1ST READING
No one can stand alone in the battle against the powers of evil. Moses needs two men to help him keep his hands raised so that the Israelites will prevail in battle. This may sound like a ridiculous way to win a battle but it is aptly symbolic of the nature of the spiritual battle, where we can stand strongly together against a common enemy, or we fall as individuals standing alone.
Exodus 17:8-13
8 In those days, Amalek came and waged war against Israel. 9 Moses, therefore, said to Joshua, “Pick out certain men, and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle. I will be standing on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did as Moses told him: he engaged Amalek in battle after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur. 11 As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek had the better of the fight. 12 Moses’ hands, however, grew tired; so they put a rock in place for him to sit on. Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
P S A L M
Psalm 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
R: Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
1 I lift up my eyes toward the mountains; whence shall help come to me? 2 My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (R) 3 May he not suffer your foot to slip; may he slumber not who guards you: 4 indeed he neither slumbers nor sleeps, the guardian of Israel. (R) 5 The Lord is your guardian; the Lord is your shade; he is beside you at your right hand. 6 The sun shall not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. (R) 7 The Lord will guard you from all evil; he will guard your life. 8 The Lord will guard your coming and your going, both now and forever. (R)
2ND READING
Why aren’t we more committed to reading the Scriptures regularly? St. Paul reminds us that they are useful for teaching and for many other aspects of the Christian life that are important to discipleship. As disciples of Jesus, let us be committed to reading and meditating upon the Word of God regularly so that we can be properly formed in the mind and heart of God.
2 Timothy 3:14-4:2
14 Beloved: Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, 15 and that from infancy you have known the sacred scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 4: 1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: 2 proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.
GOSPEL
There are many situations where we will encounter the truth that motivations are difficult to understand. Sometimes this can be true even within our self-understanding. It is essential that we purify our own motivations, such that we act out of love for God and our neighbor rather than merely for selfish reasons. Even when it is difficult, and perhaps this is the most important time of all, we must always try to keep our motivations pure and holy.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The word of God is living and effective, discerning reflections and thoughts of the heart.
Luke 18:1-8
1 Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, 2 “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. 3 And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a justdecision for me against my adversary.’ 4 For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, 5 because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’” 6 The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. 7 Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? 8 I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Sonof Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
think: As disciples of Jesus, let us be committed to reading and meditating upon the Word of God regularly.
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 Zechariah 5-8
SABBATH PAUSE
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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