Bible Readings – – No servant can serve two masters; for Indeed, it is easier, to chose what one knows is their belief!

May 10, 2007

Dear Lord God, no one can serve two masters, either he will hate the one and love the other or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other; you cannot serve both God and money is what I awake to today. While I have been wrestling with this message in my head for some time now, since my meeting at work last Tuesday, it has begun to crystallize, and again this Tuesday and yesterday as I listened to the new evening radio host on 88.1 WayFM talk about the past year of his life leading up to his being offered and taking the job at a Christian station rather than a more high paying one within traditional radio. O Lord God it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, so why do we chase the things under the sun that will only become obstacles for us. So I looked up the actual verses Matthew 6:23-25 and Luke 12-14, and Matthew 19:23-25, Mark 10:24-26 and Luke 18:24-26, actual verses are listed below, and what jumps out at me is the differences between the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. First the use of ‘no one’ vs. ‘no servant’ can serve two masters; then the use of ‘again I tell you’ and ‘indeed’ by Matthew and Luke prior to it is easier, JUMPS out at me. It is like the difference in a statement of fact, faith and belief (acceptance) in within the scriptures. It is like Jesus is first telling it to me, then reminding me and finally acknowledging it to me as I believe and accept it. This is all to familiar with Father Guys Homily recent about faith being more powerful and true that fact. It is like You are first telling me a fact, ‘no one can serve two masters’, and then making it a statement of faith, ‘no servant can serve two masters’, leaving it to me to decide to believe and accept what I want to be a, believer and or true servant for no servant can serve two masters, either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other, I cannot serve both You God and money. The same is true based on what I decide to be and do, You first tell me a fact ‘It is easier’, then make it a statement of faith by saying ‘again I tell you, it is easier’, and finally a statement of decision and acceptance ‘indeed, it is easier’ leaving me to realize then accept that if I continue to choose money or wrestle with the decision I may never become wealthy or rich and I will likely sacrifice my second chance, or it will definitely be harder for me to remain in Your kingdom. O Lord the depths of Your knowledge and wisdom amaze and confuse me; help me! Dear Lord Jesus help me! O my Jesus I need Your help! Hear my cries, listen to my prayers, do not let me waste any more time trying to do what is not Your will and purpose. The time is now for You to help me decide and to open the next door and let be the narrower one. In Jesus name I beg, ask and pray, Amen.

 

 

 

Matthew 6:24

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Luke 16:13

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

 

 

Matthew 19:24

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Mark 10:25

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Luke 18:25

Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

 

 

Let us be buried with Christ by Baptism to rise with him; let us go down with him to be raised with him; and let us rise with him to be glorified with him.

— St. Gregory of Nazianzus, Oratio 40

 

Acts 15:7-21

7 And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us; 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will." 12 And all the assembly kept silence; and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, "Brethren, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written, 16 `After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up, 17 that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, 18 says the Lord, who has made these things known from of old.’ 19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from unchastity and from what is strangled and from blood. 21 For from early generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read every sabbath in the synagogues."

Bible Study: [7-11] Paul’s refusal to impose the Mosaic law on the Gentile Christians is supported by Peter on the ground that within his own experience God bestowed the holy Spirit upon Cornelius and his household without preconditions concerning the adoption of the Mosaic law (see Acts 10:44-47). [11] In support of Paul, Peter formulates the fundamental meaning of the gospel: that all are invited to be saved through faith in the power of Christ.


Psalm 96:1-3, 10

1 O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! 2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 10 Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns! Yea, the world is established, it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity."

Bible Study: Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Psalm 96:1-3), who is the sole God (Psalm 96:4-6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Psalm 96:7-10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Psalm 96:11-13). This psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Isaiah 40-55, as does Psalm 98. Another version of the psalm is 1 Chron 16:23-33.


John 15:9-11

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Bible Study: [15:1-16:4] Discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of the departure of Jesus. [1-17] Like John 10:1-5, this passage resembles a parable. Israel is spoken of as a vineyard at Isaiah 5:1-7; Matthew 21:33-46 and as a vine at Psalm 80:9-17; Jeremiah 2:21; Ezekiel 15:2; 17:5-10; 19:10; Hosea 10:1. The identification of the vine as the Son of Man in Psalm 80:15 and Wisdom’s description of herself as a vine in Sirach 24:17 are further background for portrayal of Jesus by this figure. There may be secondary eucharistic symbolism here; cf Mark 14:25 "the fruit of the vine."

 

 

/      raangulo

My status
    Get Skype it’s free.

 

Check out my blog at http://raagroup.blogspot.com/ where daily readings and more are posted daily.

 

Posted in Bible Readings, Daily Bible Readings, Richard Angulo | Leave a Comment »

Bible Readings – – No servant can serve two masters; for Indeed, it is easier, to chose what one knows is their belief!

May 10, 2007

Dear Lord God, no one can serve two masters, either he will hate the one and love the other or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other; you cannot serve both God and money is what I awake to today. While I have been wrestling with this message in my head for some time now, since my meeting at work last Tuesday, it has begun to crystallize, and again this Tuesday and yesterday as I listened to the new evening radio host on 88.1 WayFM talk about the past year of his life leading up to his being offered and taking the job at a Christian station rather than a more high paying one within traditional radio. O Lord God it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, so why do we chase the things under the sun that will only become obstacles for us. So I looked up the actual verses Matthew 6:23-25 and Luke 12-14, and Matthew 19:23-25, Mark 10:24-26 and Luke 18:24-26, actual verses are listed below, and what jumps out at me is the differences between the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. First the use of ‘no one’ vs. ‘no servant’ can serve two masters; then the use of ‘again I tell you’ and ‘indeed’ by Matthew and Luke prior to it is easier, JUMPS out at me. It is like the difference in a statement of fact, faith and belief (acceptance) in within the scriptures. It is like Jesus is first telling it to me, then reminding me and finally acknowledging it to me as I believe and accept it. This is all to familiar with Father Guys Homily recent about faith being more powerful and true that fact. It is like You are first telling me a fact, ‘no one can serve two masters’, and then making it a statement of faith, ‘no servant can serve two masters’, leaving it to me to decide to believe and accept what I want to be a, believer and or true servant for no servant can serve two masters, either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other, I cannot serve both You God and money. The same is true based on what I decide to be and do, You first tell me a fact ‘It is easier’, then make it a statement of faith by saying ‘again I tell you, it is easier’, and finally a statement of decision and acceptance ‘indeed, it is easier’ leaving me to realize then accept that if I continue to choose money or wrestle with the decision I may never become wealthy or rich and I will likely sacrifice my second chance, or it will definitely be harder for me to remain in Your kingdom. O Lord the depths of Your knowledge and wisdom amaze and confuse me; help me! Dear Lord Jesus help me! O my Jesus I need Your help! Hear my cries, listen to my prayers, do not let me waste any more time trying to do what is not Your will and purpose. The time is now for You to help me decide and to open the next door and let be the narrower one. In Jesus name I beg, ask and pray, Amen.

 

 

 

Matthew 6:24

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Luke 16:13

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

 

 

Matthew 19:24

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Mark 10:25

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Luke 18:25

Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

 

 

Let us be buried with Christ by Baptism to rise with him; let us go down with him to be raised with him; and let us rise with him to be glorified with him.

— St. Gregory of Nazianzus, Oratio 40

 

Acts 15:7-21

7 And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us; 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will." 12 And all the assembly kept silence; and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, "Brethren, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written, 16 `After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up, 17 that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, 18 says the Lord, who has made these things known from of old.’ 19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from unchastity and from what is strangled and from blood. 21 For from early generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read every sabbath in the synagogues."

Bible Study: [7-11] Paul’s refusal to impose the Mosaic law on the Gentile Christians is supported by Peter on the ground that within his own experience God bestowed the holy Spirit upon Cornelius and his household without preconditions concerning the adoption of the Mosaic law (see Acts 10:44-47). [11] In support of Paul, Peter formulates the fundamental meaning of the gospel: that all are invited to be saved through faith in the power of Christ.


Psalm 96:1-3, 10

1 O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! 2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 10 Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns! Yea, the world is established, it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity."

Bible Study: Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Psalm 96:1-3), who is the sole God (Psalm 96:4-6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Psalm 96:7-10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Psalm 96:11-13). This psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Isaiah 40-55, as does Psalm 98. Another version of the psalm is 1 Chron 16:23-33.


John 15:9-11

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Bible Study: [15:1-16:4] Discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of the departure of Jesus. [1-17] Like John 10:1-5, this passage resembles a parable. Israel is spoken of as a vineyard at Isaiah 5:1-7; Matthew 21:33-46 and as a vine at Psalm 80:9-17; Jeremiah 2:21; Ezekiel 15:2; 17:5-10; 19:10; Hosea 10:1. The identification of the vine as the Son of Man in Psalm 80:15 and Wisdom’s description of herself as a vine in Sirach 24:17 are further background for portrayal of Jesus by this figure. There may be secondary eucharistic symbolism here; cf Mark 14:25 "the fruit of the vine."

 

 

/      raangulo

My status
    Get Skype it’s free.

 

Check out my blog at http://raagroup.blogspot.com/ where daily readings and more are posted daily.

 

Posted in Daily Bible Readings | Leave a Comment »

Bible Readings – – No servant can serve two masters; for Indeed, it is easier, to chose what one knows is their belief!

May 10, 2007

Dear Lord God, no one can serve two masters, either he will hate the one and love the other or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other; you cannot serve both God and money is what I awake to today. While I have been wrestling with this message in my head for some time now, since my meeting at work last Tuesday, it has begun to crystallize, and again this Tuesday and yesterday as I listened to the new evening radio host on 88.1 WayFM talk about the past year of his life leading up to his being offered and taking the job at a Christian station rather than a more high paying one within traditional radio. O Lord God it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, so why do we chase the things under the sun that will only become obstacles for us. So I looked up the actual verses Matthew 6:23-25 and Luke 12-14, and Matthew 19:23-25, Mark 10:24-26 and Luke 18:24-26, actual verses are listed below, and what jumps out at me is the differences between the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. First the use of ‘no one’ vs. ‘no servant’ can serve two masters; then the use of ‘again I tell you’ and ‘indeed’ by Matthew and Luke prior to it is easier, JUMPS out at me. It is like the difference in a statement of fact, faith and belief (acceptance) in within the scriptures. It is like Jesus is first telling it to me, then reminding me and finally acknowledging it to me as I believe and accept it. This is all to familiar with Father Guys Homily recent about faith being more powerful and true that fact. It is like You are first telling me a fact, ‘no one can serve two masters’, and then making it a statement of faith, ‘no servant can serve two masters’, leaving it to me to decide to believe and accept what I want to be a, believer and or true servant for no servant can serve two masters, either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other, I cannot serve both You God and money. The same is true based on what I decide to be and do, You first tell me a fact ‘It is easier’, then make it a statement of faith by saying ‘again I tell you, it is easier’, and finally a statement of decision and acceptance ‘indeed, it is easier’ leaving me to realize then accept that if I continue to choose money or wrestle with the decision I may never become wealthy or rich and I will likely sacrifice my second chance, or it will definitely be harder for me to remain in Your kingdom. O Lord the depths of Your knowledge and wisdom amaze and confuse me; help me! Dear Lord Jesus help me! O my Jesus I need Your help! Hear my cries, listen to my prayers, do not let me waste any more time trying to do what is not Your will and purpose. The time is now for You to help me decide and to open the next door and let be the narrower one. In Jesus name I beg, ask and pray, Amen.

 

 

 

Matthew 6:24

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Luke 16:13

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

 

 

Matthew 19:24

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Mark 10:25

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Luke 18:25

Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

 

 

Let us be buried with Christ by Baptism to rise with him; let us go down with him to be raised with him; and let us rise with him to be glorified with him.

— St. Gregory of Nazianzus, Oratio 40

 

Acts 15:7-21

7 And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us; 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will." 12 And all the assembly kept silence; and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, "Brethren, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written, 16 `After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up, 17 that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, 18 says the Lord, who has made these things known from of old.’ 19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from unchastity and from what is strangled and from blood. 21 For from early generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read every sabbath in the synagogues."

Bible Study: [7-11] Paul’s refusal to impose the Mosaic law on the Gentile Christians is supported by Peter on the ground that within his own experience God bestowed the holy Spirit upon Cornelius and his household without preconditions concerning the adoption of the Mosaic law (see Acts 10:44-47). [11] In support of Paul, Peter formulates the fundamental meaning of the gospel: that all are invited to be saved through faith in the power of Christ.


Psalm 96:1-3, 10

1 O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! 2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 10 Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns! Yea, the world is established, it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity."

Bible Study: Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Psalm 96:1-3), who is the sole God (Psalm 96:4-6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Psalm 96:7-10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Psalm 96:11-13). This psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Isaiah 40-55, as does Psalm 98. Another version of the psalm is 1 Chron 16:23-33.


John 15:9-11

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Bible Study: [15:1-16:4] Discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of the departure of Jesus. [1-17] Like John 10:1-5, this passage resembles a parable. Israel is spoken of as a vineyard at Isaiah 5:1-7; Matthew 21:33-46 and as a vine at Psalm 80:9-17; Jeremiah 2:21; Ezekiel 15:2; 17:5-10; 19:10; Hosea 10:1. The identification of the vine as the Son of Man in Psalm 80:15 and Wisdom’s description of herself as a vine in Sirach 24:17 are further background for portrayal of Jesus by this figure. There may be secondary eucharistic symbolism here; cf Mark 14:25 "the fruit of the vine."

 

 

/      raangulo

My status
    Get Skype it’s free.

 

Check out my blog at http://raagroup.blogspot.com/ where daily readings and more are posted daily.

 

Posted in Daily Bible Readings | Leave a Comment »

Bible Readings – Easter Weekday – I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes,

May 9, 2007

Dear Lord God, John 15:1-8 are some of my favorite verses as they reflect the secret truth of what we are and why. You have proven to me that Your will, will be done and that You have a purpose for each of us and we must realize this truth and seek Thy will and that purpose. The secret is not that as our Source of Source we must be and remain in and connected to You, but how we do this; for under the sun the ways of the world work against Your will and that purpose. We truly are Your children and we must remain as just that no matter what our stage under the sun. For the ‘eyes of faith’ with which see our way are best when we view the world as children. O Lord God that You would help me remain child like in faith, hope and love; living as fruit of the vine, reflecting fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. For against such things there is no law, way or person under the sun that can be victorious over us if we remain in You and You in us. O Lord Jesus create in me a new heart each morning, purified by Your Words and strengthened in my faith, hope and love for and in You. Amen. 

 

The Father is that which the Son is, the Son that which the Father is, the Father and the Son that which the Holy Spirit is, i.e. by nature one God.

— Council of Toledo XI (675)

 

Acts 15:1-6

1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoeni’cia and Sama’ria, reporting the conversion of the Gentiles, and they gave great joy to all the brethren. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up, and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses." 6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.

Bible Study: [1-35] The Jerusalem "Council" marks the official rejection of the rigid view that Gentile converts were obliged to observe the Mosaic law completely. From here to the end of Acts, Paul and the Gentile mission become the focus of Luke’s writing. [1-5] When some of the converted Pharisees of Jerusalem discover the results of the first missionary journey of Paul, they urge that the Gentiles be taught to follow the Mosaic law. Recognizing the authority of the Jerusalem church, Paul and Barnabas go there to settle the question of whether Gentiles can embrace a form of Christianity that does not include this obligation. [6-12] The gathering is possibly the same as that recalled by Paul in Gal 2:1-10. Note that in Acts 15:2 it is only the apostles and presbyters, a small group, with whom Paul and Barnabas are to meet. Here Luke gives the meeting a public character because he wishes to emphasize its doctrinal significance (see Acts 15:22).


Psalm 122:1-5

1 I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD!" 2 Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! 3 Jerusalem, built as a city which is bound firmly together, 4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. 5 There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.

Bible Study: Of David [Psalm 122] A song of Zion, sung by pilgrims obeying the law to visit Jerusalem three times on a journey. The singer anticipates joining the procession into the city (Psalm 122:1-3). Jerusalem is a place of encounter, where the people praise God (Psalm 122:4) and hear the divine justice mediated by the king (Psalm 112:5). The very buildings bespeak God’s power (cf Psalm 48:13-15). May the grace of this place transform the people’s lives (Psalm 112:6-9)!


John 15:1-8

1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.

Bible Study: [15:1-16:4] Discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of the departure of Jesus. [1-17] Like John 10:1-5, this passage resembles a parable. Israel is spoken of as a vineyard at Isaiah 5:1-7; Matthew 21:33-46 and as a vine at Psalm 80:9-17; Jeremiah 2:21; Ezekiel 15:2; 17:5-10; 19:10; Hosea 10:1. The identification of the vine as the Son of Man in Psalm 80:15 and Wisdom’s description of herself as a vine in Sirach 24:17 are further background for portrayal of Jesus by this figure. There may be secondary eucharistic symbolism here; cf Mark 14:25 "the fruit of the vine." [2] Takes away . . . prunes: in Greek there is a play on two related verbs. [6] Branches were cut off and dried on the wall of the vineyard for later use as fuel.

 

 

/      raangulo

My status
    Get Skype it’s free.

 

Check out my blog at http://raagroup.blogspot.com/ where daily readings and more are posted daily.

 

Posted in Bible Readings, Daily Bible Readings, Richard Angulo | Leave a Comment »

Bible Readings – Easter Weekday – I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes,

May 9, 2007

Dear Lord God, John 15:1-8 are some of my favorite verses as they reflect the secret truth of what we are and why. You have proven to me that Your will, will be done and that You have a purpose for each of us and we must realize this truth and seek Thy will and that purpose. The secret is not that as our Source of Source we must be and remain in and connected to You, but how we do this; for under the sun the ways of the world work against Your will and that purpose. We truly are Your children and we must remain as just that no matter what our stage under the sun. For the ‘eyes of faith’ with which see our way are best when we view the world as children. O Lord God that You would help me remain child like in faith, hope and love; living as fruit of the vine, reflecting fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. For against such things there is no law, way or person under the sun that can be victorious over us if we remain in You and You in us. O Lord Jesus create in me a new heart each morning, purified by Your Words and strengthened in my faith, hope and love for and in You. Amen. 

 

The Father is that which the Son is, the Son that which the Father is, the Father and the Son that which the Holy Spirit is, i.e. by nature one God.

— Council of Toledo XI (675)

 

Acts 15:1-6

1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoeni’cia and Sama’ria, reporting the conversion of the Gentiles, and they gave great joy to all the brethren. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up, and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses." 6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.

Bible Study: [1-35] The Jerusalem "Council" marks the official rejection of the rigid view that Gentile converts were obliged to observe the Mosaic law completely. From here to the end of Acts, Paul and the Gentile mission become the focus of Luke’s writing. [1-5] When some of the converted Pharisees of Jerusalem discover the results of the first missionary journey of Paul, they urge that the Gentiles be taught to follow the Mosaic law. Recognizing the authority of the Jerusalem church, Paul and Barnabas go there to settle the question of whether Gentiles can embrace a form of Christianity that does not include this obligation. [6-12] The gathering is possibly the same as that recalled by Paul in Gal 2:1-10. Note that in Acts 15:2 it is only the apostles and presbyters, a small group, with whom Paul and Barnabas are to meet. Here Luke gives the meeting a public character because he wishes to emphasize its doctrinal significance (see Acts 15:22).


Psalm 122:1-5

1 I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD!" 2 Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! 3 Jerusalem, built as a city which is bound firmly together, 4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. 5 There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.

Bible Study: Of David [Psalm 122] A song of Zion, sung by pilgrims obeying the law to visit Jerusalem three times on a journey. The singer anticipates joining the procession into the city (Psalm 122:1-3). Jerusalem is a place of encounter, where the people praise God (Psalm 122:4) and hear the divine justice mediated by the king (Psalm 112:5). The very buildings bespeak God’s power (cf Psalm 48:13-15). May the grace of this place transform the people’s lives (Psalm 112:6-9)!


John 15:1-8

1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.

Bible Study: [15:1-16:4] Discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of the departure of Jesus. [1-17] Like John 10:1-5, this passage resembles a parable. Israel is spoken of as a vineyard at Isaiah 5:1-7; Matthew 21:33-46 and as a vine at Psalm 80:9-17; Jeremiah 2:21; Ezekiel 15:2; 17:5-10; 19:10; Hosea 10:1. The identification of the vine as the Son of Man in Psalm 80:15 and Wisdom’s description of herself as a vine in Sirach 24:17 are further background for portrayal of Jesus by this figure. There may be secondary eucharistic symbolism here; cf Mark 14:25 "the fruit of the vine." [2] Takes away . . . prunes: in Greek there is a play on two related verbs. [6] Branches were cut off and dried on the wall of the vineyard for later use as fuel.

 

 

/      raangulo

My status
    Get Skype it’s free.

 

Check out my blog at http://raagroup.blogspot.com/ where daily readings and more are posted daily.

 

Posted in Daily Bible Readings | Leave a Comment »

Bible Readings – Easter Weekday – create in me a clean and pure heart; Cleansed by forgiveness, Pure in my intentions

May 8, 2007

Dear Lord God, create in me a clean and pure heart. Cleansed by forgiveness, forgiveness of my sins and my forgiveness of those that have sinned against me, separating any memory of both as far as the east is from the west. Pure in my intentions for others, absent of my self serving, selfish and prideful ways, full of Your wisdom and confident in the knowledge of these intentions. This I ask in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

 

For Holy Mother Church, relying on the faith of the apostolic age, accepts as sacred and canonical the books of the Old and the New Testaments, whole and entire, with all their parts, on the grounds that, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they have God as their author, and have been handed on as such to the Church herself.

— Dei Verbum the Word of God

 

Acts 14:19-28

19 But Jews came there from Antioch and Ico’nium; and having persuaded the people, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city; and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Ico’nium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed. 24 Then they passed through Pisid’ia, and came to Pamphyl’ia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attali’a; 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived, they gathered the church together and declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.

Bible Study: [23] They appointed presbyters: the communities are given their own religious leaders by the traveling missionaries. The structure in these churches is patterned on the model of the Jerusalem community (Acts 11:30; 15:2, 5, 22; 21:18).


Psalm 145:10-13, 21

10 All thy works shall give thanks to thee, O LORD, and all thy saints shall bless thee! 11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and tell of thy power, 12 to make known to the sons of men thy mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of thy kingdom. 13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endures throughout all generations. The LORD is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds. 21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Bible Study: Of David [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Psalm 145:1-3, 21). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Psalm 145:10-20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity.


John 14:27-31

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, `I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go hence.

Bible Study: [1-31] Jesus’ departure and return. This section is a dialogue marked off by a literary inclusion in John 14:1, 27: "Do not let your hearts be troubled." [27] Peace: the traditional Hebrew salutation salom; but Jesus’ "Shalom" is a gift of salvation, connoting the bounty of messianic blessing. [28] The Father is greater than I: because he sent, gave, etc., and Jesus is "a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God" (John 8:40).

 

/      raangulo

My status
    Get Skype it’s free.

 

Check out my blog at http://raagroup.blogspot.com/ where daily readings and more are posted daily.

 

Posted in Bible Readings, Daily Bible Readings, Richard Angulo | Leave a Comment »

Bible Readings – Easter Weekday – create in me a clean and pure heart; Cleansed by forgiveness, Pure in my intentions

May 8, 2007

Dear Lord God, create in me a clean and pure heart. Cleansed by forgiveness, forgiveness of my sins and my forgiveness of those that have sinned against me, separating any memory of both as far as the east is from the west. Pure in my intentions for others, absent of my self serving, selfish and prideful ways, full of Your wisdom and confident in the knowledge of these intentions. This I ask in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

 

For Holy Mother Church, relying on the faith of the apostolic age, accepts as sacred and canonical the books of the Old and the New Testaments, whole and entire, with all their parts, on the grounds that, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they have God as their author, and have been handed on as such to the Church herself.

— Dei Verbum the Word of God

 

Acts 14:19-28

19 But Jews came there from Antioch and Ico’nium; and having persuaded the people, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city; and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Ico’nium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed. 24 Then they passed through Pisid’ia, and came to Pamphyl’ia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attali’a; 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived, they gathered the church together and declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.

Bible Study: [23] They appointed presbyters: the communities are given their own religious leaders by the traveling missionaries. The structure in these churches is patterned on the model of the Jerusalem community (Acts 11:30; 15:2, 5, 22; 21:18).


Psalm 145:10-13, 21

10 All thy works shall give thanks to thee, O LORD, and all thy saints shall bless thee! 11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and tell of thy power, 12 to make known to the sons of men thy mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of thy kingdom. 13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endures throughout all generations. The LORD is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds. 21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Bible Study: Of David [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Psalm 145:1-3, 21). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Psalm 145:10-20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity.


John 14:27-31

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, `I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go hence.

Bible Study: [1-31] Jesus’ departure and return. This section is a dialogue marked off by a literary inclusion in John 14:1, 27: "Do not let your hearts be troubled." [27] Peace: the traditional Hebrew salutation salom; but Jesus’ "Shalom" is a gift of salvation, connoting the bounty of messianic blessing. [28] The Father is greater than I: because he sent, gave, etc., and Jesus is "a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God" (John 8:40).

 

/      raangulo

My status
    Get Skype it’s free.

 

Check out my blog at http://raagroup.blogspot.com/ where daily readings and more are posted daily.

 

Posted in Daily Bible Readings | Leave a Comment »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »