FRIDAY OF THE FOURTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 11, 2025
MEMORIAL OF SAINT PIUS I, POPE AND MARTYR; SAINT BENEDICT, ABBOT; SAINT JAMES, BISHOP OF NISIBIS AND SAINT OLGA OF KIEV, PRINCESS OF KIEVAN RUS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Pius I, Saint Benedict, Saint James of Nisibis, and Saint Olga of Kiev | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-july-11th/)
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | July 11, 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-125/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family!
Today is Friday 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, Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings for Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time | July 11, 2025
Reading 1: Genesis 46:1–7, 28–30
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 37:3–4, 18–19, 27–28, 39–40
Gospel: Matthew 10:16–23
Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 10:16–23
“For it will not be you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you”
“Jesus said to his Apostles: “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus paints a stark picture of the hostility that His followers can expect from the surrounding society. The Gospel is very realistic about the kind of reception that the disciples of Jesus are likely to get from the world in which they are called to bear witness. The reception will be predominantly hostile, and some of that hostility will even come from within their own families. They will be dragged before both Jewish and pagan authorities; some of them will be betrayed to those authorities by members of their own families. This was the stark reality of life for many of Jesus’ followers in the early decades, indeed the first two centuries, of the church’s existence. Yet, Jesus reassures them that they will not have to face into this hostile world on their own. The Holy Spirit will be given to them as a resource and will inspire their witness. It could be argued that in some societies in which we live in may not be as hostile to the faith as the society into which Jesus sent the first disciples. Yet, we know that the values of the Gospel are not always well regarded by the culture in which we live; many see those Gospel values as a threat, especially a threat to a certain understanding of human freedom. We are just as much in need of the Holy Spirit today, as the first disciples were, if we are to bear witness to the Lord and all he stands for. We still need the Holy Spirit to inspire our witness to the Lord. The church is as dependant on the Holy Spirit today as it ever was. The good news is that the Holy Spirit is just as available to us today as He was in the earliest days of the church, because the Lord needs our witness today as much as He did then. This Gospel reading continues to speak to us today. In the words of the Gospel, Jesus calls on us to stand firm to the end. In other words, we are to be courageous in our living of our faith in Him. The less supportive the culture is of our faith and the way of life it inspires, the more courageous we need to be. In the Gospel reading, Jesus assures His disciples that in the difficult days to come, the Holy Spirit, what Jesus calls ‘the Spirit of your Father’, will be available to them. That same Holy Spirit remains our resource today. It is above all when our faith is put to the test by the culture we inhabit that we need to make our own that lovely prayer in today’s responsorial psalm, ‘Do not cast me away from your presence, nor deprive me of your Holy Spirit’. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus had urged His disciples, ‘Ask (keep on asking) and it will be given you’. All we need to do is ask the good Lord for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In the Gospel, Jesus prepares His Apostles and us all for the realities of mission. His words are not meant to comfort but to forewarn. He speaks clearly: being His disciple comes with risk. “I am sending you like sheep among wolves,” He says—not because He wants to instill fear, but to call forth courage rooted in God. The disciples are to be as “shrewd as serpents and simple as doves,” combining wisdom with innocence. The road will be hard, marked by betrayal, hatred, and persecution, even from one’s own family. But Jesus urges them and us all not to be afraid, promising that the Holy Spirit will be with them, speaking through them in their hour of need. This passage reminds us that discipleship is not always met with applause; it may come with rejection, isolation, or suffering. Yet, in those moments, we are never alone. The Spirit is our voice, our strength, and our defender. Today’s Gospel challenges us to remain faithful, to endure, and to trust that in every trial, God is at work, transforming our witness into grace.
In the first reading, we see a powerful reunion between Jacob (Israel) and his beloved son Joseph. After years of grief and separation, the hope that once seemed lost becomes reality. Jacob had believed his son was dead. Now, he embraces him again alive. This emotional reunion is not just a family moment; it is part of God’s greater plan. God assures Jacob in a dream, “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt… I will make you a great nation there.” What seems like exile is, in fact, a providential step toward fulfillment. God promises His presence in the journey and His faithfulness in the return. Like Jacob, we often fear transitions especially those that take us away from familiar ground. But this reading reminds us that God is not only the God of beginnings but also the God of journeys. Even when we are led into strange lands or unfamiliar seasons, He goes with us, and His purposes will unfold in His perfect time.
The Responsorial Psalm proclaims: “The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.” This psalm offers reassurance that God upholds the righteous, even in times of distress and famine. The message is clear: trust in the Lord, do good, and take delight in Him. His justice is not delayed, and His protection is sure. Even when the world seems unjust, the faithful are never forgotten. The psalm also highlights the link between moral integrity and spiritual security: God watches over the wholehearted, and those who take refuge in Him will never be put to shame. Like Joseph, who remained faithful through suffering, or the Apostles sent out with nothing but their faith, we too are called to trust in God’s unwavering protection.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are called to ponder on the Scriptures. Am I willing to stand firm in my faith even when it may bring discomfort, misunderstanding, or rejection? Do I seek wisdom from the Holy Spirit in moments of trial or rely on my own words? Like Jacob, am I open to God’s call even when it leads me into the unknown? Do I see my life’s detours as part of God’s greater design? Can I take delight in the Lord and entrust my needs and future into His hands?
As we honor Saint Benedict today, a man of deep prayer, discipline, and holy listening, may we embrace his spirit of stability and trust in God. Whether in the solitude of prayer or the noise of persecution, may we remain steadfast. Like the Apostles, like Jacob, and like Joseph, let us move forward, trusting that God’s plan is always unfolding even when we cannot see it clearly. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace as we keep proclaiming the Kingdom, even in the face of rejection, for the Spirit of the Father is with you. 🙏🏽
Heavenly Father, You speak to us in the quiet of dreams and the noise of trials. Help us to trust in Your presence wherever we are led. May we never be afraid to walk with You into new places, knowing You go before us. Give us courage like the Apostles, faith like Jacob, and endurance through every test. May Your Spirit speak through us when our own words fall short. Let Your mercy shape our hearts and our witness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
MEMORIAL OF SAINT PIUS I, POPE AND MARTYR; SAINT BENEDICT, ABBOT; SAINT JAMES, BISHOP OF NISIBIS AND SAINT OLGA OF KIEV, PRINCESS OF KIEVAN RUS ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 11TH: Today, we honor a diverse communion of holy men and women whose lives reflect faith, courage, leadership, and conversion: Saint Pius I, Pope and Martyr (Defender of orthodoxy and early Church unity); Saint Benedict, Abbot (Father of Western Monasticism and Patron of Europe); Saint James, Bishop of Nisibis (Syrian ascetic and protector of the faithful); and Saint Olga of Kiev, Princess of Kievan Rus (Pioneer of Christianity in Eastern Europe and patroness of converts and widows). Through their heavenly intercession and the loving protection of our Blessed Mother Mary, we lift our prayers for all youth and students, for the sick and suffering especially those with terminal illnesses for widows and grieving families, and for peace and unity in our homes, Church, and world. We also remember those undergoing trials of faith, and ask for perseverance, forgiveness, and the courage to live as witnesses to the Gospel. 🙏🏽
Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | July 11th https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Pius I, Saint Benedict, Saint James of Nisibis, and Saint Olga of Kiev | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-july-11th/)
SAINT PIUS I, POPE AND MARTYR: Saint Pius I (c. 81–c. 154 A.D.) was the ninth successor of Saint Peter and Bishop of Rome during a time of intense heretical conflict. He boldly defended the Church from the spread of Gnosticism and the teachings of Marcion, whom he excommunicated. Pius was strengthened by his friendship with Saint Justin Martyr and is believed to have encouraged the regular Sunday celebration of Easter. He may have built the Church of Santa Pudenziana, one of Rome’s oldest places of worship. Though later traditions speak of his martyrdom, this is not certain. However, his fidelity in defending truth earned him a lasting place in the communion of saints.
PRAYER: O God, who gave your Church a fearless shepherd in Saint Pius I, grant that we may uphold the true faith with courage and resist all error. Strengthen our Church leaders to boldly proclaim the Gospel and guard the flock entrusted to them. May we remain faithful even in times of confusion or trial. Amen. 🙏🏽
SAINT BENEDICT, ABBOT (PATRON OF EUROPE, MONKS, STUDENTS): Saint Benedict of Nursia (c. 480–547) is hailed as the Father of Western Monasticism. Disenchanted by the moral decay of Rome, he withdrew to a life of solitude and asceticism. His holiness attracted followers, and he eventually founded the great Abbey of Monte Cassino. There he wrote the Rule of Saint Benedict, a spiritual masterpiece emphasizing humility, prayer, obedience, and community life. His vision shaped monastic culture across Europe and preserved Christian learning through turbulent centuries. His twin sister, Saint Scholastica, also followed a life of consecrated service.
PRAYER: Lord God, through Saint Benedict, You built a foundation of peace, discipline, and spiritual wisdom. May his example teach us to seek You above all things, to live with order and purpose, and to find strength in silence and prayer. Guide students, monks, and all who long for deeper communion with You. Amen. 🙏🏽
SAINT JAMES, BISHOP OF NISIBIS: Saint James of Nisibis († c. 350), a holy ascetic and spiritual father, lived in the mountains near Mesopotamia, embracing extreme penance and solitude. Known for his prophetic gifts and miracles, he eventually became the first Bishop of Nisibis. A defender of the faith at the Council of Nicaea, he worked tirelessly to guide his flock and protect his city. His legacy includes founding the theological school of Nisibis and helping to establish the Nicene Creed. Saint Ephrem the Syrian, his disciple, preserved many accounts of his holy life.
PRAYER: Gracious Father, who raised up Saint James as a pillar of faith and a guide to Your people, help us imitate his courage, humility, and zeal. May his intercession strengthen us to bear witness to Your truth and persevere in holiness. Through him, bless all spiritual leaders and faithful Christians in regions facing hardship today. Amen. 🙏🏽
SAINT OLGA OF KIEV, PRINCESS OF KIEVAN RUS: Saint Olga of Kiev (c. 879–969) ruled with strength and justice after the assassination of her husband, Prince Igor. Though known for her vengeance early in life, her heart turned to God, and she became the first royal convert of Kievan Rus, receiving baptism in Constantinople. Her bold steps toward evangelization prepared the way for the later Christianization of her people by her grandson, Saint Vladimir. She is remembered for her transformation through grace, her leadership, and her witness to faith amid cultural opposition.
PRAYER: O Lord, who called Saint Olga from vengeance to virtue, transform our hearts with Your grace. Through her intercession, inspire widows, rulers, and all those in positions of influence to lead with justice, mercy, and wisdom. Grant us the courage to be pioneers of faith and peace in our own time. Amen. 🙏🏽
Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Pius I, Saint Benedict, Saint James of Nisibis, and Saint Olga of Kiev ~ 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: As we reflect on today’s Gospel, where Jesus reminds His disciples to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” amid persecution, and on the journey of Jacob reuniting with his son Joseph, we are moved to pray for all those who walk paths of uncertainty, especially those separated from loved ones due to war, migration, or crisis. We lift up all who suffer for their faith in hostile environments, asking the Lord to give them courage and endurance. Through the intercession of Saint Pius I, may Church leaders be strengthened to defend truth and guide the faithful in love. Through Saint Benedict, we pray for students, spiritual seekers, and monastics, that they may find purpose and peace in Christ. Through Saint James of Nisibis, we pray for wisdom for spiritual leaders and protection for Christian communities in the East. Through Saint Olga, we pray for widows, converts, and those working to bring the light of Christ into families and nations. May those facing sickness, grief, or loneliness find comfort in God’s presence. May our youth, especially in today’s confusing world, be safeguarded and inspired to live boldly for Christ.
LET US PRAY
My patient Lord, You, Who are the Savior of the World and the God of all, allowed Yourself to be falsely accused, judged and condemned. During it all, You remained silent and spoke only when the Father spoke through You. Help me to be freed of all pride, dear Lord, so that I will speak only Your holy words, think only the thoughts inspired by You and act only on Your holy command of love. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Heavenly Father, You are our refuge and strength in times of trouble. As You accompanied Jacob to Egypt and sustained Your servants through persecution, so accompany us in our own trials. Strengthen our faith when we feel vulnerable, and grant us the grace to remain gentle and faithful even in the face of adversity. May the witness of Saint Pius I, Saint Benedict, Saint James of Nisibis, and Saint Olga of Kiev inspire us to love the Church, to seek holiness, and to serve with unwavering trust in Your promises. Shield the innocent, convert the hearts of the wicked, and let Your mercy reign in our lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Pius I, Saint Benedict, Saint James of Nisibis, and Saint Olga of Kiev ~ 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 Friday and relaxing weekend 🙏🏽
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
