MARTHA AND MARY: TWO SISTERS AND FRIENDS OF JESUS.

MARTHA AND MARY. HOLY AND DIFFERENT. 

Mary has chosen the better part. 

THE GOODNEWS:

"Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha ­welcomed him.

"She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.

"Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.”

"The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.

"There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10: 38 - 42).

SUNDAY 20th July 2025 in 16th Week in Ordinary Time. 

The story of two sisters Martha and Mary teaches us great lessons of faith, hope and love. 

Martha and Mary are sisters and live in the same house. Their differences in outlook gives Jesus a teaching opportunity to address a problem that is endemic in our society today. Our lives are distracted by too many gadgets, information overload, mindless multitasking and many other things.

Jesus says to Martha and us:

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” 

What is the better part that Mary has chosen? Mary chose to honor their Guest. Mary chose the will of God for her at this moment. 

When you choose the will of God for you here and now instead of your own will, you have chosen the better part. The will of God is always the better part. In God's will is our peace. Our Shalom! 

How do we know the will of God? It is not complicated at all. The easiest way is to ask God. "Lord what will You have me do?" God is our Father who wants the very best for His children. He can never deceive us. He promises us to ask and we shall receive. 

God speaks to us in Sacred Scripture. Scripture is the very word of God. As you sit at the feet of Jesus like Mary each day to listen to Scripture, little by little you begin to know "the better part" for you in everything. This is what Scripture calls wisdom. Wisdom is the gift of choosing what God wants you to choose in every given situation. 

Think of today's great Gospel message from another perspective. 

Martha appears addicted to work. Mary is laid back and seems to relish the Sacrament of the Present Moment. 

How do we get addicted to activity? What is the cause? How did it start? 

Fear of man? Desire to please? 

Desire to win at all cost? 

Love of money? 

Love of pleasure? 

Jesus said to Martha:

"You are worried and distracted by many things." 

In short, you are an activity addict. 

What is the remedy for this hyper addiction? 

"Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46: 11).

Enjoy the Sacrament of the Present Moment. 

What can we do every day to help us to heal from this condition? 

1. Daily Prayer. 

2. Daily word of God. 

3. Frequent Eucharist and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. 

4. Affirm constantly that God is in control. 

Since you know this, do it and you will be blessed. 

We honor the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July.

"Almighty and eternal God, you have appointed your only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world, and willed to be appeased by his Blood. Grant we beg of you, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation, and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life, so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen."

For Devotion, Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and other prayers, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/04/devotion-to-most-precious-blood-of.html?m=1

THE ENEMY OF JESUS CHRIST IS THE ENEMY OF THE CHURCH.

THEY PLOTTED TO PUT THE PROPHET TO DEATH. 

THE GOSPEL:

"The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.

When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet:

Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

  (Matthew 12: 14 - 21).

A shocking turn of events in the fortunes of the Prophet that  healed the sick, fed multitudes and taught the clueless masses. What is the crime of Jesus?

Let us turn to the Prophet Isaiah for the profile of the Prophet Jesus:

“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.”  (Matthew 12: 18 - 21).

Jesus predicted that His mission will be confronted by intense opposition culminating in His crucifixion.  And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.". (Luke 9: 22).

We are foolish in judging spiritual things too quickly.  "Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”  (Luke 24: 26).

Jesus, Son of God, our Savior and our Redeemer have mercy on us.

"Holy Father and Lord, you willed that Christ your Son should be the price of our salvation. Give us grace so to live that through sharing his sufferings we may be strengthened by the power of his resurrection.

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen."  (Prayer: Vespers Friday, 15th Week in Ordinary Time).

We honor the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July.

"Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging,

Save us.

Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns,

Save us.

Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross,

Save us.

Blood of Christ, price of our salvation,

Save us." (Litany of the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ). 

 

For Devotion, Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and other prayers, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/04/devotion-to-most-precious-blood-of.html?m=1

KEEP HOLY SUNDAY FOR WORSHIP AND ENJOYING LIFE.

SABBATH CONTROVERSIES

THE GOSPEL:
"Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath.

His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them.

When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath.”

He said to them,
“Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry, how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering, which neither he nor his companions but only the priests could lawfully eat?

Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the sabbath and are innocent?

I say to you, something greater than the temple is here.

If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men.

For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.” (Matthew 12: 1 - 8).

Friday 18th July 2025 in the 15th Week in Ordinary Time.

In the Gospel for today, Jesus reminded the Pharisees of God’s purpose for the Sabbath.

"Remember the sabbath day—keep it holy." (Exodus 20: 8).

The command to set apart the Sabbath is very important as seen from the way it is treated in Sacred Scriptures. It is the exaggerated concern for the obligation and sanctity of the Sabbath Rest that gave rise to hundreds of minutiae rules concerning the basic command to keep holy the Lord's Day.

Throughout the Christian history, the Magisterium of the Church has not only expounded on the sacred character of the Sabbath but has taught that the Sabbath was instituted for the enjoyment of the People of God.

The Sabbath is the day of worship of God. A day of rest for the whole family from the hustle and bustle involved in making a living. It is a day to enjoy the parks, watch Christian movies. It is a day to visit the sick in the hospital.

The Sabbath Rest is Rehearsal for Eternal life.

One day, there will be no work. By obeying the law of the Sabbath, you build up your faith in this promise of God.

God plans to redeem man and creation from the present servitude to work.

It is more enjoyable to keep holy the Lord's Day than to do anything unlawful on the Sabbath Rest.

"With compassion, Christ declares the sabbath for doing good rather than harm, for saving life rather than killing. The sabbath is the day of the Lord of mercies and a day to honor God. "The Son of Man is Lord even of the sabbath."  (CCC 2173).

Rejoice in God's generous provision of the Sunday Rest and use it to grow in spiritual and human maturity.

We honor the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July.

“O my Most Sweet Jesus, O Jesus, Eternal High Priest, keep Thy priests in the shelter of Thy Sacred Heart, where no one can hurt them. Keep their anointed hands unsullied, which daily handle Thy Sacred Body. Keep pure the lips which are reddened with Thy Precious Blood. Keep pure and unworldly their hearts which are sealed with the sublime token of Thy glorious priesthood. Cause them to grow in love and loyalty to Thee and protect them from the contamination of the world. With their power of transforming bread and wine, give them the power of transforming hearts. Bless their work with rich fruit and grant them one day the crown of eternal life. Amen.”  (St Teresa of Avila).

For Devotion, Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and other prayers, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/04/devotion-to-most-precious-blood-of.html?m=1

TAKE MY YOKE AND FOLLOW ME.

COME TO ME. I WILL UNBURDEN YOU.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  (Matthew 11 - 28 - 30).

Thursday 17th July 2025 in the 15th Week in Ordinary Time.

We have a gracious invitation from Christ Jesus in today's Gospel. (Matthew 11: 28 - 30).

But how do we respond to this invitation Christ?

We come to Christ in:
Prayer.
His word.
Eucharist.
Reconciliation.
When we encounter Him in the poor. 

What are the labors and burdens that we bring to Christ the Doctor to heal?

First, we bring our burdens of sin.
We are overwhelmed with fears, worries and doubts about our:

Health.
Family.
Finances.
Job.
Tools and Possessions.
Food.
Future.

We bring all the above to Jesus in confident trust that He promised to help us and will not fail.

How does Christ give us the promised rest?

He cancels our debts of sins and relieves us once and for all from guilt.

Sometimes He heals our bodies and finances.  At other times, He gives us a supernatural perspective from which to view our woes.

You may call this supernatural perspective indepth perspective therapy.

People go to the Shrines of Our Lady of Lourdes in France and Guadalupe in Mexico for physical healing.  Many such people receive the indepth perspective therapy and decide to stay behind to minister to pilgrims sicker than themselves. This is the work of grace.

What yoke does Christ invite us to take upon ourselves?

The yoke of Christ is the Gospel of Christ.

The yoke of Christ is the Sermon on the Mount.

Christ Himself says that this yoke is both easy and light. John the Apostle says that to keep the commandments is not burdensome. (1 John 5:3). Paul writes of the weight of glory that awaits us after some light suffering.  (Romans 8: 18;  2 Corinthians 4: 17).

"Learn from me," pleads Christ.  Christ is the Teacher and the Lesson.  Learn to be with me.  Learn to be like me.

"For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Matthew 11: 30)

What makes the yoke easy and the burden light is grace.  The grace of God makes easy what is most difficult and revolting to nature.

 Grace makes light what is most burdensome.  This is the secret of the saints.  Saints suffer imprisonment, persecution and even death because they have the grace of God to help them.  Without this grace, it is impossible for human nature to embrace these crosses. 

Jesus Christ has promised us His grace if we embrace Him and His teaching.  With His grace on our side, all things become possible.

"My grace is sufficient for you. For power is made effective in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12: 9).

With our daily bread of this grace given at the beginning of each day, we are equipped to live fully for Christ in these areas of human struggle:  health, family, finances, job, tools, food and future.  Lord, give me this day my daily bread of your grace.  Amen!

Live the mystery of Divine Providence everyday with:

Proverbs 3: 5 - 6:
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths."

Now that you know this, do it and you will be wise.

We honor the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July.

"Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, price of our salvation,
Save us." (Litany of the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ).

For Devotion, Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and other prayers, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/04/devotion-to-most-precious-blood-of.html?m=1

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL.

WHAT IS REVEALED TO THE CHILDLIKE.

"At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.

"Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father.

"No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” (Matthew 11: 25 - 27).

Wednesday July 16th 2025 in the 15th Week in Ordinary Time is the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

What words do we associate with Mount Carmel? The Prophet Elijah, the Carmelite Order, St. Simon Stock.

On July 16, 1251 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St Simon Stock, the Superior General of the Carmelites in England and gave him the brown scapula.

Mary promised her protection to all those who wear the scapula. This is the origin of the devotion of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Brown Scapula. The brown scapula is one of the numerous sacramentals of the Church.

Some years ago, a friend of mine gave me a Brown Scapula. I hung it on the wall in my Prayer Area. On the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel a couple of years ago, I was inspired to put on that Brown Scapula just for the feast day. After the feast, I continued to wear it day and night. After some years, it fell apart from constant use. I prayed to Our Lady for inspiration on how to replace it. The prayer was answered immediately. That instant answer was a sign for me that the Blessed Mother wants that scapula round my neck.

Do not neglect the Sacramentals of the Church: holy water, crucifix, Rosary, Bible, holy pictures, etc.

In our short and powerful Gospel of today, Jesus praised the wisdom and modus operandi of His Father for singling out the childlike for His special favors.

Who is the childlike? Where can we find one to study? Let us take a look at the profile of St Therese of the Child Jesus, also called St Therese the Little Flower and St Therese of Lisieux. A Carmelite. 

St Therese is one of the most beloved saints in the Church. She is a powerful intercessor and her contribution to spirituality can be summarized thus:

#1 Utter simplicity in everything.
#2 Profound trust in Divine Providence.

St Therese you may say was chosen to be St Therese before she was born. At the age of 6, she had a profound faith in the Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and in the Blessed Sacrament.

Asked one day how she was so sure of this, her response was disarming and profound: Jesus said: "This is My Body. This is My Blood." Since Jesus is God and Almighty, nothing is impossible for Him.

Does this not remind us of the Blessed Virgin Mary? To the word that She would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Son of God, she replied: "Be it done to me according to Your word." No fear. No worry. No doubt. All things are possible for God. All things are easy for God. 

Is there a connection between faith and simplicity?  Simplicity in thoughts and habits may facilitate the habit of believing. This seems to be the witness of many saints.
"Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 18: 3).

Be simple like Jesus and Therese. Dare to Believe. Thank You Father for teaching us through the little ones.

The Church honors the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July.

"But you were purchased with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a sacrificial lamb unblemished and spotless" (1 Peter 1: 19).

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

MEMORIAL OF ST BONAVENTURE OFM, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

MEMORIAL OF ST BONAVENTURE OFM, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

His name shall be Moses.

"A certain man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, who conceived and bore a son. Seeing that he was a goodly child, she hid him for three months. When she could hide him no longer, she took a papyrus basket, daubed it with bitumen and pitch, and putting the child in it, placed it among the reeds on the river bank. His sister stationed herself at a distance to find out what would happen to him.

"Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the river to bathe, while her maids walked along the river bank. Noticing the basket among the reeds, she sent her handmaid to fetch it. On opening it, she looked, and lo, there was a baby boy, crying! She was moved with pity for him and said, “It is one of the Hebrews’ children.”

"Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call one of the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” “Yes, do so,” she answered.

"So the maiden went and called the child’s own mother. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will repay you.” The woman therefore took the child and nursed it.

"When the child grew, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopted him as her son and called him Moses; for she said, “I drew him out of the water.”

"On one occasion, after Moses had grown up, when he visited his kinsmen and witnessed their forced labor, he saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his own kinsmen. Looking about and seeing no one, he slew the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

"The next day he went out again, and now two Hebrews were fighting! So he asked the culprit, “Why are you striking your fellow Hebrew?” But the culprit replied, “Who has appointed you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?”

"Then Moses became afraid and thought, “The affair must certainly be known.”

"Pharaoh, too, heard of the affair and sought to put him to death. But Moses fled from him and stayed in the land of Midian." (Exodus 2: 1 - 15 a).

Tuesday 15th July 2025 in the 15th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Bonaventure, OFM.

St Bonaventure (1221 - 1274). Italian. Franciscan, Bishop, Cardinal and Doctor of the Church.

Bonaventure is known as the Seraphic Doctor because of his mastery of mystical theology. He became friends with St Thomas Aquinas, OP another doctor of the Church in the University of Paris.

St Bonaventure who succeeded St Francis of Assisi as the Superior General of the Franciscans, wrote the first detailed biography of the great saint.

St Bonaventure, a great man of God by all standards was a very meek and humble man. Although Superior General of the Franciscans for 17 years, Cardinal of the Church, eminent Theologian and Professor of Theology at the University of Paris and later to become one of the 37 Doctors of the Church, Bonaventure is childlike in character."

Our key Scripture for this Tuesday is from Exodus 2.

There are a number of beautiful points in this narrative. Let us note first that Moses is the greatest personality in the Hebrew Scriptures.

We have noted how God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence confound us. Let us note the surprising elements in the background of Moses and his early manhood.

Moses' father and mother were not named.
Moses was raised by Pharaoh's daughter but apparently Moses knew he was a Hebrew.
Moses had political and tribal instincts.

These traits and others will fit him for his high vocation.

As we have seen from the Book of Genesis in the lives of the Patriarchs, God governs the world through His Divine Providence.
All things are possible for God. All things are Easy for God. We shall see as the life of Moses unfolds, the mysterious and marvelous steps of Divine Providence in guiding Moses to his great vocation.

We honor the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July.

"Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness.
Save us.
Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, stream of mercy,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, victor over demons,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, courage of Martyrs,
Save us." (Litany of the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ).

For Devotion, Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and other prayers, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/04/devotion-to-most-precious-blood-of.html?m=1

MEMORIAL OF ST KATERI TEKEWITHA, VIRGIN.

MEMORIAL OF ST KATERI TEKEWITHA, VIRGIN.

"Jesus said to his Apostles:

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword.

For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s enemies will be those of his household.

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;

and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.

Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man’s reward.

And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple—amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.”

When Jesus finished giving these commands to his Twelve disciples, he went away from that place to teach and to preach in their towns." (Matthew 10: 34 - 11-1).

Monday July 14th in the 15th week in Ordinary Time. The Church commemorates the life of St Kateri Tekakwita, fondly called the Lily of the Mohawks.

St Kateri Tekakwita (1656 - 1680). Born near New York. Daughter of a Mohawk chief. Kateri died at the age of 24. She had great devotion to the Eucharist and Jesus Crucified. She is known as the "Lily of the Mohawks" and is the patron saint of ecologists, environmentalists, and Native Americans.

I love this quote of St Kateri Tekewitha:

"WHO WILL TEACH ME WHAT IS MOST PLEASING TO GOD, THAT I MAY DO IT." (ST KATERI TEKAKWITA, LILY OF THE MOHAWKS).

Are you shocked by the words of Jesus in today's Gospel?
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword."

Scripture tells us that Jesus is not just the Prince of Peace but Peace Himself. Yet the Prince of Peace tells us that  He came to bring the sword. This statement was made to the Apostles before their missionary journey. The statement is to underline the reality that missionary work is not a vacation in Monte Casino. It is very serious business. St Kateri Tekewitha fought many spiritual battles before she landed on the Altar.
The Kingdom of God belongs to those who are prepared to fight and seize it by force. (Cf Matthew 11: 12).

"Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness."

Challenges to the commitment of making the Kingdom of God first priority will come from families, friends, companies, governments, etc. The Christian must be prepared to draw his sword to fight the good fight.

“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” (Matthew 12: 30).

The Church honors the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July.

“Precious Blood, ocean of divine mercy: Flow upon us! Precious Blood, most pure offering: Procure us every grace! Precious Blood, hope and refuge of sinners: Atone for us!" (St Catherine of Siena).

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