1ST READING
God
reminded the people to never forget what He has done for them. This is
one of the most important keys to a strong and enduring faith. If we always
reflect on the many things God has done for us, we will trust that He
can and will continue to do as He promised. One of the reasons we lose
faith is that we forget what God has done for us and lose sight of the
source of our strength and hope.
Deuteronomy 4:32-40
32 Moses
said to the people: “Ask now of the days of old, before your time, ever
since God created man upon the earth; ask from one end of the sky to
the other: Did anything so great ever happen before? Was it ever heard
of? 33 Did a people ever hear the voice of God speaking from the midst of fire, as you did, and live? 34 Or
did any god venture to go and take a nation for himself from the midst
of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, with his
strong hand and
outstretched arm, and by great terrors, all of which the Lord, your God,
did for you in Egypt before your very eyes? 35 All this you were allowed to see that you might know the Lord is God and there is no other. 36 Out
of the heavens he let you hear his voice to discipline you; on earth he
let you see his great fire, and you heard him speaking out of the fire.
37 For love of your fathers he chose their descendants and personally led you out of Egypt by his great power, 38 driving out of
your way nations greater and mightier than you, so as to bring you in and to make their land your heritage, as it is today. 39 This
is why you must now know, and fix in your heart, that the Lord is God
in the heavens above and on earth below, and that there is no other. 40 You
must keep his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you today,
that you and your children after you may prosper, and that you may have
long life on the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you forever.”
P S A L M
Psalm 77:12-13, 14-15, 16, 21
R: I remember the deeds of the Lord.
11 [12] I remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I remember your wonders of old. 12 [13] And I meditate on your works; your exploits I ponder. (R) 13 [14] O God, your way is holy; what great god is there like our God? 14 [15] You are the God who works wonders; among the peoples you have made known your power. (R)
15 [16] With your strong arm you redeemed your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. 20 [21] You led your people like a flock under the care of Moses and Aaron. (R)
GOSPEL
Jesus
predicted His passion so that His disciples will be prepared when it
comes. These predictions are reminders that we, too, have to take up our
crosses and follow in the footsteps of Jesus. We may not be crucified
but we will have to endure many daily “little crucifixions” as we grow
in holiness and faith. When we embrace the cross, we conform ourselves
to Christ and enter more deeply into the life of discipleship. Without
the cross, there is no power to overcome sin.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 16:24-28
24 Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? 27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his
Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct. 28 Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
think: If we always reflect on the many things God has done for us, we will trust that He can and will continue to do as He promised.
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 1 Maccabees 15-16
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