1ST READING
Today’s
saint, Catherine of Alexandria, was one of the the first women to write
philosophical treatises on the faith. We know very little about her
other than that she was martyred by being stretched on a device that had
the shape of a wheel. Traditionally speaking, this is where we get the
name for the firework we call the Catherine Wheel. That’s a piece of
trivia to share with your friends.
Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came and laid siege to Jerusalem. 2 The
Lord handed over to him Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and some of the
vessels of the temple of God; he carried them off to the land of Shinar,
and placed the vessels in the temple treasury of his God. 3 The king told Ashpenaz, his chief chamberlain, to bring in some of the children of Israel of royal blood and of the nobility, 4 young
men without any defect, handsome, intelligent and wise, quick to learn,
and prudent in judgment, such as could take their place in the king’s
palace; they were to be taught the language and literature of the
Chaldeans; 5 after
three years’ training they were to enter the king’s service. The king
allotted them a daily portion of food and wine from the royal table. 6 Among these were men of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 8 But Daniel was resolved not to defile himself with
\the king’s food or wine; so he begged the chief chamberlain to spare him this defilement. 9 Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathy of the chief chamberlain, 10 he
nevertheless said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my Lord the king; it is he
who allotted your food and drink. If he sees that you look wretched by
comparison with the other young men of your age, you will endanger my
life with the king.” 11 Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief chamberlain had
put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days. Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then
see how we look in comparison with the other young men who eat from the
royal table, and treat your servants according to what you see.” 14 He acceded to this request, and tested them for ten days; 15 after ten days they looked healthier and better fed than any of the young men who ate from the royal table. 16 So the steward continued to take away the food and wine they were to receive, and gave them vegetables. 17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and proficiency in all literature and science, and to Daniel the understanding of all visions and dreams. 18 At the end of the time the king had specified for their preparation, the chief chamberlain brought them before Nebuchadnezzar. 19
When the king had spoken with all of them, none was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, 1and Azariah; and so they entered the king’s service. 20 In
any question of wisdom or prudence which the king put to them, he found
them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his
kingdom.
P S A L M
Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56
R: Glory and praise forever!
29 [Dan 3:52] “Blessed
are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above
all forever; and blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy
and exalted above all for all ages.” (R) 30 [Dan 3:53] “Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.” (R) 31 [Dan 3:54] “Blessed are you on the throne of your
Kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” (R) 32 [Dan 3:55] “Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” (R) 33 [Dan 3:56] “Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever.” (R)
GOSPEL
It
is not the quantity that we give that counts but the nature of our
giving. The widow gives all that she has to give. Often, people who
think they are giving a lot are only giving from their excesses. This is
why I am not a fan of the concept of tithing unless it is used as an
example of what could be a reasonable amount to give. For some, tithing
is too onerous — it will not leave them enough to care for their
families; for others, tithing is way too little and they should really
be giving 90 percent and keeping only 10 percent or even less. It is all
relative. Anyway, the New Testament concept of giving is governed by an
understanding of generosity, not
numbers.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Stay awake! For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.
Luke 21:1-4
1 When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury 2 and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. 3 He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; 4 for
those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but
she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”
think: It is not the quantity that we give that counts but the nature of our giving.
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 Psalm 111-115
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