The superabundant, super satisfying food.

"Thus says the Lord:
"Oh, come to the water all you who are thirsty; though you have no money, come!
Buy corn without money, and eat,
and, at no cost, wine and milk." (Isaiah 55: 1).

Sunday 2nd August 2020, 18th Week in Ordinary Time. The first and Gospel Readings point us squarely to that incredible Banquet that is a celebration: the Eucharist.

"[Jesus] Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds." (Matthew 14: 19).

What did Jesus do above?
#1 He took the loaves.
#2 He blessed it.
#3 He broke it.
#4 He gave it to His disciples.

If you have not noticed, these are the same actions, Jesus did at the Last Supper. These are the same steps every priest takes at Holy Mass. Confirm this for yourself in your next Mass.

This is not the only thing we need to notice at the feeding of the 5000 which is type and shadow of the Eucharist. Matthew 14: 20 below gives an insightful commentary on the Event:

"They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over—twelve wicker baskets full." (Matthew 14: 20).

The Eucharist is a meal of the Precious Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. It never fails to satisfy. It is a superabundant gift. Look at the first Reading which points to the Eucharist:

"Why spend money on what is not bread, your wages on what fails to satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and you will have good things to eat and rich food to enjoy.
Pay attention, come to me;
listen, and your soul will live." (Isaiah 55: 2)

Jesus said that the Eucharist is an Everlasting Covenant. We find this promise too in our first Reading from Isaiah.

"With you I will make an everlasting covenant out of the favours promised to David." (Isaiah 55: 3).

If you do not find the Eucharist absolutely satisfying, have a conversation with your spiritual director.

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Feast of St Alphonsus Liguori, Founder of the Redemptorists.

"Then the princes and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man does not deserve a death sentence; it is in the name of the Lord, our God, that he speaks to us.” (Jeremiah 26: 16).

Saturday 1st August 2020, 17th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Alphonsus Liguori (1696 - 1787). Italian. Bishop and Doctor of the Church. St Alphonsus founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists). Trained in civil and canon law, he was a great moral theologian and sought after for his gifts as a confessor. St Alphonsus Liguori is the patron saint of moral theologians.

Our Scriptures for today's Mass present us the predicament of the call to be God's spokesperson in a world that simply doesn't want to listen to Him.  In the first Reading, the Prophet Jeremiah was condemned to death by priests and temple prophets. He was saved by officials who had the courage to exercise their oversight authority. Saint John the Baptist was not so lucky in the Gospel text. Herod had absolute power and no subpoena or oversight could constrain him. He was as wild as King Henry VIII who beheaded two of his six wives.

Jesus warned His followers to be prepared for persecution and execution. Those who persevere to the end will be rewarded with everlasting life. John the Baptist and Jeremiah persevered to the end.

"Happy those who are persecuted
in the cause of right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5: 10).

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The Feast of 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).

Friday 31st July 2020, 17th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Ignatius Loyola, SJ (1491 - 1556). Priest. Spanish. Today is the patronal feast of the Society of Jesus. Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus. His Spiritual Exercises which has been a potent force for spiritual renewal of individuals and groups is still very popular after 500 years.

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

It is this personal objective of St Ignatius Loyola that captured my heart and mind as a young college student:
#1 To know the Heart of Jesus intimately.
#2 To love Him passionately.
#3 To follow Him everywhere.

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

St Ignatius Loyola pray for us.

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The Feast of St Peter Chrysologus.

"Jesus said to His disciples: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind.  When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away." (Matthew 13: 47 - 48).

Thursday 30th July 2020, 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 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.

We have seen a number of parables on the nature of the Kingdom of God of which the seed is the Church. Today we see the membership of the Church compared to the catch of fish by fishermen. The haul of fish contains good and bad fish. Isn't this the true picture of every diocese, every parish everywhere?. There are Church members who are so offended by this mixture of good and bad Christians that they want to get rid of the "bad eggs" at once.

Let us see what Jesus says about this:

"Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth." (Matthew 13: 49 - 50).
God’s ways are not our ways. His thought is not our thought.

May God open our hearts to accept the words of His Son. (Cf Acts 16: 14).

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The Feast of St Martha.

"Jesus told [Martha], “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,  and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11: 25 - 26).

Wednesday 29th July 2020, 17th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Martha. (Jewish). Along with Mary her sister, Mary Magdalene, a couple of other Marys, Anna the Prophetess and of course the Blessed Virgin Mary are women mentioned by name in the Gospels who knew Jesus in the flesh. What a great privilege! Our Martha whom we honor today is the Matriarch of Martha's Vineyard. Busy and efficient, she provides for Brother Lazarus and Sister Mary.

Martha's response to Jesus astonishing revelation to her: “I am the resurrection and the life," is almost incredible:

“Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” (John 11: 27).

The whole ball game of our Christian religion hinges on faith. God called Abraham and made a great promise to him. He responded in obedience of faith. God announced the Incarnation to Mary. She too responded in obedience of faith. Chapter 11 of Hebrews is a list of Who is Who in the Bible. The common thing among all of them is Faith. They all accomplished impossible things because of Faith.

How strong is your faith? What are you doing on daily basis to increase your faith? A few examples:

#1 Daily Prayer.
#2 Daily Word of God.
#3 Daily Examination of Conscience.

Faithfulness to the above will launch you far.

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Be prepared for spiritual warfare.

“Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” (Matthew 13: 36).

Tuesday 28th July 2020, 17th Week in Ordinary Time.

The disciples asks Jesus to explain the Parable of the weeds in the field. What do you do when you do not understand a Bible verse or teaching? The Holy Spirit who is the Author of the Scriptures is using today's Gospel as a teaching moment to coach us to dig deeper in order to understand the message of Sacred Scriptures. Only the Scripture that you understand can benefit you. You can't apply to your life a message you have no clue about. What can we take away from the Parable of the weeds in the field?

First note the six elements:
“He who sows good seed is the Son of Man,  the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one,  and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels." (Matthew 13: 37 - 39).

We have six distinct elements in the Parable: The Sower, field, good seed, weeds, enemy, the harvesters.
This Parable reflects the state of the Church today. While we are asleep, the enemy sneaks into the field and sowed lies, falsehood, misinformation. Through this, the Devil sets Bishop against Bishop, priest against priest, nuns against nuns. Lay man against lay woman. The clear teaching of Jesus Christ becomes muddled.

What can you do? First, did you activate the Holy Spirit when you were baptized or confirmed? If the answer is Yes, get engaged. Get into Bible Study. The Holy Spirit will lead and guide you and teach you.
Nobody goes into this battle with empty head and raw emotions. Jerome teaches: "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ."
Eliminate this shameful ignorance.

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God's Law of the Mustard Seed.

“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 27th July 2020, 17th Week in Ordinary Time.

Jesus in our key Scripture for today gives a critical insight into the mystery not just of the kingdom of God but of all life. The principle of the mustard seed is the law of Biology. All life obeys the life cycle concept: birth, growth, maturity, decline and death follow each other. Everything is created small. "The word was made flesh" and got in-planted in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a tiny seed like a mustard seed. In the fullness of time, the seed became a little baby, then a boy and then the Man Jesus.

"The seed and beginning of the Kingdom" of God is the Church. (CCC 674). It began as a mustard seed. A few disciples. Today, billions of disciple Christians spread all over the world.
A great experience I still cherish was when I attended Micro Computer Technology fare in Paris in 1985. Microsoft and Apple also attended. They weren't well known then. I visited their 12 feet by 12 feet cubicles. Their beginnings were a mustard-seed-like startup. Today they are global giants.

How do we apply the principle of the Mustard to our life purpose, goals and projects?

#1 Water it by daily prayer.
#2 Get wisdom and insights via the Word of God.
#3 Trusting in God to see you through, walk by faith and not by sight or feeling.
#4 Perseverance. Nothing good is ever accomplished without perseverance. It takes a mango seed about 1400 days from planting to your dinner table.

God chose Steve Job and Bill Gates and used them to give the world two great products. These products are simply indispensable today in the new Evangelization. God Never Fails nor does He make a mistake. Trust Him.

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Ask for anything and I will give it to you.

"In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said: Whatever you ask I shall give you." (1 Kings 3: 5).

Sunday 26th July 2020, 17th Week in Ordinary Time.

The first and second Readings and the Gospel this Sunday are true feast in the word of God. Don't miss the lavish spiritual nourishment.
Our reflection is from the first Reading: "Whatever you ask I shall give you."

What will you ask? What is your treasure? Where is your treasure? According to Jesus, the heart and treasure are always in the same place. Solomon asked for wisdom.
What is wisdom? Why is wisdom listed as the first of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit? Why is wisdom so highly priced?
Wisdom is the ability to make good choices. Your prosperity and peace depend on the choices you make. If you are a judge as every king is, you need wisdom to discern good from bad, the innocent from the guilty.
Who should you marry? Joe or John? Which career to pursue? Teacher or nurse? What time do you pray? Early in the morning or anytime you feel like?

The Lord was pleased that Solomon chose wisdom and He said to Solomon:
"I now do as you request. I give you a heart so wise and discerning that there has never been anyone like you until now, nor after you will there be anyone to equal you.  In addition, I give you what you have not asked for: I give you such riches and glory that among kings there will be no one like you all your days."

Wisdom will bring you wealth, health, happiness and long life.
James teaches: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it." (James 1: 5). Ask for wisdom with faith and you will get it at once.

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The Feast of St James, Apostle.

"As he walked by the Sea of Galilee,
Jesus saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother
mending their nets and he called them." (Matthew 4: 18, 21).

Saturday 25th July 2020, 16th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St James, Apostle. James and John are sons of Zebedee, all fishermen. They left their nets and followed Jesus when He called them from their fishing occupation. Peter, James and John belong to the inner circle of the group of Apostles. They witnessed the Transfiguration and were with Jesus at Gethsemane.

Our Scripture for today evokes the theme of the Choice, the Call and the Anointing. Peter, James and John were chosen for the role they played as leading pioneers of the Christian movement before their birth. In the fullness of time, Jesus came by the shore of the Sea of Galilee and called them. They were not the most qualified but Jesus anointed them for the ministry He had for them. Like Moses, Joshua and David, this anointing qualified them.

Have you found your purpose in life? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you. Keep asking Him until you find and embrace it fully. Remember one thing: It is the Anointing that breaks the yoke of fear, worry and doubt.

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The Feast of St Sharbel Makhlouf.

“Hear then the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart." (Matthew 13: 18 - 19).

Friday 24th July 2020, 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.

In our Gospel message for today, let us reflect on this illuminating words: "The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it." Does your problem with the word of God stem from the fact that you do not understand it? Do you understand the word of God as a personal message to you requiring a response or action? This response is called obedience of faith. No understanding, no response or wrong response.

So how do we understand God's word to us? Through prayerful reflection and meditation. Read the verse or the message several times. When the Lord spoke this Scripture to me: "Make my Kingdom and my holiness your top priority. I promise you that I will take care of everything you need." (Cf Matthew 6: 33). I read the passage hundreds of times. Eventually, the message went from my head to my heart and I understood it and laughed for joy.

"But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” (Matthew 13: 23).

No understanding of God's love letter to you, no possibility of bearing fruit. Your ability to bear any fruit will be in direct proportion to your understanding of God’s word to you. God commanded Joshua to read the word He gave him and meditate on it day and night and always. This is the only way Joshua could succeed. (Cf Joshua 1: 7 - 8).

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St Bridget of Sweden: mystic and scholar.

"Knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted." (Matthew 13: 11).

Thursday 23rd July 2020 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.

St Bridget is an examplar of our Scripture for today:
"Knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted." (Matthew 13: 11).
When it comes to the word of God, there are two classes of people:
#1 Insiders: the childlike who hunger for the things of God. God Himself feeds them and satisfies their hunger. They grow in the knowledge of the word and the mysteries of the kingdom. They persevere in their faith till death.

#2 Outsiders. This group hear the word of God but are distracted by anxieties about money, health, family, job. The word never takes root in their lives. They soon lose the little word of God they possess and soon revert to the faithless and unstable state in mind and heart.

Consider the Cloud of witnesses in heaven like St Bridget of Sweden whose life we celebrate today. They urge us on in our Journey of Faith  with joyful encouragement: "Heaven is amazingly beautiful. Fight the good fight and finish well the race that is set before you. Your golden crown is waiting for you."

"Harden not your hearts today,
but listen to the voice of the Lord." (Psalm 95: 8).

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The Feast of St Mary Magdalene.

"I will seek Him whom my heart loves." (Songs of Solomon 3:2).

Wednesday 22nd July 2020, 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.

The Church chooses appropriately the Songs of Solomon 3: 1 - 4 as the first Reading for her Liturgy today. The Songs of Solomon is an intimate love diary. Mary is characterized as she who says: "I will seek Him whom my heart loves."

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 is my patron saint. She reminds me of all the good things that Jesus has done for me and is doing for me every day and why I should seek and follow Him everywhere and love Him passionately. Mary Magdalene pray for us.

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God delights in mercy.

"You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins." (Micah 7: 19).

Tuesday 21st July 2020, 16th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Lawrence Brandisi (1559 - 1613). Priest and Doctor of the Church. Italian Capuchin. Lawrence is an extraordinary man who used excellently the lavish gifts God bestowed on him. The Church remembers him for his profound gift and love for Sacred Scripture, the Holy Spirit, Prayer and Mary.

Who are the Doctors of the Church?
These are today the 36 men and women all of them saints who have made great contribution to the development of theology and doctrine through extensive research and writing. St Lawrence Brandisi is one of these giants of our faith.

Our first Reading from Micah is for me one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible. Who can forget this phrase?
GOD DELIGHTS IN MERCY.

"Who is a God like you, who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;
Who does not persist in anger forever, but instead delights in mercy, and will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our iniquities?
You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins." (Micah 7: 18 - 19).

No one is like God when it comes to mercy. His record on mercy is everywhere in the Scriptures.
The ABC of Mercy summarizes this:
A. Ask for Mercy.
B. Be merciful.
C. Completely trust Jesus for Mercy.

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God teaches us what is good for us.

"O my people, what have I done to you, or how have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, from the place of slavery I released you." (Micah 6: 3 - 4).

Monday 20th July 2020, 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 most fascinating about our saint of today, Apollinaris:
#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 martyr him.

Many of us will be familiar with our lead Scripture for today from the Lenten liturgies. "O my people, what have I done to you, or how have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, from the place of slavery I released you."

How sad it is that this captures the spirit of mankind. Consider this fact : Some of those who oppose migrations ferociously have themselves and their forebears benefitted most from what God characterized: "I brought you up from the land of Egypt, from the place of slavery I released you."

Our Scripture for today may have greater insight for this pandemic period. God is calling for spiritual renewal. Some people reading this may not be alive in 30 days. The right question like the 3000 people that embraced Christianity after the sermon of St Peter on Pentecost Sunday is:
"Brothers, what shall we do?" (Acts 2: 37). The answer is given by the Prophet Micah:

"You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God."

The Apostle Paul teaches the Corinthians:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God." (2 Corinthians 1: 3 - 4).

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The challenge of the moment.

"For you show your might when the perfection of your power is disbelieved; and in those who know you, you rebuke temerity." (Wisdom 12: 17).

Sunday 19th July 2020, 16th Week in Ordinary Time.

The first Reading today appears to speak to a world that lacks moral and spiritual leadership and influence in the time of worldwide pandemics. What is the challenge of the moment? Very simple. Moral and spiritual renewal. Is this what you hear from the messaging systems? How do we confront the evil in our world that is exposed by the pandemics?

When God sent the Prophet Jeremiah to a world that is arrogant, rebellious and stubborn in its evil ways, He warned Him:
"To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you—oracle of the Lord." (Jeremiah 1: 7 - 8)

Where are the Jeremiahs of our day? Who can read the signs of the times and tell us what is happening? God rebukes temerity and cowardice in those who know His power and decide to take cover in a crisis. "Do not be terrified on account of them, or I will terrify you before them." (Jeremiah 1: 17).

The challenge of the moment is intimidating but we have the promise of God to be with us.
"You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in kindness and fidelity." (Psalm 86: 16).

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Feast of St Camillus, the Priest - Nurse.

"When Jesus realized this [the plot on His life] he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make him known." (Matthew 12: 15 - 16).

Saturday 18th July 2020, 15th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Camillus de Lellis. (1550 -1614). Italian. Priest. Camillus gave his life to Jesus after a troubled youth. He worked in Giacomo Hospital. While working here, he heard the call from God to found an order dedicated to the care of the sick. God gave St Camillus a special love for the sick. He founded the Order of the Camellians and improved the treatment and care of hospital patients.

When Jesus retreated to the countryside to avoid his enemies, many sick people followed Him. He cured them all. People sought after Jesus because of His compassionate healing ministry. For Jesus, there was no need for hospitalization. He healed the sick instantly.

The Church founded early hospital systems and have been a key player in health-care services. San Giocomo Hospital was founded in in the 14th century by the Church to deal with the epidemic of syphilis in Rome.

Are you sick and in need of healing? Do you realize that you can lay hand on yourself, family, friends and call on Jesus with faith to heal . This should be the first step before going to the hospital. Medications and hospitals are gift of God to mankind. They should be used with deep gratitude to God.  Jesus is still active in the healing ministry and testimonies abound.

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I want mercy.

"I desire mercy, not sacrifice." (Matthew 9: 13).

Friday 17th July 2020, 15th Week in Ordinary Time.

Jesus answered the Pharisees accusing the disciples of breaking the Sabbath when they picked grains to eat: "I desire mercy, not sacrifice."
In case they do not understand who is speaking to them, He added: "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
The Law-giver is standing before you.

How many covenants did God make with His people? How many failed? All! The Eucharist is the new and everlasting covenant. (Matthew 26: 26 - 28).It is a pure gift of grace and mercy.

"I want mercy not sacrifice." What is mercy? The Church has made it easy for us by listing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY
1. Feed the hungry
2. Give drink to the thirsty
3. Clothe the naked
4. Shelter the homeless
5. Visit the sick
6. Visit the imprisoned
7. Bury the dead

SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY
1. Instruct the ignorant
2. Counsel the doubtful
3. Admonish sinners
4. Bear wrongs patiently
5. Forgive offences willingly
6. Comfort the afflicted
7. Pray for the living and the dead

Jesus teaches again and again, "I want mercy." Respond with the ABC of Mercy:
A: Ask for mercy.
B: Be merciful.
C: Completely trust Jesus for mercy.

This is the Age of Mercy. Mercy may well be the Last Covenant of God with mankind.

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The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

"Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light." (Matthew 11: 28 - 30).

Thursday 16th July 2020, 15th Week in Ordinary Time 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. What is a sacramental?

"Holy Mother Church has, moreover, instituted sacramentals. These are sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments. They signify effects, particularly of a spiritual nature, which are obtained through the intercession of the Church. By them men are disposed to receive the chief effect of the sacraments, and various occasions in life are rendered holy." (CCC 667).

Sacramentals dispose us to receive the Sacraments with deeper faith. If you bless yourself regularly with holy water, your faith in the Sacraments grow. Examples of Sacramentals: Bible, Crucifix, Rosary, Statues, Some medals, etc.

In our Gospel for today, Jesus invites all the tired and burdened souls to Him. He promises that His yoke and burden are tailor-made for each of us.

The Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit instituted the use of Sacramentals like the Brown Scapula, the Miraculous Medal and so forth to help excite our faith and dispose our hearts to the reception of the Holy Sacraments.

"When you remember Me, I will be there." Every blessed object which elevates our hearts and minds to Jesus is useful for our journey to eternal life.

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The Feast of a childlike and simple man: St Bonaventure.

"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." (Matthew 11: 25).

Wednesday 15th July 2020, 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. He became friends with St Thomas Aquinas in the University of Paris.

There is a note of joy in the voice of Jesus as He talked about a secret of how the gracious and mysterious will of the Father works. We know that Abba Father has a tender love or preferential options for the widow, orphans and migrants. This is an Old Testament teaching. Jesus added another class of people to the preferential group: the "Childlike."

Who are the Childlike? 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, one of the 35 Doctors of the Church, Bonny is childlike in character. This is why it is the gracious will of the Father to reveal so much to him and to pile honors upon honors on him. The Father reveals to St Francis of Assisi a lot of truths and mysteries. Abba Father treats each of His childlike children differently. To some, He gives 10 talents of revelation, to others 5 and just one talent of revelation to others according to His gracious and mysterious Providence.

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.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Lily of Mohawk, Pride of the Americas.

"Unless your faith is firm, you shall not be firm!" (Isaiah 7: 9).

Tuesday 14th July 2020, 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 Native Americans.

"Unless your faith is firm, you shall not be firm!" God sent the Prophet Isaiah to King Ahaz and promised His full protection against the invading kings poised on destroying Ahaz and Jerusalem. Ahaz knew that Isaiah was a true and credible prophet of God. Ahaz did not believe the message of God from Isaiah.  St Kateri, a simple Mahawk maiden heard about the Gospel of Jesus Christ from a Jesuit missionary. She believed and asked for Baptism. There was much rejoicing on October 21, 2012 in the Vatican watching Mohawk warriors perform their dance during the canonization of the Lily of Mohawk.

"Unless your faith is firm, you shall not be firm!" How firm is your faith? Do you walk by faith and not by sight or feeling? Scripture teaches that the "Just shall walk by faith." Only through faith can you appropriate the promises of God.

Mary said: "Be it done to me according to Your promise." And it was done to her accordingly. Without faith, no man can please God. Therefore ask for faith. Walk by faith and not by sight or feeling. Enjoy the fruits of the Holy Spirit through faith. Ask St Kateri Tekakwita to obtain for you from Jesus whom she loved so much a gift of faith.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com