1st READING
Do you believe God has a plan for your life? Paul tells us in today’s reading that He has a plan for us and He has sent the Holy Spirit to help us realize this plan. Let us give the Holy Spirit enough freedom to do this. It is ironic, but our greatest freedom is to surrender to God’s will.
Ephesians 1:11-14
11 Brothers and sisters: In Christ we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, 12 so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. 13 In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.
PSALM
Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13
R: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
1 Exult, you just, in the Lord; praise from the upright is fitting. 2 Give thanks to the Lord on the harp; with the ten- stringed lyre chant his praises. (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) 12 Blessed the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. 13 From heaven the Lord looks down; he sees all mankind. (R)
Jesus’ use of yeast is an interesting choice because yeast has a remarkable effect on the ingredients in a loaf of bread. Somehow, it causes the dough to rise and expand so the end result is a soft loaf of bread. This is what faith and the Holy Spirit do in our lives. We cannot actually see them at work, but the effects are extraordinary. Sin works toward the contrary—let us reject sin and welcome the work of the Holy Spirit with faith.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you.
Luke 12:1-7
1 At that time, so many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, “Beware of the leaven—that is, the hypocrisy—of the Pharisees. 2 “There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. 4 I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. 5 I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. 7 Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”
Reflect: “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable.” – Hebrews 4:13
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T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
thank You, Lord, for:
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Read the Bible in one year - Sirach 16-20
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