1ST READING
The
covenant between God and Abraham is in the form of a contract – if you
do X, then I will do Y. This is one way of looking at our relationship
with God. We can also look at it through the prism of love whereby we
get a very different feeling. It is important to understand both images
as they contribute to a correct understanding of our faith. There are
obligations and duties involved in our faith, and these are meant to be
fulfilled in love, not just out of duty.
Genesis 17:3-9
3 When Abram prostrated himself, God spoke to him: 4 “My covenant with you is this: you are to become the father of a host of nations. 5 No longer shall you be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I am making you the father of a host of nations. 6 I will render you exceedingly fertile; I will make nations of you; kings shall stem from you. 7 I
will maintain my covenant with you and your descendants after you
throughout the ages as an everlasting pact, to be your God and the God
of your descendants after you. 8 I
will give to you and to your descendants after you the land in which
you are now staying, the whole land of Canaan, as a permanent
possession; and I will be their God.” 9 God also said to Abraham: “On your part, you and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout the ages.”
P S A L M
Psalm 105:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R: The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
4 Look to the Lord in his strength; seek to serve him constantly. 5 Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought, his portents, and the judgments he has uttered. (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)
GOSPEL
Jesus
makes it clear that He is not interested in personal glory — He does
only what the Father asks Him to do. This has to be true of us, too, as
we become His disciples. We need to act out of love and devotion to God
and not to glorify ourselves. We cannot save ourselves or anyone else.
We can only do what Jesus asks us to do and let Him be the Savior.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
John 8:51-59
51 Jesus said to the Jews: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” 52 So
the Jews said to him, “Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham
died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will
never taste death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus
answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my
Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 55 You
do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know
him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word.
56 Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad. 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.
think: We cannot save ourselves or anyone else. We can only do what Jesus asks us to do and let Him be the Savior.
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 Exodus 7-9
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