The Word for today: For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37 NIV
A quote fro St. Sharbel Makhluf
Study your heart in the light of Holy Scriptures, and you will know therein who you were, who you are, and who you ought to be. –St. Fulgence of Ruspe
To finish the Bible in one year, Read Psalms 119 and John 5 : 31-47.
Old Testament Reading for today – Listen or read it for yourself:
Reflection for Today.
Also read the verses, if you like.
Psalm 119
1 How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of Yahweh!
2 Blessed are those who observe his instructions, who seek him with all their hearts,
3 and, doing no evil, who walk in his ways.
4 You lay down your precepts to be carefully kept.
5 May my ways be steady in doing your will.
6 Then I shall not be shamed, if my gaze is fixed on your commandments.
7 I thank you with a sincere heart for teaching me your upright judgements.
8 I shall do your will; do not ever abandon me wholly.
9 How can a young man keep his way spotless? By keeping your words.
10 With all my heart I seek you, do not let me stray from your commandments.
11 In my heart I treasure your promises, to avoid sinning against you.
12 Blessed are you, Yahweh, teach me your will!
13 With my lips I have repeated all the judgements you have given.
14 In the way of your instructions lies my joy, a joy beyond all wealth.
15 I will ponder your precepts and fix my gaze on your paths.
16 I find my delight in your will, I do not forget your words.
17 Be generous to your servant and I shall live, and shall keep your words.
18 Open my eyes and I shall fix my gaze on the wonders of your Law.
19 Wayfarer though I am on the earth, do not hide your commandments from me.
20 My heart is pining away with longing at all times for your judgements.
21 You have rebuked the arrogant, the accursed, who stray from your commandments.
22 Set me free from taunts and contempt since I observe your instructions.
23 Though princes sit plotting against me, your servant keeps pondering your will.
24 Your instructions are my delight, your wishes my counsellors.
25 Down in the dust I lie prostrate; true to your word, revive me.
26 I tell you my ways and you answer me; teach me your wishes.
27 Show me the way of your precepts, that I may reflect on your wonders.
28 I am melting away for grief; true to your word, raise me up.
29 Keep me far from the way of deceit, grant me the grace of your Law.
30 I have chosen the way of constancy, I have moulded myself to your judgements.
31 I cling to your instructions, Yahweh, do not disappoint me.
32 I run the way of your commandments, for you have given me freedom of heart.
33 Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your will, and I will observe it.
34 Give me understanding and I will observe your Law, and keep it wholeheartedly.
35 Guide me in the way of your commandments, for my delight is there.
36 Bend my heart to your instructions, not to selfish gain.
37 Avert my eyes from pointless images, by your word give me life.
38 Keep your promise to your servant so that all may hold you in awe.
39 Avert the taunts that I dread, for your judgements are generous.
40 See how I yearn for your precepts; in your saving justice give me life.
41 Let your faithful love come to me, Yahweh, true to your promise, save me!
42 Give me an answer to the taunts against me, since I rely on your word.
43 Do not deprive me of that faithful word, since my hope lies in your judgements.
44 I shall keep your Law without fail for ever and ever.
45 I shall live in all freedom because I have sought your precepts.
46 I shall speak of your instructions before kings and will not be shamed.
47 Your commandments fill me with delight, I love them dearly.
48 I stretch out my hands to your commandments that I love, and I ponder your judgements.
49 Keep in mind your promise to your servant on which I have built my hope.
50 It is my comfort in distress, that your promise gives me life.
51 Endlessly the arrogant have jeered at me, but I have not swerved from your Law.
52 I have kept your age — old judgements in mind, Yahweh, and I am comforted.
53 Fury grips me when I see the wicked who abandon your Law.
54 Your judgements are my song where I live in exile.
55 All night, Yahweh, I hold your name in mind, I keep your Law.
56 This is what it means to me, observing your precepts.
57 My task, I have said, Yahweh, is to keep your word.
58 Wholeheartedly I entreat your favour; true to your promise, take pity on me!
59 I have reflected on my ways, and I turn my steps to your instructions.
60 I hurry without delay to keep your commandments.
61 Though caught in the snares of the wicked, I do not forget your Law.
62 At midnight I rise to praise you for your upright judgements.
63 I am a friend to all who fear you and keep your precepts.
64 Your faithful love fills the earth, Yahweh, teach me your judgements.
65 You have been generous to your servant, Yahweh, true to your promise.
66 Teach me judgement and knowledge, for I rely on your commandments.
67 Before I was punished I used to go astray, but now I keep to your promise.
68 You are generous and act generously, teach me your will.
69 The arrogant blacken me with lies though I wholeheartedly observe your precepts.
70 Their hearts are gross like rich fat, but my delight is in your Law.
71 It was good for me that I had to suffer, the better to learn your judgements.
72 The Law you have uttered is more precious to me than all the wealth in the world.
73 Your hands have made me and held me firm, give me understanding and I shall learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you rejoice at the sight of me since I put my hope in your word.
75 I know, Yahweh, that your judgements are upright, and in punishing me you show your constancy.
76 Your faithful love must be my consolation, as you have promised your servant.
77 Treat me with tenderness and I shall live, for your Law is my delight.
78 Let the arrogant who tell lies against me be shamed, while I ponder your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you rally to me, those who understand your instructions.
80 My heart shall be faultless towards your will; then I shall not be ashamed.
81 I shall wear myself out for your salvation, for your word is my hope.
82 My eyes, too, are worn out waiting for your promise, when will you have pity on me?
83 For I am like a smoked wineskin, but I do not forget your will.
84 How long has your servant to live? When will you bring my persecutors to judgement?
85 The arrogant have dug pitfalls for me in defiance of your Law.
86 All your commandments show constancy. Help me when they pursue me dishonestly.
87 They have almost annihilated me on earth, but I have not deserted your precepts.
88 True to your faithful love, give me life, and I shall keep the instructions you have laid down.
89 For ever, Yahweh, your word is planted firm in heaven.
90 Your constancy endures from age to age; you established the earth and it stands firm.
91 Through your judgements all stands firm to this day, for all creation is your servant.
92 Had your Law not been my delight, I would have perished in my misery.
93 I shall never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours, save me, for I seek your precepts.
95 The wicked may hope to destroy me, but all my thought is of your instructions.
96 I have seen that all perfection is finite, but your commandment has no limit.
97 How I love your Law! I ponder it all day long.
98 You make me wiser than my enemies by your commandment which is mine for ever.
99 I am wiser than all my teachers because I ponder your instructions.
100 I have more understanding than the aged because I keep your precepts.
101 I restrain my foot from evil paths to keep your word.
102 I do not turn aside from your judgements, because you yourself have instructed me.
103 How pleasant your promise to my palate, sweeter than honey in my mouth!
104 From your precepts I learn wisdom, so I hate all deceptive ways.
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
106 I have sworn — and shall maintain it — to keep your upright judgements.
107 I am utterly wretched, Yahweh; true to your promise, give me life.
108 Accept, Yahweh, the tribute from my mouth, and teach me your judgements.
109 My life is in your hands perpetually, I do not forget your Law.
110 The wicked have laid out a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your instructions are my eternal heritage, they are the joy of my heart.
112 I devote myself to obeying your statutes, their recompense is eternal.
113 I hate a divided heart, I love your Law.
114 You are my refuge and shield, I put my hope in your word.
115 Leave me alone, you wicked, I shall observe the commandments of my God.
116 True to your word, support me and I shall live; do not disappoint me of my hope.
117 Uphold me and I shall be saved, my gaze fixed on your will.
118 You shake off all who stray from your will; deceit fills their horizon.
119 In your sight all the wicked of the earth are like rust, so I love your instructions.
120 My whole body trembles before you, your judgements fill me with fear.
121 All my conduct has been just and upright, do not hand me over to my oppressors.
122 Guarantee the well-being of your servant, do not let the proud oppress me.
123 My eyes are languishing for your salvation and for the saving justice you have promised.
124 Show your faithful love to your servant, teach me your judgements.
125 Your servant am I; give me understanding and I shall know your instructions.
126 It is time to take action, Yahweh, your Law is being broken.
127 So I love your commandments more than gold, purest gold.
128 So I rule my life by your precepts, I hate all deceptive paths.
129 Wonderful are your instructions, so I observe them.
130 As your word unfolds it gives light, and even the simple understand.
131 I open wide my mouth, panting eagerly for your commandments.
132 Turn to me, pity me; those who love your name deserve it.
133 Keep my steps firm in your promise; that no evil may triumph over me.
134 Rescue me from human oppression, and I will observe your precepts.
135 Let your face shine on your servant, teach me your will.
136 My eyes stream with tears because your Law is disregarded.
137 You are upright, Yahweh, and your judgements are honest.
138 You impose uprightness as a witness to yourself, it is constancy itself.
139 My zeal is burning me up because my oppressors forget your word.
140 Your promise is well tested, your servant holds it dear.
141 Puny and despised as I am, I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your saving justice is for ever just, and your Law is trustworthy.
143 Though anguish and distress grip me your commandments are my delight.
144 Your instructions are upright for ever, give me understanding and I shall live.
145 I call with all my heart; answer me, Yahweh, and I will observe your judgements.
146 I call to you; save me, and I will keep your instructions.
147 I am awake before dawn to cry for help, I put my hope in your word.
148 My eyes are awake before each watch of the night, to ponder your promise.
149 In your faithful love, Yahweh, listen to my voice, let your judgements give me life.
150 My pursuers are coming closer to their wicked designs, and further from your Law.
151 You are close to me, Yahweh, and all your commandments are true.
152 Long have I known that your instructions were laid down to last for ever.
153 Look at my suffering and rescue me, for I do not forget your Law.
154 Plead my cause and defend me; as you promised, give me life.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your will.
156 Your kindnesses to me are countless, Yahweh; true to your judgements, give me life.
157 Though my enemies and oppressors are countless, I do not turn aside from your instructions.
158 The sight of these renegades appals me; they do not observe your promise.
159 See how I love your precepts; true to your faithful love, give me life.
160 Faithfulness is the essence of your word, your upright judgements hold good for ever.
161 Though princes hound me unprovoked, what fills me with awe is your word.
162 I rejoice in your promise like one who finds a vast treasure.
163 Falsehood I hate and detest, my love is for your Law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you for your upright judgements.
165 Great peace for those who love your Law; no stumbling-blocks for them!
166 I am waiting for your salvation, Yahweh, I fulfil your commandments.
167 I observe your instructions, I love them dearly.
168 I observe your precepts, your judgements, for all my ways are before you.
169 May my cry approach your presence, Yahweh; by your word give me understanding.
170 May my prayer come into your presence, rescue me as you have promised.
171 May my lips proclaim your praise, for you teach me your will.
172 May my tongue recite your promise, for all your commandments are upright.
173 May your hand be there to help me, since I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, Yahweh, your Law is my delight.
175 May I live only to praise you, may your judgements be my help.
176 I am wandering like a lost sheep, come and look for your servant, for I have not forgotten your commandments.
John 5 : 31-47
31 Were I to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be true;
32 but there is another witness who speaks on my behalf, and I know that his testimony is true.
33 You sent messengers to John, and he gave his testimony to the truth-
34 not that I depend on human testimony; no, it is for your salvation that I mention it.
35 John was a lamp lit and shining and for a time you were content to enjoy the light that he gave.
36 But my testimony is greater than John’s: the deeds my Father has given me to perform, these same deeds of mine testify that the Father has sent me.
37 Besides, the Father who sent me bears witness to me himself. You have never heard his voice, you have never seen his shape,
38 and his word finds no home in you because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent.
39 You pore over the scriptures, believing that in them you can find eternal life; it is these scriptures that testify to me,
40 and yet you refuse to come to me to receive life!
41 Human glory means nothing to me.
42 Besides, I know you too well: you have no love of God in you.
43 I have come in the name of my Father and you refuse to accept me; if someone else should come in his own name you would accept him.
44 How can you believe, since you look to each other for glory and are not concerned with the glory that comes from the one God?
45 Do not imagine that I am going to accuse you before the Father: you have placed your hopes on Moses, and Moses will be the one who accuses you.
46 If you really believed him you would believe me too, since it was about me that he was writing;
47 but if you will not believe what he wrote, how can you believe what I say?
Sermons by various teachers regarding the verses above.
Catholic Daily Readings and Reflections
Reading 1, Genesis 18:20-32
20 Then Yahweh said, ‘The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin is so grave,
21 that I shall go down and see whether or not their actions are at all as the outcry reaching me would suggest. Then I shall know.’
22 While the men left there and went to Sodom, Yahweh remained in Abraham’s presence.
23 Abraham stepped forward and said, ‘Will you really destroy the upright with the guilty?
24 Suppose there are fifty upright people in the city. Will you really destroy it? Will you not spare the place for the sake of the fifty upright in it?
25 Do not think of doing such a thing: to put the upright to death with the guilty, so that upright and guilty fare alike! Is the judge of the whole world not to act justly?’
26 Yahweh replied, ‘If I find fifty upright people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place because of them.’
27 Abraham spoke up and said, ‘It is presumptuous of me to speak to the Lord, I who am dust and ashes:
28 Suppose the fifty upright were five short? Would you destroy the whole city because of five?’ ‘No,’ he replied, ‘I shall not destroy it if I find forty-five there.’
29 Abraham persisted and said, ‘Suppose there are forty to be found there?’ ‘I shall not do it,’ he replied, ‘for the sake of the forty.’
30 Abraham said, ‘I hope the Lord will not be angry if I go on: Suppose there are only thirty to be found there?’ ‘I shall not do it,’ he replied, ‘if I find thirty there.’
31 He said, ‘It is presumptuous of me to speak to the Lord: Suppose there are only twenty there?’ ‘I shall not destroy it,’ he replied, ‘for the sake of the twenty.’
32 He said, ‘I trust my Lord will not be angry if I speak once more: perhaps there will only be ten.’ ‘I shall not destroy it,’ he replied, ‘for the sake of the ten.’
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 138:1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8
1 [Of David] I thank you, Yahweh, with all my heart, for you have listened to the cry I uttered. In the presence of angels I sing to you,
2 I bow down before your holy Temple. I praise your name for your faithful love and your constancy; your promises surpass even your fame.
3 You heard me on the day when I called, and you gave new strength to my heart.
6 Sublime as he is, Yahweh looks on the humble, the proud he picks out from afar.
7 Though I live surrounded by trouble you give me life — to my enemies’ fury! You stretch out your right hand and save me,
8 Yahweh will do all things for me. Yahweh, your faithful love endures for ever, do not abandon what you have made.
Gospel, Luke 11:1-13
1 Now it happened that he was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’
2 He said to them, ‘When you pray, this is what to say: Father, may your name be held holy, your kingdom come;
3 give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins,
4 for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us. And do not put us to the test.’
5 He also said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, “My friend, lend me three loaves,
6 because a friend of mine on his travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer him;”
7 and the man answers from inside the house, “Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up to give it to you.”
8 I tell you, if the man does not get up and give it to him for friendship’s sake, persistence will make him get up and give his friend all he wants.
9 ‘So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.
10 For everyone who asks receives; everyone who searches finds; everyone who knocks will have the door opened.
11 What father among you, if his son asked for a fish, would hand him a snake?
12 Or if he asked for an egg, hand him a scorpion?
13 If you then, evil as you are, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’
Reading 2, Colossians 2:12-14
12 You have been buried with him by your baptism; by which, too, you have been raised up with him through your belief in the power of God who raised him from the dead.
13 You were dead, because you were sinners and uncircumcised in body: he has brought you to life with him, he has forgiven us every one of our sins.
14 He has wiped out the record of our debt to the Law, which stood against us; he has destroyed it by nailing it to the cross;
Audio Drama: Old Testament New Testament Each book is read in its entirety. You can listen to the bible, one book at a time in contemporary English.
Dr. Myles Munroe
I am including a video by Dr. Myles Munroe, I’ve listened to him back in the nineties, and rediscovered him recently. Now his perspective seems to be a good way to also look at scripture. In Pursuit of Purpose – Book Highlights
Sermons Rosary Prayers Catholic Answers
Did Mary have other children? No, Listen here
Called to Communion
Pray the Rosary
Rosary Mysteries
The following 4 videos are the 4 Mysteries that we pray on certain days of the week. I like these videos, because I can pray it alone, with only the images, or go along with the sound. The images help me to focus on the particular mystery that I am contemplating as I say the Hail Mary on each bead.
Joyful Mysteries
Luminous Mysteries
Sorrowful Mysteries
Glorious Mysteries
Prayers of the Rosary
Links to “How to pray the rosary” Popular Catholic Prayers
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried,
He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty, from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
(this prayer is optional and may be said after all Glory Be to the Fathers…..)
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell.
Lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of thy mercy.
Console the souls in Purgatory, particularly those most abandoned. Amen
Hail Mary,
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
The Hail, Holy Queen
Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve;
To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
That we maybe made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Closing Prayer
O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation.
Grant, we beseech Thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
that we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(The Fatima Prayer:)
Most Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – I adore thee profoundly. I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference’s whereby He is offended. And through the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners.
Prayer to St. Michael
Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do you, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
Thurzo Gizella Bible Study 
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