Daily Bible Readings

November 30, 2011
1st READING

Confession and belief support each other. When we speak out our faith, it is confirmed and strengthened. So it is a good idea to have some key faith-building Scriptures written out on some cards or on our cell phones so that we can read and speak them out during the day. It is a great way to strengthen our faith and affirm our trust in God for His help and blessings.

Romans 10:9-18
9 Brothers and sisters: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11 For the scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? 15 And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring [the] good news!” 16 But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?” 17 Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. 18 But I ask, did they not hear? Certainly they did; for “their voice has gone forth to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.”

P S A L M

Psalms 19:8, 9, 10, 11
R: The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
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)

G O S P E L

Today, we honor St. Andrew, the Apostle, who was the brother of Simon Peter. Like Peter, Andrew left his nets and boat and followed the Lord in a radical response of faith. He had no idea where Jesus was going to lead him, but he was drawn to Christ by a deep and abiding attraction that captured his whole heart and life. Let us follow as St. Andrew did, in a wholehearted and unconditional way, so that the Lord’s purpose for our lives will be fulfilled.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Come after me, says the Lord, and I will make you fishers of men.
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Matthew 4:18-22
18 As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. 19 He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, 22 and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

my reflections
t h i n k : Confession and belief support each other. When we speak out our faith, it is confirmed and strengthened.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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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 Romans 13-16
Romans 13-16

Daily Bible Readings

November 29, 2011
1st READING

Isaiah prophesies about the coming Messiah — that He will have the fullness of the Holy Spirit dwelling upon Him to usher in a reign of justice and peace. The Jews interpreted this as an earthly and political kingdom, but Jesus revealed that it would be one of the heart and spirit. The same Holy Spirit that rested in fullness upon Jesus has also been given to us so that we can draw upon all the gifts and graces of the Spirit in our own lives.

Isaiah 11:1-10
1 On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. 2 The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, 3 and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, 4 but he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land’s afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. 5 Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips. 6 Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. 7 The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. 8 The baby shall play by the cobra’s den, and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair. 9 There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea. 10 On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.

P S A L M
Psalms 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
R: Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.
1 O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king’s son; 2 he shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment. (R) 7 Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more. 8 May he rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. (R) 12 He shall rescue the poor man when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. 13 He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save. (R) 17 May his name be blessed forever; as long as the sun his name shall remain. In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed; all the nations shall proclaim his happiness. (R)

G O S P E L

Jesus makes it very clear in this text that it is the Son who reveals to us the Father. In fact, we would not know God as a loving father apart from the revelation that comes to us through the passion and death of Christ. By giving us the Holy Spirit, we are given a share in Jesus’ Sonship with the Father and are able to cry out “Abba” (Father). This is a wonderful and precious gift that our faith gives us and that should give us a deep sense of security in God’s love and care for us.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Luke 10:21-24
21 Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” 23 Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear,
but did not hear it.”

my reflections
t h in k : The same Holy Spirit that rested in fullness upon Jesus has also been given to us so that we can draw upon all the gifts and graces of the Spirit in our own lives.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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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 Romans 9-12

Daily Bible Readings

November 28, 2011
1st READING

Isaiah has a vision of the Kingdom of God as a great mountain. We know that a mountain is unshakable and eternal, and so is God’s Kingdom and reign in this world. Although it may at times seem that Satan’s kingdom prevails, we know that this is an illusion because God has already established Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Each of us has a privilege to be part of this great work of establishing the Kingdom of God by our deeds of love and mercy.

Isaiah 2:1-5
1 This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 In days to come, the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; 3 many peoples shall come and say: “Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. 5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!


P S A L M

Psalms 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
1 I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the LORD.” 2 And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem. (R) 3 Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity. 4 To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD. (R) According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. 5 In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David. (R) 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May those who love you prosper! 7 May peace be within your walls, prosperity in your buildings. (R) 8 Because of my relatives and friends I will say, “Peace be within you!” 9 Because of the house of the LORD, our God, I will pray for your good. (R)

G O S P E L

A Roman centurion who was a “God fearer,” that is a pagan who shared in the Synagogue worship with the Jews, approaches Jesus to heal his servant. Jesus is willing to go with him. But when Jesus starts to go to his house, the centurion says there is no need for Him to come to his house as he is unworthy. All He needs to do is to say the word and the servant will be healed. Jesus is amazed and delighted in this man’s faith. Let us imitate this Roman soldier’s faith and also have complete confidence in the Lord’s power to heal us.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Come and save us, Lord our God; let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Matthew 8:5-11
5 When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, 6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” 7 He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” 8 The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven.”

my reflections
t h i n k : Let us imitate the Roman soldier’s faith and also have complete confidence in the Lord’s power to heal us.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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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 Romans 5-8

Daily Bible Readings

November 27, 2011
1st READING

The Prophet Isaiah is aware of the people’s infidelities and unfaithfulness to God, yet he hopes in the goodness and mercy of God to deliver and save them. We see from this text that even repentance and conversion are God’s gifts to us. We are helpless and totally lost without God’s help. We should never lose hope in God for He is our Father who tenderly watches over us, His children, lest we stray too far.

Isaiah 63:16-17, 19; 64:2-7
16 You, LORD, are our father, our redeemer you are named forever. 17 Why do you let us wander, O LORD, from your ways, and harden our hearts so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage. 19 Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down,
with the mountains quaking before you, 64: 2 while you wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for, 3 such as they had not heard of from of old.No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you doing such deeds for those who wait for him. 4 Would that you might meet us doing right, that we were mindful of you in our ways! Behold, you are angry, and we are sinful; 5 all of us have become like unclean men, all our good deeds are like polluted rags; we have all withered like leaves, and our guilt carries us away like the wind. 6 There is none who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to cling to you; for you have hidden your face from us and have delivered us up to our guilt. 7 Yet, O LORD, you are our father; we are the clay and you the potter we are all the work of your hands.


P S A L M

Psalms 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
R: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
2 O shepherd of Israel, hearken, from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth. 3 Rouse your power, and come to save us. (R) 15 Once again, O LORD of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; take care of this vine, 16 and protect what your right hand has planted the son of man whom you yourself made strong. (R) 18 May your help be with the man of your right hand, with the son of man whom you yourself made strong. 19 Then we will no more withdraw from you; give us new life, and we will call upon your name. (R)

2nd READING

Paul’s prayers indicates to us that the power for Christian living resides in Jesus Christ. I once read a book by Colin Urquhart called In Christ Jesus.Here I was presented with the challenge, of which St. Paul would be in total agreement, to make the choice to live in and with Christ and not in my own power and according to my own wisdom. It sounds easy and logical, but to practice this every day requires an enormous level of commitment.


1 Corinthians 1:3-9
3 Brothers and sisters: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, 6 as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.


G O S P E L

Advent is a time for us to reassess our lives of discipleship and to make necessary changes. The priests wear purple vestments to symbolize that this is a season of conversion. Am I alert and attentive to the action and voice of the Holy Spirit in my life? Am I growing in love of God and my neighbor? Am I becoming more sensitive or less sensitive to sin in my life? These questions can help us take stock and see how we are advancing in our spiritual walk. Let us use this season of Advent to renew our spiritual vigor and love for God.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Show us, Lord, your love; and grant us your salvation.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Mark 13:33-37
33 Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. 35 Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. 36 May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’ ”

my reflections
t h i n k : Let us use this season of Advent to take stock and see how we are advancing in our spiritual walk.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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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 Romans 1-4
SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
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HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
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Daily Bible Readings

November 26, 2011
1st READING

Daniel is perplexed and disturbed by his vision of a fourth kingdom that is terrible to behold, devours the whole earth and makes war with the saints of God. This could point to a future persecution of the church as often prophesied in the Scriptures — that before Jesus returns, there will be a great persecution of Christians and many will be martyred for their faith. Of course, in many lands, Christians already suffer greatly for their faith and have to be strong in the face of much opposition. Let us seek to be faithful to the Lord at this time so that when persecution comes we may stand strong and not deny our Lord.

Daniel 7:15-27
15 I, Daniel, found my spirit anguished within its covering of flesh, and I was terrified by the visions of my mind. 16 I approached one of those present and asked him what all this meant in truth; in answer, he made known to me the meaning of the things: 17 “These four great beasts stand for four kingdoms which shall arise on the earth. 18 But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingship, to possess it forever and ever.” 19 But I wished to make certain about the fourth beast, so very terrible and different from the others, devouring and crushing with its iron teeth and bronze claws, and trampling with its feet what was left; 20 about the ten horns on its head, and the other one that sprang up, before which three horns fell; about the horn with the eyes and the mouth that spoke arrogantly, which appeared greater than its fellows. 21 For, as I watched, that horn made war against the holy ones and was victorious 22 until the Ancient One arrived; judgment was pronounced in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, and the time came when the holy ones possessed the kingdom. 23 He answered me thus: “The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, different from all the others; It shall devour the whole earth, beat it down, and crush it. 24 The ten horns shall be ten kings rising out of that kingdom; another shall rise up after them, different from those before him, who shall lay low three kings. 25 He shall speak against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High, thinking to change the feast days and the law. They shall be handed over to him for a year, two years, and a half-year. 26 But when the court is convened, and his power is taken away by final and absolute destruction, 27 then the kingship and dominion and majesty of all the kingdoms under the heavens shall be given to the holy people of the Most High, whose kingdom shall be everlasting: all dominions shall serve and obey him.”

P S A L M

Daniel 3:82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87
R: Give glory and eternal praise to him.
59 [Dan 3:82] “You sons of men, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 60 [Dan 3:83] “O Israel, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 61 [Dan 3:84] “Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 62 [Dan 3:85] “Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 63 [Dan 3:86] “Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 64 [Dan 3:87] “Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R)

G O S P E L

Again, Jesus gives us a warning that a time of great trial and persecution will come upon the people of the earth. We Christians need to be alert and faithful to our call of discipleship and not get caught up in drunkenness and immorality. Some people think that they can live an immoral life when they are young and then turn to God when they are old. This is a great mistake. They put themselves in danger of eternal damnation by their presumption on the grace of God.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Acts 25-28
Luke 21:34-36
34 Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise 35 like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. 36 Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

my reflections
think: Let us seek to be faithful to the Lord at this time so that when persecution comes we may stand strong and not deny our Lord.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
_________________________________________________________

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Acts 25-28

Daily Bible Readings

November 25, 2011
1st READING
Daniel sees a series of worldly empires in the form of beasts that arise and subdue the people of the earth. They all come and go, but it is the Kingdom that is established by the Ancient One that endures and overcomes all the other kingdoms. Daniel also sees an image of the Son of Man, a title that Jesus often used for Himself, coming from heaven and receiving dominion over the nations of the earth. This we see fulfilled in Christ’s resurrection from the dead and now that He is exalted in heaven.

Daniel 7:2-14
2 In the vision I, Daniel, saw during the night, the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea, 3 from which emerged four immense beasts, each different from the others. 4 The first was like a lion, but with eagle’s wings. While I watched, the wings were plucked; it was raised from the ground to stand on two feet like a man, and given a human mind. 5 The second was like a bear; it was raised up on one side, and among the teeth in its mouth were three tusks. It was given the order, “Up, devour much flesh.” 6 After this I looked and saw another beast, like a leopard; on its back were four wings like those of a bird, and it had four heads. To this beast dominion was given. 7 After this, in the visions of the night I saw the fourth beast, different from all the others, terrifying, horrible, and of extraordinary strength; it had great iron teeth with which it devoured and crushed, and what was left it trampled with its feet. 8 I was considering the ten horns it had, when suddenly another, a little horn, sprang out of their midst, and three of the previous horns were torn away to make room for it. This horn had eyes like a man, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly. 9 As I watched, thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was snow bright, and the hair on his head as white as wool; His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. 10 A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. 11 I watched, then, from the first of the arrogant words which the horn spoke, until the beast was slain and its body thrown into the fire to be burnt up. 12 The other beasts, which also lost their dominion, were granted a prolongation of life for a time and a season. 13 As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; when he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, 14 He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.

P S A L M

Daniel 3:75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81
R: Give glory and eternal praise to him.
52 [Dan 3:75] “Mountains and hills, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 53 [Dan 3:76] “Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 54 [Dan 3:77] “You springs, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 55 [Dan 3:78] “Seas and rivers, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 56 [Dan 3:79] “You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 57 [Dan 3:80] “All you birds of the air, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 58 [Dan 3:81] “All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R)

G O S P E L

The fig tree is a common image of the Children of Israel. Jesus suggests that when we see this nation reestablished and bursting into life, we know that His coming is near. Many saw the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 as the beginning of the fulfillment of this prophecy as the nation had been non-existent since the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. How long it will be before Christ’s return is something we do not know, but we should always have a sense that it is near.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Luke 21:29-33
29 Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. 30 When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; 31 in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

my reflections
t h i n k : How long it will be before Christ’s return is something we do not know, but we should always have a sense that it is near.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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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 Acts 21-24

Daily Bible Readings

November 24, 2011
1st READING
Daniel is a man of prayer. A king’s decree that praying to any god except him is punishable by death is not enough to sway Daniel from his commitment to pray three times a day to God. That a king should make such an outrageous decree shows his pride and arrogance. Daniel’s enemies knew he would not forsake his faith even at the threat of death and so enticed the king to make this decree. Let us be committed to our daily prayer as Daniel was.

Daniel 6:12-28
12 Some men rushed into the upper chamber of Daniel’s home and found him praying and pleading before his God. 13 Then they went to remind the king about the prohibition: “Did you not decree, O king, that no one is to address a petition to god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king; otherwise he shall be cast into a den of lions?” The king answered them, “The decree is absolute, irrevocable under the Mede and Persian law.” 14 To this they replied, “Daniel, the Jewish exile, has paid no attention to you, O king, or to the decree you issued; three times a day he offers his prayer.” 15 The king was deeply grieved at this news and he made up his mind to save Daniel; he worked till sunset to rescue him. 16 But these men insisted. “Keep in mind, O king,” they said, “that under the Mede and Persian law every royal prohibition or decree is irrevocable.” 17 So the king ordered Daniel to be brought and cast into the lions’ den. To Daniel he said, “May your God, whom you serve so constantly, save you.” 18 To forestall any tampering, the king sealed with his own ring and the rings of the lords the stone that had been brought to block the opening of the den. 19 Then the king returned to his palace for the night; he refused to eat and he dismissed the entertainers. Since sleep was impossible for him, 20 the king rose very early the next morning and hastened to the lions’ den. 21 As he drew near, he cried out to Daniel sorrowfully, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has the God whom you serve so constantly been able to save you from the lions?” 22 Daniel answered the king: “O king, live forever! 23 My God has sent his angel and closed the lions’ mouths so that they have not hurt me. For I have been found innocent before him; neither to you have I done any harm, O king!” 24 This gave the king great joy. At his order Daniel was removed from the den, unhurt because he trusted in his God. 25 The king then ordered the men who had accused Daniel, along with their children and their wives, to be cast into the lions’ den. Before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. 26 Then King Darius wrote to the nations and peoples of every language, wherever they dwell on the earth: “All peace to you! 27 I decree that throughout my royal domain the God of Daniel is to be reverenced and feared: “For he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be without end. 28 He is a deliverer and savior, working signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, and he delivered Daniel from the lions’ power.”

P S A L M

Daniel 3:68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74
R: Give glory and eternal praise to him.
45 [Dan 3:68] “Dew and rain, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 46 [Dan 3:69] “Frost and chill, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 47 [Dan 3:70] “Ice and snow, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 48 [Dan 3:71] “Nights and days, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 49 [Dan 3:72] “Light and darkness, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 50 [Dan 3:73] “Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 51 [Dan 3:74] “Let the earth bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R)

G O S P E L

Jesus gives some very specific signs as to the time of the great persecution that would come upon His people and the city of Jerusalem. In 70 A.D., when the Roman armies were making their assault on the city, the Christians fled the city and saved their lives. Thousands of others didn’t and perished. Let us listen carefully to the words of Christ that warn us of a variety of dangers so that we, too, can be saved and enter His eternal kingdom.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Luke 21:20-28
20 Jesus said to his disciples: “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand. 21 Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city, 22 for these days are the time of punishment when all the scriptures are fulfilled. 23 Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 25 There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”

my reflections
t h i n k : Let us be committed to our daily prayer as Daniel was.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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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 Acts 17-20

Daily Bible Readings

November 23, 2011
1st READING
King Belshazzar used the sacred vessels from the Temple in Jerusalem for his drunken feast in which he and his lords praised the pagan gods rather than give honor to the true God of heaven. Because of this blasphemy, God judged him and brought his reign to a swift end. All kings and rulers rule only because God gives them authority. When they become very proud and arrogant, God can bring their reign to a sudden end.

Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28
1 King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his lords, with whom he drank. 2 Under the influence of the wine, he ordered the gold and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar, his father, had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, to be brought in so that the king, his lords, his wives and his entertainers might drink from them. 3 When the gold and silver vessels taken from the house of God in Jerusalem had been brought in, and while the king, his lords, his wives and his entertainers were drinking 4 wine from them, they praised their gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone. 5 Suddenly, opposite the lampstand, the fingers of a human hand appeared, writing on the plaster of the wall in the king’s palace. When the king saw the wrist and hand that wrote, 6 his face blanched; his thoughts terrified him, his hip joints shook, and his knees knocked. 13 Then Daniel was brought into the presence of the king. The king asked him, “Are you the Daniel, the Jewish exile, whom my father, the king, brought from Judah? 14 I have heard that the spirit of God is in you, that you possess brilliant knowledge and extraordinary wisdom. 16 I have heard that you can interpret dreams and solve difficulties; if you are able to read the writing and tell me what it means, you shall be clothed in purple, wear a gold collar about your neck, and be third in the government of the kingdom.” 17 Daniel answered the king: “You may keep your gifts, or
give your presents to someone else; but the writing I will read for you, O king, and tell you what it means. 23 You have rebelled against the Lord of heaven. You had the vessels of his temple brought before you, so that you and your nobles,your wives and your entertainers, might drink wine from them; and you praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, that neither see nor hear nor have intelligence. But the God in whose hand is your life breath and the whole course of your life, you did not glorify. 24 By him were the wrist and hand sent, and the writing set down. 25 “This is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, TEKEL, and PERES. These words mean: 26 MENE, God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it; 27 TEKEL, you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting; 28 PERES, your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

P S A L M

Daniel 3:62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67
R: Give glory and eternal praise to him.
39 [Dan 3:62] “Sun and moon, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 40 [Dan 3:63] “Stars of heaven, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 41 [Dan 3:64] “Every shower and dew, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 42 [Dan 3:65] “All you winds, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 43 [Dan 3:66] “Fire and heat, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 44 [Dan 3:67] “Cold and chill, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R)

G O S P E L

Jesus warns His followers that they will very likely face persecution for their belief in Him. They will even be betrayed by their own families. So great will the persecution be, but they need not be anxious or afraid because Jesus promises to be with them and give them wisdom to face all the accusations against them.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Luke 21:12-19
12 Jesus said to the crowd: “They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. 13 It will lead to your giving testimony. 14 Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, 15 for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. 16 You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name, 18 but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. 19 By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

my reflections
t h i n k : Jesus warns His followers that they will very likely face persecution for their belief in Him.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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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 Acts 13-16

Daily Bible Readings

November 22, 2011
1st READING

In a dream, God reveals to King Nebuchadnezzar that there will be a series of powerful kingdoms that will rule over the Middle East. They will differ in power and glory, but all will come to an end. The Kingdom of God, which seems so insignificant in comparison, hits these huge powerful kingdoms and reduces them to rubble and becomes itself a huge mountain. We know that mountains, compared to statues, are eternal. God will establish on earth an eternal kingdom that will replace all the kingdoms of this world.

Daniel 2:31-45
31 Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar: “In your vision, O king, you saw a statue, very large and exceedingly bright, terrifying in appearance as it stood before you. 32 The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs bronze, 33 the legs iron, its feet partly iron and partly tile. 34 While you looked at the statue, a stone which was hewn from a mountain without a hand being put to it, struck its iron and tile feet, breaking them in pieces. 35 The iron, tile, bronze, silver, and gold all crumbled at once, fine as the chaff on the threshing floor in summer, and the wind blew them away without leaving a trace. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. 36 This was the dream; the interpretation we shall also give in the king’s presence. 37 You, O king, are the king of kings; to you the God of heaven has given dominion and strength, power and glory; 38 men, wild beasts, and birds of the air, wherever they may dwell, he has handed over to you, making you ruler over them all; you are the head of gold. 39 Another kingdom shall take your place, inferior to yours, then a third kingdom, of bronze, which shall rule over the whole earth. 40 There shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron; it shall break in pieces and subdue all these others, just as iron breaks in pieces and crushes everything else. 41 The feet and toes you saw, partly of potter’s tile and partly of iron, mean that it shall be a divided kingdom, but yet have some of the hardness of iron. As you saw the iron mixed with clay tile, 42 and the toes partly iron and partly tile, the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. 43 The iron mixed with clay tile means that they shall seal their alliances by intermarriage, but they shall not stay united, any more than iron mixes with clay. 44 In the lifetime of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed or delivered up to another people; rather, it shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and put an end to them, and it shall stand forever. 45 That is the meaning of the stone you saw hewn from the mountain without a hand being put to it, which broke in pieces the tile, iron, bronze, silver, and gold. The great God has revealed to the king what shall be in the future; this is exactly what you dreamed, and its meaning is sure.”

P S A L M

Daniel 3:57, 58, 59, 60, 61
R: Give glory and eternal praise to him.
34 [Dan 3:57] “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 35 [Dan 3:58] “Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 36 [Dan 3:59] “You heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 37 [Dan 3:60] “All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 38 [Dan 3:61] “All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R)

G O S P E L

The Temple in Jerusalem that King Herod built was truly a beautiful and magnificent structure. It took 46 years to build and was adorned with many precious stones and gold — a breathtaking sight! Yet Jesus says that it will all be completely destroyed. This happened in 70 A.D. when the Roman army came, besieged Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple. We can only place our hope and confidence in the indestructible love of God.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Luke 21:5-11
5 While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, 6 “All that you see here — the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” 7 Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” 8 He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! 9 When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”

my reflections
t h i n k : We can only place our hope and confidence in the indestructible love of God.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

_______________________________________________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Acts 9-12

Daily Bible Readings

November 21, 2011
1st READING

When King Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem and took the people captive in Babylon, he chose some of the brightest young men to be trained to serve him in his palace. Daniel was among them. When offered the food that was served at the royal table, Daniel refused as it did not conform to his religious requirements. Daniel asked the chief chamberlain to just give him and his companions vegetables to eat. Reluctantly, the official agreed on the condition that Daniel and the others were in better condition than the other trainees. God blessed Daniel for his decision and prospered him.

Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20 (or Zechariah 2:14-17)
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came and laid siege to Jerusalem. 2 The Lord handed over to him Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and some of the vessels of the temple of God, which he carried off to the land of Shinar, and placed in the temple treasury of his god. 3 The king told Ashpenaz, his chief chamberlain, to bring in some of the children of Israel of royal blood and of the nobility, 4 young men without any defect, handsome, intelligent and wise, quick to learn, and prudent in judgment, such as could take their place in the king’s palace; they were to be taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans; 5 after three years’ training they were to enter the king’s service. The king allotted them a daily portion of food and wine from the royal table. 6 Among these were men of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 8 But Daniel was resolved not to defile himself with the king’s food or wine; so he begged the chief chamberlain to spare him this defilement. 9 Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathy of the chief chamberlain, 10 he nevertheless said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king; it is he who allotted your food and drink. If he sees that you look wretched by comparison with the other young men of your age, you will endanger my life with the king.” 11 Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief chamberlain had put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days. Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then see how we look in comparison with the other young men who eat from the royal table, and treat your servants according to what you see.” 14 He acceded to this request, and tested them for ten days; 15 after ten days they looked healthier and better fed than any of the young men who ate from the royal table. 16 So the steward continued to take away the food and wine they were to receive, and gave them vegetables. 17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and proficiency in all literature and science, and to Daniel the understanding of all visions and dreams. 18 At the end of the time the king had specified for their preparation, the chief chamberlain brought them before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 When the king had spoken with all of them, none was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; and so they entered the king’s service. 20 In any question of wisdom or prudence which the king put to them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom.

P S A L M

Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 (or Luke 1:46-47, 48-49, 50-51, 54-55)
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)

G O S P E L

Jesus observes people dropping money into the large boxes that were in the forecourt of the Temple. Many rich people put a great deal of money, but a poor widow put in only two small copper coins. Jesus says that she has put in more than all the others. This may seem strange, as it was not actually true, but God does not see things as we do. She had given all that she had while the rich had given from their surplus wealth. The widow’s offering was a true act of love and faith.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Stay awake! For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Luke 21:1-4 (or Matthew 12:46-50)
1 When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury 2 and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. 3 He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; 4 for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

Acts 5-8
my reflections
t h i n k : Let us be like the widow who, out of love and with complete faith, gave all that she had.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
_________________________________________________________

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

_______________________________________________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Acts 5-8

Daily Bible Readings

November 20, 2011
1st READING

The Lord God promises through the prophet Ezekiel that as the shepherds of Israel have been unfaithful and neglected their duties to care for the sheep, God Himself will be their shepherd. This was fulfilled with the coming of Jesus who called Himself the Good Shepherd. In fact, the very words used in this text are also used to describe the ministry of Jesus — seek the lost, bring back the stray, bind up the injured and heal the sick. Let us confidently place ourselves in the loving care of the Good Shepherd.

Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17
11 Thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will look after and tend my sheep. 12 As a shepherd tends his flock when he finds himself among his scattered sheep, so will I tend my sheep. I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and dark. 15 I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest, says the Lord GOD. 16 The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal but the sleek and the strong I will destroy, shepherding them rightly. 17 As for you, my sheep, says the Lord GOD, I will judge between one sheep and another, between rams and goats.

P S A L M

Psalms 23:1-2, 2-3, 5, 6
R: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 In verdant pastures he gives me repose. (R) Beside restful waters he leads me; 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. (R) 5 You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (R) 6 Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come. (R)

2nd READING
St. Paul describes the ministry of Christ the Son, who is to rule over all things and then place them under His Father’s reign. As Jesus told His disciples, all authority in heaven and on earth had been given to Him. As we proclaim the Good News, we advance the Kingdom of God on earth. Let us continue to work with our Lord for the final and complete coming of the Kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28
20 Brothers and sisters: Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man. 22 For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, 23 but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; 24 then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 28 When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.

G O S P E L
This famous passage from Matthew’s Gospel reminds us of the importance of works of mercy in being accepted into the Kingdom of God. How we respond to the needs of the poor among us will largely determine how the Lord will judge us when He returns. Let us double our efforts to assist those who are in any need and not judge them for their conditions.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Matthew 25:31-46
31 Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, 32 and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ 40 And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 41 Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ 44 Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ 45 He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ 46 And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

my reflections
t h i n k : How we respond to the needs of the poor among us will largely determine how the Lord will judge us when He returns.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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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 Acts 1-4


SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
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HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
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Daily Bible Readings

November 19, 2011
1st READING

This story gives the account of the last period of the life of King Antiochus who had tried to make the Jews worship the pagan gods. Now, all that he had tried to build was falling into ruin. His evil schemes and plans were coming to nothing. So will it be for those who oppose God and His plans. No matter how great the earthly kingdoms man erects in defiance of God, they will eventually be brought to ruin and destruction. Let us not be daunted when evil seems to prevail for it is guaranteed to be brought to ruin in due time.

1 Maccabees 6:1-13
1 As King Antiochus was traversing the inland provinces, he heard that in Persia there was a city called Elymais, famous for its wealth in silver and gold, 2 and that its temple was very rich, containing gold helmets, breastplates, and weapons left there by Alexander, son of Philip, king of Macedon, the first king of the Greeks. 3 He went therefore and tried to capture and pillage the city. But he could not do so, because his plan became known to the people of the city 4 who rose up in battle against him. So he retreated and in great dismay withdrew from there to return to Babylon. 5 While he was in Persia, a messenger brought him news that the armies sent into the land of Judah had been put to flight; 6 that Lysias had gone at first with a strong army and been driven back by the children of Israel; that they had grown strong by reason of the arms, men, and abundant possessions taken from the armies they had destroyed; 7 that they had pulled down the Abomination which he had built upon the altar in Jerusalem; and that they had surrounded with high walls both the sanctuary, as it had been before, and his city of Beth-zur. 8 When the king heard this news, he was struck with fear and very much shaken. Sick with grief because his designs had failed, he took to his bed. 9 There he remained many days, overwhelmed with sorrow, for he knew he was going to die. 10 So he called in all his Friends and said to them: “Sleep has departed from my eyes, for my heart is sinking with anxiety. 11 I said to myself: ‘Into what tribulation have I come, and in what floods of sorrow am I now! 12 Yet I was kindly and beloved in my rule.’ But I now recall the evils I did in Jerusalem, when I carried away all the vessels of gold and silver that were in it, and for no cause gave orders that the inhabitants of Judah be destroyed. 13 I know that this is why these evils have overtaken me; and now I am dying, in bitter grief, in a foreign land.”

P S A L M

Psalms 9:2-3, 4, 6, 16, 19
R: I will rejoice in your salvation, O Lord.
1 [2] I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will declare all your wondrous deeds. 2 [3] I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, Most High. (R) 3 [4] Because my enemies are turned back, overthrown and destroyed before you. 5 [6] You rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; their name you blotted out forever and ever. (R) 15 [16] The nations are sunk in the pit they have made; in the snare they set, their foot is caught. 18 [19] For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor shall the hope of the afflicted forever perish. (R)

G O S P E L

The Sadducees were the ones who controlled the Temple and its affairs. As such, they had to work with the Roman officials to ensure order on the temple mount. They wanted to ensure that the enterprises they had established in the Temple are profitable. Unlike the Pharisees, they did not accept all the Old Testament books as inspired, only those written by Moses. Jesus exposes their misunderstanding of God and His power and that they were not truly following the God of Abraham whom they revered. Let Jesus’ answer to the Sadducees lead me to trust in God’s infinite wisdom on anything and everything.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Luke 20:27-40
27 Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward and put this question to Jesus, 28 saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, ‘If someone’s brother dies leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother.’ 29 Now there were seven brothers; the first married a woman but died childless. 30 Then the second 31 and the third married her, and likewise all the seven died childless. 32 Finally the woman also died. 33 Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be? For all seven had been married to her.” 34 Jesus said to them, “The children of this age marry and remarry; 35 but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise. 37 That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called ‘Lord’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; 38 and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” 39 Some of the scribes said in reply, “Teacher, you have answered well.” 40 And they no longer dared to ask him anything.

my reflections
t h i n k : Let us not be daunted when evil seems to prevail for it is guaranteed to be brought to ruin in due time.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
_________________________________________________________

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

_______________________________________________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Luke 21-24

Daily Bible Readings

November 18, 2011
1st READING

Judas and his companions waged a war against Antiochus Epiphanes and eventually defeated him and his armies as God also fought with him to defeat this evil king. Having recaptured Jerusalem, they set about cleansing the sanctuary and restoring the sacrifices in the Temple. This was a time of great joy for all those who loved God and were faithful to the covenant. Let us, like Judas, have a great love for the Church and do all we can to make it a place worthy of God’s presence.

1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59 (or Acts 28:11-16, 30-31)
36 Judas and his brothers said, “Now that our enemies have been crushed, let us go up to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it.” 37 So the whole army assembled, and went up to Mount Zion. 52 Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, that is, the month of Chislev, in the year one hundred and forty-eight, 53 they arose and offered sacrifice according to the law on the new altar of burnt offering that they had made. 54 On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had defiled it, on that very day it was re-consecrated with songs, harps, flutes, and cymbals. 55 All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised Heaven, who had given them success. 56 For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar and joyfully offered holocausts and sacrifices of deliverance and praise. 57 They ornamented the facade of the temple with gold crowns and shields; they repaired the gates and the priests’ chambers and furnished them with doors. 58 There was great joy among the people now that the disgrace of the Gentiles was removed. 59 Then Judas and his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel decreed that the days of the dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness on the anniversary every year for eight days, from the twenty-fifth day of the month Chislev.

P S A L M

1 Chronicles 29:10, 11, 11-12, 12 (or Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6)
R: We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
10 “Blessed may you be, O LORD, God of Israel our father, from eternity to eternity.” (R) 11 “Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power, majesty, splendor, and glory. For all in heaven and on earth is yours.” (R) “Yours, O LORD, is the sovereignty; you are exalted as head over all. 12 “Riches and honor are from you.” (R) “You have dominion over all. In your hand are power and might; it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.” (R)


G O S P E L

Jesus had a great love and zeal for His Father and was angered to see how the Sadducees and rulers of Israel had turned the Temple into a place of commerce such that it was no longer a place conducive to prayer. He drives out all the money changers and animals. This causes the scribes and chief priests to hate Him even more as He has challenged their authority and exposed their corruption and abuse of the sacred things of God.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Luke 19:45-48 (or Matthew 14:22-33)
45 Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.’ ” 47 And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, 48 but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.

my reflections
t h i n k : Let us have a great love for the Church and do all we can to make it a place worthy of God’s presence.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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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 Luke 17-20

Daily Bible Readings

November 17, 2011
1st READING

Mattathias and his brothers are told to make sacrifices to the pagan gods in accordance to the order of the Greek King. He refuses even though he is offered many riches and honors. Mattathias is not interested in currying favor with an enemy of God and of his people. Rather, his heart and soul are set on the eternal kingdom and the honors that God will bestow on those who love and serve Him. Let us, too, have this attitude.

1 Maccabees 2:15-29
15 The officers of the king in charge of enforcing the apostasy came to the city of Modein to organize the sacrifices. 16 Many of Israel joined them, but Mattathias and his sons gathered in a group apart. 17 Then the officers of the king addressed Mattathias: “You are a leader, an honourable and great man in this city, supported by sons and kin. 18 Come now, be the first to obey the king’s command, as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah and those who are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons shall be numbered among the King’s Friends, and shall be enriched with silver and gold and many gifts.” 19 But Mattathias answered in a loud voice: “Although all the Gentiles in the king’s realm obey him, so that each forsakes the religion of his fathers and consents to the king’s orders, 20 yet I and my sons and my kin will keep to the covenant of our fathers. 21 God forbid that we should forsake the law and the commandments. 22 We will not obey the words of the king nor depart from our religion in the slightest degree.” 23 As he finished saying these words, a certain Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein according to the king’s order. 24 When Mattathias saw him, he was filled with zeal; his heart was moved and his just fury was aroused; he sprang forward and killed him upon the altar. 25 At the same time, he also killed the messenger of the king who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. 26 Thus he showed his zeal for the law, just as Phinehas did with Zimri, son of Salu. 27 Then Mattathias went through the city shouting, “Let everyone who is zealous for the law and who stands by the covenant follow after me!” 28 Thereupon he fled to the mountains with his sons, leaving behind in the city all their possessions. 29 Many who sought to live according to righteousness and religious custom went out into the desert to settle there.

P S A L M

Psalms 50:1-2, 5-6, 14-15
R: To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
1 God the LORD has spoken and summoned the earth, from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2 From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. (R) 5 “Gather my faithful ones before me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” 6 And for the heavens proclaim his justice; for God himself is the judge. (R) 14 “Offer to God praise as your sacrifice and fulfill your vows to the Most High; 15 then call upon me in time of distress; I will rescue you, and you shall glorify me.” (R)

G O S P E L

Jesus was filled with compassion for the people of Jerusalem. He could foresee that they would suffer terrible trials under the Romans. He desired to bring them into the Father’s Kingdom, but they and their leaders rejected Him. And so they would reap the consequences of their hardness of heart. This is a sober warning not to take for granted the grace of God when it is offered to us, as our refusal will always have dire consequences.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Luke 19:41-44
41 As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace — but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. 44 They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

my reflections
t h i n k : Let us not take for granted the grace of God when it is offered to us, as our refusal always will have dire consequences.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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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 Luke 13-16

Luke 13-16

Daily Bible Readings

November 16, 2011
1st READING

The story of this heroic and courageous mother should be an inspiration to us. She recognizes that her sons are not hers to possess but gifts from God. So she does not look to this world for their reward but for eternity. Like the Virgin Mary, she stands by faithfully as her sons are tortured and die for the truth and honor of God. No doubt, when Jesus rose from the dead, He brought with Him this mother and her sons.

2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31
1 It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king, to force them to eat pork in violation of God’s law. 20 Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother, who saw her seven sons perish in a single day, yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord. 21 Filled with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage, she exhorted each of them in the language of their forefathers with these words: 22 “I do not know how you came into existence in my womb; it was not I who gave you the breath of life, nor was it I who set in order the elements of which each of you is composed. 23 Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe who shapes each man’s beginning, as he brings
about the origin of everything, he, in his mercy, will give you back both breath and life, because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law.” 24 Antiochus, suspecting insult in her words, thought he was being ridiculed. As the youngest brother was still alive, the king appealed to him, not with mere words, but with promises on oath, to make him rich and happy if he would abandon his ancestral customs: he would make him his Friend and entrust him with high office. 25 When the youth paid no attention to him at all, the king appealed to the mother, urging her to advise her boy to save his life. 26 After he had urged her for a long time, she went through the motions of persuading her son. 27 In derision of the cruel tyrant, she leaned over close to her son and said in their native language: “Son, have pity on me, who carried you in my womb for nine months, nursed you for three years, brought you up, educated and supported you to your present age. 28 I beg you, child, to look at the heavens and the earth and see all that is in them; then you will know that God did not make them out of existing things; and in the same way the human race came into existence. 29 Do not be afraid of this executioner, but be worthy of your brothers and accept death, so that in the time of mercy I may receive you again with them.” 30 She had scarcely finished speaking when the youth said: “What are you waiting for? I will not obey the king’s command. I obey the command of the law given to our forefathers through Moses. 31 But you, who have contrived every kind of affliction for the Hebrews, will not escape the hands of God.

P S A L M

Psalms 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15
R: Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
1 Hear, O LORD, a just suit; attend to my outcry; hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit. (R) 5 My steps have been steadfast in your paths, my feet have not faltered. 6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my word. (R) 8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. 15 But I in justice shall behold your face; on waking, I shall be content in your presence. (R)

G O S P E L

Like the parable of the talents, the servants are given different amounts of gold coins and told to use them and make some profit for the nobleman. Those given 10 and five coins make a profit, but the servant with one hides it in the ground so he can give it back to the king on his return. God has given us many gifts and abilities and He expects us to use them in building His Kingdom in our world. If we fail in this duty, we will be condemned and lose the talents He has entrusted to us.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Luke 19:11-28
11 While people were listening to Jesus speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the kingdom of God would appear there immediately. 12 So he said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. 13 He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’ 14 His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’ 15 But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading. 16 The first came forward and said, ‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’ 17 He replied, ‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.’ 18 Then the second came and reported, ‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’ 19 And to this servant too he said, ‘You, take charge of five cities.’ 20 Then the other servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding person; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’ 22 He said to him, ‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding person, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; 23 why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I
would have collected it with interest.’ 24 And to those standing by he said, ‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’ 25 But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’ 26 ‘I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.’ ” 28 After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

my reflections
t h i n k : God has given us many gifts and abilities and He expects us to use them in building His Kingdom in our world.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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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 Luke 9-12

Daily Bible Readings

November 15, 2011
1st READING

Eleazar is an old man and has been faithful to the God of his fathers for many years. He is told he must eat the meat that is forbidden by his religion but he refuses to do so. Because the men respect him, they suggest that he bring some of his own meat and only appear to eat the forbidden meat so he can save his life. Again, he refuses to participate in this deception, preferring to die a painful death and to leave a noble example for the young to follow.

2Maccabees 6:18-31
18 Eleazar, one of the foremost scribes, a man of advanced age and noble appearance, was being forced to open his mouth to eat pork. 19 But preferring a glorious death to a life of defilement, he spat out the meat, and went forward of his own accord to the instrument of torture, 20 as people ought to do who have the courage to reject the food which it is unlawful to taste even for love of life. 21 Those in charge of that unlawful ritual meal took the man aside privately, because of their long acquaintance with him, and urged him to bring meat of his own providing, such as he could legitimately eat, and to pretend to be eating some of the meat of the sacrifice prescribed by the king; 22 in this way he would escape the death penalty, and be treated kindly because of their old friendship with him. 23 But Eleazar made up his mind in a noble manner, worthy of his years, the dignity of his advanced age, the merited distinction of his gray hair, and of the admirable life he had lived from childhood; and so he declared that above all he would be loyal to the holy laws given by God. He told them to send him at once to the abode of the dead, explaining: 24 “At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense; many young men would think the ninety-year-old Eleazar had gone over to an alien religion. 25 Should I thus pretend for the sake of a brief moment of life, they would be led astray by me, while I would bring shame and dishonor on my old age. 26 Even if, for the time being, I avoid the punishment of men, I shall never, whether alive or dead, escape the hands of the Almighty. 27 Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now, I will prove myself worthy of my old age, 28 and I will leave to the young a noble example of how to die willingly and generously for the revered and holy laws.” Eleazar spoke thus, and went immediately to the instrument of torture. 29 Those who shortly before had been kindly disposed, now became hostile toward him because what he had said seemed to them utter madness. 30 When he was about to die under the blows, he groaned and said: “The Lord in his holy knowledge knows full well that, although I could have escaped death, I am not only enduring terrible pain in my body from this scourging, but also suffering it with joy in my soul because of my devotion to him.” 31 This is how he died,
leaving in his death a model of courage and an unforgettable example of virtue not only for the young but for the whole nation.

P S A L M

Psalms 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R: The Lord upholds me.
1 [2] O LORD, how many are my adversaries! Many rise up against me! 2 [3] Many are saying of me, “There is no salvation for him in God.” (R) 3 [4] But you, O LORD, are my shield; my glory, you lift up my head! 4 [5] When I call out to the LORD, he answers me from his holy mountain. (R) 5 [6] When I lie down in sleep, I wake again, for the LORD sustains me. 6 [7] I fear not the myriads of people arrayed against me on every side. (R)

G O S P E L

The name Zacchaeus means “innocent.” That is the name that his father would have given him at his circumcision according to the Jewish custom. How ironical that in the story he is a tax collector, a class of people known to be very corrupt. Yet there seems to have been a flicker of good still in the heart of this man. When Jesus visits his town, Zacchaeus is eager to meet Him. Jesus, who knows what’s within our hearts, tells Zacchaeus that He is coming to his house. This total acceptance of Jesus brings about a dramatic conversion in the life of this man who eventually offers to make amends for all the wrongs he has done.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
God loved us, and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Luke 19:1-10
1 At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. 2 Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, 3 was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. 5 When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” 6 And he came down quickly and received him with joy. 7 When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

my reflections
t h i n k : Let us be like Zacchaeus who is eager to meet Jesus and accept Him into our hearts.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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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 Luke 5-8

Daily Bible Readings

November 14, 2011
1st READING

The story of the Maccabees and their heroic resistance to the influence of Greek and pagan culture is one of the most noble episodes in the history of Israel. King Antiochus Epiphanes sought to force all the Jews to break their customs, sacrifice to false gods and to eat food that was considered unclean. Many went along with this as they saw many economic benefits in doing so. Some, however, were willing to die rather than break their covenant with God. Let us be inspired by these men and women and not compromise our faith and principles for expediency.

1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63
10 [From the descendants of Alexander’s officers] there sprang from these a sinful offshoot, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of King Antiochus, once a hostage at Rome. He became king in the year one hundred and thirty-seven of the kingdom of the Greeks. 11 In those days there appeared in Israel men who were breakers of the law, and they seduced many people, saying: “Let us go and make an alliance with the Gentiles all around us; since we separated from them, many evils have come upon us.” 12 The proposal was agreeable; 13 some from among the people promptly went to the king, and he authorized them to introduce the way of living of the Gentiles. 14 Thereupon they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem according to the Gentile custom. 15 They covered over the mark of their circumcision and abandoned the holy covenant; they allied themselves with the Gentiles and sold themselves to wrongdoing. 41 Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people, 42 each abandoning his particular customs. All the Gentiles conformed to the command of the king, 43 and many children of Israel were in favor of his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath. 54 On the fifteenth day of the month Chislev, in the year one hundred and forty-five, the king erected the horrible abomination upon the altar of burnt offerings, and in the surrounding cities of Judah they built pagan altars. 55 They also burnt incense at the doors of houses and in the streets. 56 Any scrolls of the law which they found they tore up and burnt. 57 Whoever was found with a scroll of the covenant, and whoever observed the law, was condemned to death by royal decree. 62 But many in Israel were determined and resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean; 63 they preferred to die rather than to be defiled with unclean food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. Terrible affliction was upon Israel.

P S A L M
Psalms 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158
R: Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.
53 Indignation seizes me because of the wicked who forsake your law. (R) 61 Though the snares of the wicked are twined about me your law I have not forgotten. (R) 134 Redeem me from the oppression of men, that I may keep your precepts. (R) 150 I am attacked by malicious persecutors who are far from your law. (R) 155 Far from sinners is salvation, because they seek not your statutes. (R) 158 I beheld the apostates with loathing, because they kept not to your promise. (R)

G O S P E L
The monks in the desert adopted the cry of the blind man of Jericho, “Jesus of Nazareth, have pity on me,” and this became known as the “Jesus prayer.” They would have a string of 100 beads and say this prayer over and over again like a mantra. It is a cry that goes straight to the heart of our Lord. Let us, too, cry out to Jesus our weakness and sinfulness that He may save us.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will
have the light of life.
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Luke 18:35-43
35 As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, 36 and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” 39 The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!” 40 Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.” 42 Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” 43 He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

my reflections
t h i n k : Let us not compromise our faith and principles for expediency.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
_________________________________________________________

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

_______________________________________________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Luke 1-4

Daily Bible Readings

November 13, 2011
1st READING

The writer of the Proverbs places before us the good qualities of a faithful wife. She is not idle but industrious and enterprising. She cares for the needs of her family but also reaches out in love to the poor and needy. She fears the Lord. A man who finds a woman like her has found a great treasure.

Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
10 When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. 11 Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize. 12 She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. 13 She obtains wool and flax and works with loving hands. 19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle. 20 She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy. 30 Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.

P S A L M

Psalms 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
R: Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
1 Blessed are you who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways! 2 For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; happy shall you be, and favored. (R) 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your home; your children like olive plants around your table. (R) 4 Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD. 5 The LORD bless you from Zion: may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. (R)

2nd READING

While the world is saying “peace and security,” suddenly and unexpectedly the Lord will return. He will come, for the unbeliever, like a thief in the night, but not for the Christian. We are, as St. Paul says, not of the darkness but children of the Light, so this day will not catch us unaware.

1Thessalonians 5:1-6
1 Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night. 3 When people are saying, “Peace and security,” then sudden disaster
comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief. 5 For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. 6 Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober.

G O S P E L

The parable of the talents teaches us that God has entrusted us with different gifts and abilities, and we are expected to use them for His Kingdom and glory. If we hide our gifts or use them just for our own selfish gain, then we will be judged severely. The man with one talent hid his gift out of fear. He did not want to take a risk or exercise his faith and use the gift for the service of others. For this, the master condemned him and gave his talent to the man who had five already.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Remain in me as I remain in you, says the Lord. Whoever remains in me bears much fruit.
R: Alleluia, alleluia


Matthew 25:14-30
14 Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one — to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately 16 the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. 17 Likewise, the one who received two made another two. 18 But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ 22 Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; 25 so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’ 26 His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Should you not then have put my money in bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? 28 Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. 29 For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’”

my reflections
t h i n k : If we hide our gifts or use them just for our own selfish gain, then we will be judged severely.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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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 Mark 13-16

SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
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HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
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Daily Bible Readings

November 12, 2011
1st READING

Here, the writer of the Book of Wisdom sees the action of God’s Word in delivering the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. In this vivid description of the Exodus, we see the power of God at work to bring His children into freedom. Yet in a far greater way God has acted in Christ’s death and resurrection to free us all from the power of sin and death and to bring us into the joy and freedom of His Kingdom.

Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9
14 When peaceful stillness compassed everything and the night in its swift course was half spent, 15 your all-powerful word from heaven’s royal throne bounded, a fierce warrior, into the doomed land, 16 bearing the sharp sword of your inexorable decree. And as he alighted, he filled every place with death; he still reached to heaven, while he stood upon the earth. 19: 6 For all creation, in its several kinds, was being made over anew, serving its natural laws, that your children might be preserved unharmed. 7 The cloud overshadowed their camp; and out of what had before been water, dry land was seen emerging: out of the Red Sea an unimpeded road, and a grassy plain out of the mighty flood. 8 Over this crossed the whole nation sheltered by your hand, after they beheld stupendous wonders. 9 For they ranged about like horses, and bounded about like lambs, praising you, O LORD! their deliverer.

P S A L M

Psalms 105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43
R: Remember the marvels the Lord has done!
2 Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. 3 Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD! (R) 36 Then he struck every first-born throughout their land, the first fruits of all their manhood. 37 And he led them forth laden with silver and gold, with not a weakling among their tribes. (R) 42 For he remembered his holy word to his servant Abraham. 43 And he led forth his people with joy; with shouts of joy, his chosen ones. (R)

G O S P E L

In this parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge, we see how the unjust judge eventually gives what the widow wants because of her persistence. How much more will our Loving Father give to His children what they ask for? We should therefore never give up praying because God will always answer us in His own time and way.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
God has called us through the Gospel, to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Luke 18:1-8
1 Jesus told them a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, 2 “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. 3 And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’ 4 For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, 5 because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’ ” 6 The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. 7 Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? 8 I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

my reflections
t h i n k : We should never give up praying because God will always answer us in His own time and way.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
_________________________________________________________

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Mark 9-12