1ST READING
Water
in Israel is an extremely precious resource as most of the country is
literally a desert. The imagery used by Ezekiel indicates an abundance
of blessing for those who choose to place themselves within the ambit of
God’s grace. Is this what we want for our lives — to be swimming in the
abundant graces of God? If so, then we need to discover His will and
then place our lives under it.
Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12
1 Then the angel brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I
the
east, for the facade of the temple was toward the east; the water
flowed down from the southern side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He
led me outside by the north gate, and around to the outer gate facing
the east, where I saw water trickling from the southern side. 8 He
said to me, “This water flows into the eastern district down upon the
Arabah, and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh.
9 Wherever
the river flows,
every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live, and there
shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be
made fresh. 12 Along
both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their
leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail. Every month they shall bear
fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary.
Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine.”
P S A L M
Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9
R: The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!
1 [2] God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress. 2 [3] Therefore we fear not, though the earth be shaken and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea. (R) 4 [5] There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High. 5 [6] God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed; God will help it at the break of
dawn. (R) 7 [8] The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. 8 [9] Come! behold the deeds of the Lord, the astounding things he has wrought on earth. (R)
2ND READING
This
is an extremely affirming image. It tells us that God comes to dwell
within those who accept Him in faith. It would be a great shame if we
did not take advantage of
God’s presence in our lives. It is up to us to use the graces and
blessings He gives us. As we seek to become disciples of Jesus, let us
live the life He calls us to by using all the graces He bestows upon us.
1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17
9 Brothers and sisters: You are God’s building. 10 According
to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a
foundation, and another is building upon it. But each one must be
careful how he builds upon it, 11 for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ. 16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.
GOSPEL
Jesus
does not mean this statement to be taken literally. It is not possible
to build a temple the size of that in Jerusalem in three days.
Therefore, He must be referring to something else. Jesus is aware that
He is going to die, and that the Father will raise Him from the dead. In
this way, we too will be able to face the trials in our lives and know
that He will give us the grace to overcome them.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
I have chosen and consecrated this house, says the Lord, that my name may be there forever.
John 2:13-22
13 Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. 15 He
made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area,
with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and
overturned their tables, 16 and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out
of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” 17 His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18 At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” 19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise
it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 Therefore,
when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had
said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had
spoken.
think: God comes to dwell within those who accept Him in faith.
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 Jeremiah 1-3
SABBATH PAUSE
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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