1ST READING
Light is essential for sight; without it, it is impossible to see. Similarly, truth is essential for knowledge because if it is not true, then there is no knowledge at all. The Scriptures provide us with the ultimate source of truths for knowledge of salvation. We should familiarize ourselves with the Word of God as often as we can. Time spent with the Scriptures is never wasted time.
Isaiah 8:23–9:3
23 First the Lord degraded the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the end he has glorified the seaward road, the land west of the Jordan, the District of the Gentiles. Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness for there is no gloom where but now there was distress. 9: 1 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. 2 You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. 3 For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
P S A L M
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
R: The Lord is my light and my salvation.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? (R) 4 One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, that I may gaze on the loveliness of the Lord and contemplate his temple. (R) 13 I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord. (R)
2ND READING
Our faith is not about competing with anybody else. Each of us has a role to play in the plan and mind of God and that should be our focus. No one else can be the person that God has created us to be. It is up to the individual to embrace his or her call and be faithful to it. The expression of each of our lives will be different and, in my opinion, this is a good thing as it would be very boring if we
were all the same.
1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17
10 I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose. 11 For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters, by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you. 12 I mean that each of you is saying, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.
GOSPEL
Jesus calls simple fishermen to be His first disciples. He will also call a tax collector and many other not-so-eminent members of society. Why didn’t He choose the rich and powerful? I think Jesus wants to make the point that it is not one’s status in the world that matters but the willingness to hear and follow God’s will. It may be easier for those who are less attached to the world to follow
God’s calling. Whatever the case, it gives us hope that Jesus chooses those who are willing to be chosen to be His disciples.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom and cured every disease among the people.
Matthew 4:12-23
12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16 the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.” 17 From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 18 As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. 19 He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, 22 and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. 23 He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.
think: It is not one’s status in the world that matters but the willingness to hear and follow God’s will.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today_
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Mark 9-12
SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
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HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
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