1st READING
Why does it seem that the good die young and the wicked prosper? It seems ironic to me that this old adage hits the nail on the head, so to speak, far too often. Perhaps it is because prosperity is not a measure of the righteousness of a person. On the other hand, someone who neglects doing the right thing and looking out for others has a lot more time to spend making money. Let us make sure that we do not fall on the wrong side of this equation.
Wisdom 2:1, 12-22
1 The wicked said among themselves, thinking not aright: 12 “Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training. 13 He professes to have knowledge of God and styles himself a child of the Lord. 14 To us he is the censure of our thoughts; merely to see him is a hardship for us, 15 because his life is not like that of others, and different are his ways. 16 He judges us debased; he holds aloof from our paths as from things impure. He calls blest the destiny of the just and boasts that God is his Father. 17 Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him. 18 For if the just one be the Son of God, he will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes. 19 With revilement and torture let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. 20 Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him.” 21 These were their thoughts, but they erred; for their wickedness blinded them, 22 and they knew not the hidden counsels of God; neither did they count on a recompense of holiness nor discern the innocent souls’ reward.
P S A L M
Psalm 34:17-18, 19-20, 21, 23
R: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
16 [17] The Lord confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. 17 [18] When the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. (R) 18 [19] The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. 19 [20] Many are the troubles of the just man, but out of them all the Lord delivers him. (R) 20 [21] He watches over all his bones; not one of them shall be broken. 22 [23] But the Lord redeems the lives of his servants; no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him. (R)
GOSPEL
Jesus was very effective at making enemies to the point that they wanted to kill Him. Some people say that you know you are doing something right when people want to kill you. The Church discovered this very quickly as many of her early converts faced and suffered martyrdom for their beliefs. It is this level of commitment that began to make a difference for the Gospel.
LIST
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
1 Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. 2 But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near. 10 But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret. 25 Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill? 26 And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? 27 But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.” 28 So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. 29 I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.” 30 So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.
think: Prosperity is not a measure of the righteousness of a person.
T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Genesis 31-33
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