Daily Bible Reading - December 4, 2020

 

1st READING 

Regeneration is a slow process in the natural world; it can be the same in the spiritual world even if God is at its helm. He renews His people, but its completion will take time. God also works in us over time—not everything happens in an instant. Our world conditions us to be “instant junkies,” expecting everything to happen immediately. Spiritually, this may not be the healthiest way to achieve change. A gradual transformation often endures for a longer time. 

Isaiah 29:17-24 

¹⁷ Thus says the Lord God: But a very little while, and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard, and the orchard be regarded as a forest! ¹⁸ On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; and out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. ¹⁹ The lowly will ever find joy in the Lord, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. ²⁰ For the tyrant will be no more and the arrogant will have gone; all who are alert to do evil will be cut off, ²¹ those whose mere word condemns a man, who ensnare his defender at the gate, and leave the just man with an empty claim. ²² Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of the house of Jacob, who redeemed Abraham. Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of, nor shall his face grow pale. ²³ When his children see the work of my hands in his midst, they shall keep my name holy; they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob, and be in awe of the God of Israel. ²⁴Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding, and those who find fault shall receive instruction. 

PSALM

Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14

R: The Lord is my light and my salvation.

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? (R) ⁴ One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, that I may gaze on the loveliness of the Lord and contemplate his temple. (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

The men who are healed of their blindness do not remain silent about the miracle they received, nor should we be afraid to speak up and share what God has done for us. We can be silenced by fear of what others think or how they respond to our testimony. This should not deter us from giving witness to God’s work in us. Today’s Gospel reminds us to share our experiences of the power of the Holy Spirit so others may come to know the Good News. 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.

Matthew 9:27-31

²⁷ As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” ²⁸ When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. ²⁹ Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” ³⁰ And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” ³¹ But they went out and spread word of him through all that land. 

Reflect: “Those who are well do not need a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous but sinners.” – Mark 2:17

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T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST 

thank You, Lord, for: 

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