1ST READING
The author of this letter is aware that many Christians are being
persecuted and under pressure to recant their faith. He encourages them by
reminding them of the price they have already paid in remaining faithful and
how that will stand for little or nothing if they give way to persecution now.
We need to heed this call to perseverance and faithfulness in the midst of our
own trials and temptations today so that we will be strengthened to remain firm
in our faith and hold true to the principles of the Gospel.
Hebrews 10:32-39
32 Remember the days past when, after you had been
enlightened, you endured a great contest of suffering. 33 At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction; at
other times you associated yourselves with those so treated. 34 You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison and joyfully
accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and
lasting possession. 35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence; it
will have great recompense. 36 You need endurance to do the will of God and
receive what he has promised. 37 For, after just a brief moment, he who is to
come shall come; he shall not delay. 38 But my just one shall
live by faith, and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him. 39 We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those
who have faith and will possess life.
P S A L M
Psalm 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40
R: The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good, that you may
dwell in the land and be fed in security. 4 Take delight in the
Lord, and he will grant you your heart’s requests. (R) 5 Commit to the Lord your way; trust in him, and
he will act. 6 He will make justice dawn for you like the
light; bright as the noonday shall be your vindication. (R) 23 By the Lord are the steps of a man made firm,
and he approves his way. 24 Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate, for
the hand of the Lord sustains him. (R) 39 The salvation of the just is from the Lord; he is their refuge in
time of distress. 40 And the Lord helps them and delivers them; he
delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. (R)
GOSPEL
This parable reminds us that our growth in faith and holiness is
partially a mystery, dependent on the grace of God and how He chooses to work
in our lives. Let us always thank God for His grace as it continues to draw us
into the presence of His love and mercy and so transform us into the men and
women He has created us to be. This is the work of salvation — God working
within us to recreate us in His image and likeness, driving out our sins and
developing our gifts.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have
revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
Mark 4:26-34
26 Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is
with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land 27 and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout
and grow, he knows not how. 28 Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first
the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the
harvest has come.” 30 He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom
of God, or what parable can we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard
seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on
the earth. 32 But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes
the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the
sky can dwell in its shade.” 33 With many such parables he spoke the word to
them as they were able to understand it. 34 Without parables he did
not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in
private.
think: This is the work of
salvation — God working within us to recreate us in His image and likeness,
driving out our sins and developing our gifts.
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 Romans 1-4
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