It is essential that the Church focuses on the people and not the material things under its care - Daily Bible Readings November 17,2013

1ST READING   The Day of Judgment looms large for us all. None of us can avoid it. The best thing we can do is to prepare well by living the Gospel to the best of our ability. God seeks perfection but focuses far more on the desire with which we seek it than our success in achieving that goal.   Malachi 3:19-20 19 Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire, leaving them neither root nor branch, says the Lord of hosts. 20 But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.   P S A L M Psalm 98:5-6, 7-8, 9 R: The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice. 5 Sing praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the Lord. (R) 7 Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell in it; 8 let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains shout with them for joy. (R) 9 Before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to rule the earth; he will rule the world with justice and the peoples with equity. (R)   2nd READING   Paul does not tolerate freeloaders. He would have a fit if he discovered any ”handout mentality” developing in any of the communities he founded. We should follow his lead and seek to promote the full dignity of the human person by helping them find the means to help themselves. One of the first responsibilities of the government is to provide work for its citizens. This is one of the most important focuses of the legislative agenda of the government.   2 Thessalonians 3:7-12 7 Brothers and sisters: You know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a disorderly way among you, 8 nor did we eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you. 9 Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us. 10 In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat. 11 We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a disorderly way, by not keeping busy but minding the business of others. 12 Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and to eat their own food.   GOSPEL   The amount the Church spends on buildings can very easily become a scandal. It is essential that the Church focuses on the people and not the material things under its care. Yes, stewardship demands we take care of all that is entrusted to us but the right balance must be found, lest we lose our focus on the things that truly matter — and it is people who should be our first concern.   GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.   Luke 21:5-19 5 While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, 6 “All that you see here — the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” 7Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” 8 He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! 9 When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky. 12 Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. 13 It will lead to your giving testimony. 14 Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, 15 for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. 16 You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name, 18 but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. 19 By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”   think:  It is essential that the Church focuses on the people and not the material things under its care.   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 Psalm 71-75                                                                                                          SABBATH PAUSE My weekly time with God THANK YOU LIST Things to be grateful for from the past week ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ SPECIAL NEEDS Things to ask God for in the coming week ________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ HIDDEN TREASURE Most important word God told me this week   ________________________________________________________________                                                           _________________________________________________________________