Tagged: verse for the day

“He has sent Me to bring good news to the poor.” –Luke 4:18, our transl. Mass Readings: September 4 First: Genesis 2:4-9,15 ;Resp: Psalm 90:2-5,12-14,16; Gospel: Matthew 6:31-34 Listen to the Mass Readings Jesus declared that His mission was to proclaim the Good News of freedom to the poor. He said He was carrying out this mission at that very moment (Lk 4:21). Then He told the people He was not going to heal them but heal other people instead (see Lk 4:23-27). What kind of Good News is that? The people obviously saw no Good News in Jesus’ prophetic...

“It is God’s will that you grow in holiness: that you abstain from immorality, each of you guarding his member in sanctity and honor.” –1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 Mass Readings: September 1 First: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Resp: Psalm 97:1-2,5-6,10-12; Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13 Listen to the Mass Readings Paul insisted the Thessalonians make still greater progress in sexual purity (1 Thes 4:1). They were to live “in sanctity and honor, not in passionate desire as do the Gentiles who know not God” (1 Thes 4:4-5). “For the Lord is an Avenger of all such things” (1 Thes 4:6). “God has not called...

“What thanks can we give to God for all the joy we feel in His presence because of you?” –1 Thessalonians 3:9 Mass Readings: August 31 First: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13; Resp: Psalm 90:3-5,12-14,17; Gospel: Matthew 24:42-51 Listen to the Mass Readings Christians experience much consolation through much distress (1 Thes 3:7). In addition to consolation and distress, Christians feel amazing joy (1 Thes 3:9). They also “overflow with love for one another and for all” (1 Thes 3:12). Life in Christ is exciting, dangerous, and joyful. All human beings have a natural fear of living abundantly (see Jn 10:10). Life...

“We encouraged and pleaded with you to make your lives worthy of the God Who calls you.” –1 Thessalonians 2:12 Mass Readings: August 30 First: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13; Resp: Psalm 139:7-12; Gospel: Matthew 23:27-32 Listen to the Mass Readings Jesus came that we might have abundant life (Jn 10:10). God is the God of the living (Lk 20:38). He wants His people to live “upright, just, and irreproachable” lives (1 Thes 2:10). The Lord wants His people to be life-giving and fruitful. In this way, He will add to our numbers daily those being saved (Acts 2:47). However, we are...

“The Lord answered me, ‘Say not, “I am too young.” To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak.’ ” –Jeremiah 1:7 Mass Readings: August 29 First: Jeremiah 1:17-19; Resp: Psalm 71:1-6,15,17; Gospel: Mark 6:17-29 Listen to the Mass Readings Today we badly need people like St. John the Baptizer (see Mk 6:17ff). We need courageous men and women who will speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15) and stand up for purity. We need mature Christians, not “infants in Christ” (1 Cor 3:1) “tossed here and there, carried about by every wind of...