Stay Together

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012915.cfm) reminds me that we should stay together and encourage everyone to grow in faith.

There is strength in numbers. A  normal pencil would be easy to break, but when 10 pencils are joined together, it is almost impossible to break them. They get strength from each other and make each other stronger. This is how God wants us to behave with our spiritual life.

In the first reading, we are again reminded that Jesus made a way for us to be able to worship God. And we are told to encourage one another as the day (of God’s coming) draws near. We should be helping each other grow and mature in faith. This is what the psalmist tells us, that we should be the people that longs to see God’s face. As we wait for God’s second coming, we should help and encourage one another to prepare spiritually and grow in faith.

To one who has, more will be given.

We all love God, and we are working towards strengthening our relationship with Him. However, the love and support of others can help us to further develop our love and relationship with Jesus Christ. As we obey him and encourage each other, we will attain the words of Jesus in the gospel, that more will be given to us. Our faith will increase. Our relationship with God will deepen. Our love for Him will grow. We just have to encourage and support each other, and grow in faith together.

May we be reminded and encouraged to be faithful and love one another, despite all the challenges that make us want to do otherwise.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for all the love you have been giving me. Thank you for my friends and my community. Help me give of myself more. Help me to inspire and encourage others around me, as you use others to nourish and strengthen my faith and relationship with you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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January 29, 2015

Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 320

Reading 1 Heb 10:19-25

Brothers and sisters:

Since through the Blood of Jesus

we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary

by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil,

that is, his flesh,

and since we have “a great priest over the house of God,”

let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust,

with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience

and our bodies washed in pure water.

Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope,

for he who made the promise is trustworthy.

We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works.

We should not stay away from our assembly,

as is the custom of some, but encourage one another,

and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6

R. (see 6) Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;

the world and those who dwell in it.

For he founded it upon the seas

and established it upon the rivers.

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

Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?

or who may stand in his holy place?

He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,

who desires not what is vain.

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

He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,

a reward from God his savior.

Such is the race that seeks for him,

that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.

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

Alleluia Ps 119:105

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

A lamp to my feet is your word,

a light to my path.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 4:21-25

Jesus said to his disciples,

“Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket

or under a bed,

and not to be placed on a lampstand?

For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible;

nothing is secret except to come to light.

Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.”

He also told them, “Take care what you hear.

The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you,

and still more will be given to you.

To the one who has, more will be given;

from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”