1ST READING
Daniel
chose what he will and will not accept from the king. He wanted to be
faithful to God and at the same time serve the king and his people. The peaceful
relationship did not last. The king had disturbing dreams and Daniel’s
interpretation of them displeased the king and turned him against
Daniel. This is the nature of the truth — it disturbs those who do not
live it.
Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came and laid siege to Jerusalem. 2 The
Lord handed over to him Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and some of the
vessels of the temple of God, he carried them off to the land of Shinar,
and placed the vessels in the temple treasury of his god. 3 The king told Ashpenaz, his chief chamberlain, to bring in some of the children of Israel of royal blood and of the nobility, 4 young
men without any defect, handsome, intelligent and wise, quick to learn,
and prudent in judgment, such as could take their place in the king’s
palace; they were to be taught the language and literature of the
Chaldeans; 5 after
three years’ training they were to enter the king’s service. The king
allotted them a daily portion of food and wine from the royal table. 6 Among these were men of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 8 But Daniel was resolved not to defile himself with the
king’s food or wine; so he begged the chief chamberlain to spare him this defilement. 9 Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathy of the chief chamberlain, 10 he
nevertheless said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king; it is he
who allotted your food and drink. If he sees that you look wretched by
comparison with the other young men of your age, you will endanger my
life with the king.” 11 Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief chamberlain had put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days. Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then
see how we look in comparison with the other young men who eat from the
royal table, and treat your servants according to what you see.” 14 He acceded to this request, and tested them for ten days; 15 after ten days they looked healthier and better fed than any of the young men who ate from the royal table. 16 So the
steward continued to take away the food and wine they were to receive, and gave them vegetables. 17 To
these four young men God gave knowledge and proficiency in all
literature and science, and to Daniel the understanding of all visions
and dreams. 18 At the end of the time the king had specified for their preparation, the chief chamberlain brought them before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 When the king hadspoken with all of them, none was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah;
and so they entered the king’s service. 20 In
any question of wisdom or prudence, which the king put to them, he
found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his
kingdom.
P S A L M
Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56
R: Glory and praise for ever!
29 [Dan 3:52] “Blessed
are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above
all forever; and blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy
and exalted above all for all ages.” (R) 30 [Dan 3:53] “Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.” (R) 31 [Dan 3:54] “Blessed are you on the throne of your
kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” (R) 32 [Dan 3:55] “Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” (R) 33 [Dan 3:56] “Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever.” (R)
GOSPEL
How
diligent are we in providing for the needs of the Church? According to
the Canon Law, it is our responsibility to give for the upkeep of the
Church, Her ministers and Her social programs. This is the way it has
always been and always will be. It is also up to the Church to ensure
that She administers Her wealth well and does not waste it on worthless
projects. It is rare for parishes to have enough money to fund its
projects and activities. That is why important decisions need to be made
as to how funds are spent.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Stay awake! For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.
Luke 21:1-4
1 When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury 2 and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. 3 He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; 4 for
those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but
she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”
think: How diligent are we in providing for the needs of the Church?
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 Lamentations 1-4
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