Daily Bible Readings

October 8, 2011
1st READING

It often seems that evil triumphs in our world and the people of God suffer. In this text from the Prophet Joel we see that, in the end, God will judge all the nations of the earth and vindicate His people. All that Satan builds is built on the sand of lies and deception, so on the day of God’s judgment it will all collapse completely. Even if we do not see the immediate fruit of our labors, let us not give up but trust completely in God.

Joel 4:12-21
12 Thus says the LORD: Let the nations bestir themselves and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit in judgment upon all the neighboring nations. 13 Apply the sickle, for the harvest is ripe; come and tread, for the wine press is full; the vats overflow, for great is their malice. 14 Crowd upon crowd in the valley of decision; for near is the day of the LORD in the valley of decision. 15 Sun and moon are darkened, and the stars withhold their brightness. 16 The LORD roars from Zion, and from Jerusalem raises his voice; the heavens and the earth quake, but the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the men of Israel. 17 Then shall you know that I, the LORD, am your God, dwelling on Zion, my holy mountain; Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall pass through her no more. 18 And then, on that day, the mountains shall drip new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk; and the channels of Judah shall flow with water: a fountain shall issue from the house of the LORD, to water the Valley of Shittim. 19 Egypt shall be a waste, and Edom a desert waste, because of violence done to the people of Judah, because they shed innocent blood in their land. 20 But Judah shall abide forever, and Jerusalem for all generations. 21 I will avenge their blood, and not leave it unpunished. The LORD dwells in Zion.

P S A L M

Psalms 97:1-2, 5-6, 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 Clouds and darkness are round about him, 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) 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

Mary was truly blessed to be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God, and it was a great joy for her to suckle the infant Jesus. Yet the ultimate virtue of the Virgin Mary was in her total devotion to the will of God in her life. All that she did and achieved was an outcome of her prayer: ”Be it done unto me according to Your Word.” Let us make this prayer of Mary our own prayer today.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Luke 11:27-28
27 While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” 28 He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

my reflections
t h i n k : Even if we do not see the immediate fruit of our labors, let us not give up but trust completely in God.

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 Daniel 10-12