Daily Bible Readings - February 26,2013

1ST READING   Sodom and Gomorrah are examples of what can happen when people are willing to repent and truly change their way of living. The problem with repentance is that it cannot be a one-time event. It needs to become the pattern of our living, as we are prone to sin and keep falling into it. Let us entrust our lives to the compassion and mercy of God, and allow His Spirit to lead us every day, according to His wisdom.   Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 10 Hear the word of the Lord, princes of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah! 16 Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; 17 learn to do good. Make justice your aim, redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow. 18 Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord. Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow, though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool. 19 If you are willing, and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land; 20 but if you refuse and resist, the sword shall consume you for the mouth of the Lord has spoken!   P S A L M   Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23 R: To the upright I will show the saving power of God. 8 “Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you, for your burnt offering are before me always. 9 I take from your house no bullock, no goats out of your fold.” (R) 16 “Why do you recite my statutes, and profess my covenant with your mouth, 17 though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you?” (R) 21 “When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it? Or do you think that I am like yourself? I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes. 23 He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me; and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.” (R)   GOSPEL   All people in authority have a responsibility to ensure that everything they do will assist the people they govern. This includes using the law to build up the community and not become a hindrance or obstacle for the people. Yes, some laws are by their nature restrictive, and need to be so. However, the restrictions must always be for the protection of the common good. Herein lies the proper measure of the usefulness of a given law. Of course, the law must also be in accord with the truth of the dignity of our humanity.   GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.   Matthew 23:1-12 1 Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. 5 All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6 They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, 7 greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ 8 As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. 10 Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you must be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”   think: The problem with repentance is that it cannot be a one-time event — it needs to become the pattern of our living.           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 2 Timothy 1-4