1ST READING
The
joy of the promise of eternal life is something that should not only
give us hope, but strengthen us in our commitment to live lives worthy
of such a reward. I am not saying that we have to earn eternal life, as
that is impossible. However, we should do everything within our power to
show God that we appreciate the gift He offers us.
Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17
2 When Balaam raised his eyes and saw Israel encamped, tribe by tribe, the spirit of God came upon him, 3 and he gave voice to his oracle: The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eye is true, 4 the
utterance of one who hears what God says, and knows what the Most High
knows, of one who sees what the Almighty sees, enraptured, and with eyes
unveiled: 5 How goodly are your tents, O Jacob; your
encampments, O Israel. 6 They are like gardens beside a stream, like the cedars planted by the Lord. 7 His wells shall yield free-flowing waters, he shall have the sea within reach; his king shall rise higher and his royalty shall be exalted. 15 Then Balaam gave voice to his oracle: The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eye is true, 16 the utterance of one who hears what God says, and knows what the Most High knows, of one who
sees what the Almighty sees, enraptured and with eyes unveiled. 17 I see him, though not now; I behold him, though not near: A star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel.
P S A L M
Psalm 25:4-5, 6, 7, 8-9
R: Teach me your ways, O Lord.
4 Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. (R) 6 Remember that your compassion, O Lord, and your kindness are from of old. 7 In your kindness remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord. (R) 8 Good and upright is the Lord; thus he shows sinners the way. 9 He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way. (R)
GOSPEL
Jesus
is not interested in an argument that He knows will have no conclusive
end. Thus, He stops the chief priests in their tracks when He counters
their question with one He knows they will not answer because they will
be caught in whatever answer they give. There are times when we should
leave questions alone, especially when it is easy to see that no good
will come of the argument.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Show us, Lord, your love, and grant us your salvation.
Matthew 21:23-27
23 When
Jesus had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders
of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, “By what
authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus
said to them in reply, “I shall ask you one question, and if you answer
it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 Where was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?” They discussed this among
themselves and said, “If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.” 27 So
they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” He himself said to them,
“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
think: We should do everything within our power to show God that we appreciate the gift He offers us.
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 Song of Songs 5-8
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