Daily Bible Reflections

February 25, 2011

1st READING

The Book of Proverbs reminds us that a true friend will be a friend forever. Here the author of Ecclesiasticus reminds us to make as many friends as we can because in them we will find a sure shelter in the midst of life’s storms. This is a very sound advice but it often goes unheeded in our very individualistic world. In a world where friends are measured by the number of contacts one has on Facebook or Twitter, it is wise to shut down these virtual connections and spend more time on real face-to-face sharing and relationships.

Sirach 6:5-17
5 A kind mouth multiplies friends and appeases enemies, and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings. 6 Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant. 7 When you gain a friend, first test him, and be not too ready to trust him 8 For one sort of friend is a friend when it suits him, but he will not be with you in time of distress. 9 Another is a friend who becomes an enemy, and tells of the quarrel to your shame. 10 Another is a friend, a boon companion, who will not be with you when sorrow comes. 11 When things go well, he is your other self, and lords it over your servants; 12 but if you are brought low, he turns against you and avoids meeting you. 13 Keep away from your enemies; be on your guard with your friends. 14 A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure. 15 A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth. 16 A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds; 17 for he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself.

P S A L M

Psalms 119:12, 16, 18, 27, 34, 35
R: Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
12 Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes. (R) 16 In your statutes I will delight; I will not forget your words. (R) 18 Open my eyes, that I may consider the wonders of your law. (R) 27 Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds. (R) 34 Give me discernment, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart. (R) 35 Lead me in the path of your commands, for in it I delight. (R)

G O S P E L
Jesus answers the question about divorce by returning to the source of marriage, God’s intention when He created the relationship in the first instance. When we want to know how to use a new piece of technology we read the manufacturer’s instructions! I wonder why it is that so many people today refuse to consult God’s manual for life when asking the big questions that confront us? This reluctance is the main reason why there are so many broken marriages and relationships in our society. We need to return to the basics and follow the instructions
given to us by God.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Mark 10:1-12
1 Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom, he again taught them. 2 The Pharisees approached and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him. 3 He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They replied, “Moses permitted him to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.” 5 But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female. 7 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother [and be joined to his wife], 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” 10 In the house the disciples again questioned him about this. 11 He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

my reflections
t h i n k : It is wise to shut down our virtual connections and spend more time on real face-to-face sharing and relationships.

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 15-18



Deuteronomy 15-18