Daily Bible Readings

September 21, 2011
1st READING

One thing that St. Paul constantly emphasized to his communities was that they should maintain unity. This is an important sign of the action of the Spirit as the evil spirit is always seeking to bring about conflict and division. Jesus, too, prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane for us to be one as He and the Father are one. Unfortunately, Church history is a sad tale of divisions and conflicts. Let us pray and work for reconciliation between all communities that believe in Jesus as God’s Son and Savior of the world.

Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13
1 Brothers and sisters: I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, 3 striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: 4 one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 11 And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.

P S A L M

Psalms 19:2-3, 4-5
R: Their message goes out through all the earth.
1 [2] The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. 2 [3] Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge. (R) 3 [4] Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard; 4 [5] through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message. (R)

G O S P E L

Jesus calls Matthew who had a rather unsavory job as a tax collector for the Roman authorities. Matthew responds to the call of Jesus and holds a banquet so that all his friends can meet Jesus as well. Many dishonest and questionable characters gather at Matthew’s house and the Pharisees complain that Jesus is sharing a meal with them, seemingly condoning their evil behavior. Jesus responds that He is there as a doctor for the sick — He comes not to condemn but heal them by His acceptance and love.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company
of Apostles praise you.
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Matthew 9:9-13
9 As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. 10 While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. 11 The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. 13 Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

my reflections
t h i n k : Let us pray and work for reconciliation between all communities that believe in Jesus as God’s Son and the Savior of the world.

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 Baruch 1-3