Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth - Daily Bible Readings October 26,2015

1ST READING   Paul introduces the “flesh” in the theology of the spiritual life. This concept encapsulates the attraction to and the nature of sin. Thus, Paul is able to contrast the works of the flesh with those of the Spirit by giving the choices we have. If we give in to the attraction of the world and the flesh, we allow sin to reign in our lives. If we surrender to grace, then it will be the Holy Spirit who drives us from within.   Romans 8:12-17 12 Brothers and sisters: We are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.   P S A L M   Psalm 68:2, 4, 6-7, 20-21 R: Our God is the God of salvation. 1 [2] God arises; his enemies are scattered, and those who hate him flee before him. 3 [4] But the just rejoice and exult before God; they are glad and rejoice. (R) 5 [6] The father of orphans and the defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling. 6 [7] God gives a home to the forsaken; he leads forth prisoners to prosperity. (R) 19 [20] Blessed day by day be the Lord, who bears our burdens; God, who is our  salvation. 20 [21] God is a saving God for us; the Lord, my Lord, controls the passageways of death. (R)   GOSPEL   Jesus knew that His accusers will work on the Sabbath whether it is necessary or not, and still get away with it. This disappointed Jesus because the leaders of the Jewish faith just pretended to be concerned about the faith; in reality, they were hypocrites. Jesus teaches us that the welfare of the people must be uppermost in our minds, not what day of the week it happens to be. Do keep the Sabbath free of work but if someone needs help, we should help them.   GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.   Luke 13:10-17 10 Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath. 11 And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, “Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.” 13 He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God. 14 But the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, “There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.” 15 The Lord said to him in reply, “Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering? 16 This daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now, ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?” 17 When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated; and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him.   think: If we give in to the attraction of the world and the flesh, we allow sin to reign in our lives. If we surrender to grace, then it will be the Holy Spirit who drives us from within.   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 Isaiah 13-16