The Feast of Three Great Saints.

Feast of St Paulinus of Nola, St John Fisher and St Thomas More. 

"Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard ­because of their many words. Do not be like them. 

"Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This is how you are to pray:

‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

"Give us this day our daily bread; 

"And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; 

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’

“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.

"But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” 

(Matthew 6: 7 - 15)

Thursday 22nd June 2023, of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast day of three giants of the Christian Church:

St Paulinus of Nola (355 - 431). French Bishop. Over a thousand years separated him from the two English martyrs we honor today. St John Fisher (1469 - 1535). Bishop and scholar. And his friend, St Thomas More (1477 - 1535). Lawyer, Statesman and Chancellor of Exchequer of King Henry VIII. 

St Thomas More is revered all over the world as the patron saint of lawyers.

St John Fisher and St Thomas More were martyred under Henry VIII for refusing to compromise the teachings of the Church.

When a Bishop lacks the grace of fortitude of his high office, he succumbs to the threats of tyrants like King Henry VIII. That is what the world saw in the England of the 1520s. 

King Henry, one single man born of a woman succeeded in intimidating the whole of the English hierarchy.

About 300 Bishops denied their Catholic Faith. Only Bishop John Fisher stood up to him and stood his ground. He refused to deny his holy faith. St Thomas More a layman stood his ground too. Both men suffered martyrdom. 

Today both men are celebrated all over the world. Henry VIII, where is your kingdom? Where are your 7 wives?

Jesus gives us the best Prayer with Our Father. What did you get out of it? 

Here is what I got:

"Your Father knows what you need before you ask him." 

I talk too much to God when I pray. So I deserved the sharp rebuke Jesus Christ gave to me when He shouted: "SHUT UP!" 

I am learning to speak less and to listen more. The Father knows everything I need and when I need it. 

The Church honors the Sacred Heart of Jesus in June. 

For Prayers and Meditations on the Sacred Heart of Jesus click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2021/06/consecrate-yourself-to-sacred-heart-of.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com