Category: Bible Reading & Meditation

“My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord.” –Isaiah 55:8 Mass Readings: September 24 First: Isaiah 55:6-9; Resp: Psalm 145:2-3,8-9,17-18; Second: Philippians 1:20-24,27; Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16 Listen to the Mass Readings So often people think or say: “The Lord’s way is not fair!” (Ez 18:25) The laborers in the vineyard who worked all day were saying, in essence, the same thing. Seemingly, God treats the weak, sinful, marginalized, forgotten ones better than He treats the ones who faithfully serve Him. While the Lord lovingly pursues the lost, late ones, He goes so far...

“The Twelve accompanied Him, and also some women…” –Luke 8:1-2 Mass Readings: September 22 First: 1 Timothy 6:2-12; Resp: Psalm 49:6-10,17-20; Gospel: Luke 8:1-3 Listen to the Mass Readings When we were baptized, we became disciples of Jesus. Disciples accompany Jesus. They help preach and proclaim “the good news of the kingdom of God” (Lk 8:1). Because Jesus’ disciples have “been cured of evil spirits and maladies” (Lk 8:2), they are eager to use their authority and power from Jesus to heal and free others (see Mt 10:1). Disciples also assist the leaders of the Church out of their means...

“Matthew got up and followed Him. Now it happened that, while Jesus was at table in Matthew’s home, many tax collectors and those known as sinners came to join Jesus and His disciples at dinner.” –Matthew 9:9-10 Mass Readings: September 21 First: Ephesians 4:1-7,11-13; Resp: Psalm 19:2-5; Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13 Listen to the Mass Readings After Matthew decided to leave his job and follow Jesus, he had Jesus over for supper (Mt 9:9-10). We too need to have supper with Jesus after our conversion. In fact, we need to have supper with Jesus frequently, even daily. At this supper, Jesus...

“I am writing you about these matters so that if I should be delayed you will know what kind of conduct befits a member of God’s household, the Church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of truth.” –1 Timothy 3:14-15 Mass Readings: September 20 First: 1 Timothy 3:14-16; Resp: Psalm 111:1-6; Gospel: Luke 7:31-35 Listen to the Mass Readings Human beings cannot help but be under authority. If we are not under the authority of God, we may be under the authority of Satan – even if we think we are “doing our own thing” (as if we...

“In the same way, deacons must be serious.” –1 Timothy 3:8 Mass Readings: September 19 First: 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Resp: Psalm 101:1-3,5-6 ; Gospel: Luke 7:11-17 Listen to the Mass Readings The first characteristic listed as a requirement for deacons is “seriousness.” This characteristic is also the first requirement listed for their wives (1 Tm 3:11). This same trait is expected of bishops, that is, overseers of communities. The word is here translated “dignity” and applied to the overseers’ parenting (1 Tm 3:4; see also 1 Tm 2:2, NAB). Seriousness or dignity is expected of the older men in the...