Monday, July 08, 2024

ST AUGUSTINE & COMPANIONS HAPPILY GAVE THEIR LIVES TO BEAR WITNESS TO JESUS.

Feast of ST Augustine Zhao & Companion Martyrs.  

"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 9th July 2024, of the 14th Week of Ordinary Time  is the feast of St Augustine Zhao, 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, Pope St John Paul II canonized the 120 martyrs in Rome. 


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


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

“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).


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

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