The Feasts of Saints Anthony Zaccaria and Elizabeth of Portugal.

ONE OF THE MAIN GIFTS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS THIS:
WE BELIEVE IN THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS. JESUS SAYS IN THE LITURGY OF THE MASS THAT WHEN WE HONOR HIS SAINTS, WE GLORIFY THE SAINT-MAKER. HOW MANY PATRON SAINTS DO YOU HAVE?
"CLING TO THE SAINTS, FOR THOSE WHO CLING TO THEM WILL BE SANCTIFIED." (POPE ST CLEMENT I).

"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).

Tuesday 5th July 2022, 14th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Anthony Zaccaria and Elizabeth of Portugal.

St. Anthony Zaccaria (1502-1539). Italian from Cremona in Lombardy. He became a successful medical doctor at the age of 22. Unsatisfied with worldly success, he became a priest. He continued to care for the sick and comfort the dying. In Milan, he co-founded women’s religious order and then a congregation of priests called the Clerics Regular of Saint Paul (the Barnabites). Anthony reinvented a three-day exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the Forty Hours Devotion.  St Anthony Zaccaria died in 1539 at the age of 37.

St Elizabeth of Portugal :
Also known as Elizabeth of Aragon. (1271 - 1336). Elizabeth married King Denis of Portugal when she was very young. She set an example of Christian charity in the court and was the peace-maker between her husband and the children. After her husband died, Elizabeth became a Franciscan tertiary.

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 diseaae 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 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, Twitter, 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. There is today abundant Christian music. They have good theology and lyrics. Subscriptions are available and affordable through Amazon Music and Google YouTube Music and others.

If you want to learn more about what the Catholic Church believes and teaches, click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2021/03/compendium-of-catholic-teachings.html?m=1

7. 5. July = Most Precious Blood Month.
“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).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com