Daily Bible Readings

November 14, 2011
1st READING

The story of the Maccabees and their heroic resistance to the influence of Greek and pagan culture is one of the most noble episodes in the history of Israel. King Antiochus Epiphanes sought to force all the Jews to break their customs, sacrifice to false gods and to eat food that was considered unclean. Many went along with this as they saw many economic benefits in doing so. Some, however, were willing to die rather than break their covenant with God. Let us be inspired by these men and women and not compromise our faith and principles for expediency.

1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63
10 [From the descendants of Alexander’s officers] there sprang from these a sinful offshoot, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of King Antiochus, once a hostage at Rome. He became king in the year one hundred and thirty-seven of the kingdom of the Greeks. 11 In those days there appeared in Israel men who were breakers of the law, and they seduced many people, saying: “Let us go and make an alliance with the Gentiles all around us; since we separated from them, many evils have come upon us.” 12 The proposal was agreeable; 13 some from among the people promptly went to the king, and he authorized them to introduce the way of living of the Gentiles. 14 Thereupon they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem according to the Gentile custom. 15 They covered over the mark of their circumcision and abandoned the holy covenant; they allied themselves with the Gentiles and sold themselves to wrongdoing. 41 Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people, 42 each abandoning his particular customs. All the Gentiles conformed to the command of the king, 43 and many children of Israel were in favor of his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath. 54 On the fifteenth day of the month Chislev, in the year one hundred and forty-five, the king erected the horrible abomination upon the altar of burnt offerings, and in the surrounding cities of Judah they built pagan altars. 55 They also burnt incense at the doors of houses and in the streets. 56 Any scrolls of the law which they found they tore up and burnt. 57 Whoever was found with a scroll of the covenant, and whoever observed the law, was condemned to death by royal decree. 62 But many in Israel were determined and resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean; 63 they preferred to die rather than to be defiled with unclean food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. Terrible affliction was upon Israel.

P S A L M
Psalms 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158
R: Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.
53 Indignation seizes me because of the wicked who forsake your law. (R) 61 Though the snares of the wicked are twined about me your law I have not forgotten. (R) 134 Redeem me from the oppression of men, that I may keep your precepts. (R) 150 I am attacked by malicious persecutors who are far from your law. (R) 155 Far from sinners is salvation, because they seek not your statutes. (R) 158 I beheld the apostates with loathing, because they kept not to your promise. (R)

G O S P E L
The monks in the desert adopted the cry of the blind man of Jericho, “Jesus of Nazareth, have pity on me,” and this became known as the “Jesus prayer.” They would have a string of 100 beads and say this prayer over and over again like a mantra. It is a cry that goes straight to the heart of our Lord. Let us, too, cry out to Jesus our weakness and sinfulness that He may save us.

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 18:35-43
35 As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, 36 and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” 39 The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!” 40 Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.” 42 Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” 43 He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

my reflections
t h i n k : Let us not compromise our faith and principles for expediency.

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 Luke 1-4