Bible Readings – Behold and retain what our Lord and Master, Christ, has taught by his words and accomplished by his deeds.

Dear Lord God, today my Lord Jesus’ teachings are on my mind, O to be closer to You as He is in You and You in Him. Through the Hidden Gospels open my mind and heart, teach me new secrets on how to be closer to You. Once again the daily readings feed my mind and heart as if You are watching then directing me, as with the words of St Caesaria ‘There is no doctrine which could be better, more precious and more splendid than the text of the Gospel. Behold and retain what our Lord and Master, Christ, has taught by his words and accomplished by his deeds.’  O heavenly Father I do believe in the Trinity and the work of the Holy Spirit, I seek to know and understand the history of Your Church and ask for the wisdom and discernment to grow in Your truths by seeing through and past the personal interpretations of those who in an attempt to honor, praise and worship You twist Your words through translation or misunderstand Your intent. O give me spirit eyes and hears that only see and hear what You want me to know and understand. As I walk through this time of tribulation with eyes of faith seeking to grow in You and be a light to all those walking with me, help me, bless me with strength, energy, courage and knowledge to follow the path You have for me, to see Your will and to act on Your calling. I do seek You first, but need Your help and guidance, so in the name of Your Son and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I ask and pray for Your protection from the lion and wolves that seek out my soul, and Your blessings to enable me to serve You as You direct, Amen.

 

There is no doctrine which could be better, more precious and more splendid than the text of the Gospel. Behold and retain what our Lord and Master, Christ, has taught by his words and accomplished by his deeds.

— St. Caesaria the Younger to St. Richildis and St. Radegunde

 

Acts:25:13-21

13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Berni’ce arrived at Caesare’a to welcome Festus. 14 And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, "There is a man left prisoner by Felix; 15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews gave information about him, asking for sentence against him. 16 I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up any one before the accused met the accusers face to face, and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. 17 When therefore they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought in. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed; 19 but they had certain points of dispute with him about their own superstition and about one Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20 Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wished to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. 21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be held until I could send him to Caesar."

Bible Study: [13] King Agrippa and Bernice: brother and sister, children of Herod Agrippa I whose activities against the Jerusalem community are mentioned in Acts 12:1-19. Agrippa II was a petty ruler over small areas in northern Palestine and some villages in Perea. His influence on the Jewish population of Palestine was insignificant.


Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word!

Bible Study: [Psalm 103] Of David – The speaker in this hymn begins by praising God for personal benefits (Psalm 103:1-5), then moves on to God’s mercy toward all the people (Psalm 103:6-18). Even sin cannot destroy that mercy (Psalm 103:11-13), for the eternal God is well aware of the people’s human fragility (Psalm 103:14-18). The psalmist invites the heavenly beings to join in praise (Psalm 103:19-22).


John 21:15-19

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." 16 A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." 17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." 19 (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me."

Bible Study: [15-17] In these three verses there is a remarkable variety of synonyms: two different Greek verbs for love (see the note on John 15:13); two verbs for feed/tend; two nouns for sheep; two verbs for know. But apparently there is no difference of meaning. The threefold confession of Peter is meant to counteract his earlier threefold denial (John 18:17, 25, 27). The First Vatican Council cited these verses in defining that Jesus after his resurrection gave Peter the jurisdiction of supreme shepherd and ruler over the whole flock. [15] More than these: probably "more than these disciples do" rather than "more than you love them" or "more than you love these things [fishing, etc.]." [18] Originally probably a proverb about old age, now used as a figurative reference to the crucifixion of Peter.

 

 

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