Shine like lights in the world as you hold on to the word of life - Daily Bible Readings October 19,2014

1^ST READING

It is ironic that one of the two specific occurrences of the word “Messiah” in the Old Testament is when it is applied to a pagan king. Why does Isaiah do this? It is because Cyrus is the king of Persia who allows the Israelites to return to their own land. He releases them from their captivity in Babylon and allows them the right of return. For the Jews this is a messianic activity — restoring to them what they believe to be theirs as given to them by God.

Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

1 Thus says the Lord to his anointed, Cyrus, whose right hand I grasp, subduing nations before him, and making kings run in his service, opening doors before him and leaving the gates unbarred: 4 For the sake of Jacob, my servant, of Israel my chosen one, I have called you by your name, giving you a title, though you knew me not. 5 I am the Lord and there is no other, there is no God besides me. It is I who arm you, though you know me not, 6 so that toward the rising and the setting of the sun people may know that there is none besides me. I am the Lord, there is no other.

P S A L M

Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10

R: Give the Lord glory and honor.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands. 3 Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. (R) 4 For great is the Lord and highly to be praised; awesome is he, beyond all gods. 5 For all the gods of the nations are things of nought, but the Lord made the heavens. (R) 7 Give to the Lord, you families of nations, give to the Lord glory and praise; 8 give to the Lord the glory due his name! Bring gifts, and enter his courts. (R) 9 Worship the Lord in holy attire. Tremble before him, all the earth; 10 say among the nations: the Lord is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; he governs the peoples with equity. (R)

2^ND READING

The proclamation of the Gospel will be accompanied by miracles and examples of the Lord’s power if we truly believe in it. We have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit at baptism; we should be exercising the various gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit in our personal lives as well as in the collective life of our faith community. Let us pray for a new realization and an outpouring of this grace in our lives.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace. 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly 3 calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father, 4 knowing, brothers and sisters loved by God, how you were  chosen. 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.

GOSPEL

We have to face the issue of rendering to Caesar that which is his and to God that which belongs to Him. This can be a balancing act at times but an important one, as we must always remember to prioritize our relationship with God over those with others. Let us always reflect upon this responsibility as we make critical choices in our lives.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Shine like lights in the world as you hold on to the word of life.

Matthew 22:15-21

15 The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. 16 They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion, for you do not regard a person’s status. 17 Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” 18 Knowing their malice, Jesus said, “Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin that pays the census tax.” Then they handed him the Roman coin. 20 He said to them, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?” 21 They replied, “Caesar’s.” At that he said to them, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

think:  The proclamation of the Gospel will be accompanied by miracles and examples of the Lord’s power if we truly believe in it.

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 Sirach 31-35

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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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