Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior - Daily Bible Readings December 11,2014

1^ST READING

 

One of the great lines that Blessed John Paul II repeated throughout his pontificate was, “Do not be afraid.” These are very pertinent words for us to consider. There are many doomsday-like predictions around — global warming and the collapse of the US economy, to name only two. If we focus on fear, we will miss the opportunities to love. This is why Isaiah, Jesus and many others remind us to put our fears aside and trust in the Lord and His love.

 

Isaiah 41:13-20

13 I am the Lord, your God, who grasp your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I will help you.” 14 Fear not, O worm Jacob, O maggot Israel; I will help you, says the Lord; your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. 15 I will make of you a threshing sledge, sharp, new, and double-edged, to thresh the mountains and crush them, to make the hills like chaff. 16 When you winnow them, the wind shall carry them off and the storm shall scatter them. But you shall rejoice in the Lord, and glory in the Holy One of Israel. 17 The afflicted and the needy seek water in vain, their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the Lord, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. 18 I will open up rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the broad valleys; I will turn the desert into a marshland, and the dry ground into springs of water. 19 I will plant in the desert the cedar, acacia, myrtle, and olive; I will set in the wasteland the cypress, together with the plane tree and the pine, 20 that all may see and know, observe and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 145:1, 9, 10-11, 12-13

R: The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.

1 I will extol you, O my God and King, and I will bless your name forever and ever. 9 The Lord is good to all and compassionate toward all his works. (R) 10 Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you. 11 Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom and speak of your might. (R) 12 Let them make known to men your might and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom. 13 Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages, and your dominion endures through all generations. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

John the Baptist has a unique role of being the one to prepare the preaching ground for Jesus’ Gospel of love and forgiveness. It is important to note that John never tries to draw attention to himself as he knows he is not the main event. He knows there is One coming after him who is far greater than he could ever imagine. Let us remember that the Gospel is never just about us and always about Jesus and His love and mercy for all people.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.

 

Matthew 11:11-15

11 Jesus said to the crowds: “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least

in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force. 13 All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come. 15 Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

 

think:  The Gospel is never just about us and always about Jesus and His love and mercy for all people.

 

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 Daniel 10-12