1ST READING
Our
author writes to seven important communities in what is Western Turkey
today. The places are not as important as the overall message
of this book, which is an encouragement to remain faithful to the core
of the Gospel and not to allow any compromise with the State of Rome to
lessen one’s commitment to following the Gospel.
Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5
1 The
revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show his servants
what must happen soon. He made it known by sending his angel to his
servant John, 2 who gives witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ by reporting what he saw. 3 Blessed
is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this
prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time
is near.
4 John,
to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace from him who is
and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his
throne. I heard the Lord saying to me: 2: 1 “To
the angel of the church in Ephesus, write this: “‘The one who holds the
seven stars in his right hand and walks in the midst of the seven gold
lampstands says this: 2 I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot
tolerate the wicked; you have tested those who call themselves Apostles but are not, and discovered that they are impostors. 3 Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name, and you have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first. 5 Realize
how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first.
Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place,
unless you repent.”
P S A L M
Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6
R: Those who are victorious I will feed the tree of life.
1 Blessed
the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way
of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, 2 but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night. (R) 3 He
is like a tree planted near running water that yields its fruit in due
season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers. (R) 4 Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes. (R)
GOSPEL
Jesus
is never embarrassed by the concerns of others. He is always willing to
stop and hear the cry of anyone who has faith that He, Jesus, can help
them. The same should be true of us. It is right to place boundaries
around what we will and will not do in the service of the Gospel, what
our responsibilities might be in comparison to someone else. However,
ultimately we have to deal with each concern as it arises with love and
compassion.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.
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.
1st READING 2nd READING
BLESSING
LIST
think: Ultimately, we have to deal with each concern as it arises, with love and compassion.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ___________________________
____________________________________________
God’s special verse/thought for me today_________
____________________________________________
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Jeremiah 43-46
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