Daily Bible Readings

August 23, 2011
1st READING

St. Paul describes his behavior in preaching the Gospel to the Thessalonians. He reminds them that he brought them the Gospel through purity of intention and without flattery or deceit. He also does not seek any remuneration for his services as he supports himself and his fellow workers as a tent maker. He does this to reassure them of his great and ongoing love and concern for them and their welfare.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
1 You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our reception among you was not without effect. 2 Rather, after we had suffered and been insolently treated, as you know, in Philippi, we drew courage through our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much struggle. 3 Our exhortation was not from delusion or impure motives, nor did it work through deception. 4 But as we were judged worthy by God to be entrusted with the gospel, that is how we speak, not as trying to please human beings, but rather God, who judges our hearts. 5 Nor, indeed, did we ever appear with flattering speech, as you know, or with a pretext for greed — God is witness — 6 nor did we seek praise from human beings, either from you or from others, 7 although we were able to impose our weight as apostles of Christ. Rather, we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children. 8 With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us.

P S A L M

Psalms 139:1-3, 4-6
R: You have searched me and you know me, Lord.
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) 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it. 5 Behind me and before, you hem me in and rest your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; too lofty for me to attain. (R)

G O S P E L

Jesus criticizes the Pharisees because they were more concerned with the outward keeping of the law than with the inner transformation of their hearts. While they would tithe or put aside one-tenth of the herbs and spices they used when cooking, they neglected to show compassion or mercy to the weak and fallen. All their religious observances were performed in order to gain people’s praise and adoration, and not to bring about any real inner conversion. God isn’t so much concerned that we say all the prayers as He is more concerned that we help the poor and needy in our communities.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Matthew 23:23-26
23 Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. But these you should have done, without neglecting the others. 24 Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! 25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.”

my reflections
t h i n k : God isn’t so much concerned that we say all the prayers as He is more concerned that we help the poor and needy in our communities.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
_________________________________________________________

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

_______________________________________________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Isaiah 13-16