Wednesday (July 7): “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Mabuhay at Mabuting Balita!

Month of the Most Precious Blood

Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Hear, O Lord, my prayer: and let my cry come to thee.  — Psalm cii. 2  http://ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#7

Audio: http://www.podcastalley.com/player/player.php?pod_id=43329

First Reading: Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12
Psalm 105:2-7: Seek always the face of the Lord.
Gospel: Matthew 10:1-7

Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out
and to cure every disease and every illness.
The names of the Twelve Apostles are these:
first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew;
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
Philip and Bartholomew,
Thomas and Matthew the tax collector;
James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus;
Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot
who betrayed Jesus.

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,
“Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.
Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.'”  http://usccb.org/nab/070710.shtml

Reflection (Video): Do you know and experience in your life the power of the gospel? The core of the gospel message is quite simple: the kingdom (or reign) of God is imminent! What is the kingdom of God? It is that society of men and women who submit to God and who honor him as their King and Lord. In the Lord’s prayer we pray for God to reign in our lives and in our world: May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus’ preaching of God’s kingdom was accompanied by signs and wonders. People were healed not only spiritually, but physically as well. Jesus’ words are just as relevant today, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. We cannot buy heaven; but those who know the love and mercy of Jesus already possess heaven in their hearts! Do you believe in the power of God’s kingdom?

Jesus commissioned his disciples to carry on the works which he did – to speak God’s word and to bring his healing power to the weary and oppressed. In the choice of the twelve apostles we see a characteristic feature of God’s work: Jesus chose very ordinary people. They were non-professionals, had no wealth or position. They were chosen from the common people who did ordinary things, had no special education, and no social advantages. Jesus wanted ordinary people who could take an assignment and do it extraordinarily well. He chose these men, not for what they were, but for what they would be capable of becoming under his direction and power. When the Lord calls us to serve, we must not think we have nothing to offer. The Lord takes what ordinary people, like us, can offer and uses it for greatness in his kingdom. Do you believe that God wants to work in and through you for his glory?

“Lord Jesus, you have chosen me to be your disciple. Take and use what I can offer, however meager it may seem, for the greater glory of your name.” http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/jul7.htm

Saint of the Day: Blessed Emmanuel Ruiz and Companions (1804-1860)

Not much is known of the early life of Emmanuel Ruiz, but details of his heroic death in defense of the faith have come down to us.

Born of humble parents in Santander, Spain, he became a Franciscan priest and served as a missionary in Damascus. This was at a time when anti-Christian riots shook Syria and thousands lost their lives in just a short time.

Among these were Emmanuel, superior of the Franciscan convent, seven other friars and three laymen. When a menacing crowd came looking for the men, they refused to renounce their faith and become Muslims. The men were subjected to horrible tortures before their martyrdom.

Emmanuel, his brother Franciscans and the three Maronite laymen were beatified in 1926 by Pope Pius XI.  http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1437

More Saints of the Day

• St. Pantaenus
• St. Ampelius
• St. Angelelmus
• St. Apollonius
• St. Astius
• St. Bonitus
• St. Ercongotha
• St. Ethelburga
• St. Felix of Nantes
• St. Humphrey Lawrence
• Bl. Lawrence Humphrey
• St. Maolruain
• St. Odo of Urgell
• St. Medran & Odran
• St. Palladius

The Lasallian Prayer:  I will continue, O my God, to do all my actions for the love of You.