1ST READING
Paul
presents Abraham to us as the model for our faith. Abraham was
justified by his belief in the promises of God. He did not achieve
anything of his own strength. It was God who did the work; Abraham
merely entrusted his life to the will and promises of God. This is the
example we must follow. Like Abraham, we need to be obedient to God’s
will and do what He asks of us.
Romans 4:1-8
1 Brothers and sisters: What can we say that Abraham found, our ancestor according to the flesh? 2 Indeed, if Abraham was justified on the basis of his works, he has reason to boast; but this was not so in the sight of God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. 4 A worker’s wage is credited not as a gift, but as something due. 5 But when one does not work, yet believes in the one who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6 So also David declares the blessedness of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not record.
P S A L M
Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11
R: I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
1 Blessed is he whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed the man to whom the Lord imputes not guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile. (R) 5 Then
I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I covered not. I said, “I
confess my faults to the Lord,” and you took away the guilt of my sin. (R) 11 Be glad in
the Lord and rejoice, you just; exult, all you upright of heart. (R)
GOSPEL
Jesus
does not want us to perform practices that seem to have worthy results
but are not part of the Christian way of life. There are too many of
these today, especially those that deal with the way the economy is run,
for example. It is not good enough to say that a practice is legal.
Christians go further than this and ask if it is moral as well. It may
be legal to pay lower than the minimum wage, but is that moral? At the
other end of the economic scale, capital has a moral, not just legal,
responsibility to be in the service of people. The 2008 global financial
crisis was caused by greed at the highest levels — the rich simply
wanting to get filthy rich. This is
completely immoral and those involved will eventually be judged for
their actions, especially if the legal system fails to correct them.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us; who have put our hope in you.
Luke 12:1-7
1 At
that time: So many people were crowding together that they were
trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his
disciples, “Beware of the leaven — that is, the hypocrisy — of the
Pharisees. 2 “There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. 3 Therefore
whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and
what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the
housetops.
4 I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. 5 I
shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has
the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. 7 Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”
think: It is not good enough to say that a practice is legal. Christians go further than this and ask if it is moral as well.
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 Sirach 16-20
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