1ST READING
Many
of the love stories in the Old Testament are quite beautiful in their
simplicity and dependence on faith as one of the primary aspects of
their dynamics. This teaches us a lot about faith and how it plays a
large part in our lives. I am not advocating any sort of
over-spiritualization of the natural events and happenings in life, but I
believe that if we give God a chance to work in our lives, we might be
surprised how He will lead us.
Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67
1 The span of Sarah’s life was one hundred and twenty-seven years. 2 She died in Kiriatharba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham performed the customary mourning rites for her. 3 Then he left the side of his dead one and addressed the Hittites: 4 “Although I am a resident alien among you, sell me from your
holdings a piece of property for a burial ground, that I may bury my dead wife.” 19 After
this transaction, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the
field of Machpelah, facing Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of
Canaan. 24: 1 Abraham had now reached a ripe old age, and the Lord had blessed him in every way. 2 Abraham said to the senior servant of his household, who had charge of all his possessions: “Put your hand under my thigh, 3 and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of
heaven and the God of earth, that you will not procure a wife for my son
from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I live, 4 but that you will go to my own land and to my kindred to get a wife for my son Isaac.” 5 The
servant asked him: “What if the woman is unwilling to follow me to this
land? Should I then take your son back to the land from which you
migrated?” 6 “Never take my son back there for any reason,” Abraham told him.
7 “The
Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and the
land of my kin, and who confirmed by oath the promise he then made to
me, ‘I will give this land to your descendants’ — he will send his
messenger before you, and you will obtain a wife for my son there. 8 If the woman is unwilling to follow you, you will be released from this oath. But never take my son back there!” 62 A long time later, Isaac went to live in the region of the Negeb. 63 One day toward evening he went out in the field, and as he looked around, he noticed that camels were approaching. 64 Rebekah, too, was looking about, and when she saw him, she alighted from her camel 65 and
asked the servant, “Who is the man out there, walking through the
fields toward us?” “That is my master,” replied the servant. Then she
covered herself with her veil. 66 The servant recounted to Isaac all the things he had done. 67
Then
Isaac took Rebekah into his tent; he married her, and thus she became
his wife. In his love for her Isaac found solace after the death of his
mother Sarah.
P S A L M
Psalm 106:1-2, 3-4, 4-5
R: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. 2 Who can tell the mighty deeds of the Lord, or proclaim all his praises? (R) 3 Blessed are they who observe what is right, who do always what is just. 4 Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people. (R) Visit me with your saving help, 5 that I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones, rejoice in the joy of your people, and glory with your inheritance. (R)
GOSPEL
Being
a disciple of Jesus means obeying His commands. Although there will
definitely be times when this is not a very attractive option to us, we
cannot make excuses and allow ourselves to take the path of sin. Let us
fix our eyes on Jesus and commit to live His will for us, no matter what
the cost.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.
Matthew 9:9-13
9 As
Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs
post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. 10 While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. 11 The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. 13 Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
think: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus and commit to live His will for us, no matter what the cost.
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 2 Chronicles 7-9
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