Daily Bible Readings - January 31,2013

1^ST READING

 

The only way for us to be saved is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ — He is the only Savior. This is true for all people of all time. The salvific work of Jesus is applicable to those who lived before Him as well as His contemporaries, and those who live after Him. We need to remember that God is compassionate when it comes to judgment and so let us leave it to Him to determine the salvation of others, rather than try to judge others ourselves. I am sure His compassion and love will contribute to His making the right decision.

 

Hebrews 10:19-25

19 Brothers and sisters: Since through the Blood of Jesus we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary 20 by the new and living way opened for us through the veil, that is, his flesh, 21 and since we have “a great priest over the house of God,” 22 let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. 23 Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy. 24 We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. 25 We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R: Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

1 The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. 2 For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. (R) 3 Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? Or who may stand in his holy place? 4 He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. (R) 5 He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a reward from God his savior. 6 Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

 

John Bosco was a man with a vision. He had a desire to make a difference in the lives of the uneducated youth of his day. There is still an enormous amount of scope for his vision today, as when I walk the streets of the informal settlements in Metro Manila, it is hard not to be depressed by the number of young boys with seemingly little to do other than waste their time sitting around, and of course, be tempted to begin the practices that lead to lives of vice and waste later on. What can we do to change this situation? Can we afford to find one child and sponsor his schooling? Can we gather together some friends to do the same thing?

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

A lamp to my feet is your word, a light to my path.

READING 2nd READING

GOSPEL PSALM

Mark 4:21-25

21 Jesus said to to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. 23 Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” 24 He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. 25 To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

LIST

think:  Let us leave it to God to determine the salvation of others, rather than try to judge others ourselves.

 

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 Acts 9-12 

Daily Bible Readings - January 30,2013

1^ST READING

 

The sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross is a once-and-for-all sacrifice that will never be repeated. It was, is and always will be sufficient for our salvation. We can be sure that all we are required to do is to place our faith in the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins and then to live as His disciples. After all, Jesus has done the hard part — reconciling us to God. All we have to do is live in that victory.

 

Hebrews 10:11-18

11 Every priest stands daily at his ministry, offering frequently those same sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 But this one offered one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat forever at the right hand of God; 13 now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated. 15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying: 16 “This is the covenant I will establish with them after those days, says the Lord: ‘I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them upon their minds.’’’ 17 He also says: “Their sins and their evildoing I will remember no more. 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for sin.”

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4

R: You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.

1 The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool.” (R) 2 The scepter of your power the Lord will stretch forth from Zion, “Rule in the midst of your enemies. (R) 3 Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor; before the day star, like the dew, I have begotten you.” (R) 4 The Lord has sworn, and he will not repent, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

The choices we make in life will determine whether we bear fruit for the Kingdom of God or not. It is crucial that we realize this so we do not waste the opportunities to be part of the work of the Gospel. If we reject God’s will and please only ourselves, we will have a very difficult time on Judgment Day. Let us be wise and make our choices well so that we bear fruit for God’s Kingdom as much as we can.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live forever.

 

Mark 4:1-20

1 On another occasion, Jesus began to teach by the sea. A very large crowd gathered around him so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down. And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land. 2 And he taught them at length in parables, and in the course of his instruction he said to them, 3 “Hear this! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. 6 And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots. 7 Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain. 8 And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” 9 He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.” 10 And when he was alone, those present along with the Twelve questioned him about the parables. 11 He answered them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, 12 so that ‘they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.’” 13 Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 These are the ones on the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them. 16 And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy. 17 But they have no root; they last only for a time. Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, 19 but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit. 20 But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the Word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”

READING 2nd READING

TODAY’S

BLESSING

LIST

think:  The choices we make in life will determine whether we bear fruit for the Kingdom of God or not.

 

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 Acts 5-8  

 

Daily Bible Readings - January 29,2013

1^ST READING

 

Obedience to the will of God is more important than abstract sacrifices. This does not mean that we do not have to make sacrifices but that they should be related to God’s will, rather than abstract sacrifices for the sake of sacrifices. The best sacrifice we can make is embracing God’s will for us, which often means denying our own desires, particularly those that are directed to our pleasure.

 

Hebrews 10:1-10

1 Brothers and sisters: Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of them, it can never make perfect those who come to worship by the same sacrifices that they offer continually each year. 2 Otherwise, would not the sacrifices have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer have had any consciousness of sins? 3 But in those sacrifices there is only a yearly remembrance of sins, 4 for it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats take away sins. 5 For this reason, when he came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offering and sin offerings you took no delight. 7 Then I said, ‘As is written of me in the scroll, Behold, I come to do your will, O God.’” 8 First he says, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings, you neither desired nor delighted in. These are offered according to the law.” 9 Then he says, “Behold, I come to do your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second. 10 By this “will,” we have been consecrated through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all.

 

P S A L M

Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 10, 11

R: Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

1 [2] I have waited, waited for the Lord, and he stooped toward me, 3 [4] and he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God. (R) 6 [7] Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not; 7 [8] then said I, “Behold I come.” (R) 9 [10] I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O Lord, know. (R) 10 [11] Your justice I kept not hid within my heart; your faithfulness and your salvation I have spoken of; I have made no secret of your kindness and your truth in the vast assembly. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Jesus Himself calls our attention to the importance of His Father’s will in our lives. It is obedience that is at the heart of the call of discipleship. A disciple does not determine where he goes or what he should be doing — it is the Master that does that. The wisdom of God and how our lives mesh with those of the other disciples of Jesus is probably beyond our understanding, or at the very least, very difficult to understand fully. Let us pray for the faith to trust in God’s goodness towards us.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

 

Mark 3:31-35

31 The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside they sent word to Jesus and called him. 32 A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” 33 But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 35 For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

 

think:  It is obedience that is at the heart of the call of discipleship.

 

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 Acts 1-4  

 

Daily Bible Readings - January 28,2013

1^ST READING

 

The Dominicans will celebrate the feast day of arguably one of the smartest and most brilliant thinkers the world has ever known. Aquinas had effectively read nearly everything written regarding theology in his time and then synthesized it in a number of tomes that would become the basis of the Church’s scholarship for the next 700 years. Today, it is still a force to be reckoned with in theological circles. And all this from a man who was once referred to as a “dumb ox”! Thinking and speculating about theology is how we learn more about God and respond to His call for our lives. We should be grateful to those who dedicate their lives to explaining the mysteries of God to us.

 

Hebrews 9:15, 24-28

15 Christ is mediator of a new covenant: since a death has taken place for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant, those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. 24 For Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven  itself, that he might now appear before God on our behalf. 25 Not that he might offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary with blood that is not his own, 26 if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly from the foundation of the world. But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice. 27 Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgment, 28 so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6

R: Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R) 2 The Lord has made his salvation known in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. 3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. (R) All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (R) 5 Sing praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the Lord. (R)

 

GOSPEL

Here is a warning to avoid blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. Exactly what this means is a matter of speculation, but it probably has something to do with avoiding the arrogance and pride that led to the fall of the angels from heaven, and contributed to the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden — that is, we need to avoid making ourselves into gods. Our faith demands that we have the humility to trust that what God tells us to do is the best possible thing to do. Ultimately, we either believe this and allow God to be God in our lives, or we do not.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.

 

Mark 3:22-30

22 The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.” 23 Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. 27 But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house. 28 Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. 29 But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” 30 For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

TODAY’S

BLESSING

LIST

think:  Our faith demands that we have the humility to trust that what God tells us to do is the best possible thing to do.

 

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 Luke 22-24

Daily Bible Readings - January 27,2013

1^ST READING

 

This reading describes the euphoria of the Jewish people at the rediscovery of the scrolls of the Book of the Law as they are rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, following the return of the people from exile in Babylon. I am always inspired by this story when I read it, and not just a little bit guilty when I realize my commitment to reading the Scriptures regularly does not reflect the proper respect and desire I should have for them.

 

Nehemiah 8:2-4, 5-6, 8-10

2 Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, which consisted of men, women, and those children old enough to understand. 3 Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate, he read out of the book from daybreak till midday, in the presence of the men, the women, and those children old enough to understand; and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law. 4 Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. 5 He opened the scroll so that all the people might see it — for he was standing higher up than any of the people; and, as he opened it, all the people rose. 6 Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people, their hands raised high, answered, “Amen, amen!” Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the Lord, their faces to the ground. 8 Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand what was read. 9 Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all the people, “Today is holy to the Lord your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep” — for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. 10 He said further: “Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our Lord. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!”

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15

R: Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

7 [8] The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. (R) 8 [9] The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye. (R) 9 [10] The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true, all of them just. (R) 14 [15] Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (R)

 

2^ND READING

 

 

We have here both a reminder of the diversity of the many gifts of the Spirit and also that it is only as the Body of Christ that we have access to them. Each of us may have more than one gift but none of us have them all. Therefore, it is important that we be members of a faith community where the gifts are shared for everyone’s benefit.

 

1 Corinthians 12:12-30

12 Brothers and sisters: As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. 14 Now the body is not a single part, but many. 15 If a foot should say, “Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. 16 Or if an ear should say, “Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I do not need you.” 22 Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, 23 and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, 24 whereas our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy. 27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. 28 Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then, gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

 

GOSPEL

 

Luke presents Jesus as a man who knows He has a certain destiny in the plan of God. It is important that we understand that Jesus knew He had a mission from God, but it is not certain that He knew all the precise details of how it would unfold. There is much discussion as to the extent of Jesus the Man’s omniscience. I doubt whether it is possible to resolve the question, and I know that it is not necessary for our relationship with Him.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, and to proclaim liberty to captives.

 

Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

1 Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and  ministers of the word have handed them down to us, 3 I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. 4: 14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. 15 He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. 16 He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read 17 and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19 and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” 20 Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. 21 He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

LIST

think: We have access to the gifts of the Spirit because we are members of the Body of Christ.

 

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 Luke 19-21  

                                                                                                        SABBATH PAUSE

My weekly time with God

THANK YOU LIST

Things to be grateful for from the past week

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

SPECIAL NEEDS

Things to ask God for in the coming week

________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

HIDDEN TREASURE

Most important word God told me this week

 

________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

 

Daily Bible Readings - January 25,2013

1^ST READING

 

Paul’s conversion is a watershed in the life of the Early Church. Not only does it mean that one of the major persecutors of the faithful is gone; he, in fact, is not gone but now on the side of the Church. Think of the credibility this gives to his proclamation of the Gospel to those who knew him as a persecutor. Also, it demonstrates very strongly the power of the Gospel to change the life of an individual, even someone who is originally opposed to a particular set of beliefs.

 

Acts 22:3-16 (or Acts 9:1-22)

3 Paul addressed the people in these words: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city. At the feet of Gamaliel I was educated strictly in our ancestral law and was zealous for God, just as all of you are today. 4 I persecuted this way to death, binding both men and women and delivering them to prison. 5 Even the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify on my behalf. For from them I even received letters to the brothers and set out for Damascus to bring back to Jerusalem in chains for punishment those there as well. 6 “On that journey as I drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from the sky suddenly shone around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 I replied, ‘Who are you, sir?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazorean whom you are persecuting.’ 9 My companions saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who spoke to me. 10 I asked, ‘What shall I do, sir?’ The Lord answered me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told about everything appointed for you to do.’ 11 Since I could see nothing because of the brightness of that light, I was led by hand by my companions and entered Damascus. 12 A certain Ananias, a devout observer of the law, and highly spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me and stood there and said, ‘Saul, my brother, regain your sight.’ And at that very moment I regained my sight and saw him. 14 Then he said, ‘The God of our ancestors designated you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice; 15 for you will be his witness before all to what you have seen and heard. 16 Now, why delay? Get up and have yourself baptized and your sins washed away, calling upon his name.’”

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 117:1, 2

R: Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

1 Praise the Lord, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples! (R) 2 For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Paul, perhaps more than anyone in the life of the Early Church, literally took the Gospel to the ends of the (known) world. Others would later have more extensive travels but this does not diminish the incredible commitment of Paul to the Gospel imperative. I stand in awe of the commitment of those who have literally traveled to the ends of the earth out of a desire to proclaim the Gospel to those who have never heard it, even to the point of developing alphabets in order to translate the Scriptures (like Sts. Cyril and Methodius).

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.

 

Mark 16:15-18

15 Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. 18 They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Luke 13-15LIST

think:  The Gospel of Jesus has the power to change the life of anyone.

 

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 Luke 13-15

Daily Bible Readings - January 24,2013

1^ST READING

 

Today, many will celebrate the Feast of St. Francis de Sales, a great spiritual director, bishop and writer of the Church. In many ways, he was instrumental in the Church’s response to the Protestant Reformation, writing many apologetic works and doing much in persuading many who had left the Church to return. Let us pray that, like St. Francis, we will be true witnesses to the fullness of the Christian life, and so be living lights of the Gospel to all whom we meet.

 

Hebrews 7:25-8:6

25 Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them. 26 It was fitting that we should have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, higher than the heavens. 27 He has no need, as did the high priests, to offer sacrifice day after day, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did that once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests, but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law, appoints a son, who has been made perfect forever. 8: 1 The main point of what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of the majesty in heaven, 2 a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle that the Lord, not man, set up. 3 Now every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus the necessity for this one also to have something to offer. 4 If then he were on earth, he would not be a priest, since there are those who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They worship in a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary, as Moses was warned when he was about to erect the tabernacle. For God says, “See that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6 Now he has obtained so much more excellent a ministry as he is mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 40: 7-8, 8-9, 10, 17

R: Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

6 [7] Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Burnt offering or sin-offerings you sought not; 7 [8] then said I, “Behold I come.” (R) “In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, 8 [9] to do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!” (R) 9 [10] I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O Lord, know. (R) 16 [17] May all who seek you exult and be glad in you, and may those who love your salvation say ever, “The Lord be glorified.” (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

It is the uncompromising holiness of Jesus — the witness of His life — that is a powerful attraction to the crowds. Yes, they want to see Him work miracles, but there is more to it than just that, as we see that many became His disciples. The same will happen through the witness of our own lives if we are faithful to all that the Gospel calls us to live out.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.

 

Mark 3:7-12

7 Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. 8 Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. 9 He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. 10 He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. 11 And whenever

unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” 12 He warned them sternly not to make him known.

Luke 10-12

TODAY’S

BLESSING

LIST

think:  Let us pray that we will be true witnesses to the fullness of the Christian life.

 

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 Luke 10-12