Daily Bible Readings

August 26, 2011
1st READING

Often, people wonder what is God’s will for their lives. Here, St. Paul tells us it is to grow in holiness. That is the ultimate purpose and will of God for each of us. This can be attained in a number of different vocations. We ought to seek daily to do our tasks for the honor and glory of God and to be faithful to Him in the little things.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
1 Brothers and sisters, we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that, as you received from us how you should conduct yourselves to please God — and as you are conducting yourselves — you do so even more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 This is the will of God, your holiness: that you refrain from immorality, 4 that each of you know how to acquire a wife for himself in holiness and honor, 5 not in lustful passion as do the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 not to take advantage of or exploit a brother in this matter, for the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you before and solemnly affirmed. 7 For God did not call us to impurity but to holiness. 8 Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not a human being but God, who also gives his Holy Spirit to you.

P S A L M

Psalms 97:1, 2, 5-6, 10, 11-12
R: Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
1 The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. 2 Justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. (R) 5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory. (R) 10 The LORD loves those that hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful ones; from the hand of the wicked he delivers them. (R) 11 Light dawns for the just; and gladness, for the upright of heart. 12 Be glad in the LORD, you just, and give thanks to his holy name. (R)

G O S P E L

This parable of the Virgins reminds us that we need to persevere in our spiritual exercises (prayer, service and fasting) so that the spiritual fervor in our hearts (the Virgin’s lamps) does not die out. This is our individual responsibility. We cannot live off the spiritual capital of another but must take care to keep the light of love and faith alive in our
hearts.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Be vigilant at all times and pray, that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Matthew 25:1-13
1 Jesus told to his disciples this parable: “The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, 4 but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. 11 Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ 12 But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

my reflections
think: We cannot live off the spiritual capital of another but must take care to keep the light of love and faith alive in our hearts.


God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Isaiah 25-28