JESUS CHRIST IS THE SOWER OF THE SEED.

RICH SOIL PRODUCES ABUNDANT HARVEST. 

"The Seed that fall on Rich Soil."

"On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore.

"And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:

 “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up.

"Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. 

"Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.

"But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.

 Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

Jesus gives the explanation of the Parable of the Sower to His disciples.

“Hear then 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: 1 - 23).

Sunday 12th July in the 15th Week of Ordinary Time.

Our key Scripture is the Parable of the Sower. 

A sower goes out to sow and encounters four types of soil or four locations:

#1 Pathway.

#2 Rocky ground.

#3 Thorny Shrub.

#4 Rich soil.

The Responsorial Psalm 65 reveals how God carefully prepares the ground for sowing. God is not a careless Farmer.

"You [God] have visited the land and watered it; greatly have you enriched it. God’s watercourses are filled; you have prepared the grain. Drenching its furrows, breaking up its clods, softening it with showers, blessing its yield." (Psalm 65).

God cannot be blamed for the hardness of heart found in soils that failed. 

It is a mystery that out of the four types of soil, only one produced a harvest.

The harvest of a hundred, sixty, thirtyfold depend on the understanding of the message of the Gospel and the commitment to it.

Why did Jesus say à propos the Parable of the Sower? "Whoever has ears ought to hear.” 

Faith comes from hearing the word of God. 

In the first Reading from Isaiah 55, God promises

 "My word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it."

God has promised to be merciful to everyone who seeks Him. That promise will not return to God void.

O that today you will listen to His voice, harden not your hearts.

July is the Month we honor the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.

The Blood of the Way of the Cross. 

​The drops of blood that consecrated the path to Calvary.

 The Holy Spirit provides strength for our daily crosses, ensuring our steps follow the divine trajectory.

​

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 MEMORIAL OF ST BENEDICT, ABBOT AND FOUNDER.

MEMORIAL OF ST BENEDICT, ABBOT AND FOUNDER. 

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus said to his Apostles:

“No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master.

 It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master.

 If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!

“Therefore do not be afraid of them.

 Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.

"What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.

"And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

"Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.

 But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.” (Matthew 10: 24 - 33).

Saturday July 11th 2026 in the 14th Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of St Benedict, Abbot and Founder of the Order of St Benedict. 

11th July 2026 in the 14th Week in St Benedict is the Memorial of a pivotal figure in the history of Christianity:

St Benedict of Nursia, Abbot. (480 - 547). Italian and founder of the Benedictine Order.

His twin sister St Scholastica embraced religious life and became a leader in monastic movement for women.

St Benedict is the co-patron saint of Europe. He is also the patron saint of monks, witchcraft, diseases among others. His rules for monastic life is still widely used. His motto is: "Pray and Work."

Our key Scripture for today plunges us into the profound mystery of Divine Providence. 

"Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." 

The above text establishes God's hierarchy of being. God created sparrows and human beings. God takes care of sparrows who live for a few years. They die and that is the end of the story. 

God created man and woman in His image and likeness. He created them for eternal life. 

Jesus teaches us today that if God takes care of the sparrow, it is ridiculous to imagine that He takes less care of human beings.

 No! God established a higher level of Divine Providence for human beings. 

Let us renew our faith in the loving and merciful Providence of  Almighty God. 

PRAYER:

Jesus-Emmanuel, I trust in Your merciful love. I remain steadfast in Your love. I do not depend on my filthy works. (USELESS CREDENTIALS). 

I surrender myself completely to You. Take care of everything Your way  according to Your Plan for my life. 

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

We honor the Blood of the Crowning with Thorns. 

​The blood that shielded Christ’s sacred eyes and face, mocking His kingship.

Divine wisdom and Providence upends worldly power, using humiliation to establish the eternal Kingdom of truth.

“Every time a creature offers up this Blood by which he was redeemed, he offers a gift of infinite worth, which can be equaled by no other!”. (St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi).

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

DO NOT WORRY ABOUT WHAT TO SAY.

DO NOT WORRY ABOUT WHAT TO SAY. 

THE SPIRIT OF YOUR FATHER WILL SPEAK THROUGH YOU IN EMERGENCY. 

THE GOODNEWS:

"Jesus said to his Apostles: “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.

"But beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. 

"When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

"Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 

"You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved. 

"When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” (Matthew 10: 16 - 23).

Friday 10th July 2026 in the 14th Week in Ordinary Time.

We reflect on the awesome promise of Jesus to His present and future disciples. 

"When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say.

 For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."

Brethren, I love this promise. I have enjoyed it a number of times.

 The first time was in college when I was facing a panel of hostile lawyers. Suddenly I took aim at their top gun and shouted "What you say has no point in law." 

I did not know what I was saying. But those words changed the tide of the confrontation.

 Now one of my favorite prayers is: "O Holy Spirit, be the Voice that speaks for me in court." 

St Paul writes:

"At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. . . . The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you. (2 Timothy 4:9–22).

My brothers and sisters, trust the Lord Jesus, He is faithful in all His promises. 

The Blood of the Scourging:

​The physical tearing of Christ's flesh for our physical and spiritual healing. Every stripe endured by Jesus was foreknown and permitted by God to restore wholeness to fallen nature.

“Every time a creature offers up this Blood by which he was redeemed, he offers a gift of infinite worth, which can be equaled by no other!”. (St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi). 

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

THE FEAST OF MARTYRS OF CHINA: AUGUSTINE ZHAO RONG AND COMPANION MARTYRS.

FEAST OF ST AUGUSTINE ZHAO RONG AND COMPANION MARTYRS. 

"Jesus said to his Apostles:

“As you go, make this proclamation:

 ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

"Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, 

drive out demons. 

"Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.

"Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; 

no sack for the journey, 

or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. 

"The laborer deserves his keep. 

Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. 

As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; 

if not, let your peace return to you. 

Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words—go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. 

Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.” (Matthew 10: 7 - 15).

Thursday, July 9th  2026 in the 14th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of 

St Augustine Zhao Rong and Companion Martyrs. 

St Augustine Zhao Rong, Chinese priest and martyr and 119 of his companion martyrs. These 120 martyrs died

between 1648 and 1930. 

Augustine Zhao Rong was a Chinese soldier and after his conversion was ordained a diocesan priest. He was martyred in 1815.

The Chinese martyrs were beatified in groups at various times.

 On the 1st of October 2000, in the Year of Our Lord, Pope St John Paul II canonized the 120 martyrs in Rome.

Jesus commands us in today's Gospel:

"Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons."

Do you believe that Jesus actively heals today through believers that believe and practice what He teaches about healing? 

I have been healed on numerous occasions by Jesus. 

I believe in prayer. 

I believe in the word of God. 

I believe in miracle. 

I believe in medicine and science. 

I surrender everything to God to act according to His will. 

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

The Blood Flowing in the Gethsemane Agony. 

​Consider Christ’s intense mental and spiritual suffering, sweating blood for our consolation.

​

Divine Providential Theme: 

Even in moments of deepest agony, Providence is at work, turning human suffering into sacrificial grace.

“Don’t hold yourselves cheap, seeing that the creator of all things and of you estimates your value so high, so dear, that he pours out for you every day the most precious blood of his only-begotten Son.” (St Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church). 

Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ purify and heal us. 

“Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar.” (St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi).

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

THE GROWTH OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN THE WORLD.

THE GROWTH OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN YOU. 

"Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.

"The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: 

first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.

"Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, 

“Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. 

Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

 As you go, make this proclamation:

 ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” (Matthew 10: 1 - 7).

Wednesday 8th July 2026 in the 14th Week in Ordinary Time.

Jesus sent the Twelve Apostles to proclaim this truth: 

"The Kingdom of

heaven is at hand."

Today, Jesus is saying to you and me: "My Kingdom is at hand."

Do you see and recognize any signs of the Kingdom in you?

 In your family and friends? In the world? 

The Church is the seed and the beginning of the Kingdom of God on earth. (CCC #567).

When we gather for the Eucharist on Sunday, we see vividly many signs of the Kingdom. 

We see the altar with beautiful flowers.

We notice the priest robed in beautiful Sunday vestments.

We notice men, women and children dressed gaily in their Sunday best to honor the Lord. 

Sacred hymns, incense and gestures are used. 

These are just a few of the signs of the Kingdom of God shown in the Church on a Sunday Mass. 

How about from Monday to Saturday? 

The Church is engaged with the work of Jesus Christ, the Architect, Pillar and Foundation of the Church.

 Feeding the hungry, healing the sick and teaching and preaching the message of the Kingdom. 

How does the Kingdom of God grow inside us?

 It grows through the daily journey of faith: 

The 7 - Way Plan:

1. Prayer.

2. Word of God.

3. Eucharist.

4. Reconciliation.

5. Examination of conscience.

6. Spiritual Reading.

7. Faith-sharing /Ministry.

And the Communion of the Saints. 

What changes our life is not what we know but what we do daily, every day.

 Engaging yourself with the 7-Way Plan every day will change your life. 

St Augustine teaches that every Christian must study every day three things:

1.COMMANDMENTS(Word of God). 

2. EXAMPLES. (Lives of Saints). 

3. SACRAMENTS. (Especially the Eucharist, Baptism and Penance). 

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

What do you know about Our Lady of the Precious Blood? 

​Mary is the first to adore the Blood of Christ at the Annunciation and on Calvary.

​Mary models the perfect response to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, aligning fully with the divine will. 

“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/2023/04/devotion-to-most-precious-blood-of.html?m=1

LABORERS FOR THE KINGDOM.

WHERE ARE THE LABORERS? 

"A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. 

"The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”

"Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness.

"At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” (Matthew 9: 32 - 38).

We see in our key Scripture for today the compassion of Jesus for the crowds who were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. 

He healed many of their disease  and illness and preached to them the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

 Yet Jesus was sad because the need is so great and the human resources needed for the work of ministry are paltry.

The Lord has given us today two incredible and powerful tools for Evangelization and Cathechesis:

#1. The Internet.

#2. Music

On the Internet for example, millions wander about troubled, seeking spiritual nourishment.

 There are great possibilities for catechesis and evangelization through the social media. 

The social media, viz: Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, X, etc are the Mission Field of Today.

Music is a powerful tool for the New Evangelization. Both the young and the old love music. Music is one of the first blessings we shall recognize in Heaven. 

How? Because sacred liturgies in Heaven will be powered by music. (Cf Revelations 5: 8 - 9). 

There is today abundant Christian music. They have good theology and lyrics. Subscriptions are available and affordable. There are also many free music sources on the YouTube for example. 

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

“Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar.”  (St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi).

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/2023/04/devotion-to-most-precious-blood-of.html?m=1

THE FEAST OF ST MARIA GORETTI, VIRGIN AND MARTYR.

THE FEAST OF ST MARIA GORETTI, VIRGIN AND MARTYR. 

Courage, your faith has restored your health.

"WHAT IS FAITH? IT IS THE CONFIDENT ASSURANCE THAT SOMETHING WE WANT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. IT IS THE CERTAINTY THAT WHAT WE HOPE FOR IS WAITING FOR US, EVEN THOUGH WE CANNOT SEE IT UP AHEAD." (HEBREWS 11: 1 TLB).

“While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, 

“My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.”

 Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. 

A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. 

She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” 

Jesus turned around and saw her, and said,

 “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” 

And from that hour the woman was cured.

When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said, 

“Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.”

 And they ridiculed him. When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. 

And news of this spread throughout all that land.”  (Matthew 9: 18 - 26, Mark 5: 36)

Monday July 6th in the 14th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Maria Goretti.   (1890 - 1902). Italian. Virgin and Martyr.

Maria was barely twelve years old when she was attacked by Alessandro Serenelli, a 19 years old man who tried to rape her. Maria resisted fiercely. Alessandro stabbed her to death.

Maria forgave him in her death bed. Alessandro spent 27 of 30 years in prison. Maria appeared to him in a dream and brought him flowers.

Alessandro went to Confession and became reconciled with God and with the Church.

Alessandro Serenelli was in the audience at the Vatican when Maria was canonized in 1950.

Without faith, we can do nothing. "The just shall live by faith." My faith is nourished by the two healing incidents in today's Gospel. It teaches me not to be afraid to ask Jesus to do big things for me. It reminds me that all things are possible for God and all things are easy for God.

"What is Faith and why is it so important?

"What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead." (Hebrews 11: 1 TLB).

Everyone who matters in the Bible from Abraham, David, John the Baptist, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Peter and Paul were not just people of faith but lived by faith.

The woman with the issue of Blood in today's Gospel exercised her faith:

“If I only touch him, I will be healed.”

Jesus turned around and spoke to her. “Daughter,” he said, “all is well! Your faith has healed you.” And the woman was well from that moment." (Matthew 9: 21 - 22).

We are saved by grace through faith. You can start living by your faith right here and now.

July is the Month dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.

 Purification in the Precious Blood:

​The power of the Blood to wash away the deepest stains of sin in Confession.

 Divine Mercy constantly rights what was disordered, realigning the soul with its eternal destiny.

“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! Precious Blood, delight of holy souls: Draw us! Amen.” (St Catherine of Siena).

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