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Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Daily Bible Readings - December 26, 2012

1ST READING
 
The martyrdom of Stephen becomes the prototype of what some Apostolic writers call the second baptism, or better still, baptism of blood. Stephen will not back down from what he knows to be true, both in his mind and through experience. He will not renounce his faith. Let us reflect upon his level of commitment to the truth and pray for the grace to imitate it in our own lives.
 
Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59
8 Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, 10 but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. 7: 54 When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. 58 They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
 
P S A L M
 
Psalm 31:3-4, 6, 8, 16, 17
R: Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
2 [3] Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety. 3 [4] You are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me. (R) 5 [6] Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God. 7 [8] I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy. (R) 15 [16] Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors. 16 [17] Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your kindness. (R)
 
GOSPEL
 
We live in a society and world where there is a lot of talk about the separation of Church and state. At one level this does not make a lot of sense as both have the people’s welfare at their essence. If we are talking about human dignity, then people ought to be the basis of our reflection. That which is derived from the nature of the human person and his or her dignity ought to be enshrined in law. This is the only way to protect the truth and dignity of life, as we understand it.
 
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord: the Lord is God and has given us light.
 
Matthew 10:17-22
17 Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. 19 When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. 20 For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”
 
TODAY’S LIST
think: That which is derived from the nature of the human person and his dignity ought to be enshrined in law.
 
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 Haggai 1-2 

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