Daily Bible Readings

November 18, 2011
1st READING

Judas and his companions waged a war against Antiochus Epiphanes and eventually defeated him and his armies as God also fought with him to defeat this evil king. Having recaptured Jerusalem, they set about cleansing the sanctuary and restoring the sacrifices in the Temple. This was a time of great joy for all those who loved God and were faithful to the covenant. Let us, like Judas, have a great love for the Church and do all we can to make it a place worthy of God’s presence.

1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59 (or Acts 28:11-16, 30-31)
36 Judas and his brothers said, “Now that our enemies have been crushed, let us go up to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it.” 37 So the whole army assembled, and went up to Mount Zion. 52 Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, that is, the month of Chislev, in the year one hundred and forty-eight, 53 they arose and offered sacrifice according to the law on the new altar of burnt offering that they had made. 54 On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had defiled it, on that very day it was re-consecrated with songs, harps, flutes, and cymbals. 55 All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised Heaven, who had given them success. 56 For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar and joyfully offered holocausts and sacrifices of deliverance and praise. 57 They ornamented the facade of the temple with gold crowns and shields; they repaired the gates and the priests’ chambers and furnished them with doors. 58 There was great joy among the people now that the disgrace of the Gentiles was removed. 59 Then Judas and his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel decreed that the days of the dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness on the anniversary every year for eight days, from the twenty-fifth day of the month Chislev.

P S A L M

1 Chronicles 29:10, 11, 11-12, 12 (or Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6)
R: We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
10 “Blessed may you be, O LORD, God of Israel our father, from eternity to eternity.” (R) 11 “Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power, majesty, splendor, and glory. For all in heaven and on earth is yours.” (R) “Yours, O LORD, is the sovereignty; you are exalted as head over all. 12 “Riches and honor are from you.” (R) “You have dominion over all. In your hand are power and might; it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.” (R)


G O S P E L

Jesus had a great love and zeal for His Father and was angered to see how the Sadducees and rulers of Israel had turned the Temple into a place of commerce such that it was no longer a place conducive to prayer. He drives out all the money changers and animals. This causes the scribes and chief priests to hate Him even more as He has challenged their authority and exposed their corruption and abuse of the sacred things of God.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Luke 19:45-48 (or Matthew 14:22-33)
45 Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.’ ” 47 And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, 48 but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.

my reflections
t h i n k : Let us have a great love for the Church and do all we can to make it a place worthy of God’s presence.

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 Luke 17-20