Daily Bible Readings

November 2, 2011
1st READING

As we remember our dead today, let us not wallow in self-pity. The Church reminds us that we entrust them to the Lord’s hands and mercy. There is no better place to be than there. Death is a time when we experience our inability to control our fate and thus it is the time when we most need to place our hope and trust in the Lord.

Wisdom 3:1-9 (or Wisdom 4:7-15 or Isaiah 25:6, 7-9)
1 The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. 2 They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction 3 and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. 4 For if in the sight of others, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; 5 chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. 6 As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. 7 In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; 8 they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever. 9 Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect.

P S A L M

Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6 (or Psalms 27:1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 13-14 or Psalms 25:6, 7, 17-18, 20-21)

R: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; 3 he refreshes my soul. (R) He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. (R) 5 You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (R) 6 Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come. (R)

2nd READING

Paul reminds us that we can be sure of God’s love for us because Jesus died for us while we were sinners. How often do we think about this truth? It is essential that we reflect upon it often. Why? Because it is at the heart of the Gospel message and it is this truth that most perfectly reflects the depth of the nature of God’s love for us.

Romans 5:5-11 (or Romans 5:17-21 or Romans 6:3-9 or 1 Corinthians 15:20-28)
5 Brothers and sisters: Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. 6 For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. 7 Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. 8 But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. 9 How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. 10 Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

G O S P E L

One of the interesting things to reflect upon here is that faith is not mentioned as the only criterion of salvation. Acts or works of charity are the focus here. Why is this the case? It is because Matthew wants to remind us that there is a way to measure or judge our growth towards the gift of salvation. How do we measure up to the criteria mentioned here?

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
This is the will of my Father, says the Lord, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life.
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Matthew 25:31-46 (or Matthew 11:25-30, or John 11:17-27)
31 Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, 32 and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ 40 And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 41 Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ 44 Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ 45 He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ 46 And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

my reflections
t hink: Death is a time when we experience our inability to control our fate and thus it is the time when we most need to place our hope and trust in the Lord.

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 17-21