1ST READING
How
is God present to us? We think we can find Him in spectacular events,
but more often than not, He is present in the little things and moments
of our lives. Let us be attentive to God’s presence in ordinary
day-to-day events. They are numerous and, thus, we will see Him more
often.
1 Kings 19:9, 11-16
9 At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave, where he took shelter. But the word of the Lord came to him, 11 “Go
outside and stand on the mountain before the Lord; the Lord will be
passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and
crushing rocks before the Lord — but the Lord was not in the wind. After
the wind there was an earthquake — but the Lord was not in the
earthquake. 12 After the earthquake there was fire — but the Lord was
not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. 13 When
he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at
the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, “Elijah, why are you
here?” 14 He
replied, “I have been most zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. But
the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn down your
altars, and put your prophets to the sword. I alone am left, and they
seek to take my life.” 15 The Lord said to him, “Go, take the road back to the desert near Damascus. When
you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king of Aram. 16 Then
you shall anoint Jehu, son of Nimshi, as king of Israel, and Elisha,
son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, as prophet to succeed you.”
P S A L M
Psalm 27:7-8, 8-9, 13-14
R: I long to see your face, O Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call; have pity on me, and answer me. 8 Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks. (R) Your presence, O Lord, I seek. 9 Hide not your face from me; do not in anger repel your servant. You are my helper: cast me not off. (R) 13 I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord. (R)
GOSPEL
Jesus
now shifts the focus to our thoughts and motivations. All acts are
preceded by the decision to perform them and the arguments that go with
it. We need to guard our minds and protect our thoughts from the
temptations of sin. If we allow our minds to wander, then we will find
ourselves on shaky moral ground. The world will indulge our sinful
passions quite freely and a holy person wants none of that.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life.
Matthew 5:27-32
27 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. 28 But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 9 If
your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is
better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body
thrown into Gehenna. 30 And
if your right hand causes
you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose
one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna. 31 It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. 32 But
I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is
unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced
woman commits adultery.”
think: Let us be attentive to God’s presence in ordinary day-to-day events.
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 1 Kings 21-22
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