Daily Bible Readings

September 11, 2011
1st READING

Both the Old and New Testaments teach us clearly that if we want God to forgive our sins, then we must first forgive those who have sinned against us. If we ask God to heal us of our sickness, Sirach tells us we must put aside our anger towards others. Otherwise we will not receive the healing we are praying for. Let us pray today for the grace to forgive even those who have greatly wronged us.

Sirach 27:30-28:7
30 Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight. 28: 1 The vengeful will suffer the LORD’s vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail. 2 Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. 3 Could anyone nourish anger against his fellows and expect healing from the LORD? 4 Could anyone refuse mercy to another like himself, can he seek pardon for his own sins? 5 If one who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins? 6 Remember your last days, set enmity aside; remember death and decay, and cease from sin! 7 Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor; of the Most High’s covenant, and overlook faults.

P S A L M

Psalms 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12
R: The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (R) 3 He pardons all your iniquities, he heals all your ills. 4 He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion. (R) 9 He will not always chide, nor does he keep his wrath forever. 10 Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes. (R) 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us. (R)

2nd READING

The Apostle Paul was very aware of the importance of the Body of Christ and how, as Christians, we are all intimately connected in a mysterious way in the Spirit. What I do or fail to do impacts others in the Body of Christ. Each day we should be aware of our obligations and responsibilities to live a life worthy of the Lord, both when people observe us and when we are alone.

Romans 14:7-9
7 Brothers and sisters: None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. 8 For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

G O S P E L

The Jewish Rabbis taught that one was obligated to forgive a person four times for their sins. Peter therefore thinks he is being very generous and merciful when he suggests to Jesus that he would forgive seven times. However, Jesus makes it clear that there should be no limit to our mercy just as God forgives us endlessly.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
I give you a new commandment, says the Lord; love one another as I have loved you.

R: Alleluia, alleluia
Matthew 18:21-35
21 Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. 23 T hat is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. 25 Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. 26 At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ 27 Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. 28 When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ 29 Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ 30 But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. 31 Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. 32 His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. 33 Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ 34 Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. 35 So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

my reflections
t h i n k : What I do or fail to do impacts others in the Body of Christ.
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 Jeremiah 19-22

SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week