TUESDAY OF THE TWENTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: AUGUST 19, 2025
MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN EUDES, PRIEST AND SAINT LOUIS, BISHOP OF TOULOUSE | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint John Eudes, and Saint Louis of Toulouse | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-august-19th/)
NOVENA TO SAINT MONICA: REMINDER – The 2025 Novena to Saint Monica is scheduled to begin on Monday, August 18 and end on August 26 in preparation for the Feast of Saint Monica on August 27th. The novena especially prayed for wayward children.
NOVENA TO SAINT MONICA | AUGUST 18-26TH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/novena-to-saint-monica/
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | August 19, 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-164/
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
JUBILEE OF HOPE 2025: JUBILEE PRAYER | Link to the prayer of the Jubilee of Hope 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/08/the-jubilee-prayer/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family!
Today, Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time, we thank the good Lord for the gift of this day! During this month of August, we entrust our lives, our plans, our fears, and our dreams into God’s loving hands. We pray that this month will be filled with divine blessings, new opportunities, and the strength to overcome every challenge that may come our way.
We pray and celebrate with those marking birthdays, anniversaries, new jobs, weddings, and other joyful milestones this August. With special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, we pray for all those experiencing challenges in their marriages, may God grant them healing, strength, peace and love. May this be a month of peace for the anxious, healing for the sick, comfort for the brokenhearted, and provision for the needy. As we walk through the days ahead, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ go before us, the love of God surround us, and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit guide every decision we make. May this month bring us closer to holiness, deeper in faith, and stronger in hope. In all things, may God’s name be paised. Amen🙏🏽
PRAYER FOR THE BEGINNING OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/prayer-for-the-beginning-of-a-new-school-year/
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” ~ Proverbs 3:5-6
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” ~ James 1:5
On this feast day, as our children and children all over the world begin the new school year, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we pray for their safety and well-being, especially those beginning the new school year. May God grant them the ability to accept one another and courage to stand against any form of violence in treating others and courage to face new challenges and wisdom to make good choices. We pray for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding and for God’s guidance and protection upon them during this school year and always. We pray for safe travels, to and from school. We also pray for all teachers, staff and parents, and guardians. May the good Lord provide for those in need. And we continue to pray for peace, love, and unity in our families and our world. May God keep us all safe and well. Amen 🙏🏽
May Saint Joseph of Cupertino, Patron Saint of Students intercede for all students. Amen 🙏🏽
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” ~ Matthew 5:4
We remember in prayer all who began this journey of life with us but are no longer here. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died, that the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom.
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🙏🏽
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 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
With special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we continue to humbly pray for the well-being and safety of all parents, grandparents and the elderly. We 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 🙏🏽
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 August.🙏🏽
LIST OF ALL NOVENAS | Month of August | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/list-of-all-novenas-august/
COMMON CATHOLIC PRAYERS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/common-catholic-prayers/
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time | August 19, 2025
Reading 1: Judges 6:11–24a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 85:9, 11–12, 13–14
Gospel: Matthew 19:23–30
Gospel Reading: Matthew 19:23–30
“It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God”
“Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus goes on to say ‘it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of an needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven. This statement is related to yesterday’s Gospel reading of the rich young man who found it impossible to follow Jesus because of his attachment to his possessions, in spite of his great desire to inherit eternal life. This stark statement of Jesus left the disciples astonished and led them to ask the almost despairing question, ‘Who then can be saved?’ They seem to be saying, ‘it must be nearly impossible for anyone to enter the kingdom o heaven, not just that rich, good man who approached you’. Jesus cuts across their negative thinking with a very hopeful statement, ‘for men this is impossible; for God everything is possible’. Jesus is saying that arriving at our ultimate destiny is more God’s doing than our doing; it is due more to God’s grace than to our efforts. In the language of the letter to the Ephesians, God’s ‘power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine’. It is above all when we are low in ourselves and feel the journey is too much for us that we need to remind ourselves of this great truth. Saint Paul declared in a letter from prison, ‘I can do all things in Him who gives me strength’. We need to keep putting our trust in the resources the Lord is always giving us and which we need so much.
In our Gospel today, Jesus speaks of the challenge wealth presents to entering God’s Kingdom. Riches and possessions can so easily bind the heart, making it difficult to surrender completely to God. The disciples, astonished, ask, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus’ response is full of hope: “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Salvation is not earned by human effort or wealth, but is a pure gift of God’s grace. St. Peter then reminds Jesus that the disciples have left everything to follow Him. Jesus promises that those who sacrifice for His sake will be rewarded abundantly “a hundred times more” and will inherit eternal life. Yet, He concludes with a warning: “Many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” God’s Kingdom operates on values opposite to worldly standards: humility, trust, and surrender are greater than status, wealth, or power.
The first reading gives us the example of Gideon, a man who felt small and unworthy, yet God called him to be the deliverer of Israel. Gideon doubted, but God assured him: “I shall be with you.” Just as riches cannot save, human weakness cannot hinder God’s saving plan when we place our trust in Him. The Lord often chooses the lowly, the hesitant, and the weak to accomplish His will because His strength is revealed in our weakness.
The Responsorial Psalm echoes this theme: “The Lord speaks of peace to His people.” True peace comes not from possessions or earthly security, but from God’s presence and justice. It is in surrendering control and allowing God to work in us that we find lasting peace and fruitfulness.
As disciples, we are called to detach from anything that competes with God for first place in our hearts. Wealth, status, and even relationships must be surrendered to His will. When we let go, we gain more than we could imagine: peace, freedom, and eternal life.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we might ask ourselves: Do I place my trust more in my own abilities, possessions, or security than in God’s providence? What “attachments” in my life might be preventing me from following Christ with complete freedom? Like Gideon, do I sometimes doubt my ability to serve God because of weakness or insignificance? How can I open myself more to His assurance, “I shall be with you”? Am I willing to sacrifice comfort, possessions, or status for the sake of the Gospel? May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace as we remain faithful and continue to serve Him in spirit and in truth. 🙏🏽
Lord Jesus, You remind us that salvation is not a matter of human strength or riches but of trusting fully in You. Help me to detach from whatever holds me back from following You with freedom and joy. Like Gideon, may I accept my weakness and allow Your strength to work through me. Teach me to walk in Your peace, to value humility over pride, and to keep my eyes fixed on the eternal reward You promise. May I always choose You above all else, knowing that in You all things are possible. Amen. 🙏🏾
MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN EUDES, PRIEST AND SAINT LOUIS, BISHOP OF TOULOUSE ~ FEAST DAY – AUGUST 19TH: Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint John Eudes, Priest (Patron of Eudists, Order of Our Lady of Charity, and missionaries) and Saint Louis, Bishop of Toulouse (Patron of Valencia, Spain, and Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, California). Though they lived in very different times and vocations one a fiery preacher and founder, the other a humble young bishop they both teach us that true greatness comes from humility, purity of heart, and complete dedication to Christ. Through their intercession, we pray today for priests and seminarians, for missionaries, for the poor and needy, and for all young people discerning their vocation. We lift up married couples and families, that they may be schools of holiness; the sick and dying, especially those battling cancer and other illnesses; the persecuted and marginalized; and for the intentions of our Holy Father, bishops, clergy, and religious. May their examples inspire us to live with courage, humility, and zeal for the Gospel. 🙏🏾
Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | August 19th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint John Eudes, and Saint Louis of Toulouse | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-august-19th/)
SAINT JOHN EUDES, PRIEST: Born in 1601 in Ri, France, John Eudes was consecrated to the Blessed Virgin by his devout parents at an early age. At fourteen, he took a vow of chastity and was formed by Jesuit teachers, excelling in studies and holiness. Ordained in 1625, he quickly distinguished himself as a missionary priest, ministering courageously during a plague outbreak and preaching with such fervor that he was called one of the greatest preachers of his age.
St. John became a passionate promoter of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, composing their Masses and Offices, and writing the first book on the Sacred Heart. He founded the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge to help women in need, and later the Society of Jesus and Mary (Eudists) to form holy priests and missionaries. A defender of the Church against the errors of Jansenism, he always remained faithful to the Holy See. He was canonized in 1925, remembered as the “Father, Doctor, and Apostle of the liturgical cult of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.” His legacy reminds us that holiness flows from a heart conformed to Christ and Mary.
PRAYER: O God, You wonderfully chose Saint John Eudes to spread devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Through his intercession, grant that our hearts may burn with the same love, and that we may form Christ within us through holiness of life. Amen. 🙏🏾
SAINT LOUIS, BISHOP OF TOULOUSE: Saint Louis was born in 1274, the son of Charles II of Anjou, King of Naples, and the great-nephew of Saint Louis IX of France and Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. Though of royal blood, Louis showed a remarkable spirit of humility and charity from childhood, secretly feeding the poor from the royal household. At fourteen, he and two brothers were taken as hostages to the court of Aragon. During seven years in captivity, he came under the influence of Franciscan friars, embracing prayer, simplicity, and penance. Upon his release, Louis renounced political power and refused both the crown of Naples and marriage, choosing instead the priesthood. In 1296, at only 23 years old, he was consecrated Bishop of Toulouse.
Despite his noble heritage, Louis lived in poverty, wore a simple Franciscan habit, and gave away much of his episcopal income to the poor. Each day he fed the hungry at his own table, cared for lepers, and supported the Church with generosity. After only six months as bishop, he died in 1297, not yet 24 years old. Canonized in 1317, his short but radiant life remains a testimony that sanctity is measured not in years, but in love and sacrifice.
PRAYER: Lord, You called Saint Louis to embrace humility and charity despite the power and riches of his birth. Through his intercession, help us to renounce selfishness, to love the poor, and to serve You with joyful simplicity of heart. Amen. 🙏🏾
Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint John Eudes, and Saint Louis of Toulouse ~ 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 AUGUST: For mutual coexistence. Let us pray that societies where coexistence seems more difficult might not succumb to the temptation of confrontation for ethnic, political, religious or ideological reasons.
(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF AUGUST | MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY: August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, inviting us to reflect on her pure love, deep sorrow, and unwavering obedience to God. Her heart, aflame with charity and pierced by suffering, mirrors the life of Christ and calls us to follow Him more closely through her example. This month, the Church encourages us to console her sorrowful heart and grow in holiness through prayers like the Rosary, the Litany of the Immaculate Heart, and the First Saturday Devotion. Through Mary’s heart, we are led ever closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
“O Immaculate Heart of Mary, be our refuge and the way that leads us to God.”
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us and draw us into deeper love and trust in your Son. Amen🙏🏽
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTIONS: Heavenly Father, we lift up Your Church throughout the world, that like Gideon in today’s reading, her leaders and members may learn to trust fully in Your strength rather than their own. May all Christians embrace the call of Jesus to detach from worldly possessions and seek treasure in heaven. We pray for peace and justice among nations, that Your truth and mercy, as proclaimed in the Psalm, may embrace and flourish in our world. Through the intercession of Saint John Eudes, may priests and seminarians grow in holiness and zeal for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Through the intercession of Saint Louis of Toulouse, may all young people learn to use their gifts in humble service and dedicate their lives to love of God and neighbor. We remember also the poor, the sick, and those burdened with despair, that they may be strengthened by Your grace and lifted up by the hope of eternal life.
LET US PRAY:
Lord of true riches, You desire that each of us be filled with spiritual wealth that is infinitely greater than anything we could obtain in this world. Please free me from my attachment to material wealth so that I can live free from that burden. Help me to see the value of the treasures of Your grace and mercy and to make this true wealth the single focus of my life. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Lord God, You are our peace and our strength in every trial. Grant us the courage of Gideon, the generosity of Saint Louis, and the fervent love of Saint John Eudes, that our lives may bear witness to Your Kingdom. Detach us from selfish pursuits and worldly distractions, and set our hearts on the eternal treasure of Your love. May Your mercy embrace us daily and draw us closer to You. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen🙏🏽
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint John Eudes, and Saint Louis of Toulouse ~ 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, safe, grace-filled Tuesday and a fulfilling 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 Missions 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