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________________
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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 Judges 13-16