1ST READING
Isaiah knows that everything he stands for is based on his understanding that what he says and does are done in obedience to the Lord’s command. This is why he is not really worried about what other people think of him or say about him. Neither should we be worried about these things. What matters is not what people think about us but whether we have been faithful and obedient to God’s call in our lives.
Isaiah 50:5-9
5 The Lord God opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. 6 I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. 7 The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. 8 He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together. Who disputes my right? Let him confront me. 9 See, the Lord God is my help; who will prove me wrong?
P S A L M
Psalm 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
R: I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
1 I love the Lord because he has heard my voice in supplication, 2 because he has inclined his ear to me the day I called. (R) 3 The cords of death encompassed me; the snares of the netherworld seized upon me; I fell into distress and sorrow, 4 and I called upon the name of the Lord, “O Lord, save my life!” (R) 5 Gracious is the Lord and just; yes, our God is merciful. 6 The Lord keeps the little ones; I was brought low, and he saved me. (R) 8 For he has freed my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. 9 I shall walk before the Lord in the lands of the living. (R)
2ND READING
Love is true only if it leads to concrete acts of love. At the very least I have to do something for them, for example, pray for their needs. If what I have just written is true, it means that we have to be careful about the way we treat others. We need to avoid pious platitudes and ensure that our love leads to action and make a difference in the person’s life.
James 2:14-18
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? 17 So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 Indeed someone might say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.
GOSPEL
The moments of insight in our lives are very gratifying. It is a shame that they do not happen more often as I am sure we would grow more quickly and profoundly if they did. However, insight usually does not come as a pure grace – it is built upon a foundation that has been laid down over many years with a lot of hard work and perseverance. Does that sound familiar to you? I hope you said, “yes.” In case you did not, then perhaps that is why ”insights” are so hard to come by in your life?
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.
Mark 8:27-35
27 Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” 30 Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31 He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. 32 He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” 34 He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.”
1st READING 2nd READING
GOSPEL PSALM
TODAY’S
BLESSING
LIST
think: Insight usually does not come as a pure grace – it is built upon a foundation that has been laid down over many years with a lot of hard work and perseverance.
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Psalm 116-118
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
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HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
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