Daily Bible Reflections

February 23, 2011

1st READING

One of the most important aspects of wisdom is its lived witness. If a person has all the wisdom in his or her mind alone it is virtually useless as it is through the witness of his or her life that the wisdom of God will be made manifest. This is why it is important for us to understand our faith so that we can better live it and thus bear witness to the truth of the Gospel.

Sirach 4:11-19
11 Wisdom breathes life into her children and admonishes those who seek her. 12 He who loves her loves life; those who seek her out win her favor. 13 He who holds her fast inherits glory; wherever he dwells, the LORD bestows blessings. 14 Those who serve her serve the Holy One; those who love her the LORD loves. 15 He who obeys her judges nations; he who hearkens to her dwells in her inmost chambers. 16 If one trusts her, he will possess her; his descendants too will inherit her. 17 She walks with him as a stranger, and at first she puts him to the test; fear and dread she brings upon him and tries him with her discipline; with her precepts she puts him to the proof, until his heart is fully with her. 18 Then she comes back to bring him happiness and reveal her secrets to him. 19 But if he fails her, she will abandon him and deliver him into the hands of despoilers.

P S A L M

Psalms 119:165, 168, 171, 172, 174, 175
R: O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
165 Those who love your law have great peace, and for them there is no stumbling block. (R) 168 I keep your precepts and your decrees, for all my ways are before you. (R) 171 My lips pour forth your praise, because you teach me your statutes. (R) 172 May my tongue sing of your promise, for all your commands are just. (R) 174 I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight. (R) 175 Let my soul live to praise you, and may your ordinances help me. (R)

G O S P E L

It is not for us to judge the intentions of a person’s heart. This is for God alone. Yes, there are times when we have to restrain someone from doing something wrong (and hence make judgment of them) but our judgment here is primarily on their action and not their intention. Let us seek to act always with good intent and let us pray that our own intentions may be purified by the grace of God. In this way we will truly witness to the grace and truth of the Gospel.

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

Mark 9:38-40
38 John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” 39 Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. 40 For whoever is not against us is for us.”

my reflections
t h i n k : It is important for us to understand our faith so that we can better live it and thus bear witness to the truth of the Gospel.

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 Deuteronomy 8-11