Phil 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
/ raangulo
Get Skype it’s free.
Check out my blog at http://raagroup.blogspot.com/ where daily readings and more are posted daily.
Dear Lord God, today’s readings are filled with both fact and faith; for the FACT is we are all called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, obedient and submissive more than all, even more than any services we think of rendering You for I know for certain that You oppose the proud, but give grace to the humble." Therefore we are to humble ourselves under Your hand, that in due time You may exalt you. We are to practice casting all our anxieties on You, for You care about each and everyone of us. We must be sober, be watchful for our adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. We must resist him, firm in our faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of our brotherhood throughout the world under the sun. And after we have suffered a little while, You our God, the God of all grace, who has called us to Your eternal glory in Christ, will Yourself restore, establish, and strengthen us. This is Your dominion for ever and ever. And fact while it can be seen is less desirable and powerful than faith; for FAITH is belief in the unseen, and to have faith one must love You our God, and through that love we will develop a desire to know You more, and in that knowledge the secrets to Your mysteries will be revealed. For I believe the that with FACT a lone, that is without FAITH no one cannot interpret and discern You Word Lord, and that without understanding how FAITH becomes FACT, but not all FACT produces FAITH we will not be able to develop our spiritual beings as You wish. For FACT deals with things under the sun, and like things under the sun, FACT passes away with time, but FAITH in and from above is ever lasting, timeless and powerful, even under the sun. This type of FAITH can only come from You our Lord God through Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
God desires the least degree of obedience and submissiveness more than all those services you think of rendering Him.
— St. John of the Cross
5 Likewise you that are younger be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. 7 Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you. 8 Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you. 11 To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 12 By Silva’nus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God; stand fast in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you that are in Christ
Bible Study: [5-11] The community is to be subject to the presbyters and to show humility toward one another and trust in God’s love and care (1 Peter 5:5-7). With sobriety, alertness, and steadfast faith they must resist the evil one; their sufferings are shared with Christians everywhere (1 Peter 5:8-9). They will be strengthened and called to eternal glory (1 Peter 5:10-11).[12] Silvanus: the companion of Paul (see 2 Cor 1:19; 1 Thes 1:1; 2 Thes 1:1). Jews and Jewish Christians, like Paul, often had a Hebrew name (Saoul, Silas) and a Greek or Latin name (Paul, Silvanus). On Silvanus’s possible role as amanuensis, see Introduction. [13] The chosen one: feminine, referring to the Christian community (ekklesia) at Babylon, the code name for Rome in Rev 14:8; 17:5; 18:2. Mark, my son: traditionally a prominent disciple of Peter and co-worker at the church in Rome, perhaps the John Mark referred to in Acts 12:12, 25; 13:5, 13; and in Acts 15:37-39, a companion of Barnabas. Perhaps this is the same Mark mentioned as Barnabas’s cousin in Col 4:10, a co-worker with Paul in Philippians 1:24 (see also 2 Tim 4:11).
2 For thy steadfast love was established for ever, thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens. 3 Thou hast said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: 6 For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD, 7 a God feared in the council of the holy ones, great and terrible above all that are round about him? 16 who exult in thy name all the day, and extol thy righteousness. 17 For thou art the glory of their strength; by thy favor our horn is exalted.
Bible Study: [Psalm 89] The community laments the defeat of the Davidic king, to whom God promised kingship as enduring as the heavens (Psalm 89:2-5). The psalm narrates how God became king of the divine beings (Psalm 89:6-9) and how the Davidic king became king of earthly kings (Psalm 89:20-38). Since the defeat of the king calls into question God’s promise, the community ardently prays God to be faithful to the original promise to David (Psalm 89:39-52).
15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.
Bible Study: [9-20] This passage, termed the Longer Ending to the Marcan gospel by comparison with a much briefer conclusion found in some less important manuscripts, has traditionally been accepted as a canonical part of the gospel and was defined as such by the Council of Trent. Early citations of it by the Fathers indicate that it was composed by the second century, although vocabulary and style indicate that it was written by someone other than Mark. It is a general resume of the material concerning the appearances of the risen Jesus, reflecting, in particular, traditions found in Luke 24 and John 20. The Shorter Ending: Found after Mark 16:8 before the Longer Ending in four seventh-to-ninth-century Greek manuscripts as well as in one Old Latin version, where it appears alone without the Longer Ending. The Freer Logion: Found after v 14 in a fourth-fifth century manuscript preserved in the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, this ending was known to Jerome in the fourth century. It reads: "And they excused themselves, saying, "This age of lawlessness and unbelief is under Satan, who does not allow the truth and power of God to prevail over the unclean things dominated by the spirits [or, does not allow the unclean things dominated by the spirits to grasp the truth and power of God]. Therefore reveal your righteousness now.’ They spoke to Christ. And Christ responded to them, "The limit of the years of Satan’s power is completed, but other terrible things draw near. And for those who sinned I was handed over to death, that they might return to the truth and no longer sin, in order that they might inherit the spiritual and incorruptible heavenly glory of righteousness. But . . . .’ "
3 [20] THE SHORTER ENDING – [And they reported all the instructions briefly to Peter’s companions. Afterwards Jesus himself, through them, sent forth from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. Amen.]
/ raangulo
Get Skype it’s free.
Check out my blog at http://raagroup.blogspot.com/ where daily readings and more are posted daily.
Dear Lord God, today’s readings are filled with both fact and faith; for the FACT is we are all called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, obedient and submissive more than all, even more than any services we think of rendering You for I know for certain that You oppose the proud, but give grace to the humble." Therefore we are to humble ourselves under Your hand, that in due time You may exalt you. We are to practice casting all our anxieties on You, for You care about each and everyone of us. We must be sober, be watchful for our adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. We must resist him, firm in our faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of our brotherhood throughout the world under the sun. And after we have suffered a little while, You our God, the God of all grace, who has called us to Your eternal glory in Christ, will Yourself restore, establish, and strengthen us. This is Your dominion for ever and ever. And fact while it can be seen is less desirable and powerful than faith; for FAITH is belief in the unseen, and to have faith one must love You our God, and through that love we will develop a desire to know You more, and in that knowledge the secrets to Your mysteries will be revealed. For I believe the that with FACT a lone, that is without FAITH no one cannot interpret and discern You Word Lord, and that without understanding how FAITH becomes FACT, but not all FACT produces FAITH we will not be able to develop our spiritual beings as You wish. For FACT deals with things under the sun, and like things under the sun, FACT passes away with time, but FAITH in and from above is ever lasting, timeless and powerful, even under the sun. This type of FAITH can only come from You our Lord God through Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
God desires the least degree of obedience and submissiveness more than all those services you think of rendering Him.
— St. John of the Cross
5 Likewise you that are younger be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. 7 Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you. 8 Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you. 11 To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 12 By Silva’nus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God; stand fast in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you that are in Christ
Bible Study: [5-11] The community is to be subject to the presbyters and to show humility toward one another and trust in God’s love and care (1 Peter 5:5-7). With sobriety, alertness, and steadfast faith they must resist the evil one; their sufferings are shared with Christians everywhere (1 Peter 5:8-9). They will be strengthened and called to eternal glory (1 Peter 5:10-11).[12] Silvanus: the companion of Paul (see 2 Cor 1:19; 1 Thes 1:1; 2 Thes 1:1). Jews and Jewish Christians, like Paul, often had a Hebrew name (Saoul, Silas) and a Greek or Latin name (Paul, Silvanus). On Silvanus’s possible role as amanuensis, see Introduction. [13] The chosen one: feminine, referring to the Christian community (ekklesia) at Babylon, the code name for Rome in Rev 14:8; 17:5; 18:2. Mark, my son: traditionally a prominent disciple of Peter and co-worker at the church in Rome, perhaps the John Mark referred to in Acts 12:12, 25; 13:5, 13; and in Acts 15:37-39, a companion of Barnabas. Perhaps this is the same Mark mentioned as Barnabas’s cousin in Col 4:10, a co-worker with Paul in Philippians 1:24 (see also 2 Tim 4:11).
2 For thy steadfast love was established for ever, thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens. 3 Thou hast said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: 6 For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD, 7 a God feared in the council of the holy ones, great and terrible above all that are round about him? 16 who exult in thy name all the day, and extol thy righteousness. 17 For thou art the glory of their strength; by thy favor our horn is exalted.
Bible Study: [Psalm 89] The community laments the defeat of the Davidic king, to whom God promised kingship as enduring as the heavens (Psalm 89:2-5). The psalm narrates how God became king of the divine beings (Psalm 89:6-9) and how the Davidic king became king of earthly kings (Psalm 89:20-38). Since the defeat of the king calls into question God’s promise, the community ardently prays God to be faithful to the original promise to David (Psalm 89:39-52).
15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.
Bible Study: [9-20] This passage, termed the Longer Ending to the Marcan gospel by comparison with a much briefer conclusion found in some less important manuscripts, has traditionally been accepted as a canonical part of the gospel and was defined as such by the Council of Trent. Early citations of it by the Fathers indicate that it was composed by the second century, although vocabulary and style indicate that it was written by someone other than Mark. It is a general resume of the material concerning the appearances of the risen Jesus, reflecting, in particular, traditions found in Luke 24 and John 20. The Shorter Ending: Found after Mark 16:8 before the Longer Ending in four seventh-to-ninth-century Greek manuscripts as well as in one Old Latin version, where it appears alone without the Longer Ending. The Freer Logion: Found after v 14 in a fourth-fifth century manuscript preserved in the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, this ending was known to Jerome in the fourth century. It reads: "And they excused themselves, saying, "This age of lawlessness and unbelief is under Satan, who does not allow the truth and power of God to prevail over the unclean things dominated by the spirits [or, does not allow the unclean things dominated by the spirits to grasp the truth and power of God]. Therefore reveal your righteousness now.’ They spoke to Christ. And Christ responded to them, "The limit of the years of Satan’s power is completed, but other terrible things draw near. And for those who sinned I was handed over to death, that they might return to the truth and no longer sin, in order that they might inherit the spiritual and incorruptible heavenly glory of righteousness. But . . . .’ "
3 [20] THE SHORTER ENDING – [And they reported all the instructions briefly to Peter’s companions. Afterwards Jesus himself, through them, sent forth from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. Amen.]
/ raangulo
Get Skype it’s free.
Check out my blog at http://raagroup.blogspot.com/ where daily readings and more are posted daily.
Dear Lord God, What is it that You want me to know; as You show (I see and notice Your hand in my life as things unfold or immediately after things happen I recognize Your will) and teach (In seeing and noticing, I then meditate on Your will for me and how I am to use this to fulfill Your purpose for me) me that You are walking with me, I look to Your Holy Spirit for guidance, knowledge and wisdom – that which will help me understand Your will, Your purpose. Therefore You know what I have been listening to (Gnostic Gospels, Lost Books of the Bible) and thinking about these things. So today’s readings and Bible Study must have significance in that through Steven’s brief preaching’s and martyrdom You want me to learn and understand more about the early Church and it’s Fathers’; about You and me as a human being, prone to interpret and understand that which is easiest or safest, quick to judge and react with anger and even hate to that which threatens our thinking and beliefs. Today’s video reflection puts it quit clearly in that it is horrifying if not at least troublesome to see how those early believers, people of faith would shed innocent blood over beliefs that they did not or could not understand and accept. O Lord God, why is it, how is it that so many have shed blood in Your name, what are You trying to teach me, show me now. Dear Lord God I wait on You, knowing that the answers lie within me, but are of You, not me. The truths about loving, knowing and serving and faith, hope and love; the reality that You are the One True God, but You are worshiped differently, Jesus is Your Holy Son and the way and the light, but the way is different for each of us and the that which is in the light is His and His alone to judge, the Holy Spirit is of You Lord God and is Given to us through Jesus Christ, but speaks to each of us according to Your will and purpose putting us in places and situations in which we must be willing to stand for what we believe, no matter what. Is this the meaning of St. Pio’s statement; is it that Your greatest mercy is not to let us have peace with each other, until we each can be at peace with You. That peace which will come only through faith, hope and love, the love that makes us want to know You more and serve You better. O Lord God teach me Your ways, give me a discerning hear and eye so that I may righteously seek Your will and serve Your purpose. In Jesus’ name I ask and pray, and wait upon You. Amen
The greatest mercy of God is not to let those nations remain in peace with each other who are not at peace with God.
— Saint Pio of Pietrelcina
51 "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always oppose the Holy Spirit; you are just like your ancestors.
52 Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They put to death those who foretold the coming of the righteous one, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become.
53 You received the law as transmitted by angels, but you did not observe it."
54 When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him.
55 But he, filled with the holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 3
56 and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
57 But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together.
58 They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
60 Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them"; and when he said this, he fell asleep.
1 Now Saul was consenting to his execution.On that day, there broke out a severe persecution 1 of the church in Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Bible Study: [2-53] Stephen’s speech represents Luke’s description of Christianity’s break from its Jewish matrix. Two motifs become prominent in the speech: (Acts 7:1) Israel’s reaction to God’s chosen leaders in the past reveals that the people have consistently rejected them; and (Acts 7:2) Israel has misunderstood God’s choice of the Jerusalem temple as the place where he is to be worshiped. [55] He . . . saw . . . Jesus standing at the right hand of God: Stephen affirms to the Sanhedrin that the prophecy Jesus made before them has been fulfilled (Mark 14:62).
[1] All were scattered . . . except the apostles: this observation leads some modern scholars to conclude that the persecution was limited to the Hellenist Christians and that the Hebrew Christians were not molested, perhaps because their attitude toward the law and temple was still more in line with that of their fellow Jews (see the charge leveled against the Hellenist Stephen in Acts 6, 13-14). Whatever the facts, it appears that the Twelve took no public stand regarding Stephen’s position, choosing, instead, to await the development of events.
Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 7b and 8a, 17 and 21ab
3 Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to save me.
4 You are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead and guide me.
6 Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, LORD, faithful God.
7 I trust in the LORD.
8 I will rejoice and be glad in your love,
17 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your kindness.
18 Do not let me be put to shame, for I have called to you, LORD. Put the wicked to shame; reduce them to silence in Sheol.
19 Strike dumb their lying lips, proud lips that attack the just in contempt and scorn.
20 How great is your goodness, Lord, stored up for those who fear you. You display it for those who trust you, in the sight of all the people.
21 You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from scheming enemies.
Bible Study: [Psalm 31] Of David. A lament (Psalm 31:2-19) with a strong emphasis on trust (Psalm 31:4, 6, 15-16), ending with an anticipatory thanksgiving (Psalm 31:20-24). As is usual in laments, the affliction is couched in general terms. The psalmist feels overwhelmed by evil people but trusts in the "faithful God" (Psalm 31:6).
30 So they said to him, "What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do?
31 Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’"
32 So Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
34 So they said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always."
35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.
Bible Study: [31] Bread from heaven: cf Exodus 16:4, 15, 32-34 and the notes there; Psalm 78:24. The manna, thought to have been hidden by Jeremiah (2 Macc 2:5-8), was expected to reappear miraculously at Passover, in the last days. [35-59] Up to John 6:50 "bread of life" is a figure for God’s revelation in Jesus; in John 6:51-58, the eucharistic theme comes to the fore. There may thus be a break between John 6:50-51.
/ raangulo
Get Skype it’s free.
Check out my blog at http://raagroup.blogspot.com/ where daily readings and more are posted daily.
Dear Lord God, What is it that You want me to know; as You show (I see and notice Your hand in my life as things unfold or immediately after things happen I recognize Your will) and teach (In seeing and noticing, I then meditate on Your will for me and how I am to use this to fulfill Your purpose for me) me that You are walking with me, I look to Your Holy Spirit for guidance, knowledge and wisdom – that which will help me understand Your will, Your purpose. Therefore You know what I have been listening to (Gnostic Gospels, Lost Books of the Bible) and thinking about these things. So today’s readings and Bible Study must have significance in that through Steven’s brief preaching’s and martyrdom You want me to learn and understand more about the early Church and it’s Fathers’; about You and me as a human being, prone to interpret and understand that which is easiest or safest, quick to judge and react with anger and even hate to that which threatens our thinking and beliefs. Today’s video reflection puts it quit clearly in that it is horrifying if not at least troublesome to see how those early believers, people of faith would shed innocent blood over beliefs that they did not or could not understand and accept. O Lord God, why is it, how is it that so many have shed blood in Your name, what are You trying to teach me, show me now. Dear Lord God I wait on You, knowing that the answers lie within me, but are of You, not me. The truths about loving, knowing and serving and faith, hope and love; the reality that You are the One True God, but You are worshiped differently, Jesus is Your Holy Son and the way and the light, but the way is different for each of us and the that which is in the light is His and His alone to judge, the Holy Spirit is of You Lord God and is Given to us through Jesus Christ, but speaks to each of us according to Your will and purpose putting us in places and situations in which we must be willing to stand for what we believe, no matter what. Is this the meaning of St. Pio’s statement; is it that Your greatest mercy is not to let us have peace with each other, until we each can be at peace with You. That peace which will come only through faith, hope and love, the love that makes us want to know You more and serve You better. O Lord God teach me Your ways, give me a discerning hear and eye so that I may righteously seek Your will and serve Your purpose. In Jesus’ name I ask and pray, and wait upon You. Amen
The greatest mercy of God is not to let those nations remain in peace with each other who are not at peace with God.
— Saint Pio of Pietrelcina
51 "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always oppose the Holy Spirit; you are just like your ancestors.
52 Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They put to death those who foretold the coming of the righteous one, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become.
53 You received the law as transmitted by angels, but you did not observe it."
54 When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him.
55 But he, filled with the holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 3
56 and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
57 But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together.
58 They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
60 Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them"; and when he said this, he fell asleep.
1 Now Saul was consenting to his execution.On that day, there broke out a severe persecution 1 of the church in Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Bible Study: [2-53] Stephen’s speech represents Luke’s description of Christianity’s break from its Jewish matrix. Two motifs become prominent in the speech: (Acts 7:1) Israel’s reaction to God’s chosen leaders in the past reveals that the people have consistently rejected them; and (Acts 7:2) Israel has misunderstood God’s choice of the Jerusalem temple as the place where he is to be worshiped. [55] He . . . saw . . . Jesus standing at the right hand of God: Stephen affirms to the Sanhedrin that the prophecy Jesus made before them has been fulfilled (Mark 14:62).
[1] All were scattered . . . except the apostles: this observation leads some modern scholars to conclude that the persecution was limited to the Hellenist Christians and that the Hebrew Christians were not molested, perhaps because their attitude toward the law and temple was still more in line with that of their fellow Jews (see the charge leveled against the Hellenist Stephen in Acts 6, 13-14). Whatever the facts, it appears that the Twelve took no public stand regarding Stephen’s position, choosing, instead, to await the development of events.
Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 7b and 8a, 17 and 21ab
3 Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to save me.
4 You are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead and guide me.
6 Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, LORD, faithful God.
7 I trust in the LORD.
8 I will rejoice and be glad in your love,
17 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your kindness.
18 Do not let me be put to shame, for I have called to you, LORD. Put the wicked to shame; reduce them to silence in Sheol.
19 Strike dumb their lying lips, proud lips that attack the just in contempt and scorn.
20 How great is your goodness, Lord, stored up for those who fear you. You display it for those who trust you, in the sight of all the people.
21 You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from scheming enemies.
Bible Study: [Psalm 31] Of David. A lament (Psalm 31:2-19) with a strong emphasis on trust (Psalm 31:4, 6, 15-16), ending with an anticipatory thanksgiving (Psalm 31:20-24). As is usual in laments, the affliction is couched in general terms. The psalmist feels overwhelmed by evil people but trusts in the "faithful God" (Psalm 31:6).
30 So they said to him, "What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do?
31 Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’"
32 So Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
34 So they said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always."
35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.
Bible Study: [31] Bread from heaven: cf Exodus 16:4, 15, 32-34 and the notes there; Psalm 78:24. The manna, thought to have been hidden by Jeremiah (2 Macc 2:5-8), was expected to reappear miraculously at Passover, in the last days. [35-59] Up to John 6:50 "bread of life" is a figure for God’s revelation in Jesus; in John 6:51-58, the eucharistic theme comes to the fore. There may thus be a break between John 6:50-51.
/ raangulo
Get Skype it’s free.
Check out my blog at http://raagroup.blogspot.com/ where daily readings and more are posted daily.
Dear Lord God, I hear Your message, yet I struggle under the sun; one cannot serve two masters; do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life; and this is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent. I can see Your truth, yet I know I cannot live it under the sun without Your help through a greater understanding of the knowledge and wisdom that is received through Your daily bread of life which springs forth a greater faith, hope and love of the journey under the sun and all the roads, turns, hills, valleys and spirits You place in my path. The journey, not the destination; for You have made know to me the destination, it is the journey which is unknown to me and how I will travel it. O Lord Jesus I know there is much to learn, but I feel You have given what I need to know. Help me practice; practice Your presence at every turn, up every hill, in every valley for without You I can do nothing. Have mercy on me and all those I love and seek to serve in Your name. Show me how to use what Your have taught me, help me to let there be more of You and less of me in order to be like You all that we need. In Your Sacred Holy name I ask this Jesus, Amen.
If our life were not under Mary’s protection, we might tremble for our perseverance and salvation.
— St. Peter Julian Eymard
8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyre’nians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cili’cia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly instigated men, who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13 and set up false witnesses who said, "This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us." 15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Bible Study: [6:8-8:1] The summary (Acts 6:7) on the progress of the Jerusalem community, illustrated by the conversion of the priests, is followed by a lengthy narrative regarding Stephen. Stephen’s defense is not a response to the charges made against him but takes the form of a discourse that reviews the fortunes of God’s word to Israel and leads to a prophetic declaration: a plea for the hearing of that word as announced by Christ and now possessed by the Christian community. The charges that Stephen depreciated the importance of the temple and the Mosaic law and elevated Jesus to a stature above Moses (Acts 6:13-14) were in fact true. Before the Sanhedrin, no defense against them was possible. With Stephen, who thus perceived the fuller implications of the teachings of Jesus, the differences between Judaism and Christianity began to appear. Luke’s account of Stephen’s martyrdom and its aftermath shows how the major impetus behind the Christian movement passed from Jerusalem, where the temple and law prevailed, to Antioch in Syria, where these influences were less pressing.
23 Even though princes sit plotting against me, thy servant will meditate on thy statutes. 24 Thy testimonies are my delight, they are my counselors. 26 When I told of my ways, thou didst answer me; teach me thy statutes! 27 Make me understand the way of thy precepts, and I will meditate on thy wondrous works. 29 Put false ways far from me; and graciously teach me thy law! 30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness, I set thy ordinances before me.
Bible Study: [Psalm 119] This psalm, the longest by far in the psalter, praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by. The author glorifies and thanks God for the Torah, prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law, laments the cost of obedience, delights in the law’s consolations, begs for wisdom to understand the precepts, and asks for the rewards of keeping them. Several expected elements do not appear in the psalm: Mount Sinai with its story of God’s revelation and gift to Israel of instruction and commandments, the temple and other institutions related to revelation and laws (frequent in other psalms). The psalm is fascinated with God’s word directing and guiding human life.
22 On the next day the people who remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 However, boats from Tiber’i-as came near the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the people saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Caper’na-um, seeking Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" 26 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his seal." 28 Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."
Bible Study: [22-71] Discourse on the bread of life; replacement of the manna. John 6:22-34 serve as an introduction, [27] The food that endures for eternal life: cf John 4:14, on water "springing up to eternal life."
/ raangulo
Get Skype it’s free.
Check out my blog at http://raagroup.blogspot.com/ where daily readings and more are posted daily.
Dear Lord God, I hear Your message, yet I struggle under the sun; one cannot serve two masters; do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life; and this is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent. I can see Your truth, yet I know I cannot live it under the sun without Your help through a greater understanding of the knowledge and wisdom that is received through Your daily bread of life which springs forth a greater faith, hope and love of the journey under the sun and all the roads, turns, hills, valleys and spirits You place in my path. The journey, not the destination; for You have made know to me the destination, it is the journey which is unknown to me and how I will travel it. O Lord Jesus I know there is much to learn, but I feel You have given what I need to know. Help me practice; practice Your presence at every turn, up every hill, in every valley for without You I can do nothing. Have mercy on me and all those I love and seek to serve in Your name. Show me how to use what Your have taught me, help me to let there be more of You and less of me in order to be like You all that we need. In Your Sacred Holy name I ask this Jesus, Amen.
If our life were not under Mary’s protection, we might tremble for our perseverance and salvation.
— St. Peter Julian Eymard
8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyre’nians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cili’cia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly instigated men, who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13 and set up false witnesses who said, "This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us." 15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Bible Study: [6:8-8:1] The summary (Acts 6:7) on the progress of the Jerusalem community, illustrated by the conversion of the priests, is followed by a lengthy narrative regarding Stephen. Stephen’s defense is not a response to the charges made against him but takes the form of a discourse that reviews the fortunes of God’s word to Israel and leads to a prophetic declaration: a plea for the hearing of that word as announced by Christ and now possessed by the Christian community. The charges that Stephen depreciated the importance of the temple and the Mosaic law and elevated Jesus to a stature above Moses (Acts 6:13-14) were in fact true. Before the Sanhedrin, no defense against them was possible. With Stephen, who thus perceived the fuller implications of the teachings of Jesus, the differences between Judaism and Christianity began to appear. Luke’s account of Stephen’s martyrdom and its aftermath shows how the major impetus behind the Christian movement passed from Jerusalem, where the temple and law prevailed, to Antioch in Syria, where these influences were less pressing.
23 Even though princes sit plotting against me, thy servant will meditate on thy statutes. 24 Thy testimonies are my delight, they are my counselors. 26 When I told of my ways, thou didst answer me; teach me thy statutes! 27 Make me understand the way of thy precepts, and I will meditate on thy wondrous works. 29 Put false ways far from me; and graciously teach me thy law! 30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness, I set thy ordinances before me.
Bible Study: [Psalm 119] This psalm, the longest by far in the psalter, praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by. The author glorifies and thanks God for the Torah, prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law, laments the cost of obedience, delights in the law’s consolations, begs for wisdom to understand the precepts, and asks for the rewards of keeping them. Several expected elements do not appear in the psalm: Mount Sinai with its story of God’s revelation and gift to Israel of instruction and commandments, the temple and other institutions related to revelation and laws (frequent in other psalms). The psalm is fascinated with God’s word directing and guiding human life.
22 On the next day the people who remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 However, boats from Tiber’i-as came near the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the people saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Caper’na-um, seeking Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" 26 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his seal." 28 Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."
Bible Study: [22-71] Discourse on the bread of life; replacement of the manna. John 6:22-34 serve as an introduction, [27] The food that endures for eternal life: cf John 4:14, on water "springing up to eternal life."
/ raangulo
Get Skype it’s free.
Check out my blog at http://raagroup.blogspot.com/ where daily readings and more are posted daily.
One Walk 