Daily Bible Readings

March 30, 2011
1st READING

The Commandments are really negative prescriptions that tell us how to avoid wrongdoing. However, there is more to discipleship than not doing the wrong thing – we are called to act out of love for God and one another. This means that we are called to be active in living out the positive tenets of our faith as regards our care for others and our service of the Kingdom of God. It is time we recognized that we can sin by failing to love someone in the Christian way.

Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9
1 Moses spoke to the people and said: “Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 5 Therefore, I teach you the statutes and decrees as the LORD, my God, has commanded me, that you may observe them in the land you are entering to occupy. 6 Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and say, ‘This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.’ 7 For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? 8 Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today? 9 However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children.

P S A L M

Psalms 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20
R: Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
12 Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion. 13 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you. (R) 15 He sends forth his command to the earth; swiftly runs his word! 16 He spreads snow like wool; frost he strews like ashes. (R) 19 He has proclaimed his word to Jacob, his statutes and his ordinances to Israel. 20 He has not done thus for any other nation; his ordinances he has not made known to them. (R)

G O S P E L

Jesus is not an anarchist; He did not abolish the Law! Jesus fulfills the tenets of the Law and invites all of us to do the same. There is no doubt that the Law of Moses remains as valid today as it did 3,800 years ago. What is different is that we have the Holy Spirit in a far more explicit manner to help us fulfill the commands of the Law. Only when we surrender fully to His grace will we understand the extent of the grace God makes available to us.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.

Matthew 5:17-19
17 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

my reflections
t h i n k : Only when we surrender fully to His grace will we understand the extent of the grace God makes available to us.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Kings 7-9

Daily Bible Readings

March 25, 2011

1st READING

This prophecy of deliverance has both an immediate and interpreted (or future) fulfillment. In its immediate sense it refers to Jerusalem being besieged by the Assyrian armies and God promising deliverance within nine months. It was the Fathers of the Church who applied this prophecy to Mary regarding the birth of a Savior. Such is often the nature of prophecy and we should seek the guidance of the Lord for our communities in this way even today. God will speak to us if we are open to hearing and responding to His Word.

Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10
10 The LORD spoke to Ahaz: 11 “Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!” 12 But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!” 13 Then he said: “Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary men, must you also weary my God? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel, 8: 10 “God is with us!”

P S A L M

Psalms 40:7-8, 8-9, 10, 11
R: Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
6 [7] Sacrifice or offering you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not; 7 [8] then said I, “Behold I come”; (R) “In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, 8 [9] to do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!” (R) 9 [10] I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know. (R) 10 [11] Your justice I kept not hid within my heart; your faithfulness and your salvation I have spoken of; I have made no secret of your kindness and your truth in the vast assembly. (R)

2nd READING

As we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation we celebrate the beginning in flesh of the most decisive intervention in worldly affairs that God ever made. The sending of the Messiah changed the world forever! In fact, the grace that Jesus unleashed from the cross will actually penetrate into both the future and the past – that is how powerful it is! Let us all seek to live under the grace of God in honor of this Feast in which we hear Mary say, “I am the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to Your word.”

Hebrews 10:4-10
4 Brothers and sisters: It is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats take away sins. 5 For this reason, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight in. 7 Then I said, ‘As is written of me in the scroll, Behold, I come to do your will, O God.’ ” 8 First Christ says, “Sacrifices and offerings, holocausts and sin offerings, you neither desired nor delighted in.” These are offered according to the law. 9 Then he says, “Behold, I come to do your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second. 10 By this “will,” we have been consecrated through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

G O S P E L

The story of the Annunciation is one that captures our imagination as children as it has all the elements of a great drama: angels intervening in people’s lives, scandal with the pregnancy of an unwed mother; the drama of the slaughter of the Holy Innocents; an emergency birth in a stable; and the main characters are all unremarkable, ordinary people like you and me! If God can do this then, He is equally capable of using all of us for another significant task in His Kingdom.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL OR ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
The Word of God became flesh and made his dwelling among us; and we saw his glory.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Luke 1:26-38
26 The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, 33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 35 And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; 37 for nothing will be impossible for God.” 38 Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

my reflections
t h i n k : God will speak to us if we are open to hearing and responding to His word.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
_________________________________________________________

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

_______________________________________________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 2 Samuel 13-16

Daily Bible Readings

March 18, 2011

1st READING

Ezekiel tells us that the faithful disciple will persevere to the end and if he does not, then his salvation will be endangered. The other side of this coin is that the unfaithful disciple who repents and changes his ways will also be saved. We see clearly that the desire of God is that all be saved. However, we must learn to persevere in the gift of our salvation so that we will not allow the graces God has given us to be wasted.

Ezekiel 18:21-28
21 Thus says the LORD GOD: If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced. 23 Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked? says the Lord GOD. Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way that he may live? 24 And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil, the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does, can he do this and still live? None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered, because he has broken faith and committed sin; because of this, he shall die. 25 You say, “The LORD’s way is not fair!” Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair? 26 When a virtuous man turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. 27 But if a wicked man, turning from the wickedness he has committed, does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life; 28 since he has turned away from all the sins which he committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

P S A L M

Psalms 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7, 7-8
R: If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; Lord, hear my voice! 2 Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication. (R) 3 If you, O LORD, mark iniquities, LORD, who can stand? 4 But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered. (R) 5 I trust in the LORD; my soul trusts in his word. 6 My soul waits for the LORD more than sentinels wait for the dawn. More than sentinels wait for the dawn, 7 let Israel wait for the LORD. (R) For with the LORD is kindness and with him is plenteous redemption; 8 and he will redeem Israel from all their iniquities. (R)

G O S P E L
Jesus reminds us that surface conversion (making our lives look good from the outside) is not enough to attain eternal life. The Gospel has to penetrate the depths of our lives so that we will be transformed into the image and likeness of God. This is our destiny; this is what life in heaven consists of. Let us be faithful in continuing the work God has begun in us so that we will be found worthy (by the grace of God) on Judgment Day.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

Matthew 5:20-26
20 Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21 “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. 23 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, 24 leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

my reflections
think: The Gospel has to penetrate the depths of our lives so that we will be transformed into the image and likeness of God.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
_________________________________________________________

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

_______________________________________________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Samuel 17-20

Daily Bible Readings

March 15, 2011

1st READING

God’s Word is always effective. Sometimes we may not experience the full effectiveness of His word until years after we receive it – but we can be sure that if God speaks to us about something, He will definitely follow it through. It is this sort of faithfulness that we should strive to imitate as disciples of Jesus. We should seek to grow in integrity and commitment to be faithful to our promises.

Isaiah 55:10-11
10 Thus says the LORD: Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats, 11 so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.

P S A L M

Psalms 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19
R: From all their distress God rescues the just.
3 [4] Glorify the LORD with me, let us together extol his name. 4 [5] I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (R) 5 [6] Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. 6 [7] When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him. (R) 15 [16] The LORD has eyes for the just, and ears for their cry. 16 [17] The LORD confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. (R) 17 [18] When the just cry out, the LORD hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. 18 [19] The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. (R)

G O S P E L

The prayer that Jesus teaches His disciples is one that basically covers all the aspects of a disciple’s life. Therefore we can use this prayer as a cover-all prayer when we do not know what to pray for when someone asks us to pray for them. We should simply ask the Holy Spirit to apply the Lord’s Prayer to that person’s life.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
One does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

Matthew 6:7-15
7 Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread; 12 and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; 13 and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one. 14 If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

my reflections
t h i n k : W e should seek to grow in integrity and commitment be faithful to our promises.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
_________________________________________________________

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Samuel 5-8



Didache | Companion | Sabbath | Top
SABBATH


BABBLING LIKE THE PAGANS?

I wonder what Jesus means here by “babbling like the pagans.” Yes, Jesus is talking about prayer and how He wants His disciples to pray, but why bring up the pagans? Perhaps there was a new trend of prayer at the time in Israel that took something from the pagan religions that Jesus did not like? We will probably never know the answer to this question and so we will be left to guess at its meaning.
Christianity is a religion that respects the intellect of the individual so maybe the phrase “babbling like the pagans” is a reference to some religions where there is little respect for the intellect and people are confined to rote prayers and practices that make little sense. The focal point of Christianity is really obedience to God’s will as our response to the offer of salvation and this has little to do with the multiplication of words at prayer. It is far better to spend one’s time of worship and prayer listening to the Holy Spirit as He leads and guides us in the ways of God. There is an old adage that speaks of the need to listen twice as long as we speak because we have two ears and only one mouth.
Jesus then provides His disciples with a very simple prayer that covers the whole gamut of the life of faith. I think Jesus wants us to go straight to the point when we pray and not waste time “beating around the bush.” Far better to say what one wants to say to God up front than babble on for hours before getting to the point of the process. Also, there is no point in trying to hide something from God with a multitude of unnecessary words when a few will do. Like any listener, God will be appreciative of the person who clearly and concisely places their petitions and concerns before Him.
Jesus’ prayers to His Father are always straight to the point and without unnecessary additions. Let us follow His example and use the time we will save for better and more productive causes. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

Reflection Question:
What is my prayer like? Do I ramble on and tend towards verbosity or do I have a good balance of clear and concise prayers and time to listen to God’s Word for my life?

Father, I know You will appreciate it if I keep my prayers clear and concise. Help me with the grace of the Spirit to grow in my ability to do this.

St. Leocrita, pray for us.

Daily Bible Readings

March 11, 2011
1st READING

Repentance is a matter of life and death. If we fail to repent of our sins we will end up in hell. Penance is also important as it demonstrates our commitment to change our past sinful ways. In and through penance we both teach ourselves the way of holiness and seek to repair some of the wrong we have done through our sins. We can never repair the wrong fully and thus are always reliant upon the grace of God, but that does not excuse us from doing what we can to right our wrongs.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20
15 Moses said to the people: “Today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom. 16 If you obey the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving him, and walking in his ways, and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees, you will live and grow numerous, and the LORD, your God, will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy. 17 If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen, but are led astray and adore and serve other gods, 18 I tell you now that you will certainly perish; you will not have a long life on the land which you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy. 19 I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, 20 by loving the LORD, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land which the LORD swore he would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”

P S A L M

Psalms 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6
R: Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
1 Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, 2 but delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night. (R) 3 He is like a tree planted near running water, that yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers. (R) 4 Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 6 For the LORD watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes. (R)

G O S P E L

One of the ways we lose our lives in order to save them is by doing penance. Any penance we undertake ought to be directed towards a spiritual goal, including something like overcoming a particular sin we may have found troublesome in our lives. During Lent we are encouraged to focus our attention on something like this so that we can grow closer to God and become a more faithful disciple.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
Repent, says the Lord; the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Luke 9:22-25
22 Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” 23 Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?

my reflections
t h i n k : In and through penance we both teach ourselves the way of holiness and seek to repair some of the wrong we have caused through our sins.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
_________________________________________________________

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

_______________________________________________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Judges 9-12

Daily Bible Readings

March 10, 20

1st READING

Fasting is one of the common penances advocated by the Church. The symbolism of fasting is very important as we take authority over one of the most insistent of our appetites (for food) and regulate our intake thereof. This helps us to understand the dynamic of overcoming sin and temptation in our lives, teaching us that denial, while a little uncomfortable at first, will neither kill us nor is it an impossible goal.

Isaiah 58:1-9
1 Thus says the LORD God: Cry out full-throated and unsparingly, lift up your voice like a trumpet blast; tell my people their wickedness, and the house of Jacob their sins. 2 They seek me day after day, and desire to know my ways, like a nation that has done what is just and not abandoned the law of their God; they ask me to declare what is due them, pleased to gain access to God. 3 “Why do we fast, and you do not see it? afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?” Lo, on your fast day you carry out your own pursuits, and drive all your laborers. 4 Yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting, striking with wicked claw. Would that today you might fast so as to make your voice heard on high! 5 Is this the manner of fasting I wish, of keeping a day of penance that a man bow his head like a reed, and lie in sackcloth and ashes? Do you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? 6 This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; 7 sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. 8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am!

P S A L M

Psalms 51:3-4, 5-6, 18-19
R: A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
1 [3] Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. 2 [4] Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. (R) 3 [5] For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always: 4 [6] “Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.” (R) 16 [18] For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. 17 [19] My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. (R)

G O S P E L

There are right times and sensible times to fast and do penance. Basically these are determined by common sense. If you have a day of heavy work before you, it is unwise to fast. However, we must be careful that we do not excuse ourselves from all obligation to do penance. I am sure that once we get into the habit of doing penance for our sins we will very quickly experience the benefits for our spiritual lives. As the old saying goes: There is no gain without a little pain.
Judges 13-16
VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
Seek good and not evil so that you may live, and the Lord will be with you.

Matthew 9:14-15
14 The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast [much], but your disciples do not fast?” 15 Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

my reflections
t h i n k : Once we get into the habit of doing penance for our sins we will very quickly experience the benefits for our spiritual lives. As the old saying goes: There is no gain without a little pain.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
_________________________________________________________

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

_______________________________________________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Judges 13-16

Daily Bible Readings

March 9, 2011
1st READING

The first reading for the beginning of a season of penance is one that gives us reason to embrace the penances of Lent – namely, hope in the promises of God, which are made available to us through the resurrection of Jesus, the season’s ultimate focal point.

Joel 2:12-18
12 Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; 13 rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. 14 Perhaps he will again relent and leave behind him a blessing, offerings and libations for the LORD, your God. 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion! proclaim a fast, call an assembly; 16 gather the people, notify the congregation; assemble the elders, gather the children and the infants at the breast; let the bridegroom quit his room, and the bride her chamber. 17 Between the porch and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep, and say, “Spare, O LORD, your people, and make not your heritage a reproach, with the nations ruling over them! Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’ ” 18 Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his land and took pity on his people.

P S A L M

Psalms 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17
R: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
1 [3] Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. 2 [4] Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. (R) 3 [5] For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always. 4 [6] “Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.” (R) 10 [12] A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. 11 [13] Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. (R) 12 [14] Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. 15 [17] O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. (R)

2nd READING

The Season of Lent is one of penance and reconciliation. We should have an eye to these goals as we travel the next seven weeks to Easter and thus prepare ourselves well for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. Penance and suffering are given meaning through the sacrifice of Jesus. Lent is a time when we are taught this truth in an intensive way. Let us seek to meditate daily on the upcoming Passion of Jesus and thus be drawn more deeply into the life of faith.

2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2
20 Brothers and sisters: We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. 6: 1 Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says: “In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

G O S P E L

The best penances are the ones no one else knows anything about! Jesus teaches us that the only thing that matters in this regard is that God knows what we are doing and why. There is no virtue in parading our good works before others; this will gain us nothing at all. Penance is an important aspect of the spiritual life as it recognizes our need to repair the damage we have caused through sin.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
1 Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. 2 When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, 4 so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 5 When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 16 When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

my reflections
t h i n k : T he Season of Lent is one of penance and reconciliation. We should have an eye to these goals as we travel the next seven weeks to Easter.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
_________________________________________________________

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

_______________________________________________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Judges 5-8

Daily Bible Readings

March 4, 2011

1st READING

No matter how grand the structures we build in this life may be, they will eventually crumble and fall. It is the achievements of faith that will endure forever. Just think of the lives of the saints – we continue to celebrate them hundreds and even thousands of years later! Let us seek to grow as men and women of faith so that the heritage we leave for those who follow us will endure forever.

Sirach 44:1, 9-13
1 Now will I praise those godly men, our ancestors, each in his own time. 9 But of others there is no memory, for when they ceased, they ceased. And they are as though they had not lived, they and their children after them. 10 Yet these also were godly men whose virtues have not been forgotten; 11 their wealth remains in their families, their heritage with their descendants; 12 through God’s covenant with them their family endures, their posterity, for their sake. 13 And for all time their progeny will endure, their glory will never be blotted out.

P S A L M

Psalms 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 9
R: The Lord takes delight in his people.
1 Sing to the LORD a new song of praise in the assembly of the faithful. 2 Let Israel be glad in their maker, let the children of Zion rejoice in their king. (R) 3 Let them praise his name in the festive dance, let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp. 4 For the LORD loves his people, and he adorns the lowly with victory. (R) 5 Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy upon their couches; 6 let the high praises of God be in their throats. 9 This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia. (R)

G O S P E L

The spiritual fruit that each of us bears will depend upon the graces God gives us. Another person’s life will never be the ultimate measure for our own as we are all different. This also means that it is up to us as individuals, with the assistance of others from time to time, to respond to the grace of God as it seeks to bear fruit within us. There is no escaping the fact that this choice is one that only the individual can make!

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Mark 11:11-26
11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple area. He looked around at everything and, since it was already late, went out to Bethany with the Twelve. 12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry. Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. 14 And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!” And his disciples heard it. 15 They came to Jerusalem, and on entering the temple area he began to drive out those selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. 16 He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area. 17 Then he taught them saying, “Is it not written: ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples’? But you have made it a den of thieves.” 18 The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it and were seeking a way to put him to death, yet they feared him because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching. 19 When evening came, they went out of the city. 20 Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God. 23 Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. 25 When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.”

my reflections
t h i n k : It is up to us as individuals, with the assistance of others from time to time, to respond to the grace of God as it seeks to bear fruit within us.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Joshua 9-12

Daily Bible Readings

March 3, 2011
1st READING

One of the reasons we struggle to recognize the work of God in our lives is that we have unconsciously allowed ourselves to believe the lies of the world that God does not really care about us as individuals. So we choose not to take the risk of looking for His presence in our lives in order not to be disappointed if we find nothing! This is great pity as more often than not His presence is not that diffficult to recognize, but we will never see it unless we take the step of looking for it!

Sirach 42:15-25
15 Now will I recall God’s works; what I have seen, I will describe. At God’s word were his works brought into being; they do his will as he has ordained for them. 16 As the rising sun is clear to all, so the glory of the LORD fills all his works; 17 yet even God’s holy ones must fail in recounting the wonders of the LORD, though God has given these, his hosts, the strength to stand firm before his glory. 18 He plumbs the depths and penetrates the heart; their innermost being he understands. The Most High possesses all knowledge, and sees from of old the things that are to come: 19 he makes known the past and the future, and reveals the deepest secrets. 20 No understanding does he lack; no single thing escapes him. 21 Perennial is his almighty wisdom; he is from all eternity one and the same, 22 with nothing added, nothing taken away; no need of a counselor for him! 23 How beautiful are all his works! Even to the spark and the fleeting vision! 24 The universe lives and abides forever; to meet each need, each creature is preserved. 25 All of them differ, one from another, yet none of them has he made in vain, for each in turn, as it comes, is good; can one ever see enough of their splendor?

P S A L M

Psalms 33:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R: By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
2 Give thanks to the LORD on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. 3 Sing to him a new song; pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness. (R) 4 For upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. 5 He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full. (R) 6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made; by the breath of his mouth all their host. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea as in a flask; in cellars he confines the deep. (R) 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all who dwell in the world revere him. 9 For he spoke, and it was made; he commanded, and it stood forth. (R)

G O S P E L

The blind man asks to be healed of his blindness but Jesus does not explicitly do this. The text tells us that Jesus ‘saves’ the man through his faith. What does this teach us? I think Mark is trying to remind us of a couple of things: one that our salvation of the forgiveness of our sins is the most important healing we will receive; and secondly, faith is central to all healing.
Joshua 5-8
ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Mark 10:46-52
46 As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. 47 On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, he is calling you.” 50 He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. 51 Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” 52 Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

my reflections
think: Faith is central to all healing.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
_________________________________________________________

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Joshua 5-8

Daily Bible Readings

March 2, 2011

1st READING

Trust is important in discipleship. Without entrusting our lives to the goodness and love of God it is impossible for us to be His disciple and to grow in holiness. The Jews cry out to God to look after them and assure that their interests are not neglected on the world stage. We, too, need to learn to entrust our needs to the Lord and so give Him the opportunity to demonstrate His eternal faithfulness to us.

Sirach 36:1, 4-5, 10-17
1 Come to our aid, O God of the universe, and put all the nations in dread of you! 4 Thus they will know, as we know, that there is no God but you. 5 Give new signs and work new wonders. 10 Gather all the tribes of Jacob, that they may inherit the land as of old, 11 show mercy to the people called by your name; Israel, whom you named your first-born. 12 Take pity on your holy city, Jerusalem, your dwelling place. 13 Fill Zion with your majesty, your temple with your glory. 14 Give evidence of your deeds of old; fulfill the prophecies spoken in your name, 15 reward those who have hoped in you, and let your prophets be proved true. 16 Hear the prayer of your servants, for you are ever gracious to your people; 17 thus it will be known to the very ends of the earth that you are the eternal God.

P S A L M

Psalms 79:8, 9, 11, 13
R: Show us, O Lord, the light of your kindness.
8 Remember not against us the iniquities of the past; may your compassion quickly come to us, for we are brought very low. (R) 9 Help us, O God our savior, because of the glory of your name; deliver us and pardon our sins for your name’s sake. (R) 11 Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you; with your great power free those doomed to death. 13 Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; through all generations we will declare your praise. (R)

G O S P E L

Self-promotion may be an important means of moving ahead in the world but it is anathema in the Kingdom of God. The heart of the life of a disciple of Jesus is humility. Until we are able to lose our self-interest, it is not possible to progress in holiness. It is no mistake that this teaching of Jesus immediately follows one of the predictions of His Passion. It is in His Passion that we see the depth of the humility of Jesus, His willingness to embrace even death on a cross, and thus we learn humility’s central role in the life of discipleship and obedience to the will of God.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
The Son of Man came to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Mark 10:32-45
32 The disciples were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him. 33 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles 34 who will mock him, spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death, but after three days he will rise.” 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” 37 They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am
baptized?” 39 They said to him, “We can.” Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. 42 Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. 43 But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; 44 whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. 45 For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

my reflections
t h i n k : W e need to learn to entrust our needs to the Lord and so give Him the opportunity to demonstrate His eternal faithfulness to us.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
_________________________________________________________

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

_______________________________________________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Joshua 1-4

Daily Bible Readings

March 1, 2011

1st READING

It is important to remember that it is not only what we do but the intention we have when we do things that is important. There is no merit in doing something good for the wrong or even an evil intention! Today’s reading reminds us of the importance of living a virtuous life such that what we do and say and the intention behind our actions are all good and holy.

Sirach 35:1-12
1 To keep the law is a great oblation, and he who observes the commandments sacrifices a peace offering. 2 In works of charity one offers fine flour, and when he gives alms he presents his sacrifice of praise. 3 To refrain from evil pleases the LORD, and to avoid injustice is an atonement. 4 Appear not before the LORD empty-handed, for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts. 5 The just man’s offering enriches the altar and rises as a sweet odor before the Most High. 6 The just man’s sacrifice is most pleasing, nor will it ever be forgotten. 7 In generous spirit pay homage to the LORD, be not sparing of freewill gifts. 8 With each contribution show a cheerful countenance, and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy. 9 Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously, according to your means. 10 For the LORD is one who always repays, and he will give back to you sevenfold. 11 But offer no bribes, these he does not accept! Trust not in sacrifice of the fruits of extortion, 12 for he is a God of justice, who knows no favorites.

P S A L M

Psalms 50:5-6, 7-8, 14, 23
R: To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
5 “Gather my faithful ones before me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” 6 And for the heavens proclaim his justice; for God himself is the judge. (R) 7 “Hear, my people, and I will speak; Israel, I will testify against you; God, your God, am I. 8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you, for your burnt offering are before me always. (R) 14 “Offer to God praise as your sacrifice and fulfill your vows to the Most High. 23 He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me; and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.” (R)

G O S P E L

There is a bit of the mercenary in all of us, wondering what we are going to get out of whatever it is we are doing. Here it is good for us to learn to do things for the sake of others. Eventually we will discover that such actions rebound to us and turn out to be good for us as well. his is how virtue and goodness work – they attract one another and multiply among themselves. So, as long as we are committed to doing good, we will find that the balance of things that happen to us are also good.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Mark 10:28-31
28 Peter began to say to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel 30 who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. 31 But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

my reflections
think: It is important to remember that it is not only what we do but the intention we have when we do things that is important.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
_________________________________________________________

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

_______________________________________________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Deuteronomy 31-34