My Daily Prayers and Readings for 01312010
< >< My Daily Prayer >< >
Abba Father, Lord God even though I may allow life under the sun to interrupt my private time with You, I seek to keep You in my thoughts as I wrestle through the day; fight myself, my wondering thoughts, my temperament, my anger, my desires. Many times I cry out help me Jesus, knowing He is always there but it is I that has to take control of my mind, thoughts, temperament and anger. He is always telling me through many sources what I need to do; now I must listen and walk the walk.
Looking back again at yesterday’s Jesus Calling devotion I hear His voice more clearly as it pierces m self petty and rationalizations with His words of wisdom…
Whatever occupies my mind the most becomes my god. Worries, if indulged, develop into idols. Anxiety gains a life of its own, parasitically infesting my mind. Break free from this bondage by affirming I trust in Him and refreshing myself in His Presence. What goes on in my mind is invisible, undetectable to other people. But He read my thoughts continually, searching for evidence of trust in Him. He rejoices when my mind turns toward Him. Guarding my thoughts diligently knowing good thought choices keep me close to Him.
It is only when I choose not to fight and I given into my weakness without Him that I am weaker; allowing bad thoughts to linger only keeps me separated. In Him and with Him my weakness becomes His strength as His divine power flows into me and out to others. Only in and with Him am I at home, at peace, and losing any moment with Him are lost forever unless I can use the lessons learned to produce fruit of His Spirit within me.
Help me Jesus! You are my strengthen and my shield – I do want to fight for what I have in and with You and each moment, every moment!
In Jesus name I ask and pray, that You bless me and mine for fulfillment of Your will and that You create in me a clean heart, renew a right spirit within me, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
< >< Jesus Calling Daily Devotion >< >
January – For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Today – I AM YOUR STRENGTH AND SHIELD. I plan out each day and have it ready for you, long before you arise from bed. I also provide the strength you need each step of the way. Instead of assessing your energy level and wondering about what’s on the road ahead, concentrate on staying in touch with Me. My Power flows freely into you through our open communication. Refuse to waste energy worrying, and you will have strength to spare.
Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am your Shield. But unlike inanimate armor, I am always alert and active. My Presence watches over you continually, protecting you from both known and unknown dangers. Entrust yourself to My watchcare, which is the best security system available. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.
PSALM 28:7; MATTHEW 6:34; PSALM 56:3-4; GENESIS 28: 15
< >< Today’s Mass Readings >< >
Reading I
Jer 1:4-5, 17-19
The word of the LORD came to me, saying:
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I dedicated you,
a prophet to the nations I appointed you.
But do you gird your loins;
stand up and tell them
all that I command you.
Be not crushed on their account,
as though I would leave you crushed before them;
for it is I this day
who have made you a fortified city,
a pillar of iron, a wall of brass,
against the whole land:
against Judah’s kings and princes,
against its priests and people.
They will fight against you but not prevail over you,
for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15-17
(cf. 15ab) I will sing of your salvation.
In you, O LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice rescue me, and deliver me;
incline your ear to me, and save me.
I will sing of your salvation.
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.
I will sing of your salvation.
For you are my hope, O Lord;
my trust, O God, from my youth.
On you I depend from birth;
from my mother’s womb you are my strength.
I will sing of your salvation.
My mouth shall declare your justice,
day by day your salvation.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
I will sing of your salvation.
Reading II
1 Cor 12:31—13:13 or 13:4-13
Brothers and sisters:
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.
But I shall show you a still more excellent way.
If I speak in human and angelic tongues,
but do not have love,
I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.
And if I have the gift of prophecy,
and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge;
if I have all faith so as to move mountains,
but do not have love, I am nothing.
If I give away everything I own,
and if I hand my body over so that I may boast,
but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind.
It is not jealous, it is not pompous,
It is not inflated, it is not rude,
it does not seek its own interests,
it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,
it does not rejoice over wrongdoing
but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing;
if tongues, they will cease;
if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing.
For we know partially and we prophesy partially,
but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
When I was a child, I used to talk as a child,
think as a child, reason as a child;
when I became a man, I put aside childish things.
At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror,
but then face to face.
At present I know partially;
then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.
So faith, hope, love remain, these three;
but the greatest of these is love.
Gospel
Lk 4:21-30
Jesus began speaking in the synagogue, saying:
“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
And all spoke highly of him
and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.
They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?”
He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb,
‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say,
‘Do here in your native place
the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’”
And he said, “Amen, I say to you,
no prophet is accepted in his own native place.
Indeed, I tell you,
there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah
when the sky was closed for three and a half years
and a severe famine spread over the entire land.
It was to none of these that Elijah was sent,
but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon.
Again, there were many lepers in Israel
during the time of Elisha the prophet;
yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”
When the people in the synagogue heard this,
they were all filled with fury.
They rose up, drove him out of the town,
and led him to the brow of the hill
on which their town had been built,
to hurl him down headlong.
But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went away.
< >< Today’s Video Reflection >< >
Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent. — St. John of the Cross
< >< Daily Mass Readings Online Sources>< >
For link to Scripture readings and Bible search click:
New American Bible USCCB
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition EWTN
For audio link to today’s readings click:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/10_01_31.mp3 Audio
For link to today’s video Reflection click:
http://www.usccb.org/video/reflections.shtml Video
< >< Other sources of inspiration on God’s Word >< >
Today in the Word Radio Online
< >< Bible Online >< >
BibleGateway.com Devotion Scriptures unless noted from New International Version
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