to do the will of God, Jesus would never have asked us to aim at this.
It takes daily application before the Christian can say: "I am the sister of Jesus."
What are the steps to this mountain of glory? Think of a plan for ascending this mountain: The 7-Way Plan.
1. Daily Prayer.
2. Daily Word of God.
3. Daily Eucharist /Spiritual Communion.
4. Frequent Confession.
5. Daily Examination of Conscience.
6. Daily Spiritual Reading.
7. Daily Sharing your faith with someone.
These are the steps that our Saint of today, St Bridget took and became a great Saint. Let us pray to St Bridget to intercede for us for the grace to do the will of God.
The Church honors the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July.
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7).
Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ purify and heal us.
For Prayers and Prayer intentions for the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/06/july-devotion-to-precious-body-of-jesus.html?m=1
Sunday, July 21, 2024
THE FEAST OF ST MARY MAGDALENE, DISCIPLE OF JESUS.
THE FEAST OF ST MARY MAGDALENE, DISCIPLE OF LORD.
"On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
"So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.”
"Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping.
And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been.
And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus.
"Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.”
"Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher.
"Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
"Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he told her. (John 20: 1 - 2, 11 - 18).
Monday 22nd July 2024 in 16th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Mary Magdalene, Disciple of Jesus.
Mary Magdalene was a simple Jewish woman who had a profound encounter with Jesus. She was one of the handfull of women who followed Jesus as He tramped everywhere preaching the Gospel. These women took care of the welfare of Jesus and His Apostles from their purse. But Mary Magdalene was unique and exceptional among these ladies. Jesus healed her of demonic possession and Mary could not forget this favor all her life.
Mary Magdalene trekked the Via Dolorosa with the other Mary, the Virgin Mother of Jesus. Both women stood under the Cross and watched Jesus die slowly. While the Blessed Virgin Mary did not hurry to the tomb on Easter Sunday because she heard and believed what her Son said about "rising from the dead on the third day," Mary of Magdala hurried to the tomb. She became the first human being to see the Risen Jesus. This is how St Mary Magdalene became the "Apostle to the Apostles."
"Go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he told her." (John 20: 17 - 18).
Mary Magdalene loved Jesus with a pure love that comes from the depth of gratitude for what Jesus did for her. If but we know 1% of what Jesus is doing for us every day, our love for Him will astonish us. St Mary Magdalene will be delighted with the desire and prayer of St Ignatius Loyola:
+ To know the Heart of Jesus intimately.
+ To love Jesus passionately.
+ To follow Jesus everywhere.
O that this will be our prayer and desire too!
"With Me and from Me you have nothing to fear. I am here, in the Sacrament of My love, to be your comfort, your peace, your light, your refreshment, and your joy. Know this! Take it to heart. Believe it and act upon it. If souls believed this of Me, nothing would be able to keep them from seeking Me out in the Sacrament of My love and from remaining in My presence." (IN SINU JESU).
The Church honors the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July.
“You come to me and unite Yourself intimately to me under the form of nourishment. Your Blood now runs in mine, Your Soul, Incarnate God, compenetrates mine, giving courage and support. What miracles! Who would have ever imagined such!” (St Maximilian Kolbe).
Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ purify and heal us.
For Prayers and Prayer intentions for the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/06/july-devotion-to-precious-body-of-jesus.html?m=1
Saturday, July 20, 2024
MY GOOD SHEPHERD CARES FOR ME.
JESUS MY GOOD SHEPHERD.
"The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing
I shall want.
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose.
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
"He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
"You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
"Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for years to come." (Psalm 23).
Sunday July 21st 2024 in the 16th Week in Ordinary Time.
Today's Sunday Liturgy bristles with the sweet promises of the Good Shepherd.
What does it mean that Jesus Christ is truly my Good Shepherd? It means that Jesus is shepherding me always, everywhere and in everything as I allow Him.
I experienced the care of my Good Shepherd this week when I misplaced a critical object in the house and had to go to get and replace it. My Good Shepherd said to me: "It is I. Do not be afraid."
At first it made no sense as I queried: How can Jesus allow such things to happen?
I remembered the powerful, merciful and mysterious Providence of Jesus that governs all things.
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." (Matthew 10: 26 - 31).
If Jesus Christ is my Good Shepherd, I lack nothing. I will exercise my faith in trusting my Good Shepherd in everything.
"He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff
that give me courage."
The Church honors the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July.
"Brothers and sisters: In Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ." (Cf Ephesians 2: 13 - 18).
Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ purify and heal us.
For Prayers and Prayer intentions for the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/06/july-devotion-to-precious-body-of-jesus.html?m=1
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)