1ST READING
God’s
choice for us is a mystery — we know He destines us for eternal life
and at the same time gives us the freedom to choose otherwise. This is
really a lesson in love — love is not love unless it is freely given and
received. Herein lies the challenge of faith — to not only freely
receive God’s love into our hearts, but to freely choose to offer our
love in return. This is what it means to enter into a personal
relationship with Jesus.
Ephesians 1:11-14
11 Brothers
and sisters: In Christ we were also chosen, destined in accord with the
purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the
intention of his will, 12 so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. 13 In
him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your
salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy
Spirit, 14 which is the
first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.
P S A L M
Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13
R: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
1 Exult, you just, in the Lord; praise from the upright is fitting. 2 Give thanks to the Lord on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. (R) 4 For upright is the word of the Lord, and all his works are trustworthy. 5 He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full. (R) 12 Blessed the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. 13 From heaven the Lord looks down; he sees all mankind. (R)
GOSPEL
If
there is one thing that Jesus despises, it is hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is
the deliberate attempt to cover up aspects of one’s character and
present a false image to the world. Perhaps we all have a little bit of
this from time to time but let us pray that we will be honest enough to
stand for what we believe to be true and not lie about it.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us; who have put our hope in you.
Luke 12:1-7
1 At
that time: So many people were crowding together that they were
trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his
disciples, “Beware of the leaven — that is, the hypocrisy — of the
Pharisees. 2 There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. 3 Therefore
whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and
what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the
housetops. 4 I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. 5 I
shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has
the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. 7 Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”
think:
The challenge of faith is to not only freely receive God’s love into
our hearts, but to freely choose to offer our love in return.
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 Sirach 21-25
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