Tagged: verse for the day

“From that day on, Saul was jealous of David.” —1 Samuel 18:9 Saul was jealous of David because David did greater things than Saul had done and became more popular than Saul was (see 1 Sm 18:7). Because of this jealousy, Saul repeatedly tried to kill David (1 Sm 19:1). Jesus did greater things than the religious leaders of His time. He was so popular that great multitudes “kept pushing toward Him to touch Him” (Mk 3:10). The religious leaders became jealous of Jesus and handed Him over to be crucified by the Romans (Mt 27:18). The early Church did...

“David selected five smooth stones from the wadi and put them in the pocket of his shepherd’s bag.” —1 Samuel 17:40 When David went into battle, he carried five “smooth stones” in his shepherd’s bag. When facing the giant in battle, “David put his hand into the bag and took out a stone” (1 Sm 17:49). The giant seemingly had greater weapons, more experience in battle, and was a formidable enemy, ready to kill David with his might. Yet David used the stone and his war-trained fingers and hands to defeat the powerful foe (1 Sm 17:49ff). My rosary pouch...

“I will correct you.” —Psalm 50:21 Saul, the first king of the Israelites, went from bad to worse. He disobeyed God in warfare (1 Sm 15:19), attempted to murder David, became involved in the occult, and committed suicide, in addition to other sins. Many of our political leaders are also getting worse, as they play politics with abortion (even partial birth abortion), euthanasia, pornography, the perversion of homosexual acts, and a multitude of other injustices. Therefore, “first of all, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for all men, especially for kings and those in authority” (1...

“They have no more wine.” –John 2:3 We also say we have no more money, no more time, no more hope, peace, joy, etc. Although the Lord has promised to provide all our needs, we sometimes seem to be lacking our “daily bread” (Mt 6:11). When we have “no more,” we should listen to Mary and do whatever Jesus tells us (Jn 2:5). If we simply obey Him, He will take the water of our insufficiency and transform it into the wine of His plenty. Jesus has given us hundreds of commandments, and by His grace we can obey them...

“As He moved on He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus at his tax collector’s post, and said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ Levi got up and became His follower.” –Mark 2:14 Could the Lord work with you as He did with Levi? Could He call you to leave everything immediately? Jesus, being the Lord, doesn’t always work step-by-step. For example, Saul is out looking for some lost asses and, before he knows it, he’s anointed king (1 Sm 9:3; 10:1). Joseph goes to bed one night and before morning he and his family are on their way to Egypt (Mt...