Daily Bible Readings - April 30,2013

1^ST READING

 

 

Paul is fearless in the face of difficulties and persecution. It seems that even the possibility of martyrdom will not affect his chosen course of action. We need to pray for a similar steadfastness of faith and unwavering commitment of purpose if we want to fulfill our duty as disciples of Jesus. We will all be confronted by challenges in our lives. How we respond to them will reveal our character. It is important that we remain focused upon the call to live and proclaim the Gospel, no matter how difficult that may become.

 

Acts 14:19-28

19 In those days, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered around him, he got up and entered the city. On the following day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. 21 After they had proclaimed the Good News to that city and made a considerable number of disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch. 22 They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” 23 They appointed presbyters for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith. 24 Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia. 25 After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now accomplished.  27 And when they arrived, they called the church together and reported what God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 Then they spent no little time with the disciples.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13, 21

R: Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

10 Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you. 11 Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might. (R) 12 Making known to men your might and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages, and your dominion endures through all generations. (R) 21 May my mouth speak the praise of the Lord, and may all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Another key to Jesus’ life and ministry is His obedience to His Father’s will. This idea of obedience often repels adults as they think they are beyond being told what to do. However, we need to rethink such an attitude in light of the fact that the obedience that Jesus asks of us is for our own good. Listening to the world and its often erroneous claims is dangerous, to the point that we might miss the voice and call of Jesus completely.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

 

Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory.

 

John 14:27-31

27 Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. 28 You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. 30 I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, 31 but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”

 

think:  The obedience that Jesus asks of us is for our own good.

 

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 Numbers 28-30 

Daily Bible Readings - April 29,2013

1^ST READING

 

Catherine of Siena, whose feast we celebrate today, was a remarkable woman for her time and would have been an equally remarkable woman today if she had been born in this era. Her faith in God was unshakable. In ministering to victims of the plague, in trying to settle political problems of the state, or in counseling the various popes of her time, she was undaunted. Let us pray that we will be as focused as she was in living the Gospel to the full.

 

Acts 14:5-18

5 There was an attempt in Iconium by both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with their leaders, to attack and stone Paul and Barnabas. 6 They realized it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside, 7 where they continued to proclaim the Good News. 8 At Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth, who had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him, saw that he had the faith to be healed, 10 and called out in a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet.” He jumped up and began to walk about. 11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they cried out in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in human form.” 12 They called Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes,” because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, for he together with the people intended to offer sacrifice. 14 The apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their garments when they heard this and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, 15 “Men, why are you doing this? We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God, ‘who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them.’ 16 In past generations he allowed all Gentiles to go their own ways; 17 yet, in bestowing his goodness, he did not leave himself without witness, for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts.” 18 Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16

R: Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.

1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name give glory because of your mercy, because of your truth. 2 Why should the pagans say, “Where is their God?” (R) 3 Our God is in heaven; whatever he wills, he does. 4 Their idols are silver and gold, the handiwork of men. (R) 15 May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 16 Heaven is the heaven of the Lord, but the earth he has given to the children of men. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

How often do we reflect on the truth that, one day, if we go to heaven, we will be united with the Trinity? Is there any more awesome thought than that? It is important to have a vision of where we are going, or else we will be easily deflected  from the true path of faith. Let us not give the devil this opportunity by being firmly convinced of our ultimate destiny — unity with the Trinity.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all I told you.

 

John 14:21-26

21 Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” 22 Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, “Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. 25 I have told you this while I am with you. 26 The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name — he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”

 

think:  It is important to have a vision of where we are going, or else we will be easily deflected from the true path of faith. READING 2n

 

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 Numbers 25-27 

Daily Bible Readings - April 26,2013

1^ST READING

 

We do not have to invent anything to add to the story of salvation to make it attractive to others. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to move those who hear the Gospel to be converted by what they hear. It is enough for us to be faithful in presenting the Gospel in truth. Truth has its own power to convict those who hear it to respond to it.

 

Acts 13:26-33

26 When Paul came to Antioch in Pisidia, he said in the synagogue: “My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent. 27 The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize him, and by condemning him they fulfilled the oracles of the prophets that are read sabbath after sabbath. 28 For even though they found no grounds for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him put to death, 29 and when they had accomplished all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These are now his witnesses before the people. 32 We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you that what God promised our fathers 33 he has brought to fulfillment for us, their children, by raising up Jesus, as it is written in the second psalm, ‘You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.’”

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11

R: You are my son; this day I have begotten you.

6 “I myself have set up my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” 7 I will proclaim the decree of the Lord. The Lord said to me, “You are my son; this day I have begotten you.” (R) 8 “Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession. 9 You shall rule them with an iron rod; you shall shatter them like an earthen dish.” (R) 10 And now, O kings, give heed; take warning, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice before him; with trembling, rejoice. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

 

There are many people who will say they can show you the path to true happiness, but only one person has the true answer — Jesus. If anyone is pointing you in Jesus’ direction, then feel free to listen to them; if not, turn away and find someone who can direct you in the ways and path of Jesus. Yes, many of the other options look very attractive initially but all of them fail to answer the most critical question: What’s next? What happens when we die? Only Jesus has the answer to that.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.

 

John 14:1-6

1 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. 4 Where I am going you know the way.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?”6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

think:  Truth has its own power to convict those who hear it to respond to it.

 

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 Numbers 16-18 

 

Daily Bible Readings - April 24,2013

1^ST READING

 

Here, Barnabas is listed before Paul, indicating that Barnabas is in charge or the boss, so to speak. Later we will see this listing reversed as Paul begins to express himself and his leadership qualities. The Gospel is never — and shouldn’t be — about status and power. Let us be faithful in accomplishing whatever it is that God asks us to do and allow others to do likewise.

 

Acts 12:24–13:5

24 The word of God continued to spread and grow. 25 After Barnabas and Saul completed their relief mission, they returned to Jerusalem, taking with them John, who is called Mark. 13:1 Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off. 4 So they, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived in Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

R: O God, let all the nations praise you!

1 [2] May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. 2 [3] So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation. (R) 4 [5] May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide. (R) 5 [6] May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! 7 [8] May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him! (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Jesus again defends Himself by claiming to be doing His Father’s will. The Pharisees and Jewish leaders are not used to having their authority, sincerity and integrity challenged. They are fast losing their patience with Jesus and the message He preaches. It is important that we know and are convinced of God’s will for our lives as it is only with conviction that we will remain faithful to His calling when difficulties arise.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.

 

John 12:44-50

44 Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, 45 and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. 46 I came into the world as Light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. 47 And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. 48 Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, 49 because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”

 

think:  It is important that we know and are convinced of God’s will for our lives as it is only with conviction that we will remain faithful to His calling when difficulties arise.

 

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 Numbers 10-12 

Daily Bible Readings - April 23,2013

1^ST READING

 

Barnabas is a key figure in the work of evangelization of the early Church. He precedes Paul in this ministry and it is through him that Paul is introduced to the Church authorities. After his conversion, Paul spent a significant amount of time (some scholars posit at least 10 years) in Tarsus reflecting upon his conversion and developing his approach in proclaiming the Gospel. We must be committed to our own formation in the Gospel if we want to be effective ministers of the Good News.

 

Acts 11:19-26

19 Those who had been scattered by the persecution that arose because of Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but Jews. 20 There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them,  however, who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. 21 The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The news about them reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart, 24 for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. And a large number of people was added to the Lord. 25 Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a large number of people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 87:1-3, 4-5, 6-7

R: All you nations, praise the Lord.

1 His foundation upon the holy mountains 2 the Lord loves: The gates of Zion, more than any dwelling of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are said of you, O city of God! (R) 4 I tell of Egypt and Babylon among those who know the Lord; of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia: “This man was born there.” 5 And of Zion they shall say; “One and all were born in her; and he who has established her is the Most High Lord.” (R) 6 They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled: “This man was born there.” 7 And all shall sing, in their festive dance: “My home is within you.” (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Jesus is adamant that He has satisfied the demands of the Pharisees and justified His words and actions because He is simply being obedient to His Father’s will. It is critical that we be able to recognize the Father’s voice in the midst of the noise in the world so that we can be as sure as Jesus that we are on the right path — the path to eternal life. Let us do our best to hear Jesus’ and the Father’s voice in the midst of all the others.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.

 

John 10:22-30

22 The feast of the Dedication was then taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. 23 And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.”

 

think:  We must be committed to our own formation in the Gospel if we want to be effective ministers of the Good News.

 

 

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 Numbers 7-9 

Daily Bible Readings - April 22,2013

S1^ST READING

 

Jewish Law had many rules and regulations about eating, even extending to the persons with whom it was possible to share a meal. Many things we would deem ridiculous today were followed with alacrity then. It is not for us to look down on those practices but to recognize that, like all traditions and practices, there comes a time to change and update them. This task of updating is notoriously difficult as the Church discovered at Vatican II. However, it is one that we must remain open to at all times.

 

Acts 11:1-18

1 The Apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles too had accepted the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem the circumcised believers confronted him, 3 saying, “You entered the house of uncircumcised people and ate with them!” 4 Peter began and explained it to them step by step, saying, 5 “I was at prayer in the city of Joppa when in a trance I had a vision, something resembling a large sheet coming down, lowered from the sky by its four corners, and it came to me. 6 Looking intently into it, I observed and saw the four-legged animals of the earth, the wild beasts, the reptiles, and the birds of the sky. 7 I also heard a voice say to me, ‘Get up, Peter. Slaughter and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘Certainly not, sir, because nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But a second time a voice from heaven answered, ‘What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.’ 10 This happened three times, and then everything was drawn up again into the sky. 11 Just then three men appeared at the house where we were, who had been sent to me from Caesarea. 12 The Spirit told me to accompany them without discriminating. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He related to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, saying, ‘Send someone to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter, 14 who will speak words to you by which you and all your household will be saved.’ 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them as it had upon us at the beginning, 16 and I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, ‘John baptized with water but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If then God gave them the same gift he gave to us when we came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to be able to hinder God?” 18 When they heard this, they stopped objecting and glorified God, saying, “God has then granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles too.”

 

P S A L M

 

Psalms 42:2-3; 43:3, 4

R: Athirst is my soul for the living God.

1 [2] As the hind longs for the running waters, so my soul longs for you, O God. 2 [3] Athirst is my soul for God, the living God. When shall I go and behold the face of God? (R) 43:3 Send forth your light and your fidelity; they shall lead me on and bring me to your holy mountain, to your dwelling-place. (R) 4 Then will I go in to the altar of God, the God of my gladness and joy; then will I give you thanks upon the harp, O God, my God! (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

 

Jesus tells us that He wants us to have the fullest life possible. This is why He chose to forgive our sins. In reuniting us with God, He makes it possible for us to deepen our relationship with Him. It is only in a right relationship with God that we will discover and experience fullness of life. The world offers us many things but they are all passing away — it is in Christ alone that we will discover fullness of life.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.

 

John 10:1-10

1 Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. 2 But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. 5 But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” 6 Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them. 7 So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the Gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

 

think:  It is in Christ alone that we will discover fullness of life.

 

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 Numbers 4-6  

 

Daily Bible Readings - April 21,2013

S1^ST READING

 

Luke presents us with a somewhat systematic approach taken by Paul and Barnabas in bringing the faith to the Gentiles. Did it really happen this way? I do not know — the Acts of the Apostles is clearly a very stylized literary work. However, does it really matter? What matters is that the Gentiles responded to the Gospel when they heard it proclaimed by Paul and Barnabas (among others) and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Acts 13:14, 43-52

14 Paul and Barnabas continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia. On the sabbath they entered the synagogue and took their seats. 43 Many Jews and worshipers who were converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God. 44 On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said. 46 Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.’’’ 48 The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this and glorified the word of the Lord. All who were destined for eternal life came to believe, 49 and the word of the Lord continued to spread through the whole region. 50 The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers and the leading men of the city, stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their territory. 51 So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. 52 The believers were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 5

R: We are his people, the sheep of his flock.

1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; 2 serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful song. (R) 3 Know that the Lord is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends. (R) 5 The Lord is good: his kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness, to all generations. (R)

 

2^nd READING

 

Another text in the Book of Revelation speaks of the 144,000 (12x12x1,000) who will be saved. Is this number meant to be taken literally? I certainly hope not. Here, John speaks of a huge number that is impossible to count, rather than 144,000. This implies that the figure, 144,000 is not meant to be taken literally but as a sign that the right number (the number of tribes of Israel multiplied by themselves multiplied by 1,000) simply signifies a huge number, not an exact one. We are reading a genre of literature called “apocalyptic” — a genre that is not meant to be taken literally but read as an analogy of the truth.

 

Revelation 7:9, 14-17

9 I, John, had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. 14 Then one of the elders said to me, “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 For this reason they stand before God’s throne and worship him day and night in his temple. The one who sits on the throne will shelter them. 16 They will not hunger or thirst anymore, nor will the sun or any heat strike them. 17 For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

 

GOSPEL

 

In the midst of the cacophony of voices and words that is modern society, those who desire to follow Christ have to learn to recognize His voice. This is not an easy task but one that will require constant attention and effort. Unless we are willing to commit ourselves to it, we will never remain faithful as His disciples. Sheep learn the voice of their shepherd and follow it, or they die of starvation. As it is the shepherd who leads them to green pastures, it is Christ who will lead us to everlasting life.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.

 

John 10:27-30

27 Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of My Hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.”

think:  As it is the shepherd who leads the sheep to green pastures, it is Christ who will lead us to everlasting life.

 

 

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 Numbers 1-3

                                                                                                         SABBATH PAUSE

My weekly time with God

THANK YOU LIST

Things to be grateful for from the past week

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

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SPECIAL NEEDS

Things to ask God for in the coming week

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HIDDEN TREASURE

Most important word God told me this week

 

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Daily Bible Readings - April 19,2013

S1^ST READING

 

Before we ever consider a situation or person as irredeemably lost, remember and reread the story of Paul’s conversion. Would anyone who knew Paul have predicted his conversion to Christianity? Similarly, there were probably just as many who believed it to be true when they were first told of the fact. Therein lies the reality of the power of God’s love to transform not just Paul’s life but our own as well. Let us never give up on any situation or person because God has the power to redeem it.

 

Acts 9:1-20

1 Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. 3 On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. 9 For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank. 10 There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is there praying, 12 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, that he may regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel, 16 and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name.” 17 So Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on him, he said, “Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He got up and was baptized, 19 and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength. He stayed some days with the disciples in Damascus, 20 and he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 117:1, 2

R: Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

1 Praise the Lord, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples! (R) 2 For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

It is quite clear that the Catholic and Orthodox Churches (and maybe the High Anglicans) are the only ones who take the sacramental nature of the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel seriously. One of the questions that constantly confuses me is how the biblical fundamentalists deal with this particular teaching of Jesus. It seems to me that they have no other option than to accept the Catholic Church’s position as the correct one, but that would mean enormous problems for the rest of their biblically based doctrines.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood, remains in me and I in him, says the Lord.

 

John 6:52-59

52 The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?” 53 Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. 54 Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. 55 For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. 56 Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” 59 These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

think:  Let us never give up on any situation or person because God has the power to redeem it.

 

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 Leviticus 22-24