1ST READING
Abram
leaves most of his wealth behind in Ur when he chooses to obey God’s
call to go to the Promised Land. God, in His generosity, allows him to
grow rich again. Abram’s trust in God is very strong as he allows Lot to
choose the better land and takes for himself the marginal desert areas.
God promises him greater wealth for his trust. This is not to say that
those who have faith will become wealthy. Many do not and even choose to
live lives of physical and material poverty.
Genesis 13:2, 5-18
2 Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold. 5 Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, 6 so
that the land could not support them if they stayed together; their
possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. 7 There were quarrels between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and those of Lot’s. (At this time the Canaanites and
the Perizzites were occupying the land.) 8 So Abram said to Lot: “Let there be no strife between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are kinsmen. 9 Is
not the whole land at your disposal? Please separate from me. If you
prefer the left, I will go to the right; if you prefer the right, I will
go to the left.” 10 Lot looked about and saw how well watered the whole Jordan Plain was as far as Zoar, like the Lord’s own garden, or like Egypt. (This was before the Lord had destroyed Sodom and
Gomorrah.) 11 Lot, therefore, chose for himself the whole Jordan Plain and set out eastward. Thus they separated from each other; 12 Abram stayed in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the Plain, pitching his tents near Sodom. 13 Now the inhabitants of Sodom were very wicked in the sins they committed against the Lord. 14 After Lot had left, the Lord said to Abram: “Look about you, and from where you are, gaze to the north and south, east and west;
15 all the land that you see I will give to you and your descendants forever. 16 I
will make your descendants like the dust of the earth; if anyone could
count the dust of the earth, your descendants too might be counted. 17 Set forth and walk about in the land, through its length and breadth, for to you I will give it.” 18 Abram moved his tents and went on to settle near the terebinth of Mamre, which is at Hebron. There he built an altar
to the Lord.
P S A L M
Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 5
R: He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
2 He who walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart 3 and slanders not with his tongue. (R) Who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; 4 by whom the reprobate is despised, while he honors those who fear the Lord. (R) 5 Who lends not
his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be disturbed. (R)
GOSPEL
We
need to be careful that we treat with both gratitude and respect all
the graces and gifts God gives us. Jesus makes it quite clear that those
who do not respect the blessings of God will have them removed from
them. This is quite a reasonable position to take. Let us always use
well and generously any blessings that God gives to us.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.
Matthew 7:6, 12-14
6 Jesus
said to his disciples: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your
pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and
tear you to pieces. 12 Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets. 13 Enter
through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that
leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. 14 How narrow
the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.”
think: Let us always use well and generously any blessings that God gives to 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 1 Chronicles 7-9
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