Sunday, March 08, 2020

God is transcendently good and awesome. We should therefore pursue what He calls us to, and do so with boldness. (readings for March 8, 2020, Lectionary 25)


Key:
What these readings tell us about God
What these readings tell us to do
Hyperlinks to additional resources

Reading 1: Genesis 12:1-4   
The LORD said to Abram: “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.
I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless youI will make your name great, so that you will be a blessingI will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you.”
Abram went as the LORD directed him.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 33: 4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 
R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and rightof the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as 
we place our trust in you.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who 
fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as 
we place our trust in you.
Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have 
put our hope in you.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as 
we place our trust in you.

Reading 2: 2 Timothy 1:8-10  
Bear your share of hardship for the gospelwith the strength that comes from God.
He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesuswho destroyed death and brought life and immortality
to light
 through the gospel.

Verse Before the Gospel: Matthew 17:5  
From the shining cloud the Father’s voice is heard: This is my beloved Sonhear him.

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9  
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

What these readings tell us about God:
I will make of you a great nation
I will bless you
I will make your name great
I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you
let your mercy be on us
Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy
He loves justice and right
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
let your mercy be on us
the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness
To deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine
let your mercy be on us
our help and our shield
your kindness
your mercy be on us
strength that comes from God
He saved us
called us to a holy life
according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began
our savior Christ Jesus
who destroyed death and brought life and immortality
to light
This is my beloved Son
And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

What these readings tell us to do:
Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house
be a blessing
went as the LORD directed him
we place our trust in you
we place our trust in you
fear him
hope for his kindness
we place our trust in you
Our soul waits for the LORD
put our hope in you
we place our trust in you
Bear your share of hardship for the gospelwith the strength that comes from God
called us to a holy life
hear him
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
Rise, and do not be afraid

Similar principles are set out in the scriptures collected at:Wisdom Principles--Fortitude

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