September 20, 2011
1st READING
Finally after 70 years in exile, the people of Israel are able to return to their own land and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem that had been destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. This meant they could restore the temple sacrifices and worship and also celebrate the Passover, thus renewing the covenant that God had made with them through Moses. Let us pray today for all Christians who suffer persecution or are in prison and cannot partake of the Eucharist.
Ezra 6:7-8, 12, 14-20
7 King Darius issued an order to the officials of West-of-Euphrates: “Let the governor and the elders of the Jews continue to work on that house of God; they are to rebuild it on its former site. 8 I also issue this decree concerning your dealing with these elders of the Jews in the rebuilding of that house of God: From the royal revenue, the taxes of West-of-Euphrates, let these men be repaid for their expenses, in full and without delay. 12 I, Darius, have issued this decree; let it be carefully executed.” 14 The elders of the Jews continued to make progress in the building, supported by the message of the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, son of Iddo. They finished the building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus and Darius and of Artaxerxes, king of Persia. 15 They completed this house on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. 16 The children of Israel — priests, Levites, and the other returned exiles — celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. 17 For the dedication of this house of God, they offered one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, and four hundred lambs, together with twelve he-goats as a sin-offering for all Israel, in keeping with the number of the tribes of Israel. 18 Finally, they set up the priests in their classes and the Levites in their divisions for the service of God in Jerusalem, as is prescribed in the book of Moses. 19 The exiles kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. 20 The Levites, every one of whom had purified himself for the occasion, sacrificed the Passover for the rest of the exiles, for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.
P S A L M
Psalms 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5
R: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
1 I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the LORD.” 2 And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem. (R) 3 Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity. 4 To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD. (R) According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. 5 In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David. (R)
G O S P E L
Jesus is busy ministering to many people who are in need and is told that His mother and brothers (cousins) are there so He should stop what He is doing and attend to their needs. Jesus responds that all who do the Father’s will are His mother and His brothers, so He is obligated to them all and not just His blood relatives. Mary is Jesus’ mother first in her faith and obedience to God’s will and then, as a result of this, through the conception of the Son of God.
ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.
R: Alleluia, alleluia
ntations 1-5
Luke 8:19-21
19 The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. 20 He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” 21 He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”
my reflections
t h i n k : Let us pray today for all Christians who suffer persecution or are in prison and cannot partake of the Eucharist.
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 Lamentations 1-5
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