The WORD today reminds me of the importance of knowing God's WORD.
For a few days now, the readings have all been about judgment, about Christ’s second coming. We may initially feel scared or afraid while reading them. That is how some people see the book of Revelation - something scary. However, as Christ's followers, this is not something we should be afraid of. Rather, it should get us inspired and motivated to live life according to God’s ways. And in today’s readings, we are also reminded of something we should take joy in - that God’s words will not pass away.
His words will be fulfilled.
God did not only tell us about judgment time, he also has promises for us as we live here on earth. He has promises of provision, of great plans, of love, of protection. And we are reminded to trust in his words, all of it. However, we will not know his words if we do not read up on it
You will not know God's promises if you will not make the effort to know Him.
One of my favorite praise rap artist, Lecrae, writes this in his song: “when he gets home, I pray he'll open up the sixty-six book love letter you wrote and soak it up “ Makes sense. Sometimes we feel so down and low, but we are not doing anything about it. We won’t improve if we will just wait for things to get better. Reading God’s word, his promises, and soaking up ourselves on them will help us be better. His love letter, the bible, will remind us of his promises and his love for us.
We generally have more time now with the pandemic. Aside from doing other things and hobbies, we should also spend time to work on and give importance to our faith. Improving our faith would help us cope with this pandemic as well.
How do I feel right now? How is my relationship with God? Do I feel close to him? Do I know his promises? Do I work on my relationship with Him?
God’s words will not pass away. May we soak ourselves on his word and live life by it.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend coming up. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your word, for your love letter to me. Sorry for the times I am too lazy to read up on it. Sorry for not giving it the importance it deserves. Sorry for not being hungry enough for you. I pray that I may have the desire to just soak it up and bask in your word. May I always remember how much you love me and the promises you have for me. I will do my best to get to know you more by reading your word. As I do this, I humbly ask that you fill me, inspire me, and assure me. Amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
November 27, 2020
Friday of Week 34; St. John Berchmans
FIRST READING
I, John, saw an angel come down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a heavy chain. He seized the dragon, the ancient serpent, which is the Devil or Satan, and tied it up for a thousand years and threw it into the abyss, which he locked over it and sealed, so that it could no longer lead the nations astray until the thousand years are completed. After this, it is to be released for a short time.
Then I saw thrones; those who sat on them were entrusted with judgment. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast or its image nor had accepted its mark on their foreheads or hands. They came to life and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Next I saw a large white throne and the one who was sitting on it. The earth and the sky fled from his presence and there was no place for them. I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. Then another scroll was opened, the book of life. The dead were judged according to their deeds, by what was written in the scrolls. The sea gave up its dead; then Death and Hades gave up their dead. All the dead were judged according to their deeds. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire. (This pool of fire is the second death.) Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the pool of fire.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Then I saw thrones; those who sat on them were entrusted with judgment. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast or its image nor had accepted its mark on their foreheads or hands. They came to life and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Next I saw a large white throne and the one who was sitting on it. The earth and the sky fled from his presence and there was no place for them. I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. Then another scroll was opened, the book of life. The dead were judged according to their deeds, by what was written in the scrolls. The sea gave up its dead; then Death and Hades gave up their dead. All the dead were judged according to their deeds. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire. (This pool of fire is the second death.) Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the pool of fire.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. (Rev. 21:3b) Here God lives among his people.
My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the LORD. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
R. Here God lives among his people.
Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest in which she puts her young– Your altars, O LORD of hosts, my king and my God!
R. Here God lives among his people.
Blessed they who dwell in your house! continually they praise you. Blessed the men whose strength you are! They go from strength to strength.
R. Here God lives among his people.
My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the LORD. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
R. Here God lives among his people.
Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest in which she puts her young– Your altars, O LORD of hosts, my king and my God!
R. Here God lives among his people.
Blessed they who dwell in your house! continually they praise you. Blessed the men whose strength you are! They go from strength to strength.
R. Here God lives among his people.
ALLELUIA
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
Thank you. Just used the mass readings for the day. :-)
ReplyDeleteI use daily catholic mass readings.
ReplyDeletehttps://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings