1ST READING
One
of the problems that the author of Job struggles with here is his image
of God. The element of God’s mercy and, we might even say, the true
understanding of His love for us, is very undeveloped. It is essential
that we do not see God as a stern judge and punisher; rather, He is a
loving God, full of mercy and compassion. It is essential in today’s
very judgmental and individualistic world that we remember that the
first and most prevalent aspect of God’s character is His loving mercy.
Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5
1 The Lord addressed Job out of the storm and said: 12 Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning and shown the dawn its place 13 for taking hold of the ends of the earth, till the wicked are shaken from its surface? 14 The earth is changed as is clay by the seal, and dyed as though it were a garment; 15 but from the wicked the light is withheld, and the arm of pride is shattered. 16 Have you entered into the sources of the sea, or walked about in the depths of the abyss? 17 Have the gates of death been shown to you, or have you seen the gates of darkness? 18 Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell me, if you know all: 19 which is the way to the dwelling place of light, and where is the abode of darkness, 20 that you may take them to their boundaries and set them on their homeward paths? 21 You know, because you were born before them, and the number of your years is great! 40: 3 Then Job answered the Lord and said: 4 Behold, I am of
little account; what can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth. 5 Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again; though twice, I will do so no more.
P S A L M
Psalm 139:1-3, 7-8, 9-10, 13-14
R: Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
1 O Lord, you have probed me and you know me; 2 you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. 3 My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar. (R) 7 Where can I go from your spirit? From your presence where can I flee?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I sink to the nether world, you are present there. (R) 9 If I take the wings of the dawn, if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall guide me, and your right hand hold me fast. (R) 13 Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit
me in my mother’s womb. 14 I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works. (R)
GOSPEL
Yes,
there will be a Day of Judgment, and no one will be able to escape it.
This ought to remind us that we need to live just and holy lives, but it
is not the ultimate or even close to the ultimate motivator. Love
should be our motivation because it is love that motivates God to love
us. God does not live in any fear of judgment — He simply chooses to
love us because that is His nature.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Luke 10:13-16
13 Jesus
said to them, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the
mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they
would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15 And as for you, Capernaum, ‘Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.’ ”
16 Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”
1st READING 2nd READING
think: Love should be our motivation because it is love that motivates God to love us.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ___________________________
____________________________________________
God’s special verse/thought for me today_________
____________________________________________
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Song of Songs 1-4
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