Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord - Daily Bible Readings October 31,2013

1^ST READING

 

Paul assures us that God is always on the side of right. God will not promote or protect sin in any way. He always works to bring about good in our lives. Sometimes, He has to deal with the incredible mess we make of our lives but He never loses heart and gives up. He always perseveres to the end. We need to believe this and pray that we will work with God in His will for our lives.

 

Romans 8:31-39

31 Brothers and sisters: If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. 34 Who will condemn? It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35 What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 109:21-22, 26-27, 30-31

R: Save me, O Lord, in your mercy.

21 Do you, O God, my Lord, deal kindly with me for your name’s sake; in your generous mercy rescue me; 22 For I am wretched and poor, and my heart is pierced within me. (R) 26 Help me, O Lord, my God; save me, in your mercy, 27 and let them know that this is your hand; that you, O Lord, have done this. (R) 30 I will speak my thanks earnestly to the Lord, and in the midst of the throng I will praise him, 31 for he stood at the right hand of the poor man, to save him from those who would condemn his soul. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

This is a wonderful image of the protective and, dare I say it, motherly love of God. Yes, God “mothers” us, His children, as we go through life. God is both mother and father to us. Let us never forget that He is there to protect us if we seek shelter under His wings. He will also ensure that we will leave the nest when it is time for us to spread our wings and embrace whatever it is that life has for us.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

 

Luke 13:31-35

31 Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. 33 Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.’ 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! 35 Behold, your house will be abandoned. But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”

LIST

think:  God is both mother and father to us. Sometimes, He has to deal with the incredible mess we make of our lives but He never loses heart and gives up.

 

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 Job 30-33

 

God has called us through the Gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ - Daily Bible Readings October 30,2013

1^ST READING         

 

We all need the Holy Spirit to help us in our weakness. None of us will survive the arduous journey of faith without the help of the Holy Spirit. Paul affirms that the Holy Spirit will not let us down. Why then do we so often fail in striving to overcome sin and temptation? Is it because the Holy Spirit is not there? No! It is because we do not harness the grace of the Spirit through lack of humility or some other sin. We cannot blame God for our failures; we have to learn to recognize our weaknesses and then depend on the Holy Spirit to help us overcome them.

 

Romans 8:26-30

26 Brothers and sisters: The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. 27 And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will. 28 We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 13:4-5, 6

R: My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy.

3 [4] Look, answer me, O Lord, my God! Give light to my eyes that I may not sleep in death 4 [5] lest my enemy say, “I have overcome him”; lest my foes rejoice at my downfall. (R) 5 [6] Though I trusted in your mecy. Let my heart rejoice in your salvation; let me sing of the Lord, “He has been good to me.” (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

There are many stories in both the Old and New Testaments that encourage us to persevere in what we see to be the will of God for our lives or, at the very least, the thing we should be doing at the present moment. Perseverance is a great gift to cultivate as it will not let us down. I love the old saying that a friend of mine uses, “If it does not fit, push harder!” This is the nature of perseverance — it does not give up but finds a way to get the result that is needed.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

God has called us through the Gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Luke 13:22-30

22 Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. 25 After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ 26 And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’ 27 Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God. 30 For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

think:  We cannot blame God for our failures; we have to learn to recognize our weaknesses and then depend on the Holy Spirit to help us overcome them.

 

 

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 Job 26-29

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom - Daily Bible Readings October 29,2013

1^ST READING

 

It is important for us to understand the meaning of Christian hope. Hope, from a Christian point of view, has nothing to do with wishful thinking, but the things in which Christian hope have already been established as “ours” through the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. For example, when we hope in our salvation, we know that it has already been achieved by Christ, and all that remains is for us to take hold of it.

 

Romans 8:18-25

18 Brothers and sisters: I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. 19 For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; 20 for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. 22 We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; 23 and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6

R: The Lord has done marvels for us.

1 When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing. (R) Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad indeed. (R) 4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the torrents in the southern desert. 5 Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. (R) 6 Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, they shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

 

The Kingdom of God is already established, yet it is also a reality that grows within each and every Christian. Here we encounter that wonderful mystery of the “now and not yet” reality of our Christian lives. We live our faith journeys betwixt and between, so to speak. We are moving towards eternal life, already having begun to share in it, experiencing its wonders and joys.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

 

 

Luke 13:18-21

18 Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.” 20 Again he said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”

think:  The Kingdom of God is already established, yet it is also a reality that grows within each and every Christians.

 

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 Job 22-25

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of salvation - Daily Bible Readings October 27,2013

1^ST READING

 

Humility is very important for a life of holiness. There is no such thing as an arrogant saint. Yes, some of them may have seemed to have a streak of arrogance in them, like Jerome, Augustine and others. However, when you study their lives, you begin to see how humility underpins the majority of their character, and that arrogance is something that they constantly fight against. Being sinners like us, they struggle to overcome it.

 

Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18

12 The Lord is a God of justice, who knows no favorites. 13 Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed. 14 The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint. 16 The one who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens. 17 The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, 18 nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right, and the Lord will not delay.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23

R: The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

1 [2] I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. 2 [3] Let my soul glory in the Lord; the lowly will hear me and be glad. (R) 16 [17] The Lord confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. 17 [18] When the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. (R) 18 [19] The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. 22 [23] The Lord redeems the lives of his servants; no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him. (R)

 

2^ND READING

 

Paul knows that he has lived a life of sacrifice in the service of the Gospel. Perhaps he was so diligent in his pursuit of the work of evangelization because he was trying to undo some of the damage he believed he caused the Church when he was persecuting it. It would be great to interview Paul about his feelings on such matters, but we cannot. All we can do is imitate his faith, follow his example and live our lives as living sacrifices for the sake of others as well.

 

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

6 Beloved: I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. 8 From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance. 16At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

GOSPEL

 

Again and again Jesus speaks of humility. Why the repetition? Perhaps it is because we are not very good at listening to this message. Perhaps it is because we refuse to respond to the call to grow in humility. Whatever the case, it is important that we listen carefully to the call to grow in this virtue and then do whatever is necessary to make it happen. Jesus humbled Himself by coming among us as a man. Anything He calls us to do will pale in comparison to this act.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of salvation.

 

Luke 18:9-14

9 Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. 10 “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ 13 But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

 

think:  Let us imitate St. Paul’s faith, follow his example, and live our lives as living sacrifices for the sake of others.

 

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 Job 14-17

                                                                                                      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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                                                          _________________________________________________________________

 

I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion that he may live - Daily Bible Readings October 26,2013

1ST READING   This wonderful passage celebrates the power and potential of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. Paul knows what he is talking about as he has experienced it personally in his conversion. Paul can speak with authority because he lives the reality in his ministry. If only all Christians knew about the power of the Holy Spirit available to them and lived it as conscientiously as Paul did.   Romans 8:1-11 1 Brothers and sisters: Now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has freed you from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law, weakened by the flesh, was powerless to do, this God has done: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for the sake of sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous decree of the law might be fulfilled in us, who live not according to the flesh but according to the spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh are concerned with the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit with the things of the spirit. 6 The concern of the flesh is death, but the concern of the spirit is life and peace. 7 For the concern of the flesh is hostility toward God; it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it; 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you.   P S A L M   Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 R: Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face. 1 The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. 2 For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. (R) 3 Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? Or who may stand in his holy place? 4 He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. (R) 5 He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a reward from God his savior. 6 Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob. (R)   GOSPEL   God is very patient with us. He always gives us a second chance, and then a third one, and so on. However, time will eventually run out for all of us.  There will come a day when we all have to face death and then there is no more opportunity to be given chances. In modern parlance, it is “crunch time!” We have to choose, and then there is no opportunity to change that choice anymore. It is better to begin to make the right choices now, the ones we know we should have been making many years ago. It is better to be prepared for a crisis before it comes than to waste the lead time and then be pressured to make choices when trouble already is upon us.   GOSPEL ACCLAMATION I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion that he may live.   Luke 13:1-9 1 Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. 2 He said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? 3 By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! 4 Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them — do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? 5 By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” 6 And he told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, 7 he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ 8 He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; 9 it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’”   think:  It is better to begin to make the right choices now, the ones we know we should have been making many years ago.   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 Job 10-13

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom - Daily Bible Readings October 25,2013

1^ST READING

 

Paul’s seeming pessimism is difficult to understand in that he achieves so much good for the Church through his untiring efforts of evangelization. Maybe this is because he is aware of the power of deception under which he lived his life until his conversion. He is wary of the way that sin can enter and control a person’s life without their realizing what is happening.

 

Romans 7:18-25

18 Brothers and sisters: I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand. 22 For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self, 23 but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 119:66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94

R: Lord, teach me your statutes.

66 Teach me wisdom and knowledge, for in your commands I trust. (R) 68 You are good and bountiful; teach me your statutes. (R) 76 Let your kindness comfort me according to your promise to your servants. (R) 77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. (R) 93 Never will I forget your precepts, for through them you give me life. (R) 94 I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

We need to stay alert both to the works of the Holy Spirit in our lives, as well as those of sin. A good lookout recognizes the differences between the good and bad — we need to have the same capacity in order to further our spiritual lives. Jesus sees how the people have put time and effort into recognizing the signs of a change in weather (very important in agricultural societies) and challenges the people to put the same effort and energy into reading the signs of the work of the Spirit in their lives.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

 

Luke 12:54-59

54 Jesus said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain — and so it does; 55 and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot — and so it is. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? 57 Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58 If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. 59 I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

 

think:  We need to stay alert both to the works of the Holy Spirit in our lives, as well as those 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_

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Job 6-9

I consider all things so much rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him - Daily Bible Readings October 24,2013

1^ST READING

 

The psychology present in the Letter to the Romans is full of insight. One of the greatest paradoxes of the Christian life is the number of people who simply do not know, or seem to be interested in, the extent of the grace and power that we have been given in the Sacrament of Baptism. Baptism is our sharing and entry into the death of Christ that is the defeat of sin. Sin has no more power over us because Christ has defeated it once and for all.

 

Romans 6:19-23

19 Brothers and sisters: I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your nature. For just as you presented the parts of your bodies as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness for lawlessness, so now present them as slaves to righteousness for sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness. 21 But what profit did you get then from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been freed from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit that you have leads to sanctification, and its end is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 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)

 

GOSPEL

 

Jesus knows that it is in His death that His Father will work a marvelous miracle — the miracle of salvation. Jesus wants this for us — even though the cost to Him will be great — because He loves us. This is the nature of love. It seeks the absolute best for the other person. Whatever the cost and whatever the pain, it is worth His love for you.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I consider all things so much rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him.

 

Luke 12:49-53

49 Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! 50 There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53 a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

LIST

think:  Sin has no more power over us because Christ has defeated it once and for all.

 

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 Job 1-5

Stay awake! For you do not know when the Son of Man will come - Daily Bible Readings October 23,2013

1^ST READING

 

Discipleship is a battle. All Christians are in a battle for their salvation. Satan does not want to lose any of us to the Kingdom of God. Yes, Christ has defeated him, but that does not mean he has given up hope that some of us will follow him rather than Christ. He will fight until the bitter end! We can defeat him every time if we learn, with humility, to call upon the grace of the victory of the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus.

 

Romans 6:12-18

12 Brothers and sisters: Sin must not reign over your mortal bodies so that you obey their desires. 13 And do not present the parts of your bodies to sin as weapons for wickedness, but present yourselves to God as raised from the dead to life and the parts of your bodies to God as weapons for righteousness. 14 For sin is not to have any power over you, since you are not under the law but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Of course not! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, although you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient from the heart to the pattern of teaching to which you were entrusted. 18 Freed from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 124:1-3, 4-6, 7-8

R: Our help is in the name of the Lord.

1 Had not the Lord been with us, let Israel say, 2 had not the Lord been with us — when men rose up against us, 3 then would they have swallowed us alive; when their fury was inflamed against us. (R) 4 Then would the waters have overwhelmed us; the torrent would have swept over us; 5 over us then would have swept the raging waters. 6 Blessed be the Lord, who did not leave us a prey to their teeth. (R) 7 We were rescued like a bird from the fowlers’ snare; broken was the snare, and we were freed. 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (R)

 

 

GOSPEL

 

We need to be watchful and wary of the ways in which Satan will attack us. We need to be alert to his tactics and wiles. We should not be scared or intimidated. We have the victory in and of Christ by which to live. Satan has been defeated and cannot dominate our lives unless we invite him to do so. It is critical that we realize and act upon the victory of Christ that we have received in baptism. If not, we will find ourselves captive to the lies of Satan once again.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

 

Luke 12:39-48

39 Jesus said to his disciples: “Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” 41 Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” 42 And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. 47 That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; 48 and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

 

 

think:  We can defeat Satan every time if we learn, with humility, to call upon the grace of the victory of the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus.

 

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 Malachi 1-3