God loves us in spite of our sin, come to Him (Readings for March 23, 2019 annotated)

Key

What these scriptures tell us about God

What these scriptures tell us to do

Commentary

Hyperlink to additional resources 

Today’s readings reflect God’s deep love for us. That reality is also reflected in the scriptures reflected in Wisdom Principles—God Loves and Calls Us to Him, In Spite of our Sin 

See also Paragraph 1 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Reading 1  Micah 7:14-15, 18-20

Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, that dwells apart in a woodland, in the midst of Carmel.
Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old; as in the days when you came from the land of Egypt, show us wonderful signs.

Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, and will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt? You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins; You will show faithfulnessto Jacob, and grace to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from days of old.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12

R. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name.Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
He pardons all your iniquities, he heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
He will not always chide, nor does he keep his wrath forever.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

Verse Before the Gospel Luke 15:18

I will get up and go to my father and shall say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

Gospel  Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."So to them Jesus addressed this parable.

"A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.' So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."' So he got up and went back to his father.

While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.'

But his father ordered his servants, 'Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' Then the celebration began.

Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, 'Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him.

He said to his father in reply,' Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.'

He said to him, 'My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.'"

What these scriptures tell us about God

the God who removes guilt and pardons sin

who does not persist in anger forever

delights rather in clemency

again have compassion on us

treading underfoot our guilt

You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins

You will show faithfulness

The Lord is kind and merciful.
The Lord is kind and merciful.
He pardons all your iniquities

he heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction

he crowns you with kindness and compassion.
The Lord is kind and merciful.
He will not always chide

nor does he keep his wrath forever.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us

nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
The Lord is kind and merciful.
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us.
The Lord is kind and merciful.

welcomes sinners and eats with them.

While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him

was filled with compassion

He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him

celebrate with a feast

everything I have is yours.

we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.

What these scriptures tell us to do

Bless the LORD

all my being, bless his holy name.Bless the LORD

forget not all his benefits

go to my father 

say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you

Serving God can be frightening, but God wants/helps us to have courage (Readings for March 17, 2019)

Key:

What these scriptures tell us about God

What these scriptures tell us to do

What these scriptures tell us not to do

Commentary

Hyperlinks to additional resources

Reading 1  Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18

The Lord God took Abram outside and said, "Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so," he added, "shall your descendants be." Abram put his faith in the LORD, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.

He then said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land as a possession." "O Lord GOD," he asked, "how am I to know that I shall possess it?" He answered him, "Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old she-goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." Abram brought him all these, split them in two, and placed each half opposite the other; but the birds he did not cut up. Birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, but Abram stayed with them. As the sun was about to set, a trance fell upon Abram, and a deep, terrifying darkness enveloped him.

When the sun had set and it was dark, there appeared a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch, which passed between those pieces. It was on that occasion that the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: "To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River, the Euphrates."

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14

R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge; of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call; have pity on me, and answer me.Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.Your presence, O LORD, I seek. Hide not your face from me; do not in anger repel your servant.
You are my helper: cast me not off.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORDin the land of the living.Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

This psalm sets forth some of the principles set out in the scriptures collected inWisdom Principles--Fortitude. See also the scriptures collected in  Wisdom Principles: God's Way's Give Security and Wisdom Principles: We Must Make Real Effort/Sacrifice to Receive All that God Offers, But It Is Well Worth It

Reading 2 Philippians 3:17-4:1

Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us. For many, as I have often told you and now tell you even in tears, conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction. Their God is their stomach; their glory is in their "shame." Their minds are occupied with earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord.

Verse Before the Gospel  Matthew 17:5

From the shining cloud the Father's voice is heard: This is my beloved Son, hear him.

Gospel Luke 9:28-36

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.

Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his gloryand the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." But he did not know what he was saying.

While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightenedwhen they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my chosen Son; listen to him." After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

What these scriptures tell us about God

"I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land as a possession.

As the sun was about to set, a trance fell upon Abram, and a deep, terrifying darkness enveloped him.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation; 

The LORD is my life's refuge;
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
You are my helper

The Lord is my light and my salvation.
the bounty of the LORD

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. 

While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white.

Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, 

they saw his glory

they became frightened

"This is my chosen Son; listen to him”

What these scriptures tell us to do

Abram put his faith in the LORD, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness
whom should I fear?
whom should I be afraid?
my call

Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks
Your presence, O LORD, I seek

believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD

Wait for the LORD with courage

be stouthearted

wait for the LORD.

Join with others in being imitators of me

stand firm in the Lord

listen to him

What these scriptures tell us not to do

conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ

Their minds are occupied with earthly things. 

Call out to, cling to, God; draw on His Word (readings for March 10, 2019 annotated)

Key:

What these scriptures tell us about God

What these scriptures tell us to do

What these scriptures tell us not to do

Hyperlink to other resources 

Reading 1 Deuteronomy 26:4-10

Moses spoke to the people, saying:
"The priest shall receive the basket from you and shall set it in front of the altar of the LORD, your God. Then you shall declare before the Lord, your God, 'My father was a wandering Aramean who went down to Egypt with a small household and lived there as an alien. But there he became a nation great, strong, and numerous. When the Egyptians maltreated and oppressed us, imposing hard labor upon us, we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and he heard our cry and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. He brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand and outstretched arm, with terrifying power, with signs and wonders; and bringing us into this country, he gave us this land flowing with milk and honey. Therefore, I have now brought you the firstfruits of the products of the soil which you, O LORD, have given me.' And having set them before the Lord, your God, you shall bow down in his presence."

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15

R. (cf. 15b)  Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, say to the LORD, "My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust."
R. Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.
No evil shall befall you, nor shall affliction come near your tent, for to his angels he has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways.
R. Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.
Upon their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the asp and the viper; you shall trample down the lion and the dragon.
R. Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.
Because he clings to me, I will deliver him; I will set him on highbecause he acknowledges my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in distress;I will deliver him and glorify him.
R. Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.

Reading 2 Romans 10:8-13

What does Scripture say? the word is near you,in your mouth and in your heart—that is, the word of faith that we preach—, for, 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. For the Scripture says, no one who believes in him will be put to shame. For 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."

Verse Before the Gospel Matthew 4:4

One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

Gospel Matthew 4:1-13

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spiritinto the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. 

He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." Jesus answered him, “It is written, One does not live on bread alone."

Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, "I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me." Jesus said to him in reply, "It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God,and him alone shall you serve."

Then he led him to Jerusalem,  made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,and:With their hands they will support you,lest you dash your foot against a stone." Jesus said to him in reply, "It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test."

When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time. 

What these scriptures tell us about God

he heard our cry

saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 

He brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand and outstretched arm, with terrifying power, with signs and wonders

bringing us into this country

he gave us this land flowing with milk and honey

the products of the soil which you, O LORD, have given me.' 

My refuge and fortress 

my God in whom I trust

I will deliver him

I will set him on high

I will answer him

I will be with him in distress

I will deliver him and glorify him.the word is near you,in your mouth and in your heart

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

everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved
Filled with the Holy Spirit

led by the Spirit

What these scriptures tell us to do

declare before the Lord, your God we cried to the LORD

you shall bow down in his presence

dwell in the shelter of the Most High

abide in the shadow of the Almighty

My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust
clings to me

acknowledges my name

He shall call upon me

confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord

believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead

believes with the heart 

one confesses with the mouth 

You shall worship the Lord,  your God, and him alone shall you serve

What these scriptures yell us not to do

One does not live on bread alone

One does not live on bread alone

You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test

Striving to follow & serve the Lord (Readings for March 3, 2019 annotated)

Key:

What the scriptures tell us about God

What these scriptures tell us to do

What these scriptures tell us not to do

Commentary

Hyperlink to more resources

Reading 1 Sirach 27:4-7 

When a sieve is shaken, the husks appear; so do one's faults when one speaks.
As the test of what the potter molds is in the furnace, so in tribulation is the test of the just.
The fruit of a tree shows the care it has had; so too does one's speech disclose the bent of one's mind. Praise no one before he speaks, for it is then that people are tested.

Responsorial Psalm 92:2-3, 13-16 

R. (cf. 2a) Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praise to your name, Most High, to proclaim your kindness at dawn and your faithfulness throughout the night.
R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
The just one shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow. They that are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
They shall bear fruit even in old age; vigorous and sturdy shall they be, Declaring how just is the LORD, my rock, in whom there is no wrong.
R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

Reading 2 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

Brothers and sisters:
When this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: Death is swallowed up in victory.Where, O death, is your victory?Where, O death, is your sting?The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Alleluia Philippians 2:15-16 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Shine like lights in the world as you hold on to the word of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 6:39-45 

Jesus told his disciples a parable, "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.

Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,' when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite!  Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother's eye.

"A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thorn bushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks."

What the scriptures tell us about God

your kindness

your faithfulness throughout the night
They that are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God
how just is the LORD

my rock

in whom there is no wrong

God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ
in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
No disciple is superior to the teacher

What these scriptures tell us to do

give thanks 

give thanks to the LORD

sing praise 

proclaim your kindness at dawn 

give thanks 
The just one 

planted in the house of the LORD 

give thanks 
bear fruit even in old age

Declaring how just is the LORD

give thanks 

be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord

knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain
Shine like lights in the world

hold on to the word of life

when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher
Remove the wooden beam from your eye first

A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good

What these scriptures tell us not to do

Praise no one before he speaks

not perceive the wooden beam in your own

How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,' when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye?

Commentary

Todays readings stress themes similar to those set out in the scriptures collected in Wisdom Principles: We Must Make Real Effort/Sacrifice to Receive All that God Offers, But It Is Well Worth Itand the dynamic discussed in Christians as God's Employees: A Loose Paraphrase of 2 Peter 1:3-11