Solitude is an important element of our faith - Daily Bible Readings January 14,2015

1^ST READING

 

 

Jesus’ own suffering on the cross enables Him to help those who suffer. Jesus knows what it is like to suffer as a human person — He is like us in all things except sin. Christ’s becoming man is an incredible gift precisely because of this. We should never allow ourselves to forget the price He paid in coming to redeem us from our sins. It was for us, not for Himself, that He died on the cross. He did not deserve to die; we do! He did not deserve to suffer; we ought to have been punished for our sins. It is God’s love that gave Him the strength to come and redeem us.

 

Hebrews 2:14-18

14 Since the children share in blood and Flesh, Jesus likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the Devil, 15 and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. 16 Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; 17 therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

 

P S AL M

 

Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9

 

R: The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

1 Give thanks to the Lord, invoke his name; make known among the nations his deeds. 2 Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. (R) 3 Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord! 4 Look to the Lord in his strength; seek to serve him constantly. (R) 6 You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! 7 He, the Lord, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail. (R) 8 He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations — 9 which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Solitude is an important element of our faith. We need to reflect at greater length on what God is saying to us. We fill our lives with so many things that we often lose sight of the fact that what really matters is that we listen to and obey God’s Word. We can do this only if we regularly set time aside from our busyness and seek out His will for our lives.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord. I know them, and they follow me.

 

Mark 1:29-39

29 On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. 31 He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. 32 When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. 33 The whole town was gathered at the door. 34 He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. 35 Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and those who were with him pursued him 37 and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” 39 So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

 

think: Solitude is an important element of our faith.

 

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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