We have to learn to recognize that we do not have all the gifts - Daily Bible Readings November 22,2013

1^ST READING

 

St. Cecilia is one of the patron saints of music. There is a line in a song from my youth: “Cecilia, you’re breaking my heart; you’re shaking my confidence.” It comes to mind when I hear an atonal voice in a choir. We have to learn to recognize that we do not have all the gifts, and, if we do not have a good voice, then perhaps we should avoid joining the choir. There is always something else we can do.

 

1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59 (or Hosea 2:16, 17, 21-22)

36 Judas and his brothers said, “Now that our enemies have been crushed, let us go up to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it.” 37 So the whole army assembled, and went up to Mount Zion. 52 Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, that is, the month of Chislev, in the year one hundred and forty-eight, 53 they arose and offered sacrifice according to the law on the new altar of burnt offering that they had made. 54 On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had defiled it, on that very day it was reconsecrated with songs, harps, flutes, and cymbals. 55 All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised Heaven, who had given them success. 56 For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar and joyfully offered burnt offerings and sacrifices of deliverance and praise. 57 They ornamented the facade of the temple with gold crowns and shields; they repaired the gates and the priests’ chambers and furnished them with doors. 58 There was great joy among the people now that the disgrace of the Gentiles was removed. 59 Then Judas and his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel decreed that the days of the dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness on the anniversary every year for eight days, from the twenty-fifth day of the month Chislev.

 

P S A L M

 

1 1 Chronicles 29:10, 11, 11-12, 12 (or Psalm 45:11-12, 14-15, 16-17)

R: We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.

10 “Blessed may you be, O Lord, God of Israel our father, from eternity to eternity.” (R) 11 “Yours, O Lord, are grandeur and power, majesty, splendor, and glory. For all in heaven and on earth is yours.” (R) “Yours, O Lord, is the sovereignty; you are exalted as head over all. 12 Riches and honor are from you.” (R) “You have dominion over all. In your hand are power and might; it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.” (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Jesus is not interested in excuses when it is obvious that they are irrelevant. The Temple is meant to be the House of God and not a market place for commercial transactions. He is justifiably irate at this misuse of the temple precinct. Let us be mindful of others when we attend Mass and allow them to pray in silence before and after Mass, and move our discussions of mundane matters outside the Church.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.

 

Luke 19:45-48 (or Matthew 25:1-13)

45 Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.’” 47 And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, 48 but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.

 

think:  We have to learn to recognize that we do not have all the gifts.

 

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 Psalm 96-100