1ST READING
Zephaniah
tells us the importance of humility in our relationship with God.
Humility is essential if we want to learn anything from God. If we are
not humble enough to accept correction or listen like a novice sitting
at the feet of his master, then we will never grow as a Christian. A
disciple of Jesus must be willing to learn from the example of Jesus’
life and from any authority the Lord decides to send to us. Humility is a
virtue that will ensure that we remain obedient to God’s will and open
to His guidance and direction, whether we fully understand God’s
reasoning or not.
Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13
1 Thus says the Lord: Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted, to the tyrannical city! 2 She hears no voice, accepts no correction; in the Lord she has not trusted, to her God she has not drawn near. 9 For then I will change and purify the lips of the peoples, that they all may call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one accord; 10 from beyond the rivers of
Ethiopia and as far as the recesses of the North, they shall bring me offerings. 11 On
that day you need not be ashamed of all your deeds, your rebellious
actions against me; for then will I remove from your midst the proud
braggarts, and you shall no longer exalt yourself on my holy mountain. 12 But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the Lord; 13 the
remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; nor shall
there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; they shall pasture
and
couch their flocks with none to disturb them.
P S A L M
Psalm 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19, 23
R: The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
1 [2] I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. 2 [3] Let my soul glory in the Lord; the lowly will hear me and be glad. (R) 5 [6] Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. 6 [7] When the poor one called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him. (R) 16 [17] The Lord confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. 17 [18] When the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. (R) 18 [19] The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. 22 [23] The Lord redeems the lives of his servants; no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him. (R)
GOSPEL
Are
we on the path to eternal life or not? Jesus seems to imply that it is
possible that we may not, unless we are truly obedient to His will. We
live in a world where the focus on the self is a chronic problem. It
seems to lead to increasing levels of selfishness and, thus, destruction
in the strength of our understanding of the common good. Let us obey
God’s will in our lives even when it is others who will benefit more
than ourselves from our obedience.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Come, O Lord, do not delay; forgive the sins of your people.
Matthew 21:28-32
28 Jesus
said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “What is your
opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out
and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. 30 The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which
of
the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said
to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are
entering the Kingdom of God before you. 32 When
John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him;
but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you
did not later change your minds and believe him.”
think: Let us pray that we will never grow tired of living with integrity.
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 Joel 1-4
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