No matter how smart or knowledgeable we may be, we cannot achieve the gift of eternal life through our own efforts - Daily Bible Readings October 24,2014

1^ST READING

 

We may not live perfect lives but we can certainly strive enough to ensure that we are making a worthy effort. God calls us to perfection but does not demand that we reach it in order to be saved. This is a good thing as no one is capable of perfection on one’s own strength. We need God’s grace to be saved from our sins.

 

Ephesians 4:1-6

1 Brothers and sisters: I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, 3 striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: 4 one Body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R: Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

1 The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. 2 For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. (R) 3 Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? Or who may stand in his holy place? 4 He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. (R) 5 He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a reward from God his savior. 6 Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Human knowledge has accomplished great things and it continues to expand in all areas of science. What is most important, however, is that we realize that no matter how smart or knowledgeable we may be, we cannot achieve the gift of eternal life through our own efforts. We need God to receive the fullness of life as only He can give us such a gift.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

 

Luke 12:54-59

54 Jesus said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain — and so it does; 55 and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot — and so it is. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? 57 Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58 If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. 59 I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

 

think:  No matter how smart or knowledgeable we may be, we cannot achieve the gift of eternal life through our own efforts.

 

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 Isaiah 5-8