JESUS SOWS THE GOOD SEEDS. THE ENEMY SOWS THE WEEDS.

THE PARABLE OF THE WEEDS.


Gospel:
"Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying:

"The kingdom of heaven may be likened
to a man who sowed good seed in his field.


While everyone was asleep his enemy came
and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.

When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well.


The slaves of the householder came to him and said,

'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field?
Where have the weeds come from?'


He answered, 'An enemy has done this.'
His slaves said to him,

'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'

He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds
you might uproot the wheat along with them.

Let them grow together until harvest;

then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters,
"First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning;

but gather the wheat into my barn."

He proposed another parable to them.

"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed
that a person took and sowed in a field.

It is the smallest of all the seeds,
yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants.

It becomes a large bush,
and the 'birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches."


He spoke to them another parable.

"The kingdom of heaven is like yeast
that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour
until the whole batch was leavened."

All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables.
He spoke to them only in parables,
to fulfill what had been said through the prophet:

I will open my mouth in parables,
I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation
of the world.

Then, dismissing the crowds, he went into the house.

His disciples approached him and said,
"Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."

He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man,

the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom.

The weeds are the children of the evil one,
and the enemy who sows them is the devil.

The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire,
so will it be at the end of the age.

The Son of Man will send his angels,
and they will collect out of his kingdom
all who cause others to sin and all evildoers.

They will throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

Then the righteous will shine like the sun
in the kingdom of their Father.
Whoever has ears ought to hear." (Matthew 13: 24 - 43).

Sunday in the 16th week in Ordinary Time.

The Lord Jesus proposes the parable of the weeds growing with the wheat. The Son of Man sows the good seed. The enemy sneaks in under the cover of darkness and sowed the weeds. 

The night before He died, Jesus prayed that His disciples would remain one as the Father and Himself remains one.

This was not to be because in every age, there arise people who judge the Church as compromised by apostasy.

This parable and the Genealogy of Jesus Christ shout that God is not a fool. He knows what He is doing.

No apostasy can stop His design for the world He created and loves dearly.

"The slaves of the householder came to him and said, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?’  
He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’  He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them.  Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.” (Matthew 13: 27 - 30).

Summary: It is the plan of God that the weeds will live side by side with the wheat till the end of the world.

“Gather my loyal ones to me, those who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” (Psalm 50: 5).

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

​"Standing beneath the Cross, the Virgin Mary collected the Precious Blood in her Immaculate Heart. She remains the Mother of Providence, distributing this price of redemption to her children."
— St. Albert the Great.

Turn your spiritual gaze toward the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Divine Providence. There exists an unbreakable, teleological bond between her Immaculate Heart and the Precious Blood of her Son. She lived her entire life in a state of absolute, uninterrupted adoration, perfectly understanding the supreme purpose of Christ’s redemptive mission. To love the Person of Jesus deeply, you must allow Mary to teach you how to value His Blood. Let her take you by the hand today and guide you safely into the sanctuary of Christ’s wounded side, hiding you from the frantic distractions and vanities of the world.

Prayer:
O Virgin Mary, Mother of Providence, lead me into the innermost depths of the Precious Blood of Jesus.

"O precious Blood of Jesus, infinite price paid for the redemption of sinful mankind. O Divine Blood, drink and laver of our souls, standing between us and the Father pleading mercy, Have mercy on us."

Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ purify and heal us.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/06/july-devotion-to-precious-body-of-jesus.html?m=1

SABBATH REST CONTROVERSIES.

SABBATH REST 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 17th July 2026 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

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL. 

COME TO ME. I WILL UNBURDEN YOU. 

THE GOODNEWS:

“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 16th July 2026 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. 

It has been many years now. The Brown Scapula gives me much comfort. 

Here is a credible testimony on the Brown Scapula. 

St. Claude de la Colombière, SJ renowned Jesuit and spiritual director of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque of the Sacred Heart fame, said:

 "Because all the forms of our love for the Blessed Virgin, all its various modes of expression cannot be equally pleasing to her, and therefore do not assist us in the same degree to Heaven -- I say without a moments hesitation that the Brown Scapular is the most favored of all!" 

He also adds: "No devotion has been confirmed by more numerous authentic miracles than the Brown Scapular."

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

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

But how do we respond to this invitation O Christ? 

We come to Jesus Christ in:

Prayer. 

His word. 

Eucharist. 

Spiritual Reading Spiritual Communion 

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.

People go to the Shrines of Our Lady of Fatima, Lourdes in France and Guadalupe in Mexico for physical healing.

  Many such people receive spiritual conversion 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

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

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

WHAT IS REVEALED TO THE CHILDLIKE? 

THE GOODNEWS:

"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 15th 2026 in the 15th Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of St Bonaventure,OFM.

St Bonaventure (1221 - 1274) was Italian. A 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 the Dominican 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."

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.

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.

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 KATERI TEKEWITHA, VIRGIN.

MEMORIAL OF BLESSED KATERI TEKEWITHA, VIRGIN.

THE GOODNEWS:

"Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. 

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes." (Matthew 11: 20.... 24).

Tuesday 14th July 2026, in the 14th Week in Ordinary Time.

 The Church commemorates the life of St Kateri Tekekwita, fondly called the Lily of the Mohawks.

St Kateri Tekekwita (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 TEKEKWITA, LILY OF THE MOHAWKS).

In our key Scripture for today, Jesus taught that those who have received more are expected to give back more.

 They are expected to produce more fruits. They should make more saints and send out more missionaries.

 Chorazin and Bethsaida received more of Jesus teaching and miracles. But both cities were obstinate when it comes to belief and repentance. Their hardness of heart is caused by UNBELIEF.

Why was Jesus stern in His reproach of Chorazin and Bethsaida?

The citizens of both cities locked up their hearts in unbelief.

 They were very cynical brood of vipers. 

Unbelief is very dangerous. Look around the society today and see for yourself what unbelief can produce. 

Where there is unbelief, there will be no repentance. 

It may well be the Sin of Unbelief that make some Christian theologians like St Augustine postulate a belief in predestination.

 Without repentance one cannot be saved. Unbelievers have no time for repentance. For example,

robbers who are caught red-handed on camera have sworn that they are innocent. This is the result of Unbelief. By their fruits you will know them.

Brethren, we are Chorazin. We are Bethsaida. Let us come before Jesus in humility and have our sins washed away in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The merciful love of Jesus is waiting to give us a new mind and a new heart.

"Understood what treasures of love are freely given to those who approach Me in the Sacrament of My love, My churches would be filled day and night, and unable to contain the multitudes drawn to them. But the Evil One has schemed and plotted to cover the mystery of My presence with a dark veil of neglect, of irreverence, of forgetfulness, and of unbelief. He has obscured the mystery of My real presence, and so My faithful, beginning with My priests, have walked away from Me, one after the other, even as they did when first I spoke plainly of Myself as the living Bread come down from heaven to give life to the world." (IN SINU JESU page 226).

"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts."

July is The Most Precious Blood of Jesus Month.

“I adore You, O Precious Blood of Jesus, flower of creation, fruit of virginity, ineffable instrument of the Holy Spirit, and I rejoice at the thought that You came from the drop of virginal blood on which eternal Love impressed its movement; You were assumed by the Word and deified in His person. I am overcome with emotion when I think of Your passing from the Blessed Virgin’s heart into the heart of the Word, and, being vivified by the breath of the Divinity, becoming adorable because You became the Blood of God.”  (St Albert the Great)."

 

Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ purify and heal us.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions for the Most Precious Blood of 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

FEAST OF ST HENRY, HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR.

FEAST OF ST HENRY, HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR.

FEAST OF THE GOOD KING HENRY, MONARCH AND ROMAN EMPEROR. 

"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 13th of July 2026 in the 15th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Henry, King and Emperor.(973 - 1024). Henry II was German.

Crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 1014 by Pope Benedict VIII as Emperor Henry II. He was a powerful man of the world, a man of war and international politics.

He became a saint. It shows that anyone can become a saint. Henry used his wealth and power to promote the Kingdom of God by supporting missionary work. In spite of his cares of the earthly Roman Empire, his gaze was on Heaven, the eternal Kingdom.

Who do you love more than Jesus? 

“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." 

Today, you have heard the word of God. Harden not your hearts. Let us without fear ask Jesus how to make Him the First Love of our life. 

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

"..... One of the soldiers opened His side with a lance

and immediately there came forth

blood and water. ”

(John 19:34). 

“Let us draw near to the Heart

of our most sweet Lord Jesus

and we shall be glad and rejoice in it.

How good and how sweet it is

to dwell in this Heart!

This is the hidden treasure,

the pearl of great price which we discover,

O Jesus, when we dig in the field of Thy Body (cf Mt 13:44).

Who, then, would cast aside this Pearl?" (St Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church). 

Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ purify and heal us. 

For Prayers and Prayer intentions of 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

To select Daily Bible Verse for another day please use Daily Reading section [Select date] option

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