1ST READING
As
we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family this year, let us spare a
thought for all families suffering in the midst of wars and its effects.
We may be struggling
with a lot of things but at least we are not refugees in a crowded camp
in the middle of nowhere. We may be divided because of work or even
broken relationships but we do not worry where our loved ones are.
Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3
1 The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram! I am your shield; I will make your reward very great.” 2 But
Abram said, “O Lord God, what good will your gifts be, if I keep on
being childless and have as my heir the steward of my house, Eliezer?” 3 Abram continued, “See, you have given me no offspring, and so one of my servants will be my heir.” 4 Then the word
of the Lord came to him: “No, that one shall not be your heir; your own issue shall be your heir.” 5 The
Lord took Abram outside and said: “Look up at the sky and count the
stars, if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.” 6 Abram put his faith in the Lord, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness. 21: 1 The Lord took note of Sarah as he had said he would; he did for her as he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore
Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time that God had stated. 3 Abraham gave the name Isaac to this son of his whom Sarah bore him.
P S A L M
Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9
R: The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
1 Give thanks to the Lord, invoke his name; make known among the nations his deeds. 2 Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. (R) 3 Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord! 4 Look to the Lord in his strength; constantly seek his face. (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) 8 He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations 9 which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac. (R)
2ND READING
Family
is a gift from God. It is not a right. We live in an age when so many
think they are entitled to whatever they want. This is not the case.
There will always be couples who cannot physically have children — their
challenge, and it may be a difficult one, is to discover other ways to
demonstrate their love for children through adoption or other means. Let
us pray that difficulties do not lead us to despair but that we always
find our path through faith in Christ.
Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19
8 Brothers
and sisters: By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a
place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing
where he was to go. 11 By
faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal
age — and Sarah herself was sterile — for he thought that the one who
had made the promise was trustworthy. 12 So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky
and as countless as the sands on the seashore. 17 By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.” 19 He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol.
GOSPEL
I
love the prayer of Simeon. It demonstrates a great faith that began
with trust and expectation and is now fulfilled in his sight. Herein
lies the challenge for each of us. Are we up to the task in the manner
of Simeon? Do we have what it takes to trust in the Word of God and
believe it even when there is hardly any sign of fulfillment? I hope so
as this is what it means to be a disciple of Jesus — always moving
forward to the fulfillment and culmination of God’s will in our lives.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
Luke 2:22-40
22 When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, 23 just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,” 24 and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
25 Now
there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was
righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy
Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 27 He
came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the
child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, 28 he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
29 “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; 34 and
Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is
destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that
will be contradicted 35 (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” 36 There
was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of
Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her
husband after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshipped night and day with
fasting and prayer. 38 And
coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke
about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
think:
This is what it means to be a disciple of Jesus — always moving forward
to the fulfillment and culmination of God’s will in our lives.
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 Zecharia 5-8
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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