God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of salvation - Daily Bible Readings October 27,2013

1^ST READING

 

Humility is very important for a life of holiness. There is no such thing as an arrogant saint. Yes, some of them may have seemed to have a streak of arrogance in them, like Jerome, Augustine and others. However, when you study their lives, you begin to see how humility underpins the majority of their character, and that arrogance is something that they constantly fight against. Being sinners like us, they struggle to overcome it.

 

Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18

12 The Lord is a God of justice, who knows no favorites. 13 Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed. 14 The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint. 16 The one who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens. 17 The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, 18 nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right, and the Lord will not delay.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23

R: The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

1 [2] I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. 2 [3] Let my soul glory in the Lord; the lowly will hear me and be glad. (R) 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. 22 [23] The Lord redeems the lives of his servants; no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him. (R)

 

2^ND READING

 

Paul knows that he has lived a life of sacrifice in the service of the Gospel. Perhaps he was so diligent in his pursuit of the work of evangelization because he was trying to undo some of the damage he believed he caused the Church when he was persecuting it. It would be great to interview Paul about his feelings on such matters, but we cannot. All we can do is imitate his faith, follow his example and live our lives as living sacrifices for the sake of others as well.

 

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

6 Beloved: I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. 8 From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance. 16At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

GOSPEL

 

Again and again Jesus speaks of humility. Why the repetition? Perhaps it is because we are not very good at listening to this message. Perhaps it is because we refuse to respond to the call to grow in humility. Whatever the case, it is important that we listen carefully to the call to grow in this virtue and then do whatever is necessary to make it happen. Jesus humbled Himself by coming among us as a man. Anything He calls us to do will pale in comparison to this act.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of salvation.

 

Luke 18:9-14

9 Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. 10 “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ 13 But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

 

think:  Let us imitate St. Paul’s faith, follow his example, and live our lives as living sacrifices for the sake of others.

 

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 Job 14-17

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My weekly time with God

THANK YOU LIST

Things to be grateful for from the past week

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SPECIAL NEEDS

Things to ask God for in the coming week

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HIDDEN TREASURE

Most important word God told me this week

 

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