Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it - Daily Bible Readings October 11,2014

1^ST READING

 

Paul’s image of the law as a custodian of the people of God is helpful in some ways and falls short of the truth in others. Faith is the true custodian of the people of God and the law is merely a guide for the moral life. Paul’s past still influences the way he sees the law such that even though he knows that salvation is by faith and has to be so, he still wants to give the law as prominent a role as possible. He struggles to free himself from his attachment to his historical ability to keep and maintain the tenets of the law in his life.

 

Galatians 3:22-29

22 Brothers and sisters: Scripture confined all things under the power of sin, that through faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe. 23 Before faith came, we were held in custody under law, confined for the faith that was to be revealed. 24 Consequently, thelaw was our disciplinarian for Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a disciplinarian. 26 For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R: The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

2 Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. 3 Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord! (R) 4 Look to the Lord in his strength; seek to serve him constantly. 5 Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought, his portents, and the judgments he has uttered. (R) 6 You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! 7 He, the Lord, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail. (R)

 

 

 

GOSPEL

 

Jesus wants to affirm in the strongest manner possible that salvation does not rest upon one’s heritage but solely upon the individual’s response, in faith, to God’s offer of the gift of salvation. This is a quantum shift in the understanding of the Jews who focused on obedience to the law as a way to salvation.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.

 

Luke 11:27-28

27 While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” 28 He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

 

think:  Salvation rests solely on our response, in faith, to God’s offer of the gift of salvation.

 

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 Wisdom 13-15