1ST READING
The
conspiracies and machinations of the royal family of Israel are no
better than any other ruling dynasty in its corruption and deceit. Let
us pray that our Christian communities are different from this. May the
grace of service and love abound in our communities and our lives.
2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20
1 When Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, saw that her son was dead, she began to kill off the whole royal family. 2 But
Jehosheba, daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash,
his son, and spirited him away, along with his nurse, from the bedroom
where the princes were about to be slain. She concealed him from
Athaliah, and so he did not die. 3 For six years he remained hidden in the temple of the Lord, while Athaliah ruled the land. 4
But
in the seventh year, Jehoiada summoned the captains of the Carians and
of the guards. He had them come to him in the temple of the Lord,
exacted from them a sworn commitment, and then showed them the king’s
son. 9 The
captains did just as Jehoiada the priest commanded. Each one with his
men, both those going on duty for the sabbath and those going off duty
that week, came to Jehoiada the priest. 10 He gave the captains King David’s spears and shields, which were in the temple of the Lord. 11 And
the guards,
with drawn weapons, lined up from the southern to the northern limit of
the enclosure, surrounding the altar and the temple on the king’s
behalf. 12 Then
Jehoiada led out the king’s son and put the crown and the insignia upon
him. They proclaimed him king and anointed him, clapping their hands
and shouting, “Long live the king!” 13 Athaliah heard the noise made by the people, and appeared before them in the temple of the Lord. 14 When she saw the king standing by the pillar, as was the custom, and the captains and trumpeters near him, with
all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets, she tore her garments and cried out, “Treason, treason!” 15 Then
Jehoiada the priest instructed the captains in command of the force:
“Bring her outside through the ranks. If anyone follows her,” he added,
“let him die by the sword.” He had given orders that she should not be
slain in the temple of the Lord. 16 She was led out forcibly to the horse gate of the royal palace, where she was put to death. 17 Then
Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord as one party and
the king and the people as the other, by which they would be the Lord’s
people; and another covenant, between the king and the people. 18 Thereupon
all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and demolished
it. They shattered its altars and images completely, and slew Mattan,
the priest of Baal, before the altars. Jehoiada appointed a detachment
for the temple of the Lord. 20 All
the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet, now that
Athaliah had been slain with the sword at the royal palace.
P S A L M
Psalm 132:11, 12, 13-14, 17-18
R: The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.
11 The Lord swore to David a firm promise from which he will not withdraw: “Your own offspring I will set upon your throne.” (R) 12 “If your sons keep my covenant and the decrees which I shall teach them, their sons, too, forever shall sit upon your throne.” (R) 13 For the Lord has chosen Zion; he prefers her for his dwelling. 14 “Zion is my resting place forever; in her will I dwell, for I prefer her.” (R) 17 “In her will I make a horn to sprout forth for David; I will place a lamp for my anointed. 18 His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon him my crown shall shine.” (R)
GOSPEL
Where
do you store your treasures? Jesus is clear about what people of faith
should focus on when it comes to their treasures. Too often we fight
about the things that pass away and are not significant to eternal life.
A wise and holy person is not concerned with the pleasures of this
world and balances them with good works that will redound to their
praise among the heavenly hosts.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 6:19-23
19 Jesus
said to his disciples: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on
earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. 22 The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with
light; 23 but
if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the
light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.”
think: Where do you store your treasures?
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 2 Kings 19-22
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