The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live forever - Dialy Bible Readings July 28,2015

1^ST READING

 

Moses spoke to God, face to face. This is a remarkable change from his fear to enter into the presence of God in the beginning. God wants us to come in His presence. He does not want to be distant from us — He wants to have an intimate relationship with us. There is no other religion or faith that has a God who wants such a relationship between Him and His people.

 

Exodus 33:7-11; 34:5-9, 28

7 The tent, which was called the meeting tent, Moses used to pitch at some distance away, outside the camp. Anyone who wished to consult the Lord would go to this meeting tent outside the camp. 8 Whenever Moses went out to the tent, the people would all rise and stand at the entrance of their own tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. 9 As Moses entered the tent, the column of cloud would come down and stand at its entrance while the Lord spoke with Moses. 10 On seeing the column of cloud stand at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise and worship at the entrance of their own tents. 11 The Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as one man speaks to another. Moses would then return to the camp, but his young assistant, Joshua, son of Nun, would not move out of the tent. 34:5 Moses stood there with the Lord and proclaimed his name, “Lord.” 6 Thus the Lord passed before him and cried out, “The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity, 7 continuing his kindness for a thousand generations, and forgiving wickedness and crime and sin; yet not declaring the guilty guiltless, but punishing children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation for their fathers’ wickedness!” 8 Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship. 9 Then he said, “If I find favor with you, O Lord, do come along in our company. This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins, and receive us as your own.” 28 So Moses stayed there with the Lord for forty days and forty nights, without eating any food or drinking any water, and he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 103:6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13

R: The Lord is kind and merciful.

6 The Lord secures justice and the rights of all the oppressed. 7 He has made known his ways to Moses, and his deeds to the children of Israel. (R) 8 Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. 9 He will not always chide, nor does he keep his wrath forever. (R) 10 Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him. (R) 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

We must be careful when we are addressing sin in our own lives and in the lives of others. We should not do more harm than good in rooting it out. We should not tolerate sin in our lives and in society. However, this can be a very difficult task for one person. Sometimes, it requires a consensus of many before it is possible to banish it completely. We continue speaking the truth into sinful situations, but sometimes, we will have to convince others of our position before we can make a headway in getting rid of the sin.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

 

Matthew 13:36-43

36 Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37 He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, 38 the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom. The weeds are the children of the Evil One, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. 42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

 

 

think: God does not want to be distant from us — He wants to have an intimate relationship with us.

 

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: __________________

 

____________________________________

 

God’s special verse/thought for me today_

_____________________________________

 

I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord - Daily Bible Readings July 25,2015

1^ST READING

 

The Feast of St. James reminds us that many of disciples of Jesus died as martyrs. This is the full commitment that any person can give to our faith – to die for the proclamation of the Gospel. This may not be our calling, but it is good to be reminded once in a while that it could be. Let us be attentive to our mission. The powers arrayed against us will use every means to hinder our work for the Gospel.

 

2 Corinthians 4:7-15

7 Brothers and sisters: We hold this treasure in earthen vessels that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; 10always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you. 13 Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we too believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. 15 Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving tooverflow for the glory of God.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6

R: Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

1 When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing. (R) Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad indeed. (R) 4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the torrents in the southern desert. 5 Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. (R) 6Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, they shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves. (R)

 

GOSPELADING

James and John are misguided in seeking places of honor at the banquet of eternal life. Aspirations to do well are good, but we should stop short of putting demands on our service. We serve in the Kingdom of God because of our love for Him. This is sufficient for us — to know that we have expressed our love for God in the best way we can. This is the true meaning of service according to the Gospel.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

 

Matthew 20:20-28

20 The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. 21 He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” 22 Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” 23 He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. 26 But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; 27 whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. 28 Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

 

think: We serve in the Kingdom of God because of our love for Him.

 

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 Judith 5-8 

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance - Daily Bible Readings July 24,2015

1^ST READING

 

The Ten Commandments have defined the structure of Jewish society for thousands of years. They are remarkable as their endurance gives an eloquent testimony of our faith. The Ten commandments is not an exhaustive list describing the moral life, but is a good foundation upon which to build. We need to reflect upon these commands and apply them to our lives. Different people may have slightly different perspectives on them, but the essence will always be the same.

 

Exodus 20:1-17

1 In those days: God delivered all these commandments: 2 “I, the Lord, am your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery. 3 You shall not have other gods besides me. 4 You shall not carve idols for yourselves in the shape of anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth; 5 you shall not bow down before them or worship them. For I, the Lord, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment for their fathers’ wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation; 6 but bestowing mercy down to the thousandth generation, on the children of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain. For the Lord will not leave unpunished him who takes his name in vain. 8 “Remember to keep holy the sabbath day. 9 Six days you may labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord, your God. No work may be done then either by you, or your son or daughter, or your male or female slave, or your beast, or by the alien who lives with you. 11 In six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord has blessed the sabbath day and made it holy. 12 “Honor your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you. 13 “You shall not kill. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 15 “You shall not steal. 16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male or female slave, nor his ox or ass, nor anything else that belongs to him.”

 

P S A L M Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11

R: Lord, you have the words of everlasting 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)10 [11] They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Do we work hard to grow in holiness? This is the question for lukewarm Christians. They know they should be exerting more effort to grow in their faith, but are unable or refuse to do so. Unfortunately, that is where the spiritual journey will end for them, unless they can find a way to break through the impasse. Let us give the Word of God the best chance to bear fruit in our lives.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance.

 

Matthew 13:18-23

18 Jesus said to his disciples: “Hear the parable of the sower. 19 The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. 20 The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. 21 But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. 22 The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. 23 But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

 

think: Do we work hard to grow in holiness?

 

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 Judith 1-4

 

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom - Daily Bible Readings July 23,2015

1^ST READING

 

The description of God descending before the people is spectacular. Jesus descends before us on the altar in the form of bread and wine, his Body and Blood, every time we celebrate the Eucharist. Let us never forget this wonderful gift. Jesus makes Himself present to us. Is that not enough for you?

 

Exodus 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20

1 In the third month after their departure from the land of Egypt, on its first day, the children of Israel came to the desert of Sinai. 2 After the journey from Rephidim to the desert of Sinai, they pitched camp. 9 While Israel was encamped here in front of the mountain, the Lord told to Moses, “I am coming to you in a dense cloud, so that when the people hear me speaking with you, they may always have faith in you also.” When Moses, then, had reported to the Lord the response of the people, 10 the Lord added, “Go to the people and have them sanctify themselves today and tomorrow. Make them wash their garments 11 and be ready for the third day; for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai before the eyes of all the people.” 16 On the morning of the third day there were peals of thunder and lightning, and a heavy cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. 17 But Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stationed themselves at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was all wrapped in smoke, for the Lord came down upon it in fire. The smoke rose from it as though from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. 19 The trumpet blast grew louder and louder, while Moses was speaking and God answering him with thunder. 20 When the Lord came down to the top of Mount Sinai, he summoned Moses to the top of the mountain.

 

P S A L M ING

 

Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56

R: Glory and praise forever!

29 [Dan 3:52] “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; and blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.” (R) 30 [Dan 3:53] “Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.” (R) 31 [Dan 3:54] “Blessed are you on the throne of your Kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” (R) 32 [Dan 3:55] “Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” (R) 33 [Dan 3:56] “Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever.” (R)

 

GOSPEL

Parables are an important teaching tool. They enable the teacher to distance himself from the audience and give the capacity to speak into the heart of the matter in question. Let us discover the deeper meaning of the parables, and allow it to go deeper into our minds and hearts. This is what is necessary in religion — depth of conversion in the issues that really matter.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

 

Matthew 13:10-17

10 The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Why do you speak to the crowds in parables?” 11 He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. 12 To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. 14 Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see. 15 Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and be converted, and I heal them. 16 “But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. 17 Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

think: Jesus makes Himself present to us. Is that not enough for you?

 

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: __________________

 

____________________________________

 

God’s special verse/thought for me today_

_____________________________________

 

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts - Daily Bible Readings July 20,2015

1ST READING   The Pharaoh changed his mind and sent his army after the Hebrews. This was a big mistake and will mean disaster for him. He is reluctant to let go of the Hebrews who have built many of the great cities of Egypt. Who will do the menial work? He sent his army to bring them back. God assures Moses that everything will be OK, but only after He works another profound miracle in the parting of the Red Sea.   Exodus 14:5-18 5 When it was reported to the king of Egypt that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants changed their minds about them. They exclaimed, “What have we done! Why, we have released Israel from our service!” 6 So Pharaoh made his chariots ready and mustered his soldiers — 7 six hundred first-class chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt, with warriors on them all. 8 So obstinate had the Lord made Pharaoh that he pursued the children of Israel even while they were marching away in triumph. 9 The Egyptians, then, pursued them; Pharaoh’s whole army, his horses, chariots and charioteers, caught up with them as they lay encamped by the sea, at Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. 10 Pharaoh was already near when the children of Israel looked up and saw that the Egyptians were on the march in pursuit of them. In great fright they cried out to the Lord. 11 And they complained to Moses, “Were there no burial places in Egypt that you had to bring us out here to die in the desert? Why did you do this to us? Why did you bring us out of Egypt? 12 Did we not tell you this in Egypt, when we said, ‘Leave us alone. Let us serve the Egyptians’? Far better for us to be the slaves of the Egyptians than to die in the desert.” 13 But Moses answered the people, “Fear not! Stand your ground, and you will see the victory the Lord will win for you today. These Egyptians whom you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord himself will fight for you; you have only to keep still.” 15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. 16 And you, lift up your staff and, with hand outstretched over the sea, split the sea in two, that the children of Israel may pass through it on dry land. 17 But I will make the Egyptians so obstinate that they will go in after them. Then I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots and charioteers. 18 The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I receive glory through Pharaoh and his chariots and charioteers.”   P S A L M   Exodus 15:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 R: Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory. 1 I will sing to the Lord, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea. 2 My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior. He is my God, I praise him; the God of my father, I extol him. (R) 3 The Lord is a warrior, Lord is his name! 4 Pharaoh’s chariots and army he hurled into the sea; the elite of his officers were submerged in the Red Sea. (R) 5 The flood waters covered them, they sank into the depths like a stone. 6 Your right hand, O Lord, magnificent in power, your right hand, O Lord, has shattered the enemy. (R)   GOSPEL Why do we always look for signs from God? The Gospel is clear enough for us to understand. It may be difficult to know God’s will for our lives, but we should take a step forward, and then another one, until God stops and redirects us. If we do this in good faith, we will not stray very far from God’s will, and it will be a short path back to it if we do.   GOSPEL ACCLAMATION If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.   Matthew 12:38-42 38 Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 He said to them in reply, “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. 40 Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. 41 At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and there is something greater than Jonah here. 42 At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here.”     think: It may be difficult to know God’s will for our lives, but we should take a step forward, and then another one, until God stops and redirects us.   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 Tobit 1-3

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord - Daily Bible Readings July 16,2015

1^ST READING

 

 

The actual name of God is not important. What is important is that He loves us and desires to deliver us from slavery to sin, in the same way that He delivered the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. It is by the work of God that we are saved. He promised to remain with us and never abandon us. What remains to be seen is our faithfulness to Him. How do we respond to the opportunity to serve God and His Kingdom?

 

Exodus 3:13-20

13 Moses, hearing the voice of the Lord from the burning bush, said to him, “When I go to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ if they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what am I to tell them?” 14 God replied, “I am who am.” Then he added, “This is what you shall tell the children of Israel: I AM sent me to you.”  15 God spoke further to Moses, “Thus shall you say to the children of Israel: The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. “This is my name forever; this is my title for all generations. 16 “Go and assemble the elders of the Israel, and tell them: The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has appeared to me and said: I am concerned about you and about the way you are being treated in Egypt; 17 so I have decided to lead you up out of the misery of Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey. 18 “Thus they will heed your message. Then you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him: The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has sent us word. Permit us, then, to go a three days’ journey in the desert, that we may offer sacrifice to the Lord, our God. 19 “Yet I know that the king of Egypt will not allow you to go unless he is forced. 20 I will stretch out my hand, therefore, and smite Egypt by doing all kinds of wondrous deeds there. After that he will send you away.”

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 105:1, 5, 8-9, 24-25, 26-27

R: The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

1 Give thanks to the Lord, invoke his name; make known among the nations his deeds. 5 Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought, his portents, and the judgments he has uttered. (R) 8 He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations 9which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac. (R) 24 He greatly increased his people and made them stronger than their foes, 25 whose hearts he changed, so that they hated his people, and dealt deceitfully with his servants. (R) 26 He sent Moses his servant; Aaron, whom he had chosen. 27 They wrought his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham. (R)

 

GOSPELADING

 

Jesus is always there to help us with the burdens we bear in life. When we look around us, we will discover that people have different burdens and sometimes it may seem that they are unfairly distributed. The struggles and trials in life are not evenly distributed. But we are consoled by the fact that the larger our burden, the more we remember God’s promise to help us. Whatever help we need is available to us if we surrender our burdens to the Lord.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.

 

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

 

think: Whatever help we need is available to us if we surrender our burdens to the Lord.

 

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: __________________

 

____________________________________

 

God’s special verse/thought for me today_

_____________________________________

 

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts - Daily Bible Readings July 14,2015

1ST READING   A Hebrew boy is hidden by his mother. God intervened and the boy was found by the Pharaoh’s daughter. She employed the mother of that child to care for the baby she adopted as her own. This is typical in the life of a significant figure in the Scriptures – there is nearly always a miracle or extraordinary event that contributes to the person’s calling from God. Moses is no exception.   Exodus 2:1-15 1 A certain man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, 2 who conceived and bore a son. Seeing that he was a goodly child, she hid him for three months. 3 When she could hide him no longer, she took a papyrus basket, daubed it with bitumen and pitch, and putting the child in it, placed it among the reeds on the river bank. 4 His sister stationed herself at a distance to find out what would happen to him. 5 Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the river to bathe, while her maids walked along the river bank. Noticing the basket among the reeds, she sent her handmaid to fetch it. 6 On opening it, she looked, and lo, there was a baby boy, crying! She was moved with pity for him and said, “It is one of the Hebrews’ children.” 7 Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call one of the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” 8 “Yes, do so,” she answered. So the maiden went and called the child’s own mother. 9 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will repay you.” The woman therefore took the child and nursed it. 10 When the child grew, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopted him as her son and called him Moses; for she said, “I drew him out of the water.” 11 On one occasion, after Moses had grown up, when he visited his kinsmen and witnessed their forced labor, he saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his own kinsmen. 12 Looking about and seeing no one, he slew the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 The next day he went out again, and now two Hebrews were fighting! So he asked the culprit, “Why are you striking your fellow Hebrew?” 14 But he replied, “Who has appointed you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses became afraid and thought, “The affair must certainly be known.” 15 Pharaoh, too, heard of the affair and sought to put Moses to death. But Moses fled from him and stayed in the land of Midian.   P S A L M ING   Psalm 69:3, 14, 30-31, 33-34   R: Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live. 2 [3] I am sunk in the abysmal swamp where there is no foothold; I have reached the watery depths; the flood overwhelmsme. (R) 13 [14] But I pray to you, O Lord, for the time of your favor, O God! In your great kindness answer me with your constant help. (R) 29 [30] But I am afflicted and in pain; let your saving help, O God, protect me. 30 [31] I will praise the name of God in song, and I will glorify him with thanksgiving. (R) 32 [33] “See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive! 33 [34] For the Lord hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.” (R)   GOSPELAD  Those who have heard the Gospel and reject it will be judged more severely than those who have responded to it. This is what Jesus is saying in the Gospel. We have all heard the Gospel, so we have no excuse for our lack of faith. Let us examine our lives and the opportunities we have been given, and ensure that we are living faithfully.   GOSPEL ACCLAMATION If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.   Matthew 11:20-24 20 Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And as for you, Capernaum: Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld. For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”   think: We have all heard the Gospel, so we have no excuse for our lack of faith.   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 2 Chronicles 35-36

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call - Daily Bible Readings July 12,2015

1ST READING   Amos is despised in Bethel, the rich and self-important capital of the Northern Kingdom. They even built their own temple, so that the people would not enrich the Southern Kingdom by having to go to Jerusalem to offer sacrifice. The hearts of the people have become avaricious, thinking only of themselves and their material well-being. They have lost contact with the spiritual dimension of their lives and, thus, the nation suffers from great social injustice.   Amos 7:12-15 12 Amaziah, priest of Bethel, said to Amos, “Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah! There earn your bread by prophesying, 13 but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.” 14 Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. 15 The Lord took me from following the flock, and said to me: Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”   P S A L M   Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 R: Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation. 8 [9] I will hear what God proclaims; the Lord — for he proclaims peace. 9 [10]Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. (R) 10 [11] Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. 11 [12] Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. (R) 12 [13] The Lord himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. 13 [14] Justice shall walk before him, and prepare the way of his steps. (R)   2ND READING   Paul rejoices that God has resolved to do everything that is necessary to ensure that we have every opportunity for salvation. Paul speaks of the glory and wonder of God’s existence and how it is translated into His great love for us. Let us open our hearts to His love and work with God in attaining the gift of eternal life.   Ephesians 1:3-14 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, 4 as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love 5 he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, 6 for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. 7 In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him 10 as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth. 11 In him 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.   GOSPEL   Jesus wants His disciples to take very little with them. This way, they know that it is the power of God and His Spirit that is working in and through them to bring conversion and salvation to the people. One of the dangers a preacher faces is thinking that he is an indispensable part of God’s work. We must remember that we are only instruments of God’s grace so that we do not fall into the sin of pride.   GOSPEL ACCLAMATION May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.   Mark 6:7-13 7 Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. 8 He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick — no food, no sack, no money in their belts. 9 They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. 10 He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave. 11 Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” 12 So they went off and preached repentance. 13 The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.   think: We must remember that we are only instruments of God’s grace so that we do not fall into the sin of pride.     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 2 Chronicles 31-32    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   ________________________________________________________________                _________________________________________________________________