God rewards generosity to His disciples.

Give and Gifts will be given to you. 

"Jesus said to his apostles:

“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 a righteous man 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 the little one is a disciple—amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.” 

(Matthew 10: 37 - 42).

Sunday July 2nd in the 13th Week of Ordinary Time. 

In our Gospel of today, we listen as Jesus instructs His Apostles. The Apostles will master these lessons and teach them to their disciples. 

When we follow Jesus and serve Him, people will be inspired to serve us and give us gifts all because of Jesus. This is one of the sweet principles of the Kingdom. 

In the first Reading from 2 Kings, Elisha the Prophet enjoys God's arranged hospitality from the prosperous Lady from Shunem. Because of this, God rewards the childless Lady with a son. 

July is the Month the Church honors the Most Precious Blood of Jesus. 

For Devotion and Litany of the Most Precious Blood, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/07/devotion-to-most-precious-blood-of.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.

DEVOTION TO THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST.. 

HONOR JESUS CHRIST OUR ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST AND THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS. 

JULY: MONTH OF THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

"They conquered the Devil by the Blood of the Lamb."

In the Blood of the Lamb." (Mary, IN SINU JESU).

"Let us fix our gaze on the Blood of Christ, and let us know that it is precious to his Father because it was poured out for our salvation and it brought the grace of repentance to all the world." (St Clement I to the Corinthians). 

Prayer:

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.

With all my heart I adore You, sweet Lord, and offer reparation for the insults, outrages and ingratitude, which You continuously receive from human beings, especially those who dare blaspheme the Divine Blood You shed for us.

Bless this Blood of Infinite value. Bless the fire of Jesus’ Love who shed it to the last drop for us. Where would I be if not for this Divine Blood that redeemed me? Indeed, Lord, I have drawn it from You to the last drop. What love! Thank You for this saving balm!

May every heart, every tongue, now and forever, praise and thank this priceless balm, this saving Blood, this fountain of crimson Mercy welling up from the fountain of infinite Love. Amen

🙏🙏🙏

LITANY OF THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESU

Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, hear us.

Jesus, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven,

Have mercy on us.

God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,

Have mercy on us.

God, the Holy Spirit,

Have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God, 

Have mercy on us.

Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father,

Save us.

Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God,

Save us.

Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament,

Save us.

Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in the Agony,

Save us.

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.

Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness.

Save us.

Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls,

Save us.

Blood of Christ, stream of mercy,

Save us.

Blood of Christ, victor over demons,

Save us.

Blood of Christ, courage of Martyrs,

Save us.

Blood of Christ, strength of Confessors,

Save us.

Blood of Christ, bringing forth Virgins,

Save us.

Blood of Christ, help of those in peril,

Save us.

Blood of Christ, relief of the burdened,

Save us.

Blood of Christ, solace in sorrow,

Save us.

Blood of Christ, hope of the penitent, save us.

Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying,

Save us.

Blood of Christ, peace and tenderness of hearts, Save us.

Blood of Christ, pledge of eternal life,

Save us.

Blood of Christ, freeing souls from purgatory,

Save us.

Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor,

Save us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Have mercy on us, O Lord.

You have redeemed us, O Lord, in your Blood.

And made us, for our God, a kingdom.

Let us pray, - Almighty and eternal God, you have appointed your only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world, and willed to be appeased by his Blood. Grant we beg of you, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation, and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life, so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

🙏🙏🙏

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The Feast of St Junipero Serra, OFM.

Feast of St Junipero Serra, OFM. 

Is Anything Too Marvelous For The Lord To Do? 

"The Lord appeared to Abraham by the Terebinth of Mamre, as Abraham sat in the entrance of his tent, while the day was growing hot. 

"Looking up, he saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them; and bowing to the ground, he said: “Sir, if I may ask you this favor, please do not go on past your servant. Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet, and then rest yourselves under the tree. Now that you have come this close to your servant, let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves; and afterward you may go on your way.” 

"The men replied, “Very well, do as you have said.”

"Abraham hastened into the tent and told Sarah, “Quick, three measures of fine flour! Knead it and make rolls.”

"He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer, and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it.

"Then Abraham got some curds and milk, as well as the steer that had been prepared, and set these before them; and he waited on them under the tree while they ate.

"They asked him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” He replied, “There in the tent.” 

"One of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son.” 

"Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent, just behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years, and Sarah had stopped having her womanly periods. So Sarah laughed to herself and said, “Now that I am so withered and my husband is so old, am I still to have sexual pleasure?” 

"But the Lord said to Abraham: “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I really bear a child, old as I am?’

"Is anything too marvelous for the Lord to do? At the appointed time, about this time next year, I will return to you, and Sarah will have a son.”

"Because she was afraid, Sarah dissembled, saying, “I didn’t laugh.” But he replied, “Yes you did.” (Genesis 18: 1 - 15).

Saturday July 1st 2023 in the 12th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Junipero Serra, OFM. (1713 - 1784). 

The Spanish Franciscan Priest evangelized Mexico and California and firmly established the Church in these regions.

Junipero arrived in the New World and sought good and not evil for the people of this region. He fought for the cause of justice for the native people of the area.

This Franciscan priest evangelized Mexico and California and firmly established the Church in these regions.

"Is anything too marvelous for the Lord to do?" God asked Abraham. 

Nothing is too marvelous for God to do for you. 

Believe and you may go in peace because it shall be done for you according to your faith. Jesus told the Centurion in the Gospel of today. (Matthew 8: 5 - 17).

God rewards faith. Abraham believed and at the age of 100 became the father of Isaac. The Centurion believed and the servant was healed from a distance by Jesus. St Junipero Serra believed in the missionary promise of Jesus and evangelized Mexico and California. All these examples happened because of Faith. 

The world will be a different place today if you believe, I believe and the Church believes. 

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

For Litany of 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

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church.

Lord if You wish You can heal me. 

"When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 

"And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”

"He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.

"His leprosy was cleansed immediately.

"Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”

(Matthew 8: 1 - 4).

Friday June 30th in the 12 Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of the First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church. 

The faith and audacity of the leper in the Gospel of today reminds us of the daring faith of the blind Bartimaeus. (Cf Mark 10: 46 - 52).

Bold and audacious faith is born of great necessity. God always rewards trust in His mercy and His word. "Fear is useless. What you need is trust" in God. (Cf Mark 5: 36).

Friday 30th June 2023 in the 12th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of the First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church.

In 64 AD, before the martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul in Rome, the vicious Emperor Nero set Rome on fire. To escape the wrath of the Roman people, he blamed the Christians.

Then he ordered all Christians arrested and put to death. We celebrate today the witness of the multitude of Christians who demonstrated astonishing courage to perish for faith in Jesus Christ. This event happened so early in Christian era in the persecution of Emperor Nero. Many who witnessed the courage of the martyrs became Christians. "The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity." (Tertulian).

We have enjoyed the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the month of June. The Church honors the Most Precious Blood of Jesus in July. 

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is not limited to 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

The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.

The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. 

"When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

"They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 

"He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

"Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.

"And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 

(Matthew 16: 13 - 19).

Thursday June 29, 2023 is the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. 

This great feast has been celebrated for Peter and Paul together from the earliest days of the Church. Why?

Peter and Paul are recognized as the principal pillars of the Church. We declare in the Creed: "I believe in the holy Catholic and Apostolic Church." The one only Church founded by Jesus Christ on Pentecost Sunday is built on the foundation of the Apostles. Hence every Bishop in the Church enjoys legitimacy through Apostolic Succession from the original Twelve Apostles.

Scripture teaches that the Church is built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets. (Cf Ephesians 2: 20). Peter and Paul are joint managing directors of the institution, which is called the Church.

"You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it."  (Matthew 16: 18)

Paul got his mandate to be an Apostle directly from Jesus.

"Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin.  For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ."  (Galatians 1: 11 - 12).

Peter and Paul were called to be friends and companions of Jesus before anything else.

"I ask you only to be My friend and to live at every moment in the grace of My divine friendship. All the rest follows. Perfection is the fruit of friendship with Me, not a precondition for it. You, and many souls like you, are confused about this. My friendship is not earned, it is not something acquired by measuring up to the standards of perfection that you have set for yourself. My friendship is pure gift." (IN SINU JESU).

Peter and Paul are the ones who, living in the flesh, planted the Church with their blood; they drank the chalice of the LORD and became the friends of God. (Cf Entrance Antiphon).

The Catholic and Apostolic Church honors the Sacred Heart of Jesus every 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

Feast of St Irenaeus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

The Feast of St Irenaeu, Bishop, Martyr and Doctor of the Church. 

"Jesus said to his disciples:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves.

"By their fruits you will know them.

"Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 

"Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit.

"A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit.

"Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them.” 

(Matthew 7 - 15).

Wednesday 28th June in the 12th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Irenaeus. (125 - 203). Bishop and Martyr and Doctor of the Church.

St Polycarp was instructed in the faith by St John the Apostle. He, Polycarp instructed St Irenaeus who became a Bishop in Lyons in France. 

Note the date of Irenaeus life (125 - 203) and you will understand why France is called the Eldest Daughter of the Church. St Irenaeus is an early Church Father.

God called Irenaeus to uphold the revealed truth of the faith and bring peace to the Church. 

Pope Francis declared him the 37th Doctor of the Church on January 21st 2022.

What is the legacy of St Irenaeus? Irenaeus defended the Church against the poisonous heresy of Gnosticism. This heresy was so thoroughly defeated that it disappeared. 

About 100 years ago, it reincarnated itself in the heretical sect called Jehovoh Witness. They claim that there are two gods governing the world: a good god that causes good things and and evil god that causes bad things. They deny that Jesus Christ is God. They deny the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. They target especially Catholics who have little knowledge of Scripture.

Beware of them. They are wolves in sheep clothing. We need a new St Irenaeus for our day to deal them final mortal blow.

Two famous quotes of St Irenaeus:

1. “The glory of God is the human person fully alive.” ...

2. “Error, indeed is never set forth in its naked deformity, lest, being thus exposed, it should at once be detected."

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

HOLY NAME OF JESUS.

Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus

TUESDAY 

Lord, have mercy

Lord, have mercy

Christ, have mercy

Christ, have mercy

Lord, have mercy

Lord, have mercy

God our Father in heaven

have mercy on us

God the Son,

have mercy on us

Redeemer of the world

have mercy on us

God the Holy Spirit

have mercy on us

Holy Trinity, one God

have mercy on us

Jesus, Son of the living God

have mercy on us

Jesus, splendor of the Father

have mercy on us

Jesus, brightness of everlasting light

have mercy on us

Jesus, king of glory

have mercy on us

Jesus, dawn of justice

have mercy on us

Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary

have mercy on us

Jesus, worthy of our love

have mercy on us

Jesus, worthy of our wonder

have mercy on us

Jesus, mighty God

have mercy on us

Jesus, father of the world to come

have mercy on us

Jesus, prince of peace

have mercy on us

Jesus, all-powerful

have mercy on us

Jesus, pattern of patience

have mercy on us

Jesus, model of obedience

have mercy on us

Jesus, gentle and humble of heart

have mercy on us

Jesus, lover of chastity

have mercy on us

Jesus, lover of us all

have mercy on us

Jesus, God of peace

have mercy on us

Jesus, author of life

have mercy on us

Jesus, model of goodness

have mercy on us

Jesus, seeker of souls

have mercy on us

Jesus, our God

have mercy on us

Jesus, our refuge

have mercy on us

Jesus, father of the poor

have mercy on us

Jesus, treasure of the faithful

have mercy on us

Jesus, Good Shepherd

have mercy on us

Jesus, the true light

have mercy on us

Jesus, eternal wisdom

have mercy on us

Jesus, infinite goodness

have mercy on us

Jesus, our way and our life

have mercy on us

Jesus, joy of angels

have mercy on us

Jesus, king of patriarchs

have mercy on us

Jesus, teacher of apostles

have mercy on us

Jesus, master of evangelists

have mercy on us

Jesus, courage of martyrs

have mercy on us

Jesus, light of confessors

have mercy on us

Jesus, purity of virgins

have mercy on us

Jesus, crown of all saints

have mercy on us

Lord, be merciful

Jesus, save your people

From all evil

Jesus, save your people

From every sin

Jesus, save your people

From the snares of the devil

Jesus, save your people

From your anger

Jesus, save your people

From the spirit of infidelity

Jesus, save your people

From everlasting death

Jesus, save your people

From neglect of your Holy Spirit

Jesus, save your people

By the mystery of your incarnation

Jesus, save your people

By your birth

Jesus, save your people

By your childhood

Jesus, save your people

By your hidden life

Jesus, save your people

By your public ministry

Jesus, save your people

By your agony and crucifixion

Jesus, save your people

By your abandonment

Jesus, save your people

By your grief and sorrow

Jesus, save your people

By your death and burial

Jesus, save your people

By your rising to new life

Jesus, save your people

By your return in glory to the Father

Jesus, save your people

By your gift of the holy Eucharist

Jesus, save your people

By your joy and glory

Jesus, save your-people

Christ, hear us

Christ, hear us

Lord Jesus, hear our prayer

Lord Jesus, hear our prayer

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world

have mercy on us

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world

have mercy on us

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world

have mercy on us

Let us pray.

As we venerate the most holy Name of Jesus,

mercifully grant us, Lord,

that, savoring its sweetness in this life,

we may be filled with everlasting joy

in our heavenly homeland.

Through Christ our Lord.

R/. Amen.

℟. All those you protect, O Lord, shall be glad and ring out their joy.* You shelter them; in you they rejoice, those who love your name.

℣. They will walk, O Lord, in the light of your face; they will find their joy every day in your name.* You shelter them; in you they rejoice, those who love your name.

________

Let us pray.

Lord God,

    teach us at all times to fear and love your holy name,

for you never withdraw your guiding hand

    from those you establish in your love.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

________

Let us praise the Lord.

– Thanks be to God.

🙏🙏🙏

Second Reading [Office of the Reading]. 

A treatise on Christian Perfection by St Gregory of Nyssa

The Christian is another Christ

More than anyone, St Paul understood who Christ is and those requirements needed by the person named after him. Paul spoke of what he himself had accomplished and accurately imitated him in a manner to show the Lord expressed in his own person. By careful imitation Paul became a model so that it is no longer he who is perceived as living and speaking, but Christ who lives in him. Knowing his own blessings, that good man said You seek proof that Christ is speaking in me and, elsewhere, It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.

    Paul’s words show us the significance of Christ’s name, when he said that Christ is the power and wisdom of God. But he also called Christ: peace; the inaccessible light where God dwells; our sanctification and redemption; the great high priest; our Passover and our sacrifice of expiation; the brightness of glory; the very image of God’s substance; the creator of the ages; our spiritual food and drink; the rock and the water; the foundation of faith; the chief cornerstone; the image of the great and invisible God; the head of his body, the Church; the first-born of the new creation and the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep; the first-born from the dead, the first-born among many brothers; the mediator between God and man; the only-begotten Son crowned with honour and glory; the Lord of glory; the beginning of all things; the King of justice, but not only of justice but also the King of peace and the King of all things, the King whose kingdom is boundless.

    Paul gave all these names to Christ and many others too: so many that they cannot easily be counted. But they are all related, and if you understand the meaning of each of them on its own and put those meanings together then you will come to understand the full meaning of that one word “Christ” and that will show you – as far as the human soul is able to comprehend it – God’s inexpressible greatness.

    The good Lord has granted us the privilege of sharing in this, the greatest, most divine and chief of all names, so that, honoured by the name of Christ, we are called “Christians.” So then we must ensure that in us are seen all the meanings of the name of Christ, so that our title is not false and meaningless but is borne out by our lives.

Responsory

Ps5:12,88:16-17

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