"THE CHURCH EXISTS FOR NOTHING ELSE BUT TO DRAW MEN INTO CHRIST, TO MAKE THEM LITTLE CHRISTS. IF THEY ARE NOT DOING THAT, ALL THE CATHEDRALS, CLERGY, MISSIONS, SERMONS, EVEN THE BIBLE ITSELF, ARE SIMPLY A WASTE OF TIME. GOD BECAME MAN FOR NO OTHER PURPOSE."  (C. S. LEWIS).

"Thus says the LORD:
 Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her;
 exult, exult with her, all you who were mourning over her!
 Oh, that you may suck fully of the milk of her comfort, that you may nurse with delight at her abundant breasts!
 For thus says the LORD:
 Lo, I will spread prosperity over Jerusalem like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent. As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, and fondled in her lap; as a mother comforts her child,
 so will I comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.

 When you see this, your heart shall rejoice and your bodies flourish like the grass; the LORD's power shall be known to his servants." (Isaiah 66: 10 - 14c).

Sunday July 3rd of the 14th week of Ordinary Time. The word to live by comes from (Isaiah 66: 10 - 14).

Where do you plan to find your comfort in this world? The first Reading from Isaiah answers this question for all of us. Only in Jerusalem. Meaning only in the Church.

The Lord God promises peace and prosperity and overflowing good fortune to Jerusalem after her period of chastisement. Jerusalem here is a type of the Church. We are urged to find our comfort in the Church and much more:

"Rejoice with her in her joy,
all you who mourn over her—
So that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast;
That you may drink with delight at her abundant breasts!" (Isaiah 66: 10 - 11).
What is this consoling breast, this abundant breast? Just think of the Church for a moment. What does the Church offer to the world? The Church offers to the world:

#1. The word of God.
#2. The 7 Sacraments.
#3. Light and wisdom through her authoritative teachings.
Everybody without exception is invited to "nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast;
and drink with delight at her abundant breasts!"

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

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

"WHAT IS FAITH? IT IS THE CONFIDENT ASSURANCE THAT SOMETHING WE WANT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. IT IS THE CERTAINTY THAT WHAT WE HOPE FOR IS WAITING FOR US, EVEN THOUGH WE CANNOT SEE IT UP AHEAD." (HEBREWS 11: 1 TLB).

“While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured.
When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed him. When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. And news of this spread throughout all that land.”  (Matthew 9: 18 - 26).

In today's Gospel, we are blessed with two examples of STRONG FAITH in action:

1.  Jesus said to a desperate woman with twelve years problem of issue of blood: “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.”

2.  Jairus the Synagogue official approached Jesus believing that Jesus could raise her daughter from the dead. 

The Christian has a silver bullet in his armor against fear: Faith!  Faith is generated by prayer and nourished by the word of God. Faith destroys fear, worry and doubt.
"Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  (Luke 8: 50; Mark 5: 36)

Without faith, we can do nothing. "The just shall live by faith."  My faith is nourished by the two healing incidents in today's Gospel. It teaches me not to be afraid to ask Jesus to do big things for me. It reminds me that all things are possible for God and all things are easy for God.

"What is Faith and why is it so important?

"What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead." (Hebrews 11: 1 TLB).

Everyone who matters in the Bible from Abraham, David, John the Baptist, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Peter and Paul were not just people of faith but lived by faith.

The woman with the issue of Blood in today's Gospel exercised her faith:
“If I only touch him, I will be healed.”
Jesus turned around and spoke to her. “Daughter,” he said, “all is well! Your faith has healed you.” And the woman was well from that moment." (Matthew 9: 21 - 22).

We are saved by grace through faith. You can start living by your faith right here and now.

7.4. July is the Month dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.

“Precious Blood, ocean of divine mercy: Flow upon us! Precious Blood, most pure offering: Procure us every grace! Precious Blood, hope and refuge of sinners: Atone for us! Precious Blood, delight of holy souls: Draw us! Amen.”  (St Catherine of Siena).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com