The path of salvation is not an easy one to follow; we should pray for the grace to be humble enough to receive the graces that God will give us on this journey - Daily Bible Readings August 31,2014

1^ST READING

 

Jeremiah has a great way of putting the persuasive powers of God in words — “you duped me, O Lord, and I allowed myself to be duped”. I like the whole image of God crafting a way to bring us to Himself, such that we are caught up in a faith response even before we realize it. This is the way of the Holy Spirit. He always works to draw us close to God.

 

Jeremiah 20:7-9

7 You duped me, O Lord, and I let myself be duped; you were too strong for me, and you triumphed. All the day I am an object of laughter; everyone mocks me. 8 Whenever I speak, I must cry out, violence and outrage is my message; the word of the Lord has brought me derision and reproach all the day. 9 I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

R: My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

1 [2] O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. (R) 2 [3] Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, 3 [4] for your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you. (R) 4 [5] Thus will I bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name. 5 [6] As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. (R) 7 [8] You are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. 8 [9] My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me. (R)

 

2^ND READING

 

Ultimately, our minds play a central role in our conversion. We may be drawn to faith in different ways, but ultimately we have to acknowledge the truth of the Gospel through a rational decision. Faith is not simply instinct or emotion; there is a rational component to it, and it is this aspect that helps us to endure all the hardships and struggles. Paul knows this and, thus, calls us to renew our minds according to the ways and mind of God.

 

Romans 12:1-2

1 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. 2 Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.

 

GOSPEL LIST

Jesus is quite clear that we cannot save ourselves from our sins. In fact, if we insist on trying to do this, the result will be a disaster. We have to learn to let go of our self-sufficiency and admit that we need Jesus as our Redeemer. Then and only then can we walk on the path that leads to salvation. The path of salvation is not an easy one to follow; we should pray for the grace to be humble enough to receive the graces that God will give us on this journey.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.

 

Matthew 16:21-27

21 Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. 22 Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” 23 He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” 24 Then 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 all according to his conduct.”

 

think:  The path of salvation is not an easy one to follow; we should pray for the grace to be humble enough to receive the graces that God will give us on this journey.2nd READING

 

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 31-35

 

 

A                                                                                                                                                                                                              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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It is important that we are faithful in speaking the truth in love; the Holy Spirit will do the rest - Daily Bible Readings August 30,2014

1^ST READING

 

Paul assures us that we do not have to be the best debaters in the world to proclaim the Gospel and to defend it among the people. In fact, it is better that we are not the best because then we will attribute the inevitable triumph of the truth to God and not claim it for ourselves. It is important that we are faithful in speaking the truth in love; the Holy Spirit will do the rest.

 

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

26 Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, 28 and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, 29 so that no human being might boast before God. 30 It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.”

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 33:12-13, 18-19, 20-21

R: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

12 Blessed the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. 13 From heaven the Lord looks down; he sees all mankind. (R) 18 But see, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, 19 to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. (R) 20 Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield, 21 for in him our hearts rejoice; in his holy name we trust. (R)       

 

GOSPEL

 

 

God does not demand that we change the world and achieve everything that He did not achieve during His ministry. He simply asks us to be faithful to the gifts and talents He has given us and to use them to the best of our abilities, both for ourselves and the work of the Kingdom of God. This is an eminently reasonable request on His part because all the good that we have originates from Him.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you.

 

Matthew 25:14-30

14 Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one — to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately 16 the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. 17 Likewise, the one who received two made another two. 18 But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ 22 Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; 25 so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’ 26 His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? 28 Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. 29 For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’”

 

think:  It is important that we are faithful in speaking the truth in love; the Holy Spirit will do the rest.

 

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 26-30

 

The agenda of the world is contrary to the beliefs of our faith — are we going to stand for the truth? - Daily Bible Readings August 29,2014

1^ST READING

Jeremiah stands firm in his obedience to God’s call even though he knows that it will mean suffering for him. He knows that his integrity as a prophet is at stake here. What is the use of a prophet who just tells the people what they want to hear and does not challenge them to deeper conversion? None whatsoever! This is the challenge we face as prophets today. The agenda of the world is contrary to the beliefs of our faith — are we going to stand for the truth?

Jeremiah 1:17-19 (or 1 Corinthians 1:17-25)

17 The word of the Lord came to me thus: Gird your loins; stand up and tell them all that I command you. Be not crushed on their account, as though I would leave you crushed before them; 18 for it is I this day who have made you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against the whole land: against Judah’s kings and princes, against its priests and people. 19 They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.

P S A L M

Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15, 17 (or Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11)

R: I will sing your salvation.

1 In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. 2 In your justice rescue me, and deliver me; incline your ear to me, and save me. (R) 3 Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety, for you are my rock and my fortress. 4 O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked. (R) 5 For you are my hope, O Lord; my trust, O God, from my youth. 6 On you I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength. (R) 15 My mouth shall declare your justice, day by day your salvation. 17 O God, you have taught me from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds. (R)

GOSPEL

John the Baptist is a man of integrity. Even if he knew it would displease Herod, he still told him the truth about his illicit marriage to his brother’s wife. This results in his martyrdom after a major flaw in the character of Herod is revealed — his inability to be a man of integrity. Herod is too weak to take the displeasure of the people around him and so John’s life is forfeited to the sword.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Mark 6:17-29 (or Matthew 25:14-30)

17 Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. 18 John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. 20 Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. 21 She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. 22 Herodias’s own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” 23 He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” 24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 26 The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. 27 So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. 28 He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

think:  The agenda of the world is contrary to the beliefs of our faith — are we going to stand for the truth?

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 21-25

Stay awake! For you do not know when the Son of Man will come - Daily Bible Readings August 28,2014

1^ST READING

 

As we read Paul’s correspondence with the Corinthian community, it becomes obvious that he loved this community very much. Apart from spending a lengthy period of time with them on a number of occasions, he writes to them often, more times than the two nominal letters we have preserved in the Scriptures. Paul gives everything he has to the task at hand and holds nothing back so he could give what might benefit the faith of those whom he cares for.

 

1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (or 1 John 4:7-16)

1 Paul, called to be an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 to the church of God that is in Corinth, to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy, with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, 6 as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 (or Psalm 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)

R: I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

2 Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever. 3 Great is the Lord and highly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. (R) 4 Generation after generation praises your works and proclaims your might. 5 They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty and tell of your wondrous works. (R) 6 They discourse of the power of your terrible deeds and declare your greatness. 7 They publish the fame of your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your justice. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, one of its greatest theologians and philosophers. Many may not agree with all the nuances of Augustine’s thoughts but we must remember that like us, he is a man of his time. His greatness can be easily seen in that he, of all theologians, is quoted more often in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and also the Documents of Vatican II. He is the first to provide an extensive outline of authority and, if you read Aquinas, you will find Augustine ideas in most areas of Aquinas’ thoughts.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Stay awake! For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.

 

Matthew 24:42-51 (or Matthew 23:8-12)

42 Jesus said to his disciples: “Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. 43 Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. 44 So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come. 45 Who, then, is the faithful and prudent servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household to distribute to them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so. 47 Amen, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is long delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with drunkards, 50 the servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour 51 and will punish him severely and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”

 

think:  Like St. Paul, let us give everything we have to the task at hand and hold nothing back, so we could give what might benefit those whom we care for.

 

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 16-20

Whoever keeps the word of Christ, the love of God is truly perfected in him - Daily Bible Readings August 27,2014

1^ST READING

 

Orthodoxy, which literally means “right glory,” is essential to a good preacher and teacher. If he or she is not orthodox then there is the danger of leading his audience astray, and woe unto a teacher who leads the little ones of Jesus astray. As we seek to be formed by the Gospel, let us always be guided by the Scriptures, the Traditions of the Church, and Her Magisterium. Let us pray that we will always teach what the Church teaches.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18

6 We instruct you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to shun any brother who walks in a disorderly way and not according to the tradition they received from us. 7 For you know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a disorderly way among you, 8 nor did we eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you. 9 Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us. 10 In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat. 16 May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 17 This greeting is in my own hand, Paul’s. This is the sign in every letter; this is how I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 128:1-2, 4-5

R: Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

1 Blessed are you who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways! 2 For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored. (R) 4 Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord. 5 The Lord bless you from Zion, may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Today is the feast of St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo. She is a tremendous example to us in the way of perseverance in the intercessory ministry. She refused to give up on the salvation of her son, no matter how far he had strayed into the world of the academe and philosophy. She ought to be the patron of intercessors. Let us ask her to pray for us that we will become better intercessors.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Whoever keeps the word of Christ, the love of God is truly perfected in him.

 

Matthew 23:27-32 (or Luke 7:11-17)

27 Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. 28 Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing. 29 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, 30 and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’ 31 Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets; 32 now fill up what your ancestors measured out!”

 

think:  Let us pray that we will always teach what the Church teaches.

 

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 11-15

This is the challenge we face each day — to make good moral choices and avoid temptations of sin - Daily Bible Readings August 25,2014

1^ST READING

 

The Early Church was not afraid to embrace suffering. It was seen to be a part of life. Listen to what Paul has to say when he says that the privilege of suffering for the sake of the Gospel is a sign of having been welcomed into its service by God. If only we were able to accept suffering so easily — how much more powerful would our intercession for the work of the Gospel be?

 

2 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 11-12

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, as is fitting, because your faith flourishes ever more, and the love of every one of you for one another grows ever greater. 4 Accordingly, we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God regardingyour endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the afflictions you endure. 5 This is evidence of the just judgment of God, so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God for which you are suffering. 11 We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 4-5

R: Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all nations.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands. 2 Sing to the Lord; bless his name. (R) Announce his salvation, day after day. 3 Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. (R) 4 For great is the Lord and highly to be praised; awesome is he, beyond all gods. 5 For all the gods of the nations are things of nought, but the Lord made the heavens. (R)

 

 

GOSPEL

 

We have nothing to fear from all these condemnations if we have lived a good and holy life. This is the challenge we face each day — to make good moral choices and avoid the temptations of sin. Jesus has given us the grace to grow in holiness. All we have to do is to put it to good use. This requires perseverance in doing good works as the virtuous life comes after a long time. It is not a short- term goal at all.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

 

 

Matthew 23:13-22

13 Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter. [14] 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves. 16 Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.’ 17 Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.’ 19 You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it; 21 one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it;22 one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it.”

 

think:  This is the challenge we face each day — to make good moral choices and avoid temptations of sin.

 

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: __________________

 

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God’s special verse/thought for me today_

_____________________________________

 

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Psalm 1-5

 

You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it - Daily Bible Readings August 24,2014

1^ST READING

 

One of the images of leadership is that of a father. A father cares for his family and protects them against danger. All leaders, especially spiritual leaders, should remember this, as to abandon one’s flock is the worst thing a leader can do. It is a bit like the captain of a sinking ship — he must be the last one to leave the ship. Let us pray that our leaders will always consider the care of their flock as their highest priority.

 

Isaiah 22:15, 19-23

15 Thus says the Lord to Shebna, master of the palace: 19 “I will thrust you from your office and pull you down from your station. 20 On that day I will summon my servant Eliakim, son of Hilkiah; 21 I will clothe him with your robe, and gird him with your sash, and give over to him your authority. He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. 22 I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim’s shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut, when he shuts, no one shall open. 23 I will fix him like a peg in a sure spot, to be a place of honor for his family.”

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8

R: Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.

1 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; 2 I will worship at your holy temple. (R) I will give thanks to your name, because of your kindness and your truth. 3 When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. (R) 6 The Lord is exalted, yet the lowly he sees, and the proud he knows from afar. 8 Your kindness, O Lord, endures forever; forsake not the work of your hands. (R)

 

2^ND READING

 

These words of Paul indicate a heart rejoicing in the wisdom and ways of God. Given the context of these words, there may also be a slight frustration that he, Paul, does not understand how God will rectify the situation that many of the Jews reject the Gospel. This is Paul’s great dilemma in chapters 9-11 of Romans. He cannot understand why the Jews, of all people, reject the Gospel. Is it not plain to them what God is doing?

 

Romans 11:33-36

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor? 35 Or who has given him anything that he may be repaid? 36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

 

GOSPEL

 

This is the ultimate question that determines our response to God’s call. If we do not believe Jesus is the Son of God, Redeemer and Savior, then we are going to ignore the Gospels and live our lives without its revelation and graces. If we believe, then the possibilities of a life of faith are endless. If we do not believe, we will be eternally frustrated and unfulfilled; if we believe, we will be eternally content and fulfilled.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

 

Matthew 16:13-20

13 Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesussaid to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh andblood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 18 And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. 

think:  Let us pray that our leaders will always consider the care of their flock as their highest priority.

 

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: __________________

 

____________________________________

 

God’s special verse/thought for me today_

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Job 38-42

                                                                                                          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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