Sunday, September 15, 2019

God reaches out to us in spite of our sin; He actively seeks us out (readings for Sept. 15, 2019) (lectionary 132)

Key:
What these scriptures tell us about God
What these scriptures tell us to do
What these scriptures tell us not to do
Hyperlinks to other resources.
Commentary

Reading 1  Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 
The LORD said to Moses, "Go down at once to your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, for they have become depraved.  They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them, making for themselves a molten calf and worshiping it, sacrificing to it and crying out, 'This is your God, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt!' "I see how stiff-necked this people is, " continued the LORD to Moses. Let me alone, then, that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them. Then I will make of you a great nation."

But Moses implored the LORD, his God, saying, "Why, O LORD, should your wrath blaze up against your own people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with such great power and with so strong a hand?  Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and how you swore to them by your own self, saying, 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky; and all this land that I promised, I will give your descendants as their perpetual heritage.'"  So the LORD relented in the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13,17, 19  
R. (Lk 15:18) I will rise and go to my father.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.
R. 
I will rise and go to my father.
A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. 
I will rise and go to my father.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirita heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
R. 
I will rise and go to my father.

Reading 2 1 Timothy 1:12-17 
Beloved: I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry.  I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and arrogant, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief.  Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost.  But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in himfor everlasting life. To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only Godhonor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Alleluia  2 Corinthians 5:19 
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ and 
entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 15:1-32 
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 he addressed this parable. “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Then he said, “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 angryand 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
God, in your goodness
the greatness of your compassion
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord
I have been mercifully treated
the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 
This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners
I was mercifully treated,
Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him
the king of ages
Incorruptible
the only God
honor and glory forever and ever
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ
This man welcomes sinners and eats with them
go after the lost one until he finds it
there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.
light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it
there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents
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 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.
when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him.  
My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours

What the scriptures tell us to do
rise and go to my father
rise and go to my father
rise and go to my father
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit
rise and go to my father
entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
drawing near to listen to Jesus
he got up and went back to his father
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 not to do
they have become depraved 
They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them
stiff-necked 
a life of dissipation
He became angry
he refused to enter the house

More scriptures addressing God’s active love are collected atWisdom Principles—God Loves and Calls Us to Him, In Spite of our Sin

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Readings for September 12, 2019

Key:
What these scriptures tell us about God and His ways
What these scriptures tell us to do

Reading 1 COL 3:12-17
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patiencebearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one Body. And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with 
gratitude in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Responsorial Psalm PS 150:1B-2, 3-4, 5-6
R.(6) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the LORD in his sanctuary, praise him in the firmament of his strength.Praise him for his mighty deedspraise him for his sovereign majesty.
R. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!

Praise him with the blast of the trumpet, praise him with lyre and harp, Praise him with timbrel and dance, praise him with strings and pipe.
R. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!

Praise him with sounding cymbals, praise him with clanging cymbals.
Let everything that has breath 
praise the LORD! Alleluia.
R. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!

Alleluia 1 JN 4:12
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If we 
love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 6:27-38
Jesus said to his disciples:
"To you who hear I say, 
love your enemiesdo good to those who hate youbless those who curse youpray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount.

But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wickedBe merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.

What these scriptures tell us about God and His Ways:
Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap.

the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.
his mighty deeds
If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.
your reward will be great
you will be children of the Most High
,
he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
your Father is merciful.
Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap.

the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.

What these scriptures tell us to do
Put on... heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience
bearing with one another and forgiving one another
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do
over all these put on love
let the peace of Christ control your hearts
be thankful
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly
gratitude in your hearts to God
whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him
Praise the LORD 
Praise him 
praise him 
Praise him 
praise him 
Praise him 
praise him 
Praise him 
praise him 
praise the LORD!
love one another
love your enemies
do good to those who hate you
bless those who curse you
pray for those who mistreat you
Give to everyone who asks of you
Do to others as you would have them do to you
love your enemies and do good to them
lend expecting nothing back
Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful
Stop judging
Stop condemning 
Forgive
Give

Sunday, September 08, 2019

We MUST have right relationship to God. We cannot get there by ourselves, but God will get us there if we put Him above all else (readings for September 8, 2019) (Lectionary: 129)

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

Reading 1  Wisdom 9:13-18B    
Who can know God’s counsel, or who can conceive what the LORD intends?
For the deliberations of mortals are timid, and unsure are our plans.
For the corruptible body burdens the soul and the earthen shelter weighs down the mind that has many concerns.
And scarce do we guess the things on earth, and what is within our grasp we find with difficulty; but when things are in heaven, who can search them out?
Or who ever knew your counsel, except you had given wisdom and sent your holy spirit from on high? And thus were the paths of those on earth made straight.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17  
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You turn man back to dust, saying, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight are as yesterday, now that it is past, or as a watch of the night.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You make an end of them in their sleep; the next morning they are like the changing grass, which at dawn springs up anew, but by evening wilts and fades.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Teach us to 
number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants!
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours; prosper 
the work of our hands for us! Prosper the work of our hands!
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Reading 2  Philemon 9-10, 12-17 
I, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus, urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment; I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you.
I should have liked to retain him for myself, so that he might serve me on your behalf in my imprisonment for the gospel, but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary. Perhaps this is why he was away from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me, but even more so to you, as a man and in the Lord. So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me.

Alleluia  Psalm 119:135  
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let your face shine upon your servant; and teach me your laws.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 14:25-33  
Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops?  But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.  In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”


What these scriptures tell us about God
Who can know God’s counsel, or who can conceive what the LORD intends?
when things are in heaven, who can search them out?
who ever knew your counsel, except you had given wisdom and sent your holy spirit from on high?  And thus were the paths of those on earth made straight.
In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You turn man back to dust
a thousand years in your sight are as yesterday, now that it is past, or as a watch of the night.
In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
your kindness
the gracious care of the LORD our God
In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Let your face shine upon your servant
teach me your laws.
If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”


What these scriptures tell us to do
number our days aright
gain wisdom of heart
the work of our hands
the work of our hands
carry his own cross and come after me 
calculate the cost
sit down and decide 
renounce all 


Sunday, September 01, 2019

We should follow Jesus’ example of humble service (readings for Sept. 1, 2019) Lectionary: 126

Key:
What these scriptures tell us about God
What these scriptures tell us to do
What these scriptures tell us not to do
Hyperlinks to additional resources 

My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.

Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.

What is too sublime for you, seek not,into things beyond your strength search not.

The mind of a sage appreciates proverbs, and an attentive ear is the joy of the wise.

Water quenches a flaming fire, and alms atone for sins.

Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-1110-11
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
The just 
rejoice and exult before Godthey are glad and rejoice.Sing to God, chant praise to his name; whose name is the LORD.
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken; he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, upon your inheritance; you restored the land when it languished; your flock settled in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided it for the needy.
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.

Reading 2 Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24
You have not approached that which could be touched and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness and storm and a trumpet blast and a voice speaking words such that those who heard begged that no message be further addressed to them.

No, you have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels in festal gathering, and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven, and God the judge of all, and the spirits of the just made perfect, and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,and the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel.


Alleluia  Matthew 11:29  
R. Alleluia, alleluia.Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.

He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, 
do not recline at table in the place of honor.  A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, 'Give your place to this man,' and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place.  Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, 'My friend, move up to a higher position.' Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For every one who exalts himself will be humbledbut the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Then he said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

What these scriptures tell us about God
God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken; he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
A bountiful rain you showered down
you restored the land when it languished
in your goodness, O God, you provided it for the needy.
God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
the living God
God the judge of all,
Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant
I am meek and humble of heart.

What these scriptures tell us to do
conduct your affairs with humility
Humble yourself the more, the greater you are
Appreciate[] proverbs
an attentive ear is the joy of the wise.
alms atone for sins.
rejoice and exult before God
they are glad and rejoice
Sing to God, chant praise to his name
Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord, and learn from me
when you are invited, go and take the lowest place
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted
when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind

What these scriptures tell us not to do
What is too sublime for you, seek not
into things beyond your strength search not.
do not recline at table in the place of honor
For every one who exalts himself will be humbled

What these scriptures tell us about God