I shall find my comfort in Jerusalem.

"In Jerusalem you shall find your comfort." (Isaiah 66: 13).

Sunday of the 14th week in Ordinary Time. The word to live by comes from Isaiah 66: 10 - 14).

The Lord God promises peace and prosperity and overflowing good fortune to Jerusalem after her period of chastisement. Jerusalem here is a type of the Church. We are urged to find our comfort in the Church and much more:
"Rejoice with her in her joy,
all you who mourn over her—
So that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast;
That you may drink with delight at her abundant breasts!" (Isaiah 66: 10 - 11).

What is this consoling breast, this abundant breast? Just think of the Church for a moment. What does the Church offer to the world? The Church offers to the world:

#1. The word of God.
#2. The 7 Sacraments.
#3. Light and wisdom through her authoritative teachings.

Everybody without exception is invited to "nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast;
and drink with delight at her abundant breasts!"

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed the man who seeks refuge in him." (Psalm 33: 9).

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The Choice and the Call of God is a mystery.

“Although the voice is Jacob’s, the hands are Esau’s.” (Genesis 27: 22).

Saturday of the 13th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Maria Goretti (1890 - 1902), Virgin and Martyr. Maria died at the age of 12 defending her chastity. She witnessed to the power of Jesus Christ working in the little Ones. In her liturgy, the Church teaches us that God is the source of innocence and lover of chastity.

Our key Scripture is from Genesis 27: 1 - 29). We explore the mystery of the Call, the Choice and the Anointing. Why does God call Jacob instead of Esau, David instead of one of his brothers, Judas instead of Benjamin, Israel instead of Egypt? This is a great mystery.

"For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his treasured possession." (Psalm 135: 4).

God’s choice comes with blessings:

"May God give to you of the dew of the heavens and of the fertility of the earth abundance of grain and wine." (Genesis 27: 28).

Through the great mystery and gift of Baptism, we are all called, chosen and anointed as priest, prince and prophet.

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I desire mercy and not sacrifice.

 “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Matthew 9: 11).

Friday of the 13th week in Ordinary Time is the First Friday of July and the feast of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 to 1539), Priest.

The Pharisees could not hide their disdain of Jesus for mingling with sinners and tax collectors. Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God will be like the net of a fisherman collecting both good and bad fish. Do you find this image of the Church disgusting? What type of Church do you secretly desire in your heart?

“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.  Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Matthew 9: 12 - 13).

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Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday, July 5th.

July 5, 2018 First Friday in July 2019.

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus:  Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month.  In the 7th month of the year 2019, we look at Promise #7.

#7.  "Tepid souls shall become fervent."

What is tepid?  Tepid is defined as lukewarm, slightly warm, unenthusiastic, apathetic, half-hearted.
Listen to what Jesus says about such persons:
"Because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth."  (Revelation 3: 16).

Are you lukewarm with regards to Jesus, to spiritual things? Regain your fire through devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Father Richard Morrow of the Cathedral of Christ the King died a couple of weeks ago at the age of 90. For most of his 62 years as a priest, he was devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and honored the Sacred Heart every First Friday.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by attending Holy Mass.

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, click the link below:

http://sfjweb.com/?q=content/sacred-heart-12-promises

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God put Abraham to test.

"God put Abraham to the test and said to him: Abraham! “Here I am!” he replied.  Then God said: Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There offer him up as a burnt offering on one of the heights that I will point out to you." (Genesis 22: 1 - 2).

Thursday of the 13th week in Ordinary Time is the Independence Anniversary of the United States of America.

As God guides creation in wisdom and goodness towards the fulfillment of its destiny in Christ Jesus, so is the Lord guiding America towards the fulfillment of its destiny. Therefore we pray:
"Father of the family of man, open our hearts to greater love of your Son. Let national boundaries not set limits to our concern. Ward off the pride that comes with worldly wealth and power. Give us the courage to open ourselves in love to the service of all Your people. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son." (Collect Independence Day Mass."

God put Abraham to test to sacrifice Isaac, his only son. Consider if God asks you to sacrifice your health, family, finances, job, possessions, country. How would you respond? This is how God responded to Abraham's obedience:

“I swear by my very self—oracle of the Lord—that because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your son, your only one,  I will bless you and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants will take possession of the gates of their enemies, and in your descendants all the nations of the earth will find blessing, because you obeyed my command.” (Genesis 22: 16 - 18).

Faith and obedience are always rewarded in the Bible.

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To believe and trust is human.

"DO not be unbelieving, but believe.” (John 20: 27).

Wednesday of the 13th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Thomas the Apostle. Remember Thomas, the one who is nicknamed the Doubter? "I will not believe until I see. Until I touch." His feast day gives us the opportunity to reflect on why his unbelief was sharply rebuked by Jesus:
"STOP doubting and believe.” (John 20: 27 NIV).

Trust and belief comes naturally to most of us and we exercise this human trait continually every day.
We trust that our doctor knows what he is doing. We trust the pharmacist that the medication is not poison. We trust that the traffic light is programmed correctly. Husband and wife demonstrate trust of each other several times a day.

God created us to be trusting. Society can not function without the exercise of trust. But trust relies on one critical and often unspoken factor: Credible Witness. Thomas the Doubter was rebuked by Jesus because he doubted the credible witnesses (11 Apostles, Mary Magdalene, etc) who told him with certainty that Christ Jesus had risen and appeared to them.

I have never seen Jesus in the flesh. But I see and touch His Church every day. I believe because I believe in the 2000 years unbroken witness of the Church. Anywhere I am in this world, the Church is there for me to see and touch.

If you are one of those waiting for the mountain to come to you before you believe, Jesus says to you NOW: "Stop doubting and believe.”

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How to overcome acute fears.

“Lord, save us! We are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm." (Matthew 8: 25 - 26)

Tuesday of the 13th week in Ordinary Time. Our good news for today answers the question: how do we overcome acute fears?

Which of us has not experienced paralyzing fear in the area of health, family, finances, job, possessions, etc? In the Gospel of today, Jesus Christ puts His finger on the reason why fear masters our hearts: "O you of little faith?” Or No faith. The whole theme of the Sacred Scriptures is the story of how humble men and women came to trust in the word of God and grew to be giants and were able to overcome obstacles and nations through the power of faith.

The Bible asks the question:
"Who is it that overcomes the world?" (1 John 5: 5). And gives the answer:
"Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." (ibid).

Now that we know this truth, we shall be greatly blessed if we pray thus: "Lord Jesus increase my little faith."

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Why did God single out Abraham?

"I have singled him [Abraham] out that he may direct his children and his household in the future to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord may put into effect for Abraham the promises he made about him." (Genesis 18: 19).

Monday of the 13th week in Ordinary Time. In our key Scripture for today, the Lord declared that He has singled out Abraham for blessings. What type of blessings?

#1 Father of a multitude of nations.
#2 Our exemplar of faith.
#3 Our intercessor and teacher of Intercessory prayer.

Before God chose Abraham, His eyes combed the whole world looking for a man of faith. God found that rock in Abraham. He believed a promise too good to be true. God liked what He heard and saw in Abraham.

You too can learn from Abraham's faith. You too have the word of God and His promises. You too has the choice today to believe or not to believe the promises of God. What is your inclination?

The Responsorial Psalm for today is one the Church uses constantly throughout the liturgical year because Psalm 103 speaks of promises the Lord has fulfilled for each of us.

"Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

"He pardons all your iniquities, he heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion.

"Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
 slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
He will not always chide, nor does he keep his wrath forever.

"Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him." (Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8-9, 10-11).

Do you believe that the Lord is kind and merciful? Do you believe that God is faithful to His promises?

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We have freedom now because Jesus made us free.

"For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5: 1).

Sunday of the 13th week in Ordinary Time. The word to live by today is from Galatians 5: 1. Here is an alternative translation:

"We have freedom now because Christ made us free. So stand strong. Do not change and go back into the slavery of the law." (International Children Bible)

How do we stand firm so that the dog does not go back to his vomit? It will be impossible for us to maintain our freedom as Christians without a solid plan for living our Christian faith day by day. That plan may consist of the following elements:

#1 Daily Prayer: Jesus calls Prayer a vital necessity.
#2. Word of God (God’s Manual).
#3.  Eucharist (Bread of life and Food for the Journey).
#4.  Penance and Examen (Medicine for the Journey).
#5.  Spiritual Reading (Our GPS: When you pray, you talk to God. When you read, God talks to you. St Ambrose, St Augustine, St Vincent de Paul).
#6.  Ministry (Sharing your gifts & making them more abundant).

Habit has power. The above 6 Daily Habits of Saints will help anyone retain the freedom that Jesus bestows on us.

"Live by the Spirit." (Galatians 5: 16).

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The Feast of the Pillars of the Church.

"Peter said to Jesus: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus replied: You are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church." (Matthew 16: 16, 18).

Saturday of the 12th week in Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of SS Peter and Paul. Yesterday, we celebrated the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Today we celebrate the holy feast of the principal Apostles of the Christian faith. The very faith that these Apostles transmitted to us is what we profess today. Who are Peter and Paul?

"SS Peter and Paul are the principal pillars of the Church founded by Christ. Peter was chosen by Christ to be his first Vicar on earth; he was endowed with the powers of the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16: 13 - 19) and charged with the role of Shepherd of Christ's flock. (John 21: 15 - 17).
Paul was chosen to form part of the apostolic college by Christ himself on the road to Damascus (Acts 9: 1 - 16). Selected to bring Christ's name to all peoples (Acts 9; 15), he is the greatest missionary of all time." (Roman Missal).
This is the great feast we celebrate today.

"These men, conquering all human frailty, shed their blood and helped the Church to grow. By sharing the cup of the Lord's suffering, they became the friends of God." (Entrance Antiphon).

SS Peter and Paul pray for us.

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The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

"For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly." (Romans 5: 6).

Friday of the 12th week in Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Hosea characterizes the love of God for us thus: "I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them." (Hosea 11: 4). Was he writing about the Heart of Jesus?

Do you know personally the love and mercy of Jesus? Have you experienced His forgiveness, healing, peace, answered prayers etc? What is the Sacred Heart of Jesus and why do we celebrate this feast? Here is what the Church says :

"Jesus knew and loved us each and all during his life, his agony and his Passion, and gave himself up for each one of us: "The Son of God. . . loved me and gave himself for me." He has loved us all with a human heart. For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation, "is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that. . . love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings" without exception." (CCC 478).

"Deep calls to deep." When you experience deep love, respond with deep love. Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus with reverence and love.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11: 28).

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Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday the 28th.

Friday the 28th of June is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Honor the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus with a Mass and adoration.

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The house built on rock did not collapse.

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.  The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse."(Matthew 7: 24 - 25).

Why did the house not collapse? Because "it had been set solidly on rock." 

Thursday of the 12th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Cyril of Alexandria (376 - 444), Bishop and Doctor of the Church. St Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria in Egypt is famous for his defense of the oneness of the Person of Jesus Christ. If Jesus is One Person, then the Blessed Virgin Mary is the Mother of God (Theotokos).

St Cyril listened to the words of Christ, meditated long on them.  During the crisis of faith that engulfed Christiandom in the middle of the 5th century, Cyril did not collapse from the virulent and battering attacks of heretics. His house "had been set solidly on rock."

Listen daily to the words of Christ and do what it tells you.

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Abraham believed the impossible and what happened?

"Do not fear, Abram! I am your shield; I will make your reward very great." (Genesis 15: 1).

Wednesday of the 12th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Josemaria Escriva, Priest (1902 - 1975), the Founder of Opus Dei. His memories are still fresh for some reading this. Josemaria is a man of deep faith like Abraham and experienced both the shield and great reward of God during his life on earth and now in heaven. A few words about him from the Roman Missal:

"St Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei, opened a new path of holiness in the Catholic Church, teaching that people can become holy by performing their work and daily duties with a Christian spirit."

"He [God] took him[Abraham] outside and said: Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so, he added, will your descendants be.  Abram put his faith in the Lord, who attributed it to him as an act of righteousness." (Genesis 15: 5 - 6).

Note what Abraham did to be declared righteous by God. He believes the humanly impossible promise of God. What did the Blessed Virgin Mary do when a similar but greater promise was communicated to her by the Angel Gabriel? "I am the Lord's handmaid. Let what you have promised be done to me." In both cases, God fulfilled His promises. As a young man in Spain before the Spanish civil war, Josemaria heard the call from God to start a radical ministry with a new teaching. He did not walk away from the challenges. Today the world is blessed by the ministry of Opus Dei working in many countries of the world.

Has God put any dreams in your heart? Do not be afraid.

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Do not be fooled by the Broadway.

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many." (Matthew 7: 13).

Tuesday of the 12th week in Ordinary Time. The Lord Jesus gives us a counsel that is counter intuitive but full of wisdom. In the first Reading from Genesis 13, Abraham's nephew chose the Jordan Plain that looked like "the Lord's own garden." Abraham chose the "narrow gate."

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many."

"Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold." (Genesis 13: 2). Abraham was filled with faith and the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of God guided his investment decisions. The Responsorial Psalm paints the character of Abraham:

"Lord, who shall dwell on your holy mountain?
He who walks without fault;
he who acts with justice
and speaks the truth from his heart; he who does not slander with his tongue.

"He who does no wrong to his brother, who casts no slur on his neighbour, who holds the godless in disdain, but honours those who fear the Lord.

"He who keeps his pledge, come what may; who takes no interest on a loan and accepts no bribes against the innocent.
Such a man will stand firm for ever. (Psalm 15: 2 - 5).

A Rabbinic writing says that When God found Abraham, He said that He has found a rock to make the foundation of the world.

Let your faith show like Abraham and Mary's.

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The Solemnity of the Birth of St John the Baptist.

“No. He will be called John.” (Luke 1: 60). And John the Baptist was called John as Elizabeth his mother insisted.

Monday of the 12th week in Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of the Birth of St John the Baptist. Only three birthdays are celebrated in the liturgical calendar of the Church: Jesus, Mary and John the Baptist. Who is John the Baptist?

"John the Baptist is "more than a prophet." In him, the Holy Spirit concludes his speaking through the prophets. John completes the cycle of prophets begun by Elijah. He proclaims the imminence of the consolation of Israel; he is the "voice" of the Consoler who is coming. As the Spirit of truth will also do, John "came to bear witness to the light." In John's sight, the Spirit thus brings to completion the careful search of the prophets and fulfills the longing of the angels. "He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God. . . . Behold, the Lamb of God." (CCC 719).

The core ministry of St John the Baptist is Reconciliation: "Come back to Me." (Joel 2: 17; Jeremiah 3: 14, 3: 22, 4: 1; Hosea 11: 2).

"He came as a witness, as a witness to speak for the light,
preparing for the Lord a people fit for him." (John 1:7; Luke 1: 17).

Jesus gives John His greatest recognition of any human being:
"Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." (Matthew 11: 11).

St John the Baptist pray for us.

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The Solemnity of Corpus Christi.

"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him, says the Lord." (John 6: 57).

Sunday of the 12th week in Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

The Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life. (CCC 1324). The Eucharist is also the new Covenant ratified with the Blood of Jesus.  (Mark 14: 24).

"While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.”  Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it.  He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many."  (Mark 14: 22 - 24).

"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him, says the Lord."  (John 6: 57).

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It is impossible to serve two masters.

“No one can serve two masters." (Matthew 6: 24).

Saturday of the 11th week in Ordinary. We celebrate today the feast of St Thomas More, Martyr. This principled man refused to serve two masters at the same time. Here is a short summary of his life.
"St Thomas More (1477 - 1535) was born in London and was Chancellor of King Henry VIII. As a family man, a public servant, and a writer, he displayed a rare combination of human warmth, Christian wisdom, and sense of humor." (Roman Missal).

From the CCC:
"We know that in everything God works for good for those who love him." The constant witness of the saints confirms this truth:

"St. Thomas More, shortly before his martyrdom, consoled his daughter: "Nothing can come but that that God wills. And I make me very sure that whatsoever that be, seem it never so bad in sight, it shall indeed be the best." (CCC 313).

The pagans are always tortured by these anxieties: "What are we to eat? What are we to drink? What are we to wear?" (Matthew 6: 31 - 32). Turn to God and trust in Him completely and let Him take care of everything you need.
"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil." (Matthew 6: 33 - 34).

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Your heart will follow your treasure.

"For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be." (Matthew 6: 21).

Friday of the 11th week in Ordinary Time. Lord, why do you link our hearts with treasure? This is too close for comfort.

The teaching of Jesus today on treasure and the heart is good news. It is truth that can give you victory and freedom in your life:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.  But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal." (Matthew 6: 19 - 20).

During the great Depression, some people who stored up their treasures in the stock market committed suicide when the stock market crashed. These guys are surely losers in this world. May God have mercy on them in the Kingdom of God.

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me, delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34: 5).

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Your Father knows what you need and when you need it.

"Your Father knows what you need before you ask him." (Matthew 6: 8).

Thursday of the 11th week in Ordinary Time. Today, the Lord teaches the disciples the Great Our Father or the Lord's Prayer. Our key Scripture is from what Jesus said before He taught the Lord's Prayer: "Your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

“You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead?" (Luke 11: 11). Even in our deep selfishness, we know the difference between a fish and a snake.
"You shall know the truth and the truth will make you free." Do you know one truth that will make you free? "Your Father knows what you need before you ask him." It is the truth you understand and appropriate that will give you the victory and freedom you desire so desperately.

"Do you not yet understand? Do you not remember?" Jesus queried the disciples. Understand what Jesus is teaching us about the Father. The Father acknowledges everything He created but loves us tenderly as sons and daughters. He provides all living things with food. His plan for our life is peace and prosperity. The shortcut is: "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and everything else will be given you besides." (Matthew 6: 33).

We are truly sons and daughters of God who deserves the best from God. (Romans 8: 15).

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