1ST READING
Elisha would have understood the significance of Elijah throwing his cloak or mantle over him as a form of anointing or claiming him to follow in his footsteps as prophet. Later we will hear Elisha request a double portion of Elijah’s spirit indicating a full commitment to the ministry of a prophet, even allowing for the fact that he would have been aware of the difficulties and sufferings it would bring as well.
1 Kings 19:16, 19-21
16 The Lord said to Elijah: “You shall anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, as prophet to succeed you.” 19 Elijah set out, and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him. 20 Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please, let me kiss my father and mother good-bye, and I will follow you.” Elijah answered, “Go back! Have I done anything to you?” 21 Elisha left him and, taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to his people to eat. Then he left and followed Elijah as his attendant.
P S A L M
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
R: You are my inheritance, O Lord.
1 Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; 2 I say to the Lord, “My Lord are you.” 5 O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. (R) 7 “I bless the Lord who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me.” 8 I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. (R) 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; 10because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. (R) 11 You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. (R)
2ND READING
Freedom is a very slippery word and has many conflicting meanings. Americans think they are the guardians of true freedom but I question what they mean by this. It is imperative that we see freedom along the lines of being free to act for what is true and right and not just freedom from any sort of constraint. It is not a true use of our freedom when we choose the path of sin — it is an abuse of freedom.
Galatians 5:1, 13-18
1 Brothers and sisters: For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. 13 For you were called for freedom, brothers and sisters. But do not use this freedom as anopportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. 16 I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. 18 But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
GOSPEL
Jesus is unwavering in His commitment to follow His Father’s will. He will not let anything get in the way of His obedience. Jesus knows that Jerusalem will be a place of suffering and trial — possibly He even knew that it would be the place of His death — but He did not waver from setting His path in that direction. This is the level of commitment that God expects from His followers. We all have to ask ourselves whether or not we are willing to give this much.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening; you have the words of everlasting life.
Luke 9:51-62
51 When the days for Jesus’ being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, 52 and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, 53 but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” 55 Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56 and they journeyed to another village. 57 As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” 59 And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” 60 But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” 62 To him Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”
think: Choosing the path of sin is an abuse of our freedom.
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 22-24
SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
REVIEW OF THE QUARTER
Did I fulfill my last quarter goals?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
What were the most important words the Lord gave to me this quarter?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
What were my greatest blessings these past three months?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
What are my most pressing needs for the next quarter?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
NOTES:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment