Dear Lord God, today readings surround me with the fact that I am to give thanks to You for and in everything; this I try to do. And the first fruits of my hands I am to give You; this I have not done as I should. You remind me that all You ask is that I keep Your commandment and remain obedient in all; this too I now try to do. But Lord God today Your Word’s and the Gospel of Jesus also give notice, that I am not to offer You a bribe or make unrighteous sacrifices to You; O Lord how can and will I know that my heart, mind and intent are pure, my nature is one of pride, selfishness and ambition, anger fills me and is relapsed by my mouth and actions, and though I die to myself to try and be closer to You I can not help but questions my motives. It is not my conscious attempt to deal with You now as I have in the past, making bribes and unrighteous sacrifices, I seek only You image and to reflect that in all I do and say, so that all who see and hear me can see You in me. O Lord let the Body of Jesus fill me, let the Blood of Jesus cleanse me, let the Words of Jesus guide and direct me, and together with Him Lord and the Holy Spirit convict me when I am wrong, but pick me up so that I may try again that each time there will be less of me and more of You. In the name of the Father, the Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
God wishes to be asked, He wishes to be forced, He wishes, in a certain manner, to be overcome by our prayer.
— Pope St. Gregory the Great
1 He who keeps the law makes many offerings; he who heeds the commandments sacrifices a peace offering. 2 He who returns a kindness offers fine flour, and he who gives alms sacrifices a thank offering. 3 To keep from wickedness is pleasing to the Lord, and to forsake unrighteousness is atonement. 4 Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed, 5 for all these things are to be done because of the commandment. 6 The offering of a righteous man anoints the altar, and its pleasing odor rises before the Most High. 7 The sacrifice of a righteous man is acceptable, and the memory of it will not be forgotten. 8 Glorify the Lord generously, and do not stint the first fruits of your hands. 9 With every gift show a cheerful face, and dedicate your tithe with gladness. 10 Give to the Most High as he has given, and as generously as your hand has found. 11 For the Lord is the one who repays, and he will repay you sevenfold. 12 Do not offer him a bribe, for he will not accept it; and do not trust to an unrighteous sacrifice; for the Lord is the judge, and with him is no partiality.
Bible Study: [1-24] Keeping the commandments of the law and avoiding injustice constitute sacrifice pleasing and acceptable to God (Sirach 35:1-3). Offerings also should be made to him, cheerfully and generously; these he repays . . . sevenfold (Sirach 35:4-10). Extortion from widows and orphans is injustice, which God quickly repays (Sirach 35:11-18). Punishing the proud and the merciless and coming to the aid of the distressed, he requites all according to their deeds (Sirach 35:19-24).
5 "Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!" 6 The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge! [Selah] 7 "Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God. 8 I do not reprove you for your sacrifices; your burnt offerings are continually before me. 14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High; 23 He who brings thanksgiving as his sacrifice honors me; to him who orders his way aright I will show the salvation of God!"
Bible Study: [Psalm 50] A covenant lawsuit stating that the sacrifice God really wants is the sacrifice of praise accompanied by genuine obedience (cf Micah 6:1-8). It begins with a theophany and the summoning of the court (Psalm 50:1-6). Then in direct address God explains what is required of the faithful (Psalm 50:7-15), rebukes the hypocritical worshiper (Psalm 50:16-21), and concludes with a threat and a promise (Psalm 50:22-23; cf Isaiah 1:19-20).
28 Peter began to say to him, "Lo, we have left everything and followed you." 29 Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many that are first will be last, and the last first."
/ raangulo
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