1ST READING
The
lures of the world --– materialism, secularism and pleasure — dull our
spiritual senses. We need to be vigilant as we live in the midst of
these temptations. We need the grace of God in order to prevail in this
challenge. If we rely on our own strength, we will fail. The attraction
of the world’s temptations is too great for us. We see the damage being
done to society when it strays from the guidance of the Gospel. Ethics
and morality go out the window in favor of emotive principles. We need
to stand in the breach and faithfully live the Gospel.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11
1 Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night. 3 When
people are saying, “Peace and security,” then sudden disaster comes
upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not
escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness,
for that day to overtake you like a thief. 5 For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. 6 Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober. 9 For God did not destine us for wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live together with him. 11 Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do.
P S A L M
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
R: I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? (R) 4 One
thing I ask of the Lord, this I seek: To dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life, that I may gaze on the loveliness of the Lord
and contemplate his temple. (R) 13 I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord. (R)
GOSPEL
One
of the first miracles of Jesus’ ministry is to drive out demons from
one who is possessed. Jesus demonstrates His power right from the start
so that no mistakes can be made, and so that we are left in no doubt as
to who has the power. Demonic possession is not as common as it used to
be but it still is a reality. We must be careful that we avoid all
practices that open the doors for demons to enter our lives – tarot
cards, Ouija boards, palm reading, astrology and other New Age
practices. We do not need any of these when we have Jesus in our hearts.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
A great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people.
Luke 4:31-37
31 Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority. 33 In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, 34 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God!”
35 Jesus
rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” Then the demon threw
the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any
harm. 36 They
were all amazed and said to one another, “What is there about his word?
For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they
come out.” 37 And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.
think: The lures of the world — materialism, secularism and pleasure — dull our spiritual senses.
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 Psalm 36-40
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