Daily Bible Readings - February 7,2013

1ST READING   The Old Testament’s focus on bloody sacrifices in the Temple has been replaced by the death of Jesus on the Cross. The only sacrifices we are called to make today are those related to growing in holiness and living as a disciple of Jesus. The blood of animals is now irrelevant to the question of salvation. What is relevant is whether or not we are willing to enter into the sacrifice of Jesus. It is total surrender to the will of God — or not.   Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24 18 Brothers and sisters: You have not approached that which could be touched and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness and storm 19 and a trumpet blast and a voice speaking words such that those who heard begged that no message be further addressed to them. 21 Indeed, so fearful was the spectacle that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.” 22 No, you have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels in festal gathering, 23 and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven, and God the judge of all, and the spirits of the just made perfect, 24 and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel.   P S A L M   Psalm 48: 2-3, 3-4, 9, 10-11 R: O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple. 1 [2] Great is the Lord and wholly to be praised in the city of our God. His holy mountain, 2 [3] fairest of heights, is the joy of all the earth. (R) Mount Zion,“the recesses of the North,” the city of the great King. 3 [4] God is with her castles; renowned is he as a stronghold. (R) 8 [9] As we had heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God; God makes it firm forever. (R) 9 [10] O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple. 10 [11] As your name, O God, so also your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Of justice your right hand is full. (R)   GOSPEL   We can only proclaim the Gospel to those who are willing to listen. We can only disciple people in the ways of God if they are willing to surrender themselves to the grace of the Holy Spirit at work in their lives. Let us never waste our time trying to do the impossible (we should always leave that to God) and place our time, energy and resources where they are best going to serve the work of the Kingdom of God.   GOSPEL ACCLAMATION The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.   Mark 6:7-13 7 Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. 8 He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick — no food, no sack, no money in their belts. 9 They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. 10 He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. 11 Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” 12 So they went off and preached repentance. 13 The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.   think: Let us never waste our time trying to do the impossible, and place our time, energy and resources at the service of the Kingdom of God.   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 Romans 9-12