Daily Bible Readings

September 2, 2011 1st READING St. Paul describes Jesus as the “firstborn of all creation.” This does not mean that Jesus was created but rather that He has a preeminent place as the God-man over all creation. In fact, all creation is for Him and is shaped in His image. All the fullness of God dwells in Jesus. When we encounter Jesus, we truly encounter God in the flesh. Colossians 1:15-20 15 Brothers and sisters: Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven. P S A L M Psalms 100:1, 2, 3, 4, 5 R: Come with joy into the presence of the Lord. 1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; 2 serve the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful song. (R) 3 Know that the LORD is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends. (R) 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise; give thanks to him; bless his name. (R) 5 For he is good, the LORD, whose kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness, to all generations. (R) G O S P E L The Pharisees fasted twice a week and saw this as an important part of their spiritual practice. They are scandalized that Jesus, a prominent rabbi and leader with a huge following of Jews, does not insist that His disciples fast. Jesus says that He is ushering in not just another pious Jewish association but a whole new people of God. The coming of the Kingdom of God is more fully realized in feasting and joyful celebrations than in fasting. Yet later, when Jesus is risen, the disciples and the church would practice fasting. 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 Luke 5:33-39 33 The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? 35 But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.” 36 And he also told them a parable. “No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one. Otherwise, he will tear the new and the piece from it will not match the old cloak. 37 Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. 38 Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins. 39 And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’ ” read the Bible my reflections think: All the fullness of God dwells in Jesus. When we encounter Jesus, we truly encounter God in the flesh. 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 Isaiah 53-56