MEMORIAL OF THE FIRST HOLY MARTYRS OF THE HOLY ROMAN CHURCH AND BLESSED GENNARO SARNELLI, PRIEST

MONDAY OF THE THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JUNE 30, 2025

MEMORIAL OF THE FIRST HOLY MARTYRS OF THE HOLY ROMAN CHURCH AND BLESSED GENNARO SARNELLI, PRIEST| https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

(Direct link to the detailed history of First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church and Blessed Gennaro Sarnelli | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-june-30th/)

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | June 30, 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-mass30/

Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

Today is Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time!

We thank God for the gift of life and for bringing us safely and successfully to the end of the month of June. May God’s grace and mercy be with us all now and always 🙏🏽

We thank God for the gift of life and, we lift up in prayer all who celebrate their birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and all those marking special milestones in June. May the Lord bless and favor them abundantly, guide their steps, and grant them joy, peace, and good health of body and mind. Amen 🙏🏽

On this special feast day, we pray for all those who are marginalized in our society, the poor and the needy. We pray for justice, peace and love in our 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 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 June.🙏🏽

LIST OF ALL NOVENAS | Month of June | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/list-of-all-novenas/

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, Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings for Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time | June 30, 2025
Reading 1: Genesis 18:16–33
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1b-2, 3-4, 8-9, 10-11
Gospel: Matthew 8:18–22

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 8:18–22

“Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead”

“When Jesus saw a crowd around Him, He gave orders to cross to the other shore. A scribe approached and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” Another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But Jesus answered him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is very clear about the demands involved in following Him and becoming His disciple. He declares to a scribe who wants to become a disciple that following Him will often mean having no place to call home, having nowhere to lay one’s head. To someone who is already a disciple Jesus declares that following Him takes priority over even the most sacred of family duties such as burying one’s father. The demands that Jesus highlights in our Gospel reading are particular to the circumstances of Jesus’ own public ministry. Yet, it remains the case that following Jesus, living as His disciple, will always make demands on us, regardless of the circumstances of our lives. The call of the Gospel is not easy. The particular path that Jesus puts before us is hugely challenging. It will always stretch us. We only have to think of the message of the Sermon on the Mount. It is when we are most aware of the challenge of the Gospel that we need to hear most clearly that other aspect of the Gospel message, the promise of the Lord’s help for those who take His path. At one point in Matthew’s Gospels, the disciples ask, ‘Who can be saved?’ to which Jesus replies, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible’. Only with God’s help can we take the path that Jesus calls us to take. Jesus in the Gospel today presents a radical call to discipleship one that challenges comfort, timing, and even social and familial obligations. When a scribe eagerly proclaims, “I will follow you wherever you go,” Jesus responds not with excitement, but with a sobering truth: “The Son of Man has nowhere to rest His head.” To follow Christ is not to walk a path of ease or worldly security it is to step into the unknown with faith as our only certainty. Another disciple asks to bury his father first, a culturally sacred duty, but Jesus says, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.” These words pierce through conventional expectations. Christ is not dismissing respect for the dead, but emphasizing the urgency and totality of the call to follow Him. The Kingdom cannot wait for our perfect timing. He calls us now.

The scribe who approaches Jesus at the beginning of today’s Gospel reading speaks in a way that suggests that he has a generosity of spirit and the best of intentions, ‘Master, I will follow you wherever you go’. In response, Jesus tempers his enthusiasm with the reality of what lies ahead for him if he becomes a disciple, ‘the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head’. He will be following someone who is always on the move, without a real home to call his own. Sometimes our generosity of spirit and our enthusiasm can come up against the harsher realities of life and in response we can become less generous and less enthusiastic. Jesus’ closest disciples seemed full of enthusiasm when they left their nets by the Sea of Galilee to follow him, but when the cross came into view for Jesus and for them, they fell away. It is not always easy to retain our idealism, our enthusiasm, our generosity of spirit over the long haul, especially when the cross comes our way in one shape or form. It is then that we realize that our own enthusiasm and generosity of spirit is not enough. We need the Lord to be our strength when we lose heart, our inspiration when we are tempted to settle for less, and our refuge when we come face to face with the storms of life. We can only be faithful to our following of the Lord if we allow the Lord at the same time to be our resource, our food for the journey. That is what He wants to be. He does not ask us to do it alone but to rely on Him every step of the way.

In the first reading, we witness a deeply moving and intimate conversation between Abraham and God. Abraham stands before the Lord not only as a servant but as a courageous intercessor, pleading for the lives of others. Again and again, Abraham appeals to God’s justice and mercy, lowering the number of the righteous needed to spare the city of Sodom. In this dialogue, we see both God’s patience and Abraham’s bold compassion. Abraham is not indifferent to the fate of the wicked—he hopes in God’s mercy for the sake of even a few righteous people. His heart reflects God’s own mercy, and his prayer reminds us that intercession has power. This moment calls us to ask: do we pray for others with such persistence and love?

The Responsorial Psalm proclaims: “The Lord is kind and merciful.” This refrain echoes through today’s readings. In both Abraham’s intercession and Jesus’ invitation, we are reminded that God deals with us not as our sins deserve, but with compassion and kindness. His mercy surpasses the heavens and reaches those who fear Him. While the Gospel challenges us to radical obedience, the Psalm reassures us that this call comes from a heart of mercy. God does not demand our all without also providing His all.

Reflecting on the Scriptures today, we are invited to look at our own willingness to follow Jesus. Am I truly ready to go wherever He leads, even if it costs me comfort, status, or control? What are the things I ask to “bury” first before I follow Him? Like Abraham, am I moved to pray not only for myself but for the sake of others especially those who seem far from God? Do I trust in God’s mercy enough to intercede, and believe that He hears and responds with justice and compassion? Today’s readings remind us that discipleship is a journey of surrender. It requires faith like Abraham’s and courage like the disciple Jesus calls. May we respond to His voice today, not later, and follow Him with hearts fully alive. Even when we don’t understand the cost, we can trust that the one who calls us is kind, merciful, and worthy of our all.

May God, in His infinite grace and boundless mercy, help us surrender our plans, our comforts, and our own understanding, so that we may fully embrace His divine purpose for our lives. May He grant us the courage to walk forward in faith even when the path is uncertain, trusting that the One who calls us is faithful and always near. When fear or hesitation arises, may His Spirit strengthen our hearts and remind us that we are never alone. May we follow Him without delay, love Him without condition, and serve Him with unwavering devotion. And may every step we take draw us closer to the heart of Christ, who gave everything so that we might live. Amen. 🙏🏽

MEMORIAL OF THE FIRST HOLY MARTYRS OF THE HOLY ROMAN CHURCH AND BLESSED GENNARO SARNELLI, PRIEST ~ FEAST DAY: JUNE 30TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of the First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church (Patrons of courage and steadfast faith in persecution) and Blessed Gennaro Sarnelli, Priest (Patron of social justice, abandoned women, and Redemptorist vocations). Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, the First Martyrs of Rome, and Blessed Gennaro Sarnelli on this feast day, we humbly pray for the sick and dying, the poor and abandoned, and all those who suffer from persecution and injustice. We pray for the conversion of sinners, peace in our world, and unity within the Church. May the courage of the martyrs and the compassionate heart of Blessed Gennaro inspire us to remain faithful and serve those most in need with love and mercy. Amen. 🙏🏽

Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | June 30th https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

(Direct link to the detailed history of First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church and Blessed Gennaro Sarnelli | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-june-30th/ )

THE FIRST HOLY MARTYRS OF THE HOLY ROMAN CHURCH: The Memorial of the First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church honors the unnamed followers of Christ who were brutally executed under Emperor Nero following the Great Fire of Rome in A.D. 64. These men and women often referred to as the Protomartyrs of Rome died even before Saints Peter and Paul and are remembered as the first fruits of the Church’s sacrifice in the Eternal City. Their deaths were marked by immense cruelty: many were burned alive as human torches in Nero’s gardens, others were crucified or torn apart by wild animals. According to the pagan historian Tacitus, they were accused not for the fire itself but for their “hatred of the human race,” a false accusation that reflected how misunderstood and hated the early Christians were. Yet in their suffering, they bore powerful witness to the Gospel. Their martyrdom sowed the seeds of faith across the empire, as their courage inspired conversions and strengthened the fledgling Church.

The site of their sacrifice, near Nero’s Circus and Vatican Hill where Saint Peter himself was crucified would later become the location of St. Peter’s Basilica. These first martyrs remind us that wherever the Good News is proclaimed, it will often be met with resistance. But the blood of martyrs has always been, and continues to be, the seed of the Church. Their steadfast faith in the face of unimaginable suffering calls each of us to deeper fidelity to Christ, especially when our faith is tested.

PRAYER: O God, who consecrated the abundant firstfruits of the Roman Church by the blood of the Martyrs, grant that we may be strengthened in virtue through their witness and always rejoice in their victorious crown. May we, like them, remain faithful to the Gospel even in trial. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

BLESSED GENNARO SARNELLI, PRIEST: Blessed Gennaro Maria Sarnelli (1702–1744) was born into nobility in Naples and was destined for a promising career in law. However, a deepening call to serve Christ led him to leave behind a life of prestige and enter the priesthood. He devoted his life to the poor, the sick, and those most neglected by society. He was a close friend of Saint Alphonsus Liguori and became one of the earliest members of the Redemptorist congregation. Bl. Sarnelli was known for his bold work in rescuing young girls from prostitution, educating the underprivileged, and visiting the terminally ill in hospitals and prisons. His passion for justice and mercy burned brightly as he sought to bring the love of Christ to the most forgotten. Despite suffering from chronic illness, he wrote over 30 works on spirituality, moral theology, and social issues many of which addressed addiction, vice, and the dignity of women. His courageous defense of the vulnerable and his commitment to the Gospel amid opposition makes him a model for all who serve those on the margins. Beatified by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1996, Blessed Sarnelli’s life is a powerful testament to the transforming power of Christ’s mercy lived out in tireless love.

PRAYER IN HONOR OF BLESSED GENNARO SARNELLI: Loving Redeemer, we turn to You in gratitude for the witness of Blessed Gennaro Sarnelli. His life radiated compassion for the poor, courage in the face of injustice, and zeal for Your Gospel. May his example move us to care for the forgotten, speak truth in love, and live with a heart on fire for Your mission. Grant us the grace to follow in his footsteps, especially in serving those abandoned and marginalized. May we never grow weary of doing good, even when we face resistance. Through his intercession, bless our efforts to build a more just and merciful world, and strengthen us to persevere in holiness. Amen. 🙏🏽

Our Blessed Mother Mary, First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church and Blessed Gennaro Sarnelli ~ 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 JUNE: That the world might grow in compassion. Let us pray that each one of us might find consolation in a personal relationship with Jesus, and from his Heart, learn to have compassion on the world.

(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JUNE | MONTH OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS: June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a powerful sign of Christ’s love and mercy. His Heart, pierced and crowned with thorns, burns with compassion for all humanity. This devotion calls us to return love for love to console His Heart and make reparation for sin and indifference. Rooted in the revelations to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the Church invites us this month to deepen our trust in Jesus, especially through First Friday devotions, the Litany of the Sacred Heart, and acts of consecration. His words echo in our hearts: “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart” (Matthew 11:29).

The Sacred Heart shows us what true love looks like patient, humble, and self-giving. In a world often cold and restless, we find peace and healing in His Heart.

“Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You”

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, teach us to love as You love. Fill our hearts with compassion, mercy, and a deep desire to follow You. Amen 🙏🏽

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540

PRAYER INTENTIONS: On this day, as we reflect on Abraham’s bold intercession for the innocent and Christ’s call to radical discipleship, we lift up prayers for all who are discerning God’s will in their lives. May we, like Abraham, grow in the courage to pray persistently for others and, like the followers of Christ, have the grace to surrender everything to follow Him wholeheartedly. Through the witness of the First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church, we remember all who are persecuted for their faith today may they be strengthened by the example of those who gave their lives for the Gospel. Through the compassionate and tireless mission of Blessed Gennaro Sarnelli, we pray for those working among the poor, the abandoned, and those trapped in cycles of injustice or exploitation. We entrust to God the sick, the dying, and all who feel forgotten or unloved, asking that they may experience the healing mercy of the Lord, who crowns us with kindness and compassion. May peace reign in troubled nations, unity be restored within the Church, and love be rekindled in every family.

LET US PRAY

My glorious Lord, You walked through this world in poverty, rejection and suffering. You had no earthly home of Your own but now live in the riches of Heaven. Help me to follow You, dear Lord, wherever You lead me in this life. If You lead me to worldly poverty and suffering, I thank You. I thank You and choose to follow You no matter what. Give me the grace I need to follow You purely out of love for You, for You are God and are worthy of all my praise and worship. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽

Merciful God, You are slow to anger and abounding in kindness. Teach us to intercede like Abraham, with bold hearts that plead for mercy and justice. Grant us the courage to follow Christ wherever He leads, setting aside all comfort and hesitation. May the memory of the holy martyrs inspire us to stand firm in our faith, even in the face of opposition, and may the loving witness of Blessed Gennaro Sarnelli awaken in us a deep compassion for the poor, the vulnerable, and those in spiritual danger. Make us faithful stewards of Your mercy, willing to be vessels of hope in a wounded world. Through the prayers of the saints and the power of Your living Word, may we grow in trust, humility, and love, today and always. Amen. 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church and Blessed Gennaro Sarnelli ~ Pray for us🙏🏽

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 week be filled with blessings, safety, and the quiet joy that comes from knowing that Christ walks with us always. Alleluia! Have a blessed, safe, and grace-filled Monday and fruitful week🙏🏽

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

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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