1ST READING
Should we be afraid of death? We will all die eventually. People say there are two things certain in life — death and taxes. Death is a necessary part of life as we experience it after The Fall. If we were to live forever, then we do not need the grace of the resurrection. Jesus died in order to make a way for us to enter eternal life.
Isaiah 25:6-9 (or 2 Maccabees 12:43-46 or Wisdom 3:1-9)
6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples. 7 On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; 8 he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken. 9 On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
P S A L M
Psalm 27:1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 13-14 (or Psalm103 or 115)
R: To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
1The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? 4One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. 7Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice, and be gracious to me and answer me. 8When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.” 9Do not hide Your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my help; do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation! 13I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. 14Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.
2ND READING
We should view death with hope and knowledge of the resurrection. There is nothing to fear as long as we lived as faithful Christians. If we have allowed sin to control our lives, then we should repent and surrender ourselves to the grace of redemption. Let us give Jesus the opportunity to bring the gains of the resurrection He has won for us.
Romans 5:5-11 (or Romans 8:31-35, 37-39 or Romans 6:3-4, 8-9)
5Brothers and sisters: Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. 6For Christ, while we were still helpless, died at the appointed time for the ungodly. 7Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. 8But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. 9How much more then, since we are now justified by his Blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. 10Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
GOSPEL
Jesus has not abandoned us. He wants to help us carry our burdens. Jesus is always there for us as a friend. He promises us that His path is easier to take than the one without His grace and presence. Do you believe this? Have you opened your heart to receive the Gospel and the promise of eternal life that comes with it? The ball is in our court. God made His offer — will you accept it?
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; whoever believes in me will never die.
Matthew 11:25-30 (or John 4:1-6, Matthew 25:31-46 or Matthew 5:1-12)
25 At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones. 26 Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” 28 “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learnfrom me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
think: Jesus wants to help us carry our burdens.
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 Isaiah 41-44
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