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Monday, January 2, 2012

Daily Bible Readings - December 30, 2011

1st READING

The fourth commandment says that we should honor our father and our mother so that we shall live long in the land that the Lord gives us. In the Book of Sirach, we see this commandment and its promises explained. Many illnesses and emotional problems are created when people do not honor their father and mother. Of course, no parents are perfect, but we should be willing to forgive them whatever wrong they may have done and always respect and pray for them.

Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
2 God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. 3 Whoever honors his father atones for sins and preserves himself from them; 4 When he prays, he is heard; he stores up riches who reveres his mother. 5 Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children, and when he prays he is heard. 6 Whoever reveres his father will live a long life; he obeys the LORD who brings comfort to his mother. 12 My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. 13 Even if his mind fail, be considerate with him; revile him not all the days of his life; 14 kindness to a father will not be forgotten, firmly planted against the debt of your sins — a house raise in justice to you.

P S A L M

Psalms 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9
R: The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
1 Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name; make known among the nations his deeds. 2 Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. (R) 3 Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD! 4 Look to the LORD in his strength; constantly seek your face. (R) 6 You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! 7 He, the LORD, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail. (R) 8 He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations 9 which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac. (R)

2nd READING

The family is the domestic church. As such, it is meant to be a place where the children are nurtured and their faith developed. One of the key things we need to learn in families is forgiveness. So many families are torn apart by unresolved conflicts that go back to several generations. People are unwilling to forgive the wrongs that have been done unto them. How can one expect the peace and blessing of God to dwell where there is hatred and malice? Let us be instruments of peace and begin today to forgive our family members who may have done us wrong.

Colossians 3:12-21
12 Brothers and sisters: Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. 14 And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 18 Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.

G O S P E L

Even though Mary was the Mother of God, sinless and lived in total union with God, it was not to her that God revealed His plans for the Holy Family. Since God had ordained that the man should be the spiritual head of the family, it was to Joseph that God sent His angel to tell him to take Mary and the child and to flee to Egypt. We see a beautiful image of a family ordered according to the plan of God. The challenge is for men to take up this spiritual leadership and not to abrogate it to their wives.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Luke 2:22-40
22 When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, 23 just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,” 24 and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. 27 He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, 28 he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: 29 “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; 34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted 35 — and you yourself a sword will pierce — so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” 36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshipped
night and day with fasting and prayer. 38 And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

my reflections
t h i n k : The challenge is for men to take up the spiritual leadership in their families and not to abrogate it to their wives.

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 Revelations 15-18

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