Daily Bible Readings

October 31, 2011
1st READING

The English philosopher Hume thought that if God was truly loving, He would intervene in all human affairs to prevent us from experiencing the bad effects of our wrongdoings. Yet here St. Paul shows us the very opposite. God not only allows us to experience the bad effects of our sins but hands us over to be its slave. This is so that we will realize the seriousness of sin and so cry out to God for His deliverance. It is often only when a person has hit rock bottom that he realizes his true need and then turns wholeheartedly to God.

Romans 11:29-36
29 Brothers and sisters: The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. 30 Just as you once disobeyed God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they have now disobeyed in order that, by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. 32 For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all. 33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given him anything that he may be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To God be glory forever. Amen.

P S A L M

Psalms 69:30-31, 33-34, 36-37
R: Lord, in your great love, answer me.
29 [30] But I am afflicted and in pain; let your saving help, O God, protect me. 30 [31] I will praise the name of God in song, and I will glorify him with thanksgiving. (R) 32 [33] “See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts be revive! 33 [34] For the LORD hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.” (R) 35 [36] For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. They shall dwell in the land and own it, 36 [37] and the descendants of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall inhabit it. (R)

G O S P E L

This is one of the most challenging passages in the New Testament. Jesus is dining at the house of a leading Pharisee, a man of prestige, wealth and political power. He tells him that he should not invite his friends to dinner but the poor, homeless, lame and blind — people who smell bad, have ragged and dirty clothes and not know the right table manners. If we want to be rewarded by God in the next life for our hospitality, this is what we should put into practice.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, says the Lord.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Luke 14:12-14
12 On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. He said to the host who invited him, “When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. 13 Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; 14 blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

my reflections
think: If we want to be rewarded by God in the next life for our hospitality, this is what we should put into practice.

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 John 9-12