Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Actively Seeking God (readings for Feb, 27, 2019 annotated)

Key:
What these scriptures tell us about God
What these scriptures tell us to do
Commentary
Hyperlink

Reading 1 SIR 4:11-19
Wisdom breathes life into her children and admonishes those who seek her. He who loves her loves life; those who seek her will be embraced by the Lord. He who holds her fast inherits glory; wherever he dwells, the LORD bestows blessings. Those who serve her serve the Holy Onethose wholove her the LORD loves. He who obeys her judges nations; he who hearkens to her dwells in her inmost chambers.

If one 
trusts her, he will possess her; his descendants too will inherit her. She walks with him as a stranger and at first she puts him to the test; fear and dread she brings upon him and tries him with her disciplineuntil she try him by her laws and trust his soul. Then she comes back to bring him happiness and reveal her secretsto them and she will heap upon him treasures of knowledge and an understanding of justice. But if he fails her, she will abandon him and deliver him into the hands of despoilers.

This sounds a lot like the principles set forth in Proverbs 2Sirach 14:20-15:10 and James 1:25. See also the scriptures collected in Wisdom Principles: We Must Make Real Effort/Sacrifice to Receive All that God Offers, But It Is Well Worth It

R. (165a)  O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
Those who love your law have great peace, and for them there is no stumbling block.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who 
love your law.
keep your precepts and your decrees, for all my ways are before you.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who 
love your law.
My lips 
pour forth your praise, because you teach me your statutes.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who 
love your law.
May my tongue sing of your promise, for all your commands are just.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who 
love your law.
I long for your salvation, O LORD, and 
your law is my delight.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who 
love your law.
Let my soul live to 
praise you, and may your ordinances help me.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who 
love your law.

This sounds a lot like the dynamic described in the scriptures collected at Wisdom Principles: God’s Ways Give Security

Alleluia JN 14:6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 9:38-40
John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."

Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us."

What these readings tell us about God
Wisdom breathes life into her children
admonishes those who seek her.
those who seek her will be embraced by the Lord.
Those who serve her serve the Holy One
those who love her the LORD loves.
If one trusts her, he will possess her
at first she puts him to the test
tries him with her discipline
Then she comes back to bring him happiness and reveal her secrets
great peace have they who love your law.
Those who love your law have great peace
for them there is no stumbling block.
great peace have they who love your law.
great peace have they who love your law.
you teach me your statutes.
great peace have they who love your law.
all your commands are just.
great peace have they who love your law.
great peace have they who love your law.
your ordinances help me.
great peace have they who love your law.
I am the way and the truth and the life
no one comes to the Father except through me.
no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me
whoever is not against us is for us."

What these readings tell us to do
seek her
loves her 
seek her 
holds her fast 
serve her 
love her 
obeys her 
hearkens to her 
trusts her
love your law
keep your precepts and your decrees
love your law
pour forth your praise
love your law
love your law
your law is my delight
love your law
praise you

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