Feast of St John Eudes, Priest and Founder.

Joshua Last State of the Nation Address to the Elders of Israel. 

"Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, and addressed them, saying: 

“Fear the Lord and serve him completely and sincerely.

"Cast out the gods your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.

"If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling.

"As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

"But the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord for the service of other gods. For it was the Lord, our God, who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, out of a state of slavery. 

[NEVER NEVER SHALL WE FORSAKE THE LORD WHO SAVED US FROM THE EGYPTIAN SLAVERY!!] 

"He performed those great miracles before our very eyes and protected us along our entire journey and among all the peoples through whom we passed. 

"At our approach the Lord drove out all the peoples, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.”

"Joshua in turn said to the people, “You may not be able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God who will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If, after the good he has done for you, you forsake the Lord and serve strange gods, he will do evil to you and destroy you.”

"But the people answered Joshua, “We will still serve the Lord.” Joshua therefore said to the people, “You are your own witnesses that you have chosen to serve the Lord.” They replied, “We are, indeed!” 

"Joshua continued: “Now, therefore, put away the strange gods that are among you and turn your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” 

Then the people promised Joshua, “We will serve the Lord, our God, and obey his voice.”

"So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem, which he recorded in the book of the law of God.

"Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak that was in the sanctuary of the Lord. 

And Joshua said to all the people, “This stone shall be our witness, for it has heard all the words which the Lord spoke to us. It shall be a witness against you, should you wish to deny your God.” 

"Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to his own heritage.

"After these events, Joshua, son of Nun, servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten." (Joshua 24: 14 - 29).

Saturday August 19th 2023, 19th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St John Eudes. (1601 - 1680).

St John Eudes was a French priest and a gifted preacher.

 St John Eudes took a private vow of chastity at the age of 14 and was ordained a priest at 25.  He became a great and talented preacher of the Gospel and an eminent evangelist. St John Eudes had great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

 He founded the Society of Jesus and Mary (Eudists).  He later founded the Order of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge for ex prostitutes. He was declared by Pope Leo XIII as “father, doctor, and apostle of the liturgical cult of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.”

Yesterday, we read the equivalent of a great State of the Nation Address by Joshua to the Elders of Israel. Today is a follow up to the Great Speech. Joshua conscious that his death is near had to instruct the People what it takes to maintain friendship with God and consequently their wellbeing and prosperity.

It takes more than "We will serve the Lord" to actually serve the Lord. If you are to serve the Lord, you will serve Him day after day for life.

The spirit to serve the Lord may be there, but the flesh is weak. To serve the Lord faithfully for life like Abraham, Jacob, David you need the anointing and a Plan. This is what your Plan may look like:

The 7-Way Plan:

1. Prayer 

2. Scriptures 

3. Eucharist 

4. Reconciliation 

5. Examination of conscience 

6. Spiritual Reading 

7. Ministry or Faith-Sharing. 

These are the Daily Habits of Saints. 

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com