The Feast of the Dedication of St Mary Major.

"Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and 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.” (Matthew 16: 13... 23).

Thursday 5th August 2021, 18th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major. This Basilica was dedicated after the definition of the Dogma of Mary as the Mother of God in the Council of Ephesus in 431.  It was the oldest Marian Church in Rome and was consecrated by Pope Sixtus III about 435. The great Church was later renamed as St Mary Major. Pope St John Paul II wrote that it is an objective truth that the Mother of God is the Mother of the Church. Ephesus hailed Mary as Theotokus, Mother of God. Vatican II acclaimed Mary as the Mother of the Church.

Our Gospel of today is key to understanding  Ecclesia, Assembly, Church (all meaning the same thing) that Jesus Christ has set up.

Jesus asked His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered for the 12:
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Was Jesus astonished by Peter's answer? Astonished or not, Jesus said to Peter 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 - 23).

Jesus builds His Church on rock of Peter's Confession. A Church that is defined as:
+ The People of God.
+ The Body of Christ.
+ The Temple of the Holy Spirit.

A Church which manifests these characteristics:
#1. Pillar and Foundation of truth.
#2. Always under attack by the Enemy.
#2a. Victorious and Invincible.
#3. Missionary and Catholic.
#4. Infallibility in doctrine by Peter and his successors.
#5. Hierarchy and sacred priesthood.
#6. The Church of the Eucharist.

Do you love the Church?  Saint Augustine writes, “We, therefore, receive the Holy Spirit if we love the Church, if we are joined together by charity, if we make the Catholic name and faith our joy. Believe it, brethren, to the extent that one loves the Church, to that extent he has the Holy Spirit within him”.

"Yes, here I was speaking of the Eucharist, the gift of My abiding presence to My Bride, the Church, and this until the end of time. Not one soul who belongs to Me is left friendless in this world so long as the Church continues to do what I commanded on the night before I suffered, in memory of Me. The Most Holy Eucharist is not only My Sacrifice offered to the Father, although in a bloodless manner; it is not only the sustenance of souls, nourishing them with My very Body and Blood; it is also the Sacrament of My divine friendship, the pledge of My burning desire to remain close to all who seek Me, to all who need Me, to all who would spend time in My company." IN SINU JESU page 54)

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Feast of St John Vianney, Patron Saint of Parish Priests.

"At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” (Matthew 15: 21 - 28).

Wednesday 4th August 2021, is the feast day of the patron saint of parish priests, the Curé of Ars, St John Vianney (1786 - 1859). French. What do you want from your parish priest?
#1 Celebrate Mass with reverence and devotion.
#2 Always be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and be the face of the loving mercy of Jesus Christ.
#3 Assist the poor as best as they can.

St John of Vianney set an excellent example as a parish priest. The Church noticed and made him the Patron Saint of Parish Priests.
St John Vianney said à propos the role of the priests in the mystery of salvation:
"Without the priest, the passion and death of our Lord would be of no avail.... What use would be a house filled with gold, were there no one to open its door?” John opened the door to the merciful love of Jesus to sinners through the Sacrament of Reconciliation where he spent hours upon hours every day.

Our Gospel of today is a master piece in teaching us the necessity of perseverance for our prayers to be answered. One of the authorities on this is St Claude de la Colombière, SJ. He teaches that one of the reasons we receive no response to our prayers is because we do not persevere. Notice the scene between the Canaanite woman and Jesus.

"But he [Jesus] did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

The woman heard this discouraging words from the Prophet but was not discouraged. She came and knelt before Jesus and said:
“Lord, help me.”
Jesus replied: “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour."

St Claude de la Colombière said that God likes a haggler like Abraham. God admires a tough person who knows what she wants and is prepared to fight for it. The Canaanite woman teaches us a lesson on effective prayer. God promises to answer everyone who asks. He is not a man to lie. I do not know a single spiritual writer on Prayer in the Catholic tradition who teaches anything different.

"I ask them for a prayer that is sincere and persevering, for a prayer that will become in their hearts a ceaseless murmur rising to the Father as a spiritual offering." (IN SINU JESU page 240).

St John of Vianney is a trustworthy servant. Let us pray constantly to the Lord to send numerous Priests like St. John Vianney to the harvest.

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It's not a ghost. It is I Jesus. Do not be afraid.

 "During the fourth watch of the night, he [Jesus] came toward them, walking on the sea.  When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.  At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Tuesday 3rd August 2021, in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time.

Have you ever faced a deep paralyzing fear in your life? For example: Being fired from a job, divorce, doctor's verdict, lost child, etc. I have faced such moments and by the grace of God, I am who I am today because of the gifts of such encounters with crippling fears.

In our key Scripture, we find the Apostles facing such a moment. Peter becomes the type for all of us in this drama.

“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”  He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.

So far so good. But things changed quickly.
"But when he [Peter] saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Why did Peter panic? He took his eyes off Jesus. You too will panic in any crisis if you take your eyes off Jesus. What should you do? Close your eyes so that you don't see the furious waves. Then continue to affirm: "Jesus-Emmanuel I trust in Your merciful love. I remain steadfast in Your love. I cling tightly to Your love, come what may. Have mercy on me."

You will experience the instant mercy of Jesus.
"Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, [Peter] and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Fear is useless. All you need is trust.

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The Feast of St Peter Julian Eymard of the Blessed Sacrament Priests.

"[Jesus] said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.”  But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.”  Then he said, “Bring them here to me.” (Matthew 14: 16 - 18).

Monday 2nd August 2021, in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Eusebius (+ 371). Bishop. Bishop Eusebius fought the Arian heresy tooth and nail. The Arians who denied the Divinity of Jesus Christ tortured and exiled him.

We celebrate too the life of St Peter Julian Eymard (1811 - 1868). French. After his ordination, Peter joined the Marist Congregation in 1840. He then had an intense experience of the merciful love of Jesus in the Eucharist and the Blessed Sacrament. This experience changed the course of his life and gave him a new mission. He fostered Eucharistic Adoration throughout the rest of his life and founded the Priests of the Blessed Sacrament who are priest adorers of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

In our Gospel of today, Jesus fed "five thousand men, not counting women and children."
This miracle is a foreshadow of the Eucharist.
"They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over—twelve wicker baskets full."
This action foreshadows the Mass where what remains from distributing the Eucharist is preserved in the Tabernacle and worshiped as the Blessed Sacrament.

Á propos the Blessed Sacrament, St Peter Julian Eymard writes:
" We must quickly get to work to save souls by the divine Eucharist, to awaken [a world] numbed in dormant apathy because they don’t know the gift of God, Jesus, the Eucharistic Emmanuel. This is the torch of love which we must carry to tepid souls who haven’t made Jesus in the holy tabernacle their center and their life. Any devotion which doesn’t set up one tent on Calvary and one near the Tabernacle is not a solid piety and will never do anything great."

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I AM the Bread of life.

"Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst." (John 6: 35).

Sunday 1st August 2021, in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time.

Jesus claims to be the Bread of life and then adds: If we believe His words and come to Him, hunger and thirst will be things of the past for us. To understand what Jesus means, we shall draw from two Scriptures from today's Liturgy.

#1. "... as truth is in Jesus, that you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires." (Ephesians  4:17, 20-24).

Bad desires are deceitful. They corrupt the mind. Beware of all the ideas you receive especially through TV advertising. They sow unhealthy desires in your heart.

#2. "One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4: 4).

Man is made of body, soul and mind. Physical bread alone cannot satisfy man. Man needs relationship, love, music, arts, sports, etc to satisfy his composite personality. God who created man knows exactly what satisfies man.

“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst." Jesus is talking about the Eucharist here. What proof do we have that Jesus can satisfy our human hunger and thirst through the Eucharist. For this, we have to see the teaching and experience of the Church has of the Eucharist.

The Bread of life is the Flesh and Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, given for the salvation of the world. This Sacrament contains the full Body, Soul and Divinity of the Savior. It is the Medicine of life and Food for the Journey to Immortality.

Jesus Christ presents the Eucharist in the Bread of life Discourse as a Sign. For John the Evangelist, a Sign is a Miracle, a Sacrament. The crowd who ate the multiplied loaves wanted more of the same. They misunderstood completely the "Sign" that points to the Sacrament.

The Church has consistently taught and defended the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist as received from Jesus. The Eucharist is a great mystery of faith. "Whoever believes in Me," will know the truth.

"The emptiness of My churches is an affront to My love, to the love that compelled Me to give Myself by the hands of My priests, under the forms of bread and wine, so that no one might perish from hunger or thirst on the road to eternity. I am all love in the Sacrament of My love. My Heart is open to receive all, even those who have in their souls no more than the faintest spark of faith in My real presence. Let them come to Me, and that little spark will become a shining flame, giving joy and hope to all who perceive its light." (IN SINU JESU page 214).

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Companions of Jesus.

What are the characteristics of men who had been with Jesus?

#1. They go to Confession regularly.

#2. They go to the Eucharist frequently.

#3. They trust in God's mighty and merciful Providence.

#4. The Will of God is the standard for their actions.

#5. They support the mission of the Church.

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The Feast of the Founder of the Society of Jesus, St Ignatius Loyola.

"At the name of Jesus, every knee should bend of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2: 10-11).

Saturday 31st July 2021, 17th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Ignatius Loyola, SJ (1491 - 1556). Priest. Spanish. Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus. (Jesuits). Today is the patronal feast of the Society of Jesus.  The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola has been a potent force for spiritual renewal of individuals and groups in the Church. It is still very popular after 500 years. It has become a pillar of the apostolic ministry of the Society of Jesus today.

Our key Scripture for today from the Entrance Antiphon from the feast of St Ignatius speaks to the incredible love and attachment of Ignatius to the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, Jesus Christ our Lord and to His name, Jesus. The personal motto of St Ignatius Loyola, Everything "For the Greater Glory of God" became the motto of the Society of Jesus.

What did St Ignatius Loyola bequeath the Church?
#1. Spiritual Exercises
#2. Methods of examination of conscience
#3. Principles of Discernment of Spirits.
#4. Methodology of Education

This prayer of St Ignatius Loyola shows the inner principles that drove him:

"Lord Jesus, grant that I may know Your heart intimately, love You passionately and follow You everywhere." Amen.

These lofty ideals produced giants of our faith like: Saints Francis Xavier, Peter Canisius, Robert Berllamine, Paul Miki, Edmund Campion, Aloysius Gonzaga, Claude de la Colombière, Peter Clavier, Miguel Pro and so many others.

St Ignatius is the patron saint of soldiers and retreat masters.

Motto: Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam: For the Greater Glory of God.

"In 2007, Our Lord and Our Lady began to speak to the heart of a priest who was greatly in need of their intervention—something that could truthfully be said of all of us in our spiritual poverty. The priest was prompted to write down what he heard, first and most obviously for his own benefit, but increasingly, for the benefit of others who would be touched by these words and find light and strength in them." (IN SINU JESU page v Introduction).

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The Feast of St Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

"Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him." (Matthew 13: 54 - 57).

Friday 30th July 2021, in the 17th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Peter Chrysologus. (406 - 450). Italian. Bishop and Doctor of the Church. St Peter Chrysologus was the Bishop of Ravenna. At a time when the Church was faced with the scourge of the Monophysite heresy, St Peter Chrysologus defended the two natures in Jesus Christ: Human nature and Divine nature. His theological teaching and preaching are characterized by exceptional clarity. Peter came down to us from history as a great homilist and his theological work on the nature of the Incarnation and the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in salvation history has lasting value.

Our key Scripture for today is the sad rejection of Jesus in His hometown. Jesus taught in the Synagogue with eloquence and clarity. Yet He was rejected. Not because of the content or style of His teaching but because of who He is. First, the Messenger is rejected. Then the Message is discarded.

How can we find meaning on what happened in Nazareth on this Sabbath day?
"Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?’  He answered, ‘An enemy has done this." (Matthew 13: 27 - 28).

The Devil, deceiver of all mankind pursued Jesus relentlessly during His public ministry. The murderer and father of lies continues to pursue the Church today everywhere. Jesus asks us to have courage because He has overcome the world.

"The redemption is the work of love. I loved in the face of hatred. I loved in the face of death. I loved even in the netherworld, where the just of the ages awaited My coming among them. It is by love that I vanquished hell, by love that I triumphed over death, by love that I undid what Satan, in his envy, had plotted against the creatures whom I so love and whom My Father destined for the praise of His glory." (IN SINU JESU page 135).

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Feast of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus.

"Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10: 40 - 42).

Thursday 29th July 2021, in the 17th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Friends of Jesus.

Martha was so anxious to offer Jesus her renowned gift of hospitality that she missed the big picture: gift of the word of God which Jesus brought to her home.
Allow God to bless you with His gifts.

All who hears Jesus wondered at these gracious words. They marvelled at what the Lord was saying, reports the Gospel. Except one person today: the hostess, Martha too busy cooking and washing up dishes and pots.

"For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel:
By waiting and by calm you shall be saved, in quiet and in trust shall be your strength. But this you did not will."  (Isaiah 30: 15).
Mary seems to understand this condition.

In today's Gospel Reading, Jesus invites us to consider carefully our priorities. Martha hurriedly welcomed Jesus in her home and dived right back into the kitchen. When she emerged after some thirty minutes, she said: “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.”

How do you welcome the presence of Jesus in your home, Prayer? When you read the word of God? In the Blessed Sacrament and in the Eucharist? With an eye on your watch? Anxiously trying to anticipate the next deadline?

Is Martha the symbol of a Church distracted by many things? The compromising Church? Too busy to sit still and listen? How did the Church today got to be burdened by many distractions?  The Church that works and not pray is a weak Church.

"She [Martha] had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak."  (Luke 10: 39).

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”  (Luke 10: 41 - 42).

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Hear the parable of the sower..... The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit."

Trust Jesus to guide and to provide.
"The time that remains after prayer, you will devote to the work of serving your brothers, to rest, and to the ordinary necessities of life, trusting in Me always to provide you with all that is necessary. Thus will you avoid the reproach addressed to Martha when I said, “You are busy about many things, but one thing alone is necessary.” (IN SINU JESU page 81).

Jesus promises the Church:
If you seek the Kingdom of God and its righteousness as a first priority, not only will I provide everything you need, My Holy Spirit will direct your work.

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She searched for the Pearl of Great Price and found Him.

"Jesus said to his disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.” (Matthew 13: 44 - 46).

Wednesday 28th July 2021, in the 17th Week in Ordinary Time.

Our key Scripture talks about the importance of finding the hidden treasure. Consider this question:
What is there about the kingdom of God and the idea of hiddenness?
Jesus led a hidden life for 30 years. The Blessed Virgin Mary led almost her entire life of about 60 years hidden from the public. Great saints are protected from the prying eyes of the world by hiding them when they are alive.
In summary, great things like diamonds are formed in a hidden state. The narrow, hidden way finds the kingdom.

Are you searching for a great treasure?  Faith, love, meaning, peace, contentment?

Jesus Christ is the Pearl of great price.  What must we give up in order to acquire in the fullest sense this priceless treasure?

"And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life."  (Matthew 19: 29)

Here are some who heard the promise, believed it and searched and found the great treasure:

St Mary Magdalene: Found the Great Pearl and thereafter got attached to the Pearl.
St Ignatius Loyola: Loved the Pearl passionately and abandoned everything and followed the Pearl everywhere.
St Thomas More:  Gave his life happily for the Pearl.
St Teresa of Kolkata:  Traveled the whole world spreading message about the Pearl. St Paul the Apostle says:

"More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ"  (Philippians 3: 8)

When you find the Pearl of Great Price, all these things will be added to you: peace and genuine prosperity, contentment and fulfillment in life.

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Words to live by. Words to die for.

"Thus the Lord passed before him [Moses] and cried out, “The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity, continuing his kindness for a thousand generations, and forgiving wickedness and crime and sin; yet not declaring the guilty guiltless, but punishing children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation for their fathers’ wickedness!” (Exodus 34: 6 - 7).

Tuesday 27th July 2021, in the 17th Week in Ordinary.

Our key Scripture today Exodus 34: 6 - 7 is one of the most important passages in the entire Bible. Why? Because without responding to prayer or constraint, God willed to reveal Who He is to us. This He did for one excellent reason. God wanted His new family to know Him so that they can love Him. Knowledge precedes love. Why did God make us? We answered as kids: God made us to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him so that we can live with Him forever. No knowledge, No love. No love, No service.

To live a balanced life, we need every single day the reassurance of God's steadfast love. Jesus, the night before He died, said to His Apostles nestled with Him in the Upper room (the writer's rendition):
Remain /Abide in Me. Cling tightly to My love for you, come what may. Believe firmly in My mighty and merciful Providence. Do not depend on yourself or your strength.

Like Exodus 14: 6 - 7, it is impossible for the Apostles to forget such language. The sacred words would be made operational when the Apostles became baptized with the Holy Spirit. These are the words to live by. These are the words to die for.

Jesus yearns to see us abide in His Eucharistic Presence.
"This is why it so grieves Me that churches are locked and that I am left for days on end alone in the tabernacle. I would draw souls to My open Heart, I would have them experience what it is to abide in the radiance of My Eucharistic Face, I would give Myself in intimate friendship to souls drawn to Me in the Sacrament of My love, but you priests, shepherds of souls, have forgotten that keeping open your churches is integral to your sacred ministry." (IN SINU JESU page 54).

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The Feast of Sts Joachim and Anne, Grandparents of Jesus Christ.

"Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.” (Matthew 13: 31 - 32).

Monday 26th July 2021, in the 17th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is what the Church says about Anne and Joachim:

"It was in the house of Joachim and Anne that the Virgin Mary received her training to be the Mother of God. Thus, devotion to Anne and Joachim is an extension of the affection Christians have always shown toward our Blessed Mother. We, too, owe a debt of gratitude to our parents for their help in our Christain formation." (Roman Missal).

"I came to you today as the little grandchild of Joachim and Anna. Tell Me that you are happy to have Me in this house, and invite Me to rule over your heart and in your life." (IN SINU JESU page 239).

The Parable of the Mustard Seed gives us an insight into God's law in creation. Everything is created small. The tiny mustard seed like the tiny acorn seed is born very small. Its laws or principles of growth are written inside the seed by its Creator. The seed receives the early and later rain and continues to unfold following the laws of its nature. The farmer does not control the process. When the mustard seed is fully grown, it is ready to fulfill its destiny. It welcomes the birds on its branches.

The Church is the People of God, the Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit. The seed of the Kingdom of God on earth is the Church. (Cf CCC 249). It started very small in a tiny corner of the vast Roman Empire. Today the tiny Acorn has grown branches and spread throughout the world.

The Church as the People of God, the Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit needs the transformative power of the Holy Spirit to form it into its destiny.

"The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures."
(James 1: 18).

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They all ate and were satisfied.

"When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do." (John 6: 5 - 6).

Sunday, 25th July 2021, in the 17th Week in Ordinary Time.

The miracles in the first Reading from 2 Kings 4 and the Gospel of John 6 foreshadow the Eucharist. From creation, God opened His hand and fed all living things generously from His bounty. Our Responsorial Psalm 145 puts it beautifully: "The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs."

There is something different in what happens today with the feeding of the 5000 people.

Providentially in this deserted place, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?”

What Jesus did next reminds us of the Eucharist.
"Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.”

It was not Moses who fed the multitude in the desert with manna. It was God the Father who fed the people as a prefiguration of the Eucharist, the Bread of life.

"If the reality of heaven has become vague and far from the thoughts of so many in My Church, it is because they have forsaken the very mystery of heaven already present and given to them in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. The Eucharist is heaven on earth; the Eucharist is My Church on earth already assumed into heaven. Heaven is wheresoever the words of consecration have been pronounced over the bread and wine in the holy oblation, for there I am present, even as I am present in the glory of My Ascension, adored by the angels, praised by all the saints, held in the divine gaze of My Father, and burning with the fire of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Amen. Believe this and you will find heaven on earth, while waiting and hoping to see My Face in glory." (IN SINU JESU page 250).

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The Feast of St Sharbel, the Hermit.

"Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well." (Matthew 13: 24 -).

Saturday 24th July 2021, 16th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Sharbel Makhlouf. (1828 - 1898). Lebanese Catholic priest, monk and hermit. Sharbel is known for his great devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and the Blessed Sacrament and his filial devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was a great miracle worker during his life and after his earthly life. Sharbel died a Hermit in the ardor of sanctity in 1898.

In our key Scripture for today, the Church is likened to the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus Christ is the Sower of the Seed. What happened after Jesus sowed good seed in the vast terrain?

‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

There are people in the Church that are eager to pull up all the bad eggs in the Church right away. The adulterers, abortionists, thieves, etc right away. Listen to how Jesus answered the slaves.

"No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.”

What is the takeaway from today's Gospel? God's merciful and powerful Providence governs all things. God will deal with all manner of sinners at the end of the world.
"The cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” (Revelation 21: 18).

Let the Church trust in the Plan of God. Amen!

"When you are weak, come to Me. When you are burdened, come to Me. When you are fearful, come to Me. When you are assailed by doubts, come to Me. When you are lonely, come to Me. Let nothing separate you from My Heart, which is ever open to receive you. It is the Evil One who seeks to turn souls away from My Heart. It is the Evil One who sows the seeds of doubt, of fear, of sadness in souls, so as to turn them away from Me and drive them into the cold pit of darkness and despair that he himself inhabits." (IN SINU JESU page 203).

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The Feast of St Bridget of Sweden, mother and religious.

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Hear the parable of the sower..... The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit." (Matthew 13: 18 - 23).

Friday 23rd July 2021 is the feast of St Bridget of Sweden (1303 - 1373). Housewife, mother of 4 boys and 4 girls. One of the girls, St Catherine of Sweden is a canonized saint. Bridget persuaded her husband to become a Franciscan Tertiary with her. When the husband died, St Bridget moved to Rome where she founded the Order of the Most Holy Redeemer. St Bridget meditated long on the suffering and death of Jesus. God revealed to her the secrets of heaven. St Bridget is a mystic and authored books on ascetical and mystical theology. She is the patron saint of Sweden and co-patron of Europe.

Why do we pray and get no answer?  Why do we read the Bible and our lives do not improve? Because the word we receive maybe sown in thorns. The thorns come very tiny like the mustard seed. But they grow rapidly with time. They grow to become worries of the world, lure of riches and cravings for other things. They become masters and may take complete control of our lives. No wonder they choke the word.

St Bridget is an examplar of our key Scripture for today.

Jesus said that in order for the word to produce a harvest, it must be sown in a good and rich soil. Our soul is like a garden. We must cultivate it and maintain it everyday. An unmaintained garden is soon overgrown with weed. Jesus has given us abundant means for maintaining the soil of our soul. Some of these means are:
· Word of God
· Prayer
· Eucharist
· Sacrament of Reconciliation
· Frequent examination of conscience
· Spiritual reading

What are the fruits of the word that falls on a good soil?
Peace, tranquility, joy, consolations, light and guidance, confident and victorious living. We recognize that these are also the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

"When you feel the onset of anxiety or fear, turn to My Immaculate Mother, the Mediatrix of all graces and your Mother of Perpetual Help. It is enough to call upon her sweet name. She will understand and she will do what is necessary for My work to go forward." (IN SINU JESU page 76).

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The Feast of St Mary Magdalene, the Apostle to the Apostles.

"Jesus said to her [Mary Magdalene], “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?”......."But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he told her." (John 20: 11 - 18

Thursday 22nd July 2021, 16th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Mary Magdalene. Jewish. One of the hand full of women who followed Jesus as He tramped everywhere preaching the Gospel. These women took care of the welfare of Jesus and His Apostles from their purse. But Mary Magdalene was unique and exceptional among these ladies. Jesus healed her of demonic possession and Mary could not forget this favor all her life.

Mary Magdalene trekked the Via Dolorosa with the other Mary, the Virgin Mother of Jesus. Both women stood under the Cross and watched Jesus die slowly. While the Blessed Virgin Mary did not hurry to the tomb on Easter Sunday because she heard and believed what her Son said about "rising from the dead on the third day," Mary of Magdala hurried to the tomb. She became the first human being to see the Risen Jesus. This is how St Mary Magdalene became the "Apostle to the Apostles."
"Go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he told her." (John 20: 17 - 18).

Mary Magdalene loved Jesus with a pure love that comes from the depth of gratitude for what Jesus did for her. If but we know 1% of what Jesus is doing for us every day, our love for Him will astonish us.

"With Me and from Me you have nothing to fear. I am here, in the Sacrament of My love, to be your comfort, your peace, your light, your refreshment, and your joy. Know this! Take it to heart. Believe it and act upon it. If souls believed this of Me, nothing would be able to keep them from seeking Me out in the Sacrament of My love and from remaining in My presence." (IN SINU JESU page 97).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Lawrence Brindisi, Doctor of the Church.

"And Jesus spoke to them [the crowd] at length in parables, saying, “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up.... Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.” (Matthew 13: 1 - 9).

Wednesday 21st July 2021, in the 16th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Lawrence Brandisi (1559 - 1613). Priest and Doctor of the Church. Italian. He belonged to the Capuchin Order of the Franciscan family. Lawrence is an extraordinary man who used well the lavish gifts God bestowed on him. The Church remembers him for his profound knowledge and love for Sacred Scripture, the Holy Spirit, Prayer and Mary.

A propos Sacred Scriptures, Lawrence says:
“The Word of the Lord is a light for the mind and a fire for the will, so that man may know and love God.… It is a weapon against a heart stubbornly entrenched in vice. It is a sword against the flesh, the world, and the devil, to destroy every sin.”
Quote from Lawrence.

In our key Scripture for today, Jesus  says that we too can be knowledgeable and fruitful in Scripture if we become good soil. Lawrence did just that and became an authority in the sacred Word and was recognized all over Europe during his time.

"I am present to you when you open the Scriptures and I want to enlighten you and instruct you. When you read My word, seek My Heart. When you read the Scriptures, seek My Face. You will find My Heart hidden in My word like the treasure hidden in the field, and you will discover My Face shining through the text and illuminating the eyes of your soul." (IN SINU JESU page 30).

How much time do you give in reading the word of God every day?
"The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live for ever." (Alleluia Verse).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr.

"While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.”...... Jesus said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matthew 12: 46 - 50).

Tuesday 20th July 2021, 16th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Apollinaris. (Bishop and Martyr). Syrian. Died 79 AD in Ravenna, Italy where he was Bishop. Two things are fascinating about our saint:
#1 The Apostle Peter himself ordained him a Bishop.
#2 St Apollinaris had an extraordinary gift of healing. The pagan Roman priests were so jealous of him that they persuaded Emperor Claudius to put him to death.

In our key Scripture for today, Jesus reveals the secret of a happy, peaceful Christian life: "Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

In the Father's will is our peace. Peace here is to be understood as Shalom which encompasses peace of soul, mind and body, prosperity and contentment.

When you pray: YOUR WILL BE DONE in the Our Father, are you willing to see God's Will fully accomplished in your life in everything, always and everywhere?

God's will is gracious but it can also be mysterious for many of us. Let us consider what we know about Abba Father:

#1. God watches over us night and day and not a hair falls from our head without His permission.

#2. In God's infinite wisdom, He knows what is best for us and His Will sanctions this for us.

#3. In God's infinite power, He can bring good out of evil. St Augustine teaches that God can never permit evil unless He plans to draw a greater good from it.

Whence comes the fear and resistance to God's will?
#1. Ignorance about God and His love and plan for our life.
#2. The Big Lie of the Devil who deceived Adam and Eve and continues to deceive us today.

"To be attuned to My Heart is to be attuned to My will, for My will is all love: love in its origin, love in its realization, love in its reward." (IN SINU JESU page 129).

Father, in Your will is our peace.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Lord Himself will fight for you.

"Pharaoh was already near when the children of Israel looked up and saw that the Egyptians were on the march in pursuit of them. In great fright they cried out to the Lord..... “Fear not! Stand your ground, and you will see the victory the Lord will win for you today. These Egyptians whom you see today you will never see again. The Lord himself will fight for you; you have only to keep still.” (Exodus 14: 5 - 18).

Monday 19th July 2021, in the 16th Week in Ordinary Time.

The first Reading today from Exodus 14: 5 - 18 is one of the compulsory Scripture Reading in the Solemnity of the Easter Vigil.

It is also most important Scripture in my life. “Fear not! Stand your ground, and you will see the victory the Lord will win for you today. These Egyptians whom you see today you will never see again. The Lord himself will fight for you; you have only to keep still.”

Through the above words read from a Gideon Bible on a nighttable in a hotel room, the Lord God freed me from crushing fear, worry and doubt. My job was on the line. I had little money and no friends in the company. I was the representative of my company in a foreign country.

Why did I pick up the Gideon Bible? How did it open to the page, 'When you are afraid, read this....?'
Divine Providence! It is written: "Man's extremity is God's opportunity. Man's security is Satan's opportunity."
On that night, God said to me clearly: 'In this matter, I am the Actor. You are the spectator.' I agreed. The whole matter was resolved in such a way that is nothing short of the miraculous.

"I will sing to the Lord, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.
My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior.
He is my God, I praise him; the God of my father, I extol him." (Exodus 15: 1 - 2).

Moses is the man God chose to lead His people out of Egypt. Our Savior Jesus Christ is the New Moses who leads us to Eternal Life.
"It also resoundingly demonstrates the truth that when God chooses one out of many—when He chooses an Abraham or a Moses, the blessed Virgin Mary, or the founders of monastic movements and religious congregations—He always does so in order to bless a multitude, fashion a people, form a nation. He does something extraordinary for one, so that His word may radiate outward to countless souls and His grace be sought with renewed eagerness. He chooses the one not as an isolated exception or arbitrary preference, but as the humble centre around which a great circle will be drawn, a blazing hearth around which many can gather, be warmed, and find fellowship." (IN SINU JESU page 56).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

Come away and have some rest.

"The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”..... When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things." (Mark 6: 30 - 34).

Sunday 18th July 2021, in the 16th Week in Ordinary Time.

What does it mean that Jesus is our Good Shepherd? The Good Shepherd is the theme of the Scriptures this Sunday. Anyone who cannot describe one or more Bad Shepherd experience in his life is lucky. We see bad shepherds in the family, classroom, government, workplace, church, etc.

“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” This is one of the most endearing statements of Jesus for me in the entire Gospel. Our Responsorial Psalm 23 has brought healing and comfort to many people. Not just Christians. Non-Christians as well. It is believed that this great Psalm came from David's personal experience of God in his life struggles.

Jesus the Good Shepherd is still with us today. It is in the Eucharist that we experience everything that the Good Shepherd offers.  Jesus says to a mystic:
"Do not the sheep follow the shepherd? Where are the green pastures prophesied by the psalmist king, if not in My Eucharistic presence?" (IN SINU JESU page 55).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

Jesus hides from those who want to kill Him.

"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope." (Matthew 12: 18 - 21).

Saturday 17th July 2021, in the 15th Week in Ordinary. There is no feast in the Liturgical Calendar. Let us celebrate the memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Matthew tells us in the Gospel for today that  "The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place." At the end of today's Gospel, we are given the character profile of the Man the Pharisees are clamoring to kill. He never contended or raised His voice in the streets.  "A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench." What does this all mean? Jesus is not a common criminal. At His trial before Pontius Pilate, the Roman Procurator said three times:  'I found no fault in this Man." Jesus is innocent of any fault.

In the Plan of God, Jesus must die so that you and I must live.

"I have chosen to communicate My light to your soul by making it pass through the pure and sinless Heart and hands of My Immaculate Mother. The more you turn to her, the more you remain confident and childlike beneath her gaze of maternal love, the more will you be changed from one degree of glory to another. This is My Mother’s work in the souls of priests, and the work of the Holy Spirit who touches souls by means of her hands." IN SINU JESU page 65).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

The Feast of Our Lady of Carmel.

“See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath.” (Matthew 12: 2).

Friday 16th July 2021, in the 15th Week in Ordinary is the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

What words do we associate with Mount Carmel? The Prophet Elijah, the Carmelite Order, St. Simon Stock.
On July 16, 1251 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St Simon Stock, the Superior General of the Carmelites in England and gave him the brown scapula. Mary promised her protection to all those who wear the scapula. This is the origin of the devotion of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Brown Scapula. The brown scapula is one of the numerous sacramentals of the Church.

In our Gospel Reading for today, Jesus said something that must have astonished His Jewish audience:
"I say to you, something greater than the temple is here."  (Matthew 12: 6).  And He added:
"For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.”  (Matthew 12: 8).

The Sabbath is a sacred Covenant between God and His people.  "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20: 8). And then the Lord blessed the Sabbath Rest.

How the Sabbath is to be observed became a sore point of controversy between Jesus and the Jewish leaders.  The Pharisees wanted a strict adherence to the Sabbath code. Jesus teaches God's intention in establishing the Sabbath.  God gave the Sabbath both for rest and worship. The Pharisees had lost sight of this two fold objectives. The One who made the laws in the first place quickly asserted His authority over the Sabbath.

"Sunday is the day of My holy and glorious resurrection," says Jesus to the mystic. "I will open your eyes to the vision of My Father and draw you with Me into His embrace. Be mindful on Sundays of the labours of your brothers in the sacred ministry. Seek for them spiritual refreshment and energy in My Eucharistic presence. Sunday evening through Monday, you will do well to recall the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, for that is the third gift and mystery of the cenacle." (IN SINU JESU page 81).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

Feast of St Bonaventure, the Seraphic Doctor.

"Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Matthew 11: 28 - 30).

Thursday 15th July 2021, 15th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Bonaventure (1221 - 1274). Italian. Franciscan, Bishop, Cardinal and Doctor of the Church. Bonaventure is known as the Seraphic Doctor because of his mastery of mystical theology. He became friends with St Thomas Aquinas, another doctor of the Church in the University of Paris.

Who is Jesus especially inviting to come to Him in our key Scripture?
The burdened who labor under yoke. The meek and the humble who desperately are looking for some resting place from their hard labors.

Our saint of today, St Bonaventure will fall into this class. Although Superior General of the Franciscans for 17 years, Cardinal of the Church, eminent Theologian and Professor of Theology at the University of Paris and one of the 35 Doctors of the Church, Bonaventure is childlike in character. He is meek and humble. This is why he heard the invitation of Jesus and answered Him.

Spiritual writers affirm again and again that we receive nothing from God unless we come to Him in trust, broken and remain steadfast in waiting for Him.
The way to the Heart of Jesus is Trust and Obey. Not confidence in our filthy works or in our strength.

This is why Jesus gives us the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation so that we can come to Him easily at all times.

May we all benefit from the wisdom and simplicity of St Bonaventure whom we honor today.
"I am glorified when you honor my saints." Lord Jesus remember us who delight in honoring your saints.

"This is why it so grieves Me" , said Jesus to a mystic, "that churches are locked and that I am left for days on end alone in the tabernacle. I would draw souls to My open Heart, I would have them experience what it is to abide in the radiance of My Eucharistic Face, I would give Myself in intimate friendship to souls drawn to Me in the Sacrament of My love, but you priests, shepherds of souls, have forgotten that keeping open your churches is integral to your sacred ministry." (IN SINU JESU page 54).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

Feast of St Kateri Tekewitha, the Lily of the Mohawks.

"At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will." (Matthew 11: 25 - 26).

Wednesday 14th July 2021, 15th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Kateri Tekakwita (1656 - 1680). Born near New York. Daughter of a Mohawk chief. Kateri died at the age of 24. She had great devotion to the Eucharist and Jesus Crucified. She is known as the "Lily of the Mohawks" and is the patron saint of ecologists, environmentalists, and Native Americans.

Our key Scripture today fits St Kateri as hand in glove. God in His merciful and powerful Providence chooses the weak to accomplish great things. He chose Mary, the 14 year old Virgin of Nazareth to be the Mother of the Son. He chose Saints Catherine of Siena and Therese, the Little Flower and revealed to them the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. He called and chose St Maria Faustina and revealed to her the secrets of the Divine Mercy.

In the first Reading for today, Exodus 3: 1 - 12, God called and chose Moses, a retired shepherd of 80 years to play a central role in the Exodus, the type and shadow of our liberation from the shackles of the slavery of sin.

The Church is today at the crossroads with cultures all over the world. Who is the new Moses? Who is the new Catherine of Siena? Might it be you?

When Moses hesitated at the invitation of God to lead the People of Israel to freedom, God said: "I will be with you." That is all I need to hear. Do you need more?

"It is the little and the poor who come to Me in the Sacrament of My love and who console My Heart by their presence to Me. It has always been so. The proud and the worldly have no time for Me, because I am hidden, because I am poor, because I am silent, in the Sacrament of My love. But those who are themselves humble and poor are drawn to the humility and the poverty of My Eucharistic presence. I welcome them. I take comfort in their presence, and I recognize them as those blessed of My Father to whom belongs already the Kingdom of Heaven." (IN SINU JESU page 229).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

Feast of St Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor.

"Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes." (Matthew 11: 20 - 21).

Tuesday 13th July 2021, in the 15th Week in Ordinary Time is also the feast of St Henry II. (973 - 1024). German. Crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 1014 by Pope Benedict VIII as Emperor Henry II. He was a powerful man of the world, a man of war and international politics. He became a saint.  It shows that anyone can become a saint. Henry used his wealth and power to promote the Kingdom of God by supporting missionary work. In spite of his cares of the earthly Roman Empire, his gaze was on Heaven, the eternal Kingdom.

In our key Scripture for today, Jesus taught that those who have received more are expected to give more. Chorazin and Bethsaida received more of Jesus teaching and miracles but both cities were obstinate when it comes to belief and repentance. Henry received the Good News of salvation from his mother. He turned his heart and mind to Jesus and became a great saint.

Why was Jesus stern in His reproach of Chorazin and Bethsaida?
Both cities saw many miracles and heard countless sermons of Jesus. They locked up their hearts in unbelief. Unbelief is very dangerous. Look around the socioeconomic landscape today and see for yourself what unbelief can produce. Where there is unbelief, there can be no repentance. Robbers who are caught red-handed in their crimes have sworn that they are innocent.

We are Chorazin. We are Bethsaida. Let us come before Jesus with humility and have our sins washed away in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The merciful love of Jesus is waiting to give us a new mind and a new heart.

"If souls understood what treasures of love are freely given to those who approach Me in the Sacrament of My love, My churches would be filled day and night, and unable to contain the multitudes drawn to them. But the Evil One has schemed and plotted to cover the mystery of My presence with a dark veil of neglect, of irreverence, of forgetfulness, and of unbelief. He has obscured the mystery of My real presence, and so My faithful, beginning with My priests, have walked away from Me, one after the other, even as they did when first I spoke plainly of Myself as the living Bread come down from heaven to give life to the world." (IN SINU JESU page 226).

"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts."

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

Whom do you love more, your son or Jesus?

“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." (Matthew 10: 37 - 39).

Monday 12th July 2021, in the 15th Week in Ordinary Time.

What strikes you from our key Scripture for today from Matthew 10: 37 - 39?
There are No Half Measures in the words of Jesus!! Jesus did not say:
It is OK if you love your father or mother 50% and love Me Jesus 50%. It is OK when you pick up your cross whenever you feel like and follow Me.
Everything He says is absolute. If you follow me, it has to be fully if you want to reap the benefits.

Do you now understand why Christianity does not work for many? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says:
"First and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also." (Matthew 6: 33 AMP).

If you desire all your needs to be met, you understand what to do. You must make God's business your top priority. Jesus said to St Catherine of Siena, mystic and Doctor of the Church: 'My daughter, if you think of my business first, I will think of yours first."

I have been beating about the bush in do-it-your-own way Christianity. I had not experienced the promised answers to prayers. Since I started following the way of Jesus, things have brightened up for me a lot.

Thank You Jesus for the promise below.
"My Heart is open to your prayers and I receive them with favour because it is I who inspire you to speak to Me in this way. This is the secret of prayer pleasing to My Heart: it rises out of a grace that I have already planted in the soul, even before you come into My presence, even before you open your mouth, or take up your pen, or begin to formulate words. These are the prayers that I answer most readily; these are the prayers that I answer unfailingly, because they are the fruit of the work of the Holy Spirit in the soul, teaching the soul to pray in perfect harmony with the desires and designs of My own Sacred Heart." (IN SINU JESU page 120).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

The Twelve drove out many demons.

"Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits.... Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them." (Mark 6: 7, 11 - 13).

Sunday 11th July 2021, in the 15th Week in Ordinary Time.

The first, Second Reading of the 15th Sunday as well as the Gospel deal with the theme of the Choice, the Call and the Anointing of key personnel or officers of the Kingdom that Jesus Christ came to Inaugurate.

In the first Reading, Amos describes his call. “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The Lord took me from following the flock, and said to me, Go, ­prophesy to my people Israel.”

Paul describes in his letter to the Ephesians how we are chosen, destined and sealed by the Holy Spirit for our mission. He prayed to the Father for us:
"May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call." (Ephesians 1: 17 - 18).

Without Jesus, we can do absolutely nothing.
"The doing must be Mine. Yours it is to trust Me, to wait upon Me, to abide close to My Heart like the beloved disciple. When you are to do something that springs from My plan for you, you will find that thing easy to do, for I will give you light and strength and perseverance in the doing of it." (IN SINU JESU pg 261).

Now that we know that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit for this great mission, failure is not an option.  "Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12: 1 - 2).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

You are worth more than many sparrows.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are ­counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." (Matthew 10: 29 - 31).

Saturday 10th July 2021, in the 14th Week in Ordinary Time.  When there is no assigned feast on Saturday, the Church is delighted to celebrate the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday.

The sweetest teaching, doctrine in the Bible is God's powerful and merciful Providence over all of creation. What does this mean? Abba Father cares lovingly even for the tiny sparrows. He cares for them so much that He gives them permission to build their nests right above His altars. David envied the tiny sparrows because of this privilege.

How is it possible that man created in the image and likeness of God, destined to live forever with God could be possibly treated with less dignity than a sparrow. Not possible! Another Big Lie of the Devil!!! You are worth more than many sparrows. Believe this. Faith comes from hearing. You have heard/read this. This is the word of God proclaimed today in every Church in the world.

"I will teach you all that you need to know as you go forward' says Jesus to a mystic.  "I will not give you My words ahead of time, but I will give them to you as you need them, at the moment chosen by My loving providence. Renounce the desire to control and arrange things ahead of the time that I have decreed. Each thing has its own moment, and that moment alone and no other brings with it the grace sufficient to your need, to your weakness, and to the task at hand. I am proceeding this way with you because I want you to trust Me completely, to trust Me in all things, great and small." (IN SINU JESU pg 76).
Thank You Jesus. This is a sweet message.

To see how Abba Father loves us, click on the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/09/abba-father.html?m=1

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The Feast of St Augustine Zhao and companion martyrs.

"When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."  (Matthew 10: 19 - 20).

Friday 9th July 2021, 14th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Augustine Zhao, Chinese priest and martyr and 119 of his companion martyrs. China continues to persecute the Church. Does China want to achieve a goal that the mighty Roman Empire failed to accomplish? The Third Reich of Adolf Hitler tried to suppress the Church but was suppressed.  Joseph Stalin died while trying to crush what the Bolsheviks called the opium of the people.

The missionary effort of the Church continues worldwide uninterrupted by persecutions and pandemics.

In our key Scripture for today, we see a prophecy of what awaits the disciples as they embark on the apostolic mandate. "As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 10: 6).

Jesus also predicted a great deal of victory and consolation for His disciples. Arraignment before governors and magistrates will be an opportunity for them to see the power of the Holy Spirit in their defense. We see the fulfillment of this when Peter and John faced the full Sanhedrin.  We see the same power at play when Paul was before Festus, the Roman high official. Jesus was not kidding. He promises to support His disciples. He does so.

St Augustine Zhao and his companion martyrs defied the rage of the Chinese persecutors. They accepted martyrdom rather than deny their faith. They are enjoying their reward today.

"The movement of persecution that is about to break out against My Church will focus on three objects. In fact, this has already begun. I will be attacked in My priests; they represent My Eucharistic Face. The face of the priesthood is My Face, once again mocked and covered with mud, spittle, and blood. I will be dishonoured in the Sacrament of My Body and Blood. You will see an increase of sins against the mysteries of My Body and Blood: sacrilege, desecrations, and mockeries. I will be attacked in the weakest and most vulnerable members of My Mystical Body. This too has already begun, but it will increase until it reaches proportions that will oblige My Father to avenge the blood of His beloved innocents." (IN SINU JESU pg 91).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

You received the Good News without cost, share it freely.

"Jesus said to his Apostles: “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep." (Matthew 10: 7 - 10).

Thursday 8th July 2021, in the 14th Week in Ordinary.

Without cost we have received the Good News; without cost we are to give the Good News. Tune into Christian Television. What do you observe? Sometimes more than 30% of the time devoted to asking for money. Money is needed for all kinds of ministry, viz: building, missionary journeys, staff salaries, etc. "Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give." Do not sell the Good News under cover of necessities for the work of the Lord.

This is why Jesus practices and teaches exemplary simplicity to His disciples.
"Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick."
Trust completely in God who charged you with this work. "The laborer deserves his keep." God knows perfectly everything you need. He will provide you through your hosts or directly through His angels. And if 'You seek first His kingdom and His righteousness above your needs, all that you need will be given to you without much ado.' (Cf Matthew 6: 33).

Through Your Son, Father, You taught us not to be fearful of tomorrow but to commit our lives to Your care. Do not withhold your Spirit from us but help us find a life of peace after these days of trouble.

"Confidence opens the door to all the treasures of My kingdom. To one who has confidence in My merciful love, I can refuse nothing." (IN SINU JESU pg 105).

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Jesus Inaugurates the Twelve, the Church.

"Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness..... "Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 10: 1..7).

Wednesday 7th July 2021, in the 14th Week in Ordinary Time.

Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples. Who are the Twelve disciples today? Historically, the Twelve disciples represent the Twelve Tribes of Israel. In our first Reading today from Genesis 41, we see the beginning of the story of how the family of Jacob now Israel migrated to Egypt to live for 430 years. This is God's providential design for His family as we are reminded by today's Responsorial Psalm 33:

"The Lord brings to nought the plans of nations; he foils the designs of peoples.
But the plan of the Lord stands forever; the design of his heart, through all generations."

God's Providence = His Plan = His Designs. It is also His Purpose, Blueprint and His Will.

In the Gospel of today, we see the rollout of God's Plan. The Twelve Tribes became the Twelve Apostles. The Twelve became the beginning of the Seed of the Kingdom, the Church. The Church is the Seed of the the Kingdom of God on earth. (CCC 671).

The Kingdom of heaven is not just at hand. It is here. We are the New Israel.  Our mandate is to take authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness and to preach the Good News to everyone on earth.

The Church is the Guardian of the greatest mystery of Jesus Christ:
"It [The Eucharist] was to extend the graces of My Incarnation and earthly life to all of My disciples, to My chosen friends, until the end of time. So much of what I held in My Heart when I instituted this Sacrament has now been forgotten, or obscured, or deliberately contradicted. This is what causes the sorrow of My Eucharistic Heart. This is why I turned to you and asked you to give Me your life, the rest of your life, in adoration and reparation. I want the free response of your adoring love to My Eucharistic love." (IN SINU JESU).

Our Baptism makes us priest, prince and prophet. You too are a Guardian of the Eucharistic mystery.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

The Feast of St Maria Goretti.

"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: 35 - 38).

Tuesday 6th July 2021, 14th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Maria Goretti (1890 - 1902). Italian. Virgin and Martyr. Maria was barely twelve years old when she was attacked by Alessandro Serenelli, a 19 years old man who tried to rape her. Maria resisted fiercely.  Alessandro stabbed her to death.

Maria forgave him in her death bed. Alessandro spent 27 of 30 years in prison. Maria appeared to him in a dream and brought him flowers. Alessandro Serenelli was in the audience at the Vatican when Maria was canonized in 1950. He later joined the Capuchin monastery.
St Maria Goretti is the patron saint of purity, young women, rape victims and youth.
In her liturgy, the Church teaches us that God is the source of innocence and lover of chastity.

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.

"When I asked Our Lord about more vocations: Trust Me with the timing of all things. One plant must be deeply rooted before another one can be planted beside it. I am alive in the Sacrament of My love and, at every moment, divinely active, doing from My place upon the altar all that I did during My sojourn on earth. From the Sacrament of My love I heal the sick, I give sight to the blind, I cause the lame to walk, the deaf to hear, and the mute to speak. I am the healer of souls and of bodies." ( IN SINU JESU).

What can you do to help? Become an evangelist? From here, you may be led to your proper path.

For information on the Compendium of the the Church, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2021/03/compendium-of-catholic-teachings.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

The Feast of St Antony Mary Zaccaria.

"When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he said, “Truly, the Lord is in this place and I did not know it!”  He was afraid and said: “How awesome this place is! This is nothing else but the house of God, the gateway to heaven!” (Genesis 28: 16 - 17).

Monday 5th July 2021, in the 14th Week in Ordinary is also the feast of St Antony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539). Italian. Priest. Antony founded the Clerks Regular of St Paul dedicated for the renewal of the clergy and laity. He died at the age of 36.

The Patriarch Jacob had a rapture-like dream in his travels in the area of Haran. He had a dream:
"A stairway rested on the ground, with its top reaching to the heavens; and God’s angels were going up and down on it.  And there was the Lord standing beside him and saying: I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you are lying I will give to you and your descendants." (Genesis 28: 12 - 13).

This dream changed the life of Jacob as he understood the implications for his life. He made a vow to God:  “If God will be with me and protect me on this journey I am making and give me food to eat and clothes to wear,  and I come back safely to my father’s house, the Lord will be my God."

Have you ever had a spiritual experience that changed your life? Our key Scripture invites us to be open to the experience of God always and everywhere because God is everywhere and ready to interact with us.

" When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he said, “Truly, the Lord is in this place and I did not know it!”  He was afraid and said: “How awesome this place is! This is nothing else but the house of God, the gateway to heaven!” (Genesis 28: 16 - 17).

"I have asked you to trust Me and to place in Me alone all your hope and all your dreams for happiness and peace. Seek Me, trust Me, and all the rest will be given you besides." (IN SINU JESU).

Your very home may be your shrine where you encounter God.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com