They say that a good way to study is to read aloud. They say it is similar to studying twice, because if you read aloud, you not only read it, but hear it as well. Hearing something, aside from reading it, has a great impact on the memory retention and on understanding things. This is similar to what God is telling me today in the readings.
A lot of us ask for faith. Today, we see one concrete action how we can have faith.
Faith comes from hearing the WORD of God.
In the first reading, we see the importance of responding to God’s call to preach his word. No one will be saved if no one responds to God’s call to preach. Someone should preach, should talk about God, for people to hear about God. Hearing about God eventually leads to believe in him, and call on him. in the latter part of the reading, we see how faith is attained – from hearing the WORD of God. This goes for both the doer and receiver. OF course, the receiver hears the word of God which can be the entry point of God in his life. Then the doer actually hears what he is saying, so he is doubly blessed as well.
In the gospel, we see people who were saved because of hearing God’s word - one of which is the feast day we are celebrating today. Jesus called them, they heard his voice, and followed his call. This is how powerful hearing God’s word is. This is why we are all sent to spread his word.
We need not be missionaries to do this. Wherever God placed us, we can proclaim him. We can preach about him by the words we speak, by the way we live our lives, by the way we treat others, and by how well we do our work.
This pandemic, it is more important to hear God’s word. It is important to talk to and about him. We have a lot of problems. A lot of frustrations. A lot of bad news. And it is easy to forget him. It is easy to forget the good. It is easy to despair and lose hope and faith. That is why we should talk about him and keep him alive despite all that is happening. In our own little way, we should keep him alive in our hearts and our lives.
How important is God’s word for me? Do I spend time learning about him? Do I spend time knowing Him? Do I share him and his word to other people? What is he telling me today?
May we be reminded of the importance of talking about God, and the power of hearing about it. May not only our faith increase, but that of others as well.
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 another time off. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, help me remember this. Help me remember the importance of talking about you and of hearing you. May I be willing to proclaim you to others. and I ask that you use me and my words to brings faith to myself and others. Amen.
Blessed Week!
In Christ,
-g-
November 30, 2020
Saint Andrew, Apostle - Feast
FIRST READING
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. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The Scripture says, No one who believes in him will be put to shame. There is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
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? 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! But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. 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.
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. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The Scripture says, No one who believes in him will be put to shame. There is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
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? 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! But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. 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.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; The ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; Sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; The ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; Sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
ALLELUIA
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come after me, says the Lord, and I will make you fishers of men.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come after me, says the Lord, and I will make you fishers of men.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
As Jesus 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. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. 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, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.
Others may benefit by what the words mean to you, probably make them realize how it is applicable to their lives as well.
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