Let us pray for inspiration on how to attract people to the Gospel message through our lives - Daily Bible Readings January 31,2015

1^ST READING

Faith in God is what has characterized the great figures of salvation history. Faith makes a big difference to our lives. As we allow our faith to speak to the world through the decisions we make, we need to draw strength from those who have gone before us. This is what the author of this letter is encouraging the Christians of his time to do. The lives of saints are a great source of inspiration – better than any secular witness can offer.

Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19

1 Brothers and sisters: Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. 2 Because of it the ancients were well attested. 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go. 9 By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God. 11 By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age — and Sarah herself was sterile — for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy. 12 So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore. 13 All these died in faith. They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth, 14 for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland. 15If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 17 By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son, 18 of whom it was said, Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name. 19 He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol.

P S A L M

Luke 1:69, 70-72, 73-75

R: Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.

69 He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. (R) 70 Through his holy prophets he promised of old. 71 that he would save us from our sins from the hand of all who hate us. 72 He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. (R) 73 This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to set us free from the bond of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, 75 holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. (R)

GOSPEL

Saint John Bosco, whose feast we celebrate today, came to know his vocation as a young boy. He invited friends and other young boys to listen to his stories from the Scriptures. He drew these boys to him by his athletic prowess and magic skills. He encouraged them to grow in their faith before entertaining them. We need to learn how to draw people to the Lord in spite of today’s difficult environment. We need to attract them to the Gospel message through our lives. Let us pray for inspiration on how to do this.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.

Mark 4:35-41

35 On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. 38 Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” 41 They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

think: Let us pray for inspiration on how to attract people to the Gospel message through our lives.

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 Romans 5-8

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom - Daily Bible Readings January 30,2015

1^ST READING

The author of this letter is aware that many Christians are being persecuted and under pressure to recant their faith. He encourages them by reminding them of the price they have already paid in remaining faithful and how that will stand for little or nothing if they give way to persecution now. We need to heed this call to perseverance and faithfulness in the midst of our own trials and temptations today so that we will be strengthened to remain firm in our faith and hold true to the principles of the Gospel.

Hebrews 10:32-39

32 Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a great contest of suffering. 33 At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction; at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated. 34 You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and lasting possession. 35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence; it will have great recompense. 36 You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised. 37 For, after just a brief moment, he who is to come shall come; he shall not delay. 38 But my just one shall live by faith, and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him. 39 We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and will possess life.

P S A L M

Psalm 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40

R: The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

3 Trust in the Lord and do good, that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will grant you your heart’s requests. (R) 5 Commit to the Lord your way; trust in him, and he will act. 6 He will make justice dawn for you like the light; bright as the noonday shall be your vindication. (R) 23 By the Lord are the steps of a man made firm, and he approves his way. 24 Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate, for the hand of the Lord sustains him. (R) 39 The salvation of the just is from the Lord; he is their refuge in time of distress. 40 And the Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. (R)

GOSPEL

This parable reminds us that our growth in faith and holiness is partially a mystery, dependent on the grace of God and how He chooses to work in our lives. Let us always thank God for His grace as it continues to draw us into the presence of His love and mercy and so transform us into the men and women He has created us to be. This is the work of salvation — God working within us to recreate us in His image and likeness, driving out our sins and developing our gifts.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Mark 4:26-34

26 Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land 27 and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. 28 Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” 30 He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. 32 But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” 33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. 34 Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

think: This is the work of salvation — God working within us to recreate us in His image and likeness, driving out our sins and developing our gifts.

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 Romans 1-4

A lamp to my feet is your word, a light to my path - Daily Bible Readings January 29,2015

1^ST READING

The curtain referred to here is that which separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Temple and through which the High Priest entered once a year to offer sacrifice. The Jews certainly respected the place where they believed God dwelt. Jesus tears down this curtain and announces to us that God dwells in our hearts first and foremost, not some physical place. Yes, we believe He is present in the Blessed Sacrament but we need first to focus on His presence in each and every person. This is the basis for our understanding of human dignity — life from conception until death.

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 he 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? (R) 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

The light of the Gospel has been given to us. It is alive in our hearts, minds and souls. Will we let it shine so that others can see it? We have received the Gospel without price; we should also share it with others without price. Let us do everything we can to allow the truth of the Gospel to be manifest in our lives so that the Good News will continue to go forth into the world.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Mark 4:21-25

21 Jesus said 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.” 24He 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.”

think: The light of the Gospel has been given to us. It is alive in our hearts, minds and souls. Will we let it shine so that others can see it?

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: __________________

____________________________________

God’s special verse/thought for me today_

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Acts 25-28