1ST READING
Jeremiah
has a great way of putting the persuasive powers of God in words — “you
duped me, O Lord, and I allowed myself to be duped”. I like the whole
image of God crafting a way to bring us to Himself, such that we are
caught up in a faith response even before we realize it. This is the way
of the Holy Spirit. He always works to draw us close to God.
Jeremiah 20:7-9
7 You
duped me, O Lord, and I let myself be duped; you were too strong for
me, and you triumphed. All the day I am an object of laughter; everyone
mocks me. 8 Whenever
I speak, I must cry out, violence and outrage is my message; the word
of the Lord has brought me derision and reproach all the day. 9 I
say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no
more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in
my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure
it.
P S A L M
Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
R: My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
1 [2] O
God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul
thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. (R) 2 [3] Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, 3 [4] for your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you. (R) 4 [5] Thus will I
bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name. 5 [6] As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. (R) 7 [8] You are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. 8 [9] My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me. (R)
2ND READING
Ultimately,
our minds play a central role in our conversion. We may be drawn to
faith in different ways, but ultimately we have to acknowledge the truth
of the Gospel through a rational decision. Faith is not simply instinct
or emotion; there is a rational component to it, and it is this aspect
that helps us to endure all the hardships and struggles. Paul knows this
and, thus, calls us to renew our minds according to the ways and mind
of God.
Romans 12:1-2
1 I
urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your
bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual
worship. 2 Do
not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of
your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good
and pleasing and perfect.
GOSPEL LIST
Jesus
is quite clear that we cannot save ourselves from our sins. In fact, if
we insist on trying to do this, the result will be a disaster. We have
to learn to let go of our self-sufficiency and admit that we need Jesus
as our Redeemer. Then and only then can we walk on the path that leads
to salvation. The path of salvation is not an easy one to follow; we
should pray for the grace to be humble enough to receive the graces that
God will give us on this journey.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
May
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.
Matthew 16:21-27
21 Jesus
began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer
greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be
killed and on the third day be raised. 22 Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” 23 He
turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to
me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? 27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”
think:
The path of salvation is not an easy one to follow; we should pray for
the grace to be humble enough to receive the graces that God will give
us on this journey.2nd READING
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 31-35
A
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
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment