What really matters is that we respond to the graces we are given and remain faithful to them through good times and bad - Daily Bible Readings January 24,2014

1^ST READING

 

Today is the Feast of St. Francis de Sales. He would have been truly horrified by Saul’s desire to kill David. Francis was a man who knew intimately the loving nature of God and wrote some wonderful explanations of it for posterity. It is very rewarding to reflect on his writings today, centuries after he wrote them. Let us pray that we will be more concerned with receiving God’s love for us and sharing it than wreaking vengeance on the lives of those towards whom we are jealous.

 

1 Samuel 24:3-21

3 Saul took three thousand picked men from all Israel and went in search of David and his men in the direction of the wild goat crags. 4 When he came to the sheepfolds along the way, he found a cave, which he entered to relieve himself. David and his men were occupying the inmost recesses of the cave. 5 David’s servants said to him, “This is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘I will deliver your enemy into your grasp; do with him as you see fit.’” So David moved up and stealthily cut off an end of Saul’s mantle. 6 Afterward, however, David regretted that he had cut off an end of Saul’s mantle. 7 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, as to lay a hand on him, for he is the Lord’s anointed.” 8 With these words David restrained his men and would not permit them to attack Saul. Saul then left the cave and went on his way. 9 David also stepped out of the cave, calling to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked back, David bowed to the ground in homage 10 and asked Saul: “Why do you listen to those who say, ‘David is trying to harm you’? 11 You see for yourself today that the Lord just now delivered you into my grasp in the cave. I had some thought of killing you, but I took pity on you instead. I decided, ‘I will not raise a hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed and a father to me.’ 12 Look here at this end of your mantle which I hold. Since I cut off an end of your mantle and did not kill you, see and be convinced that I plan no harm and no rebellion. I have done you no wrong, though you are hunting me down to take my life. 13 The Lord will judge between me and you, and the Lord will exact justice from you in my case. I shall not touch you. 14 The old proverb says, ‘From the wicked comes forth wickedness.’ So I will take no action against you. 15 Against whom are you on campaign, O king of Israel? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, or a single flea! 16 The Lord will be the judge; he will decide between me and you. May he see this, and take my part, and grant me justice beyond your reach!” 17 When David finished saying these things to Saul, Saul answered, “Is that your voice, my son David?” And Saul wept aloud. 18 Saul then said to David: “You are in the right rather than I; you have treated me generously, while I have done you harm. 19 Great is the generosity you showed me today, when the Lord delivered me into your grasp and you did not kill me. 20 For if a man meets his enemy, does he send him away unharmed? May the Lord reward you generously for what you have done this day. 21 And now, since I know that you shall surely be king and that sovereignty over Israel shall come into your possession.

 

P S A L M

Psalm 57:2, 3-4, 6, 11

R: Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.

1 [2] Have mercy on me, O God; have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. In the shadow of your wings I take refuge, till harm pass by. (R) 2 [3] I call to God the Most High, to God, my benefactor. 3 [4] May he send from heaven and save me; may he make those a reproach who trample upon me; may God send his mercy and his faithfulness. (R) 5 [6] Be exalted above the heavens, O God; above all the earth be your glory! 10 [11] For your mercy towers to the heavens, and your faithfulness to the skies. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

 

Why does Jesus choose the Twelve to be His disciples? Well, you can ask Him that question when you get to heaven. All that matters to me is that I believe He has chosen me to share in His ministry in a particular way, just as I believe the same for you! This is what really matters — that we respond to the graces we are given and remain faithful to them through good times and bad.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

 

Mark 3:13-19

13 Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. 14 He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons: 16 He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; 17 James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, 19 and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

 

think:  What really matters is that we respond to the graces we are given and remain faithful to them through good times and bad.

 

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 Mark 1-4