We must humbly, patiently, and faithfully accept God’s plan and diligently do our part to fulfill it. He will help us. Worship helps us along the way (readings for Oct. 6, 2019; Lectionary 141)

Key:

What these scriptures tell us about God & His ways

What these scriptures tell us to do

What these scriptures tell us not to do

Hyperlinks to additional resources

Reading 1  Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4 

How long, O LORD?  I cry for help but you do not listen!
I cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not intervene.
Why do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery?
Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and clamorous discord.

Then the LORD answered me and said: Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. The rash one has no integrity; but the just one, because of his faith, shall live.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 

R. (8) If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD; let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us joyfully sing psalms to him.

R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God, andwe are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.

R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Oh, that today you would hear his voice: "Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the desert, where your fathers tempted me; they tested me though they had seen my works."

R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Reading 2  2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14 

I remind you, to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.  For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.  So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.

Alleluia  1 Peter 1:25 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The word of the Lord remains forever. This is the word that has been proclaimed to you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 17:5-10  

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."

The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.

"Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here immediately and take your place at table'?  Would he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished'?  Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?  So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'"

What these scriptures tell us about God & His ways

the vision still has its time,
presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint

it will surely come, it will not be late 

the just one, because of his faith, shall live

the Rock of our salvation
the LORD who made us
he is our God

we are the people he shepherds

the flock he guides.

God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control

the strength that comes from God.
the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus

the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us

The word of the Lord remains forever. 

If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?  

What these scriptures tell us to do
if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late

just

faith

hear his voice, harden not your hearts
sing joyfully to the LORD

acclaim the Rock of our salvation
come into his presence with thanksgiving

joyfully sing psalms to him.
hear his voice, harden not your hearts
bow down in worship

kneel before the LORD 

hear his voice, harden not your hearts
hear his voice

Harden not your hearts 

hear his voice, harden not your hearts

stir into flame the gift of God that you have 

love

self-control

bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God
Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus

Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit 

When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’

What these scriptures tell us not to do
The rash one has no integrity

tempted me

tested me 

cowardice

ashamed of your testimony to our Lord

Additional scriptures dealing with the themes in today’s readings are collected at:

Wisdom Principles: Diligence & Working

Wisdom Principles--Fortitude

Wisdom Principles: We Must Make Real Effort/Sacrifice to Receive All that God Offers, But It Is Well Worth It

Wisdom Principles—God Loves Humility and Hates Pride   

Sirach 51 Annotated

Key:

What this scripture tells us about God

What this scripture tells us to do

I give you thanks, O Lord and King,    and praise you, O God my Savior.
I give thanks to your name,²for you have been my protector and helper
and have delivered me from destruction    and from the trap laid by a slanderous tongue,    from lips that fabricate lies.
In the face of my adversaries    you have been my helper ³ and delivered me,    in the greatness of your mercyand of your name,
from grinding teeth about to devour me,    from the hand of those seeking my life,    from the many troubles I endured,⁴ from choking fire on every side,    and from the midst of fire that I had not kindled,⁵ from the deep belly of Hades,    from an unclean tongue and lying words—⁶ the slander of an unrighteous tongue to the king.
My soul drew near to death,    and my life was on the brink of Hades below.⁷ They surrounded me on every side,    and there was no one to help me;
I looked for human assistance,    and there was none.⁸ Then I remembered your mercy, O Lord,    and your kindness from of old,
for you rescue those who wait for you    and save them from the hand of their enemies.⁹ And I sent up my prayer from the earth,    and begged for rescue from death.¹⁰ I cried out, “Lord, you are my Father;    do not forsake me in the days of trouble,    when there is no help against the proud.¹¹ I will praise your name continually,    and will sing hymns of thanksgiving.”
My prayer was heard,¹²for you saved me from destruction    and rescued me in time of trouble.
For this reason I thank you and praise you,    and I bless the name of the Lord.

---

Heb adds:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the God of praises,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the guardian of Israel,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to him who formed all things,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the redeemer of Israel,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to him who gathers the dispersed of Israel,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to him who rebuilt his city and his sanctuary,
    for his steadfast love endures forever; 

Give thanks to him who makes a horn to sprout for the house of David,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to him who has chosen the sons of Zadok to be priests,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the shield of Abraham,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the rock of Isaac,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the mighty one of Jacob,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to him who has chosen Zion,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the King of the kings of kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

He has raised up a horn for his people,
    praise for all his loyal ones.

For the children of Israel, the people close to him.
    Praise the Lord!

---

Autobiographical Poem on Wisdom

¹³ While I was still young, before I went on my travels,    I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.¹⁴ Before the temple I asked for her,    and I will search for her until the end.

¹⁵ From the first blossom to the ripening grape    my heart delighted in her;
my foot walked on the straight path;    from my youth I followed her steps.

¹⁶ I inclined my ear a little and received her,    and I found for myself much instruction.¹⁷ I made progress in her;    to him who gives wisdomI will give glory.

¹⁸ For I resolved to live according to wisdom,    and I waszealous for the good,    and I shall never be disappointed.¹⁹ My soul grappled with wisdom,    and in my conduct I was strict;

I spread out my hands to the heavens,    and lamented my ignorance of her.²⁰ I directed my soul to her,    and in purity I found her.

With her I gained understanding from the first;    therefore I will never be forsaken.²¹ My heart was stirred to seek her;    therefore I have gained a prize possession.²² The Lord gave me my tongue as a reward,    and I will praise him with it.

²³ Draw near to me, you who are uneducated,    and lodge in the house of instruction.²⁴ Why do you say you are lacking in these things,    and why do you endure such great thirst?²⁵ I opened my mouth and said,    Acquire wisdom for yourselves without money.

²⁶ Put your neck under her yoke,    and let your souls receive instruction;    it is to be found close by.

²⁷ See with your own eyes that I have labored but little    and found for myself much serenity.²⁸ Hear but a little of my instruction,    and through me you will acquire silver and gold.

²⁹ May your soul rejoice in God’s mercy,    and may you never be ashamed to praise him.³⁰ Do your work in good time,    and in his own time God will give you your reward.

What this scripture tells us about God

you have been my protector and helper
have delivered me from destruction
In the face of my adversaries
you have been my helper ³ and delivered me,
the greatness of your mercy

your mercy, O Lord,
your kindness from of old,
you rescue those who wait for you
and save them from the hand of their enemies.
Lord, you are my Father;
not forsake me in the days of trouble,
My prayer was heard,
you saved me from destruction
rescued me in time of trouble.

he is good,for his steadfast love endures forever;

his steadfast love endures forever;

the guardian of Israel

his steadfast love endures forever;

him who formed all things

his steadfast love endures forever;

the redeemer of Israel

his steadfast love endures forever

him who gathers the dispersed of Israel,
his steadfast love endures forever;

him who rebuilt his city and his sanctuary,
his steadfast love endures forever; 

him who makes a horn to sprout for the house of David,
his steadfast love endures forever;

his steadfast love endures forever;

the shield of Abraham,
his steadfast love endures forever;

the rock of Isaac,
his steadfast love endures forever;

the mighty one of Jacob,
his steadfast love endures forever;

him who has chosen Zion,
his steadfast love endures forever;

the King of the kings of kings,
his steadfast love endures forever;

He has raised up a horn for his people,

much instruction.
him who gives wisdom

With her I gained understanding from the first;
I will never be forsaken.
My heart was stirred to seek her; therefore I have gained a prize possession.
The Lord gave me my tongue as a reward,

it is to be found close by.

much serenity.
Hear but a little of my instruction, and through me you will acquire silver and gold.

in his own time God will give you your reward.

What this scripture tells us to do.

give you thanks

praise you, O God my Savior.
give thanks to your name,
remembered your mercy

sent up my prayer 

begged for rescue 

I cried out

praise your name continually,
sing hymns of thanksgiving.”
I thank you 

praise you,
bless the name of the Lord.

Give thanks to the Lord

Give thanks to the God of praises,
Give thanks to the guardian of Israel,
Give thanks to him who formed all things,
Give thanks to the redeemer of Israel,
Give thanks to him who gathers the dispersed of Israel,
Give thanks to him who rebuilt his city and his sanctuary,
Give thanks to him who makes a horn to sprout for the house of David,
Give thanks to him 

Give thanks to the shield of Abraham,
Give thanks to the rock of Isaac,
Give thanks to the mighty one of Jacob,
Give thanks to him who has chosen Zion,
Give thanks to the King of the kings of kings,

close to him

Praise the Lord!

sought wisdom openly in my prayer.
I asked for her,
search for her until the end.

From the first blossom to the ripening grape
my heart delighted in her;
walked on the straight path;
followed her steps.

I inclined my ear

made progress in her
to him who gives wisdom I will give glory.

resolved to live according to wisdom,
zealous for the good,
My soul grappled with wisdom,
in my conduct I was strict;

spread out my hands to the heavens,
lamented my ignorance of her.
I directed my soul to her,
in purity 

Draw near to me

lodge in the house of instruction

Acquire wisdom for yourselves without money.

Put your neck under her yoke,
let your souls receive instruction;
rejoice in God’s mercy,
never be ashamed to praise him.
Do your work in good time,