WEDNESDAY OF THE FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 16, 2025
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL AND MEMORIAL OF SAINT MARIE MAGDALEN POSTEL, RELIGIOUS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day
(Direct link to the detailed history of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Marie Magdalen Postel | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-july-16th/)
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | July 16, 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-130/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family!
Today is Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time! We give thanks to God for the gift of life and the grace to see this 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 AND APPRECIATION FOR THE CLERGY AND RELIGIOUS:
“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching” ~ 1 Timothy 5:17
“Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13
We thank God for the gift of life and especially thank Him for blessing us all with the special gift of the Clergy, who have sacrificed their lives to serve in the Lord’s Vineyard.
We pray for the Church, the Clergy, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, the Cardinals, Bishops, all Priests, all religious men and women, that they be sanctified in their ministry to God’s people. We thank them for their faithful, dedicated, and loving service to the people of God. Praying for God’s wisdom, knowledge, and good health of body and mind upon them. Amen 🙏🏽
With special intention for all Priests who are going through mental health challenges. May the good Lord heal them and grant them peace, and may our Blessed Mother Mary comfort them as they go through challenging times. May we, the faithful, also be instruments of God’s peace and comfort to them, offering our understanding and support in tangible ways. Amen 🙏🏽
For the repose of the gentle soul of Rev. Fr. Matteo Balzano and souls of all the faithful departed. 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 🙏🏽
Italian priest’s suicide underscores humanity of priests https://share.google/vEgHP9SgeFYaIEXEH
‘You were, above all, a friend’: Eulogy for Italian priest who died by suicide https://share.google/RPPfYIlJcOEowuvr2
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 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
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, Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings for Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time | July 16, 2025
Reading 1: Exodus 3:1–6, 9–12
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1b–2, 3–4, 6–7
Gospel: Matthew 11:25–27
Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 11:25–27
“Although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike”
“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. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him.”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus draws a sharp distinction between what He calls ‘the learned and the clever’ and ‘mere children’. He offers a joyful prayer of thanksgiving to the Father for revealing the mysteries of the Kingdom not to the elite or scholarly, but to the childlike those who approach God with simplicity, humility, and openness. The term ‘children’ or ‘little ones’ is probably a reference to Jesus’ disciples who would not have been considered learned and clever at the time. The learned and the clever were the experts in the Jewish Law, those who considered themselves to have a clear understanding of God and God’s will. Many of Jesus’ disciples were anything but experts in the Jewish Law but would have been considered ‘sinners’, breakers of the law, by the religious experts. Yet, it was these people who were open to Jesus’ revelation of God, whereas the learned and clever rejected Jesus’ revelation of God. When it comes to matters of faith, we need to keep acknowledging how little we know, and how far we have yet to travel in coming to know God with our mind and our heart. This is what Jesus refers to elsewhere in Matthew’s Gospel as poverty of spirit. It is to the poor in spirit that the kingdom of God belongs. It is the awareness of our own poverty of spirit, mind and heart, that disposes us to receive God’s gift of His Son. Jesus assures us in the Gospel reading that when we receive the Lord out of our poverty, we will be enriched, because we will be taken up into Jesus’ own intimate relationship with God His Father.
Today’s Gospel is a tender and powerful reminder that intimacy with God is not a matter of intellectual brilliance, but of a trusting heart. The mysteries of faith are not inaccessible, but they require us to let go of pride and self-reliance and embrace childlike wonder. Jesus reveals the heart of the Father, and He tells us plainly that no one can know the Father except through Him. Our relationship with God is not something we can achieve on our own; it is a gift made possible through the Son. This challenges us to consider: do we approach God with the posture of a child teachable, dependent, and full of wonder or with a heart hardened by cynicism or pride? When we embrace our smallness before God, He reveals truths that the proud may never grasp. The Kingdom belongs to those who are little enough to receive it.
In today’s first reading, the encounter between Moses and God at the burning bush is one of the most profound moments in salvation history. Moses, once a prince of Egypt and now a humble shepherd in exile, comes upon a bush aflame but not consumed a symbol of God’s divine presence and holiness. As Moses draws near, God calls him by name, instructs him to remove his sandals, and declares the ground holy. This moment reveals God as personal, attentive, and powerful. He sees the suffering of His people and calls Moses to be His instrument of liberation. Yet Moses is hesitant: “Who am I that I should go?” His fear and sense of inadequacy mirror our own when faced with God’s call. But God does not focus on Moses’s ability He simply promises, “I will be with you.” The power of our mission does not rest in our strength, but in God’s presence. This reading reminds us that every encounter with God is sacred, and every calling is backed by His grace. We may feel unworthy or afraid, but if God calls, He also equips.
Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, “The Lord is kind and merciful.” Psalm 103 is a beautiful hymn of praise to the God who heals, forgives, and redeems. The psalmist does not hide his pain or brokenness; instead, he brings it into the light of God’s kindness and mercy. God is not distant or indifferent. He is the One who lifts the lowly, secures justice for the oppressed, and reveals His ways to the humble. In our wounds and weaknesses, God draws near not with condemnation, but with compassion. This psalm invites us to remember the goodness of God even in our struggles. In doing so, we find hope, healing, and the strength to bless His name with our whole being.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are called to ponder on the Scriptures. Have I grown too reliant on my own understanding or status, neglecting the simplicity of childlike faith? Do I allow pride or self-sufficiency to hinder my intimacy with God? Like Moses, am I hesitant to respond to God’s call because I feel inadequate, or do I trust that His presence is enough? Do I recognize the holy ground in my daily encounters the places where God is calling my attention? Am I praising God only in good times, or do I, like the psalmist, turn to Him in my need, confident in His mercy and justice? Today’s readings call us to rediscover the beauty of childlike faith, the awe of God’s holiness, and the reassurance of His mercy. God reveals Himself not to those who think they know everything, but to those who come empty-handed and open-hearted. Like Moses, we may question our worthiness to serve or our ability to respond to His call but God’s promise remains: “I will be with you.” Whether you find yourself in a moment of encounter, uncertainty, or hidden preparation, know that you are on holy ground. Approach with reverence, respond with humility, and trust with confidence that the God who calls you is the God who sustains you. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may our lives reflect the wonder, obedience, and praise that today’s Scriptures invite.
Lord Jesus, You rejoice in the humble and reveal the Father to those who seek You with simplicity of heart. Teach me to let go of pride and open my heart like a child, eager to learn, trust, and follow. Like Moses, help me to recognize Your voice and presence, even in the quiet places of my life. Give me the courage to say yes when You call and the grace to know that Your presence is enough. I praise You for Your kindness and mercy steady and unfailing. May my soul bless You with gratitude, even in times of weakness. Amen🙏🏽
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL AND MEMORIAL OF SAINT MARIE MAGDALEN POSTEL, RELIGIOUS ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 16TH: Today, we celebrate the radiant Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Patroness of the Carmelite Order and all who wear the Brown Scapular), a beloved Marian title through which the Blessed Virgin Mary offers her maternal protection to those who seek refuge under her mantle. We also honor the Memorial of Saint Marie Magdalen Postel, Religious (Patroness of educators and defenders of the Eucharist), a fearless woman of faith who preserved the light of Christ through revolutionary darkness. On this sacred day, we raise our hearts in prayer for the sick and dying especially those battling terminal illnesses for families in crisis, for persecuted Christians, for the clergy, and for the unity and renewal of the Church. May their intercession draw us closer to Jesus and strengthen us in our witness to the Gospel. 🙏🏽
Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | July 16th https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
(Direct link to the detailed history of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Marie Magdalen Postel | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-july-16th/)
OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL: The title Our Lady of Mount Carmel traces back to the hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land during the 12th century. Devoted to a life of prayer and solitude, they built a chapel in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who soon became their spiritual protector. This devotion developed into the Carmelite Order, which flourished even in the face of persecution.
One of the most defining moments in Carmelite history came on July 16, 1251, when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Simon Stock, a Carmelite priest in England. She presented him with the Brown Scapular, saying: “Whosoever dies wearing this scapular shall not suffer eternal fire.” This scapular became a sign of Mary’s protection, a pledge of peace, and a mark of salvation for those who wear it faithfully and live a life of grace.
Over time, the Carmelite scapular devotion spread throughout the Church, embraced not just by religious but by lay people desiring to deepen their relationship with Mary. Those invested in the scapular are encouraged to live chastely according to their state in life, pray regularly, and entrust themselves entirely to Our Lady.
The feast, originally celebrated only within the Carmelite Order, was extended to the universal Church in 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII. Today, it remains a cherished reminder of Mary’s maternal care and her desire to lead all souls to Christ.
“Take this Scapular. Whosoever dies wearing it shall not suffer eternal fire. It shall be a sign of salvation, a protection in danger and pledge of peace.” — Our Lady to Saint Simon Stock
PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL: O Most Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel, wrap us in the warmth of your maternal care. Clothe us with your virtues, protect us in times of trial, and guide us along the mountain path that leads to Christ. May the scapular be for us a sign of hope, purity, and unwavering faith. Through your intercession, may we one day rejoice with you in Heaven. Amen. 🙏🏽
SAINT MARIE MAGDALEN POSTEL, RELIGIOUS: Saint Marie Magdalen Postel (1756–1846) was born in Normandy, France, into a devout middle-class family. Known from childhood for her generosity and piety, she gave alms to the poor and made an early vow of chastity. At just 18 years old, she founded a school for girls, reflecting her lifelong mission to educate youth and defend the faith. During the violent upheaval of the French Revolution, when religious institutions were suppressed, Marie bravely hid fugitive priests in her home and carried the Blessed Sacrament to dying Catholics who were denied access to the sacraments. She acted as a catechist and spiritual support in a time of fear and chaos, risking her life to preserve the light of Christ.
After the Revolution, she founded a religious congregation initially called the Poor Daughters of Mercy, which later became the Sisters of the Christian Schools of Mercy, adopting the educational charism of Saint John Baptist de la Salle. Her schools became models of excellence, and her community expanded under her leadership. She died peacefully at the age of 90, having left behind a legacy of courageous service, Eucharistic devotion, and unwavering commitment to Christ’s mission through education and mercy.
PRAYER: Saint Marie Magdalen Postel, bold and faithful servant of God, intercede for all educators, catechists, and those who risk their lives to uphold the sacraments. Inspire in us the courage to stand for truth, the love to teach others, and the strength to carry Christ to the forgotten and the fearful. May your holy example lead us to trust God’s providence in all circumstances. Amen. 🙏🏽
Our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Marie Magdalen Postel ~ 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: On this holy day, as we honor Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Marie Magdalen Postel, we lift up our hearts in prayer to the God who reveals Himself in simplicity and calls each of us by name. May the Lord, who spoke to Moses from the burning bush and who reveals divine wisdom to the humble of heart, guide all those discerning their vocation and mission in life. We pray especially for the sick and dying, particularly those battling terminal illnesses, that they may find hope and healing under Mary’s protective mantle. We entrust to God’s mercy all educators, catechists, and defenders of the faith who, like Saint Marie Magdalen, carry Christ into difficult and dark places. For priests and religious who labor in obscurity, for persecuted Christians throughout the world, and for families in distress, may the Lord of compassion renew their strength. We pray for the unity and sanctification of the Church, and for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all who seek to live in fidelity, courage, and love. 🙏🏽
LET US PRAY
My rejoicing Lord, You are attentive to the workings of grace in every human heart. As You see the Voice of the Father speaking to Your children, You rejoice at such a sight. Dear Lord, I pray that my own heart will be the cause of Your joy and Your praise of the Father in Heaven. Please speak to me and help me to believe with all my heart. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
O God of mercy and fire, You appeared to Moses and called him by name, and through Jesus Your Son, You have revealed the mysteries of the Kingdom to the childlike. On this feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, may we take refuge beneath Mary’s mantle and walk in the way of humility, prayer, and trust. Inspired by the fearless witness of Saint Marie Magdalen Postel, may we carry Your presence into every place of need with boldness and love. Teach us to see You in the sacred and the simple, to respond to Your call with reverence, and to serve others with joy. May our hearts burn with faith as we journey toward the mountain that is Christ, where love conquers fear and mercy triumphs over judgment. Through the intercession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Marie Magdalen Postel, lead us deeper into Your heart, O Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Marie Magdalen Postel ~ 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 Wednesday and fruitful week ahead 🙏🏽
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
Leave a Reply