Daily Bible Readings

October 4, 2011
1st READING

St. Francis was the son of a rich clothing merchant and lived a very self-indulgent and frivolous life in his hometown of Assisi. Yet he was a young man who dreamt of greatness. At one point, he even tried to be a noble knight and fight Assisi’s enemies and win renown for himself. But God had other plans for his life. One night, he had a dream where God was calling him to win fame and glory in His Kingdom. After this Francis lost interest in his former pursuits and wanted to pray and be alone with God who had become his true love and passion.

Jonah 3:1-10
1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: 2 “Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and announce to it the message that I will tell you.” 3 So Jonah made ready and went to Nineveh, according to the LORD’s bidding. Now Nineveh was an enormously large city; it took three days to go through it. 4 Jonah began his journey through the city, and had gone but a single day’s walk announcing, “Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed,” 5 when the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth. 6 When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in the ashes. 7 Then he had this proclaimed throughout Nineveh, by decree of the king and his nobles: “Neither man nor beast, neither cattle nor sheep, shall taste anything; they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water. 8 Man and beast shall be covered with sackcloth and call loudly to God; every man shall turn from his evil way and from the violence he has in hand. 9 Who knows, God may relent and forgive, and withhold his blazing wrath, so that we shall not perish.” 10 When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out.

P S A L M

Psalms 130:1-2, 3-4, 7-8
R: If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; Lord, hear my voice! 2 Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication. (R) 3 If you, O LORD, mark iniquities, LORD, who can stand? 4 But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered. (R) 7 Let Israel wait for the LORD, for with the LORD is kindness and with him is plenteous redemption; 8 and he will redeem Israel from all their iniquities. (R)

G O S P E L

The story of Martha and Mary sets before us two women who really loved God and desired to do His will. Martha who was the head of the house was very industrious but also often anxious and driven in her service. Mary was more people-oriented and whenever Jesus came, she made it her first duty to serve Him. We all need to keep in balance the practical concerns that we have with the others’ need for our time and undivided attention. Today let us try to be attentive to the Lord’s presence as we go about our activities.
Ezekiel 45-48
ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Luke 10:38-42
38 Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. 39 She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. 40 Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” 41 The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. 42 There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

my reflections
think: Today let us try to be attentive to the Lord’s presence as we go about our activities.

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 Ezekiel 45-48