TUESDAY OF THE FOURTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 8, 2025
MEMORIAL OF SAINTS PRISCILLA (PRISCA) AND AQUILA, MARTYRS; SAINT EDGAR THE PEACEMAKER; SAINT KILIAN ( ST. CILLIAN), BISHOP AND MARTYR AND BLESSED PETER VIGNE, PRIEST | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saints Priscilla and Aquila, Saint Edgar, Saint Kilian, and Blessed Peter Vigne | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-july-8th/)
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | July 8, 2025 | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-122/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family!
Today is Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time! We give thanks to God for the gift of life and the grace to see a new month. During this month of July, may the Precious Blood of Jesus cover and protect us, heal our wounds, and strengthen our faith. We pray for all those celebrating their birthdays, anniversaries, new beginnings, and special moments in this month of July. May God’s blessings overflow in their lives. May this month bring peace to troubled hearts, direction to the lost, comfort to the grieving, and strength to the weary. In all things, may His will be done and His name be glorified. Amen🙏🏽
PRAYER FOR VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTERS: We join our prayers to the prayers of others throughout the world, for the victims of natural disasters which have brought destruction and disaster to so many countless lives. We particularly pray for the victims of the recent flooding in Central Texas, may God restore what was lost and console all those who are grieving, injured, or have lost loved ones. Eternal rest grant unto those who lost their lives and let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen 🙏🏽
On this special feast day, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we humbly pray for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our divided and conflicted world today. We continue to pray for all families and for the safety and well-being of our children and children all over the world. We pray for all those who are marginalized in our society, the poor and the needy. We pray for the Church, the Clergy, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, the Cardinals, Bishops, all Priests, that they be sanctified in their ministry to God’s people. We pray for persecuted Christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world suffering from political and religious unrest. May God protect us all and keep united in peace, love and faith. Amen 🙏🏽
We continue to pray for the sick and dying. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son & the Holy Spirit forever & ever. Amen 🙏🏽
Through the intercession of St. Joseph, we pray for all fathers, workers and all those who labour in this world. May the Lord bless the work of their hands and may God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of the Ordinary Time. Wishing us all and our loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and grace-filled month of July.🙏🏽
LIST OF ALL NOVENAS | Month of July | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/list-of-all-novenas-july/
COMMON CATHOLIC PRAYERS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/common-catholic-prayers/
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings for Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time | July 8, 2025
Reading 1: Genesis 32:23–33
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 17:1b, 2–3, 6–7ab, 8b and 15
Gospel: Matthew 9:32–38
Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 9:32–38
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.”
“A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.” 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.”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues His healing ministry, casting out a demon from a mute man, restoring his speech, and astonishing the crowds. Yet, not everyone rejoices. The Pharisees dismiss the miracle with suspicion, accusing Jesus of working through demonic power. In contrast to their hardened hearts, Jesus’ compassion shines through. He travels from town to town, healing, teaching, and proclaiming the Kingdom. He sees the people not as crowds to manage, but as “sheep without a shepherd”—lost, broken, and in need of care. This moment draws out one of the most profound invitations in the Gospels: “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for His harvest.”
There is a very striking contrast in today’s Gospel reading between the way the people responded to the healing ministry of Jesus and the way the religious leaders responded. The people were amazed and said, ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel’. The religious leaders said, ‘It is through the prince of devils that He casts out devils’. Both saw Jesus perform the same deeds, and, yet, both interpreted what they saw in very different ways. One group saw the presence of God and the other group saw the presence of evil. One group was open to the truth of who Jesus really was; the other group were blinded by their prejudice. These were two very different ways of seeing. The people’s way of seeing Jesus was like Jesus’ way of seeing people. He saw the goodness in people just as the people saw the presence of God in Jesus. The Gospel reading calls on us to be alert to the signs of goodness in others, to the signs of God’s presence all around us, especially in those who cross our path in life. We need the generous vision of the people, and especially of Jesus, rather than the jaundiced vision of the religious leaders, if we are to see the many ways that the Lord is present and active among us. Jesus invites us to see the world through His eyes eyes that are moved with pity, eyes that recognize suffering and respond with love. The mute man healed, the crowds comforted, and the mission extended: all reflect the heart of Christ, burning with mercy. This passage challenges us to ask: Do I see others with the compassion of Christ? Am I willing to be a laborer in His field whether through prayer, service, or simply by being present to someone who feels lost or voiceless? The Gospel calls us to intercede and to act, asking God to send laborers and to be ready when He sends us.
In today’s first reading, Jacob’s nighttime encounter is both mysterious and transformative. Left alone, he wrestles with a man until dawn a struggle that leaves him wounded, renamed, and changed forever. The man blesses him and names him Israel, saying, “You have contended with divine and human beings and have prevailed.” Jacob, limping and marked, recognizes that he has seen God face to face and lived. This passage is rich in spiritual symbolism. Jacob’s struggle in the darkness mirrors our own inner battles times of prayer, pain, confusion, and perseverance. Sometimes God allows the wrestling, not to break us, but to bless us. Like Jacob, we may walk away wounded, but also wiser, humbled, and transformed. Our faith deepens in the wrestling, and our identity shifts. God doesn’t just change our circumstances; He changes us.
The Responsorial Psalm proclaims: “In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.” This psalm is a cry of trust in God’s justice and mercy. The psalmist calls out for God’s attention, pleading from lips without deceit. He acknowledges that God tests the heart and delivers those who flee to Him. The prayer ends with a vision of hope: “On waking, I shall be content in Your presence.” It’s a psalm for those who feel tried, misunderstood, or under pressure. Yet it also reflects unwavering faith in God’s nearness, justice, and love.
Reflecting on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are invited to look at our own willingness to follow Jesus. Have I ever experienced a spiritual “wrestling” with God moments when prayer felt more like struggle than peace? What blessing might God be working through my trials? Do I look at others with the heart of Christ, seeing not just problems but people who are “harassed and helpless”? Am I open to being sent out as a laborer for God’s harvest, even in small daily ways? Do I trust that God hears my cry even when I feel mute like the man in today’s Gospel? Today, let us walk with greater awareness of the people around us those who are wounded, weary, or voiceless. Like Jesus, may we pause, pray, and respond with love. Whether we’re wrestling in the dark like Jacob or stepping into the fields of mission, may our faith lead us to encounter God face to face and bring others with us into His healing presence. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace as we continue to strive to serve Him in spirit and in truth. 🙏🏽
Lord Jesus, You see beyond appearances and know the struggles we carry. Thank You for healing our brokenness and responding to our silent cries. Help us, like Jacob, to persevere in faith even when the night is long. Give us eyes of compassion like Yours, hearts that intercede for others, and a willingness to be sent wherever You call. May we labor joyfully in Your harvest, trusting that no effort done in love is ever wasted. We place our lives in Your hands. Amen. 🙏🏽
MEMORIAL OF SAINTS PRISCILLA (PRISCA) AND AQUILA, MARTYRS; SAINT EDGAR THE PEACEMAKER; SAINT KILIAN ( ST. CILLIAN), BISHOP AND MARTYR AND BLESSED PETER VIGNE, PRIEST ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 8TH: Today, we honor four heroic servants of the faith: Saints Priscilla and Aquila (Patrons of married couples, hospitality, and lay missionaries), the devoted married couple and missionary coworkers of Saint Paul who courageously spread the Gospel across the early Church and are honored as martyrs; Saint Edgar the Peacemaker (Patron of kings, widowers, and political peace), King of the English, who fostered the monastic revival in 10th-century England and brought political stability and religious reform to his realm; Saint Kilian (St. Cillian), Bishop and Martyr (Patron of Bavaria and the Diocese of Würzburg), the Irish missionary known as the Apostle of Franconia who gave his life for truth and Christian morality; and Blessed Peter Vigne (Patron of Eucharistic devotion and founders of religious communities), a French priest and missionary who tirelessly preached Christ’s presence in the Eucharist and founded the Blessed Sacrament Sisters. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and these holy men and women, we pray today for married couples, evangelists, and missionaries; for world leaders, especially those tasked with peace-building and moral leadership; for Europe and all regions struggling with secularism and spiritual indifference; and for all those promoting Eucharistic devotion in our Church today. May we be courageous like Priscilla and Aquila, faithful like Kilian and Peter Vigne, and wise and reforming like Saint Edgar. Amen. 🙏🏽
Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | July 8th https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saints Priscilla and Aquila, Saint Edgar, Saint Kilian, and Blessed Peter Vigne| https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-july-8th/)
SAINTS PRISCILLA (PRISCA) AND AQUILA, MARTYRS: Saints Priscilla and Aquila were a devout Jewish couple from Pontus who converted to Christianity and became close collaborators of Saint Paul. Forced to leave Rome due to Emperor Claudius’ decree, they moved to Corinth, where they hosted Paul in their home and worked alongside him as tentmakers and missionaries (Acts 18). They later journeyed to Ephesus and Rome again, continuing to provide a house-church and guiding the faithful, including the eloquent Apollos, whom they helped understand the fullness of the Christian message. Saint Paul called them his “coworkers in Christ” and said they risked their lives for him (Romans 16:3–4). Tradition holds that they were martyred some say in Rome, others in Ephesus giving their lives for the faith they so generously shared. Their unity in marriage and mission remains a powerful model for Christian couples today.
PRAYER: Lord God, You called Saints Priscilla and Aquila to serve side by side in building up Your Church. Strengthen all Christian spouses and lay missionaries through their intercession. May we, like them, offer our homes and hearts to Christ, witnessing with courage and unity in our daily lives. Amen. 🙏🏽
SAINT EDGAR THE PEACEMAKER: Saint Edgar (943–975), King of England, ruled during a time of great peace and spiritual renewal. Though ascending the throne at a young age, he promoted unity throughout the kingdom and became a powerful supporter of monastic reform, working closely with Saint Dunstan and other leaders of the English Church. Under his reign, the Benedictine revival flourished, establishing strong moral and spiritual foundations in England. Despite personal failings, Edgar’s reign was marked by justice and strength. His famed coronation in Bath in 973 symbolized a new, unified English monarchy. After his death, he was revered as a saint for his role in strengthening the Church and promoting peace and order in a divided land.
PRAYER: O God, who gave Saint Edgar wisdom and courage to guide his people and support the reform of Your Church, grant that leaders today may pursue peace with justice and foster holiness in every nation. Through his intercession, bless all widows, widowers, and rulers. Amen. 🙏🏽
SAINT KILIAN (ST. CILLIAN), BISHOP AND MARTYR: Saint Kilian, born in Ireland around 640 AD, left his homeland with eleven companions to spread the Gospel across continental Europe. After receiving papal approval in Rome, he settled in Würzburg and began preaching in the regions of Franconia and Thuringia. Known as the Apostle of Franconia, Kilian courageously challenged moral corruption and called rulers and people alike to live in accordance with the Gospel. His boldness cost him his life. When he called the Duke of Würzburg to end an unlawful marriage, the enraged duchess had Kilian and two of his companions executed. Their martyrdom became a seed of faith in the region, and a grand cathedral was later built on the site of their martyrdom. His feast remains one of Würzburg’s most celebrated events.
PRAYER: Holy God, You filled Saint Kilian with apostolic zeal and courage to call others to truth. May his fearless witness inspire us to preach the Gospel with clarity and love, even in the face of persecution. Protect all missionaries today and lead many to the light of Christ. Amen. 🙏🏽
BLESSED PETER VIGNE, PRIEST: Blessed Peter Vigne (1670–1740) was a French priest devoted to preaching missions and promoting Eucharistic adoration. Though he briefly joined the Vincentian Fathers, he felt called to a more itinerant missionary life. For over thirty years, he traveled through rural France, celebrating Mass, hearing confessions, visiting the sick, and teaching the faith. In 1715, he founded the Blessed Sacrament Sisters of Valence to accompany pilgrims and promote devotion to the Passion and Real Presence of Jesus. His life was marked by prayer, sacrifice, and deep love for the Eucharist. A powerful moment of conversion as a youth after falling before the Blessed Sacrament—defined his life of reverence and service. He was beatified in 2004 by Pope John Paul II.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, in the heart of Blessed Peter Vigne burned a deep love for Your Eucharistic presence. Through his intercession, awaken in us a renewed devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Make us humble servants of Your Word, tireless in mission, and faithful to the Cross. Amen. 🙏🏽
Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saints Priscilla and Aquila, Saint Edgar, Saint Kilian, and Blessed Peter Vigne ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽
GENERAL PRAYERS AND INTENTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/general-prayers-and-intentions/
Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/daily-reflections-and-prayer-links/
THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF JULY: For formation in discernment. Let us pray that we might again learn how to discern, to know how to choose paths of life and reject everything that leads us away from Christ and the Gospel.
(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JULY | MONTH OF THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS: July is dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ a profound devotion that honors the redeeming power of Christ’s Blood shed for our salvation. Flowing from His Sacred Heart, this Blood is the price of our redemption, the source of grace in the sacraments, and the seal of the New Covenant. It reminds us that salvation was not won lightly, but through the ultimate sacrifice of love. This month, the Church invites us to meditate on the infinite value of Christ’s Blood poured out during His Passion from Gethsemane to Calvary and in every celebration of the Holy Eucharist. We are called to offer acts of reparation for the sins of the world and to intercede for the conversion of souls. Devotions such as the Litany of the Precious Blood, the Chaplet of the Precious Blood, and daily consecration to the Precious Blood help deepen our union with Christ crucified.
As Saint John Chrysostom once said, “The Precious Blood is the salvation of souls; it purifies, sanctifies, and strengthens.” In our trials, let us take refuge beneath the cross, trusting in the Blood that speaks of mercy, victory, and eternal life.
“Precious Blood of Jesus, save us and the whole world.”
O Most Precious Blood of Jesus, fountain of salvation, we adore You. Wash us clean of sin, protect us from evil, and draw us into deeper love and union with You. Amen. 🙏🏽
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTIONS: Today, as we reflect on the healing mercy of Christ and the deep faith of those who approached Him in silence and desperation, we lift our hearts in prayer for all who are suffering in body, mind, or spirit. May those who feel voiceless or forgotten like the mute man in the Gospel find strength and restoration in the compassionate gaze of Christ. We pray for married couples and missionary families, like Saints Priscilla and Aquila, that their witness may strengthen the Church and inspire others to share the Gospel with boldness. We pray for leaders and rulers, inspired by Saint Edgar the Peacemaker, that they may govern with humility, justice, and reverence for God. We remember the Church in Europe and all regions facing spiritual apathy, asking the intercession of Saint Kilian, the Apostle of Franconia, for a renewed fervor in evangelization. And we entrust to the Lord all who labor to deepen Eucharistic devotion, especially through teaching and adoration, following the path of Blessed Peter Vigne. May we, too, be laborers in God’s abundant harvest.
LET US PRAY
My divine Shepherd, You seek out all people with the greatest of zeal and compassion. You see every hurting and broken heart, and You desire to heal each one. Thank You for coming to me, dear Lord, for being my Shepherd and Guide. Help me to see You as You gaze at me in my weakness and pain. And help me to open my heart to You now and throughout my life. I love You, my Lord. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Good Shepherd and Lord of the harvest, You never turn away the wounded, the weary, or the forgotten. In Your mercy, open our eyes to see the lost, our hearts to love the broken, and our hands to serve with faith and joy. Like the saints we honor today, may we live with zeal, love sacrificially, and stand firm in the truth of the Gospel. Strengthen our families, renew our leaders, revive our parishes, and fill our world with peace rooted in You. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saints Priscilla and Aquila, Saint Edgar, Saint Kilian, and Blessed Peter Vigne ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen 🙏🏽
Thanking God for the precious gift of this new day, and as we now enter the gentle rhythm of Ordinary Time, may our hearts remain open to the quiet working of the Holy Spirit who continues to guide, renew, and strengthen us each day. May this new month be filled with blessings, safety, and the quiet joy that comes from knowing that Christ walks with us always. Alleluia! Have a blessed, grace-filled and safe Tuesday and fruitful week 🙏🏽
Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org
Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | Global Missons Now Awards |
North Texas Catholic Magazine | Dr. Philomena Ikowe – Life on Purpose (pages 44-45) | https://www.flipsnack.com/A9DFE877C6F/north-texas-catholic-magazine-mar-apr-issue-2025/full-view.html
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