Daily Bible Readings

June 24, 2011
1st READING

John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus. Each of us is called to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus into our lives, and if possible, to help others to do the same thing. This is what evangelization is all about; proclaiming the Gospel is preparing the way for the coming of Christ into the hearts of the men and women of this world. In this way we are the light set on a hill top that can never be overshadowed. In this way we become the light to the nations we are all called to be.

Isaiah 49:1-6
1 Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples. The LORD called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name. 2 He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me. 3 You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory. 4 Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, yet my reward is with the LORD, my recompense is with my God. 5 For now the LORD has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, that Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD, and my God is now my strength! 6 It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

P S A L M

Psalms 139:1-3, 13-14, 14-15
R: I praise you for I am wonderfully made.
1 O LORD, you have probed me and you know me; 2 you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. 3 My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar. (R) 13 Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. 14 I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works. (R) My soul also you knew full well; 15 nor was my frame unknown to you when I was made in secret, when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth. (R)

2nd READING

Each of the Apostles, and we who are called to be modern day apostles, had a role to play in bringing the Gospel to the world. It does not matter what our role is – that has been decided by God and who are we to challenge His wisdom? What matters is that we are faithful to our calling. Paul and Barnabas have just been set apart for the Gospel to the Gentiles. They begin their mission not knowing where it will lead or what will happen. Let us learn to trust in the Lord for our own mission as well.

Acts 13:22-26
22 In those days, Paul said: “God raised up David as their king; of him he testified, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish.’ 23 From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. 24 John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; 25 and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’ 26 My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent.”

G O S P E L

When John was still in the womb of Elizabeth he was able to recognize that in the womb of Mary lay the Christ child, the Savior of all. As we remember the birth of John the Baptist we celebrate the miracle of his conception to the aged Elizabeth and also the return of Zechariah’s voice. He has obviously learned his lesson. I wonder how Zechariah experienced his silence? I wonder what it would be like to be silent for nine months? Perhaps in the silence he was better able to hear God’s voice.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
You, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Luke 1:57-66, 80
57 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” 61 But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” 62 So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. 63 He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. 65 Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. 80 The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

my reflections
t h i n kx : Let us learn to trust in the Lord for our own mission as well.
God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Psalm 11-15