I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life - Daily Bible Readings May 28,2015

1ST READING   Memory is a very powerful tool in the arsenal of a faithful person. Remembering how God has worked with His people in the past gives us hope in what He can do for us now and in the future. Socrates encourages us to reflect on our lives. Reflection empowers us to believe; it gives us hope and direction for the future. It is important to know our faith and how God has worked in the lives of His people over the years.   Sirach 42:15-25 15 Now will I recall God’s works; what I have seen, I will describe. At God’s word were his works brought into being; they do his will as he has ordained for them. 16 As the rising sun is clear to all, so the glory of the Lord fills all his works; 17 yet even God’s holy ones must fail in recounting the wonders of the Lord, though God has given these, his hosts, the strength to stand firm before his glory. 18 He plumbs the depths and penetrates the heart; their innermost being he understands. The Most High possesses all knowledge, and sees from of old the things that are to come: 19 He makes known the past and the future, and reveals the deepest secrets. 20 No understanding does he lack; no single thing escapes him. 21 Perennial is his almighty wisdom; he is from all eternity one and the same, 22 with nothing added, nothing taken away; no need of a counselor for him! 23 How beautiful are all his works! Even to the spark and the fleeting vision! 24 The universe lives and abides forever; to meet each need, each creature is preserved. 25 All of them differ, one from another, yet none of them has he made in vain, for each in turn, as it comes, is good; can one ever see enough of their splendor?   P S A L M   Psalm 33:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 R: By the word of the Lord the heavens were made. 2 Give thanks to the Lord on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. 3 Sing to him a new song; pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness. (R) 4 For upright is the word of the Lord, and all his works are trustworthy. 5 He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full. (R) 6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made; by the breath of his mouth all their host. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea as in a flask; in cellars he confines the deep. (R) 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all who dwell in the world revere him. 9 For he spoke, and it was made; he commanded, and it stood forth. (R)   GOSPEL   Bartimaeus called out to the Lord in desperation (of his blindness) and in prayer (he knew Jesus can help him). Is our conviction and faith the same as Bartimaeus’? If not, then we need to grow in faith. There are risks in our faith walk. We need to step out and follow God’s will. This is how we grow in faith – by letting God’s power manifest in our lives.   GOSPEL ACCLAMATION I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.   Mark 10:46-52 46 As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. 47 On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” 50 He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. 51 Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for  you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” 52 Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.   think: Reflection empowers us to believe; it gives us hope and direction for the future.   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 2 Samuel 9-12