1ST READING
Sometimes
we find God in the least expected places. This is all part of the
mystery of how God works. We should never forget the many stories in the
Scriptures that detail the unexpected appearances of God in the midst
of His people, not the least His being born to a virgin and with a
manger as His bed. Let us open our hearts to God wherever He may be and
in whatever form He comes into our lives.
1 Kings 19:9, 11-16
9 At
the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave, where he took
shelter. But the word of the Lord came to him, “Why are you here,
Elijah?” 11 Then
the Lord said, “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the Lord;
the Lord will be passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rending the
mountains and crushing rocks before the Lord — but the Lord was not in
the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake — but the Lord was not
in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake there was fire — but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. 13 When
he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at
the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, “Elijah, why are you
here?” 14 He
replied, “I have been most zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. But
the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars, and
put your prophets to the sword. I alone am left, and they seek to take
my life.” 15 “Go, take the road
back to the desert near Damascus,” the Lord said to him. “When you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king of Aram. 16 Then
you shall anoint Jehu, son of Nimshi, as king of Israel, and Elisha,
son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, as prophet to succeed you.”
P S A L M
Psalm 27:7-8, 8-9 13-14
R: I long to see your face, O Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call; have pity on me, and answer me. 8 Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks. (R) Your presence, O Lord, I seek. 9 Hide not your face from me; do not in anger repel your servant. You are my helper: cast me not off. (R) 13 I believe that I shall see the
bounty of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord. (R)
GOSPEL
Sin
is a horrible thing that we should avoid at all costs. Jesus never sins
but He has experienced the effects of sin by living in our midst as a
man. He knows the struggles we face with temptation. Let us be inspired
by how He rejected all temptation as we seek to grow in discipleship.
Let us realize that we should do everything in our power to avoid the
horror of allowing sin to reign in our lives.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life.
Matthew 5:27-32
27 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If
your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is
better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body
thrown into Gehenna. 30 And
if your
right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better
for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go
into Gehenna. 31 “It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. 32 But
I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is
unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced
woman commits adultery.”
think: Let us open our hearts to God wherever He may be and in whatever form He comes into our lives.
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 1 Kings 19-20
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