Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. Psalms 63:3 NIV The word for today.1
A quote from the Saints:
St. Peter Julian Eymard; St. Eusebius of Vercelli
Henceforth my motto shall be; give me the Eucharist, or let me die!
A Christian’s goal should be to create the Kingdom of God here on earth, as it is in Heaven. Not only, to get to Heaven.
To finish the Bible in one year, Read Proverbs 13-15 and John 8 : 31-59.
Verses for today – Listen here:
Reflection for Today.
Also read the verses, if you like.
Proverbs 13
1 A wise child listens to a father’s discipline, a cynic will not listen to reproof.
2 The fruit of the mouth provides a good meal, but the soul of the treacherous feeds on violence.
3 A guard on the mouth makes life secure, whoever talks too much is lost.
4 The idler hungers but has no food; hard workers get their fill.
5 The upright hates a lying word, but the wicked slanders and defames.
6 Uprightness stands guard over one whose way is honest, sin causes the ruin of the wicked.
7 There are some who, on nothing, pretend to be rich, some, with great wealth, pretend to be poor.
8 The ransom for life is a person’s wealth; but the poor will not hear the reproof.
9 The light of the upright is joyful, the lamp of the wicked goes out.
10 Insolence breeds only disputes, wisdom lies with those who take advice.
11 A sudden fortune will dwindle away, accumulation little by little is the way to riches.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 Contempt for the word is self-destructive, respect for the commandment wins salvation.
14 The teaching of the wise is a life-giving fountain for eluding the snares of death.
15 Good sense wins favour, but the way of the treacherous is hard.
16 Anyone of discretion acts by the light of knowledge, the fool parades his folly.
17 A bad messenger falls into misfortune, a trusty messenger brings healing.
18 Whoever rejects discipline wins poverty and scorn; for anyone who accepts correction: honour.
19 Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul; fools are loth to turn — from evil.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, whoever mixes with fools will be ruined.
21 Evil will pursue the sinner, but good will reward the upright.
22 The good bequeaths a heritage to children’s children, the wealth of the sinner is stored away for the upright.
23 Though the farms of the poor yield much food, some perish for lack of justice.
24 Whoever fails to use the stick hates his child; whoever is free with correction loves him.
25 The upright eats to the full, the belly of the wicked goes empty.
Proverbs 14
1 Wisdom builds herself a house; with her own hands Folly pulls it down.
2 Whoever keeps to an honest course fears Yahweh, whoever deserts his paths shows contempt for him.
3 Pride sprouts in the mouth of the fool, the lips of the wise keep them safe.
4 No oxen, empty manger; strong bull, much cash.
5 The truthful witness tells no lies, the false witness lies with every breath.
6 In vain the mocker looks for wisdom, knowledge comes easy to the intelligent.
7 Keep well clear of the fool, you will not find wise lips there.
8 With people of discretion, wisdom keeps a watch over their conduct, but the folly of fools leads them astray.
9 Fools mock at the sacrifice for sin, but favour resides among the honest.
10 The heart knows its own grief best, nor can a stranger share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, the tent of the honest will prosper.
12 There are ways that some think straight, but they lead in the end to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart finds sadness, and joy makes way for sorrow.
14 The miscreant will reap the reward of his conduct, and the good the reward of his deeds.
15 The simpleton believes any message, a person of discretion treads a careful path.
16 The wise fears evil and avoids it, the fool is insolent and conceited.
17 A quick-tempered person commits rash acts, but a schemer is detestable.
18 Simpletons have folly for their portion, people of discretion knowledge for their crown.
19 The evil bow down before the good, the wicked, at the gates of the upright.
20 The poor is detestable even to a friend, but many are they who love someone rich.
21 One who despises the needy is at fault, one who takes pity on the poor is blessed.
22 Plan evil — isn’t this to go astray? Those who plan for good can earn faithful love and constancy.
23 Hard work always yields its profit, idle talk brings only want.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches; the folly of fools is folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, whoever utters lies is a deceiver.
26 In the fear of Yahweh is powerful security; for his children he is a refuge.
27 The fear of Yahweh is a life-giving spring for eluding the snares of death.
28 Large population, monarch’s glory; dwindling population, ruler’s ruin.
29 Mastery of temper is high proof of intelligence, a quick temper makes folly worse than ever.
30 The life of the body is a tranquil heart, but envy is a cancer in the bones.
31 To oppress the weak insults the Creator, kindness to the needy honours the Creator.
32 For evil-doing, the wicked will be flung headlong, but in integrity the upright will find refuge.
33 Wisdom resides in an understanding heart; she is not to be found in the hearts of fools.
34 Uprightness makes a nation great, by sin whole races are disgraced.
35 A king shows favour to a wise minister, but anger to one who shames him.
Proverbs 15
1 A mild answer turns away wrath, sharp words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge welcome, the mouth of a fool spews folly.
3 The eyes of Yahweh are everywhere: observing the wicked and the good.
4 The tongue that soothes is a tree of life; the perverse tongue, a breaker of hearts.
5 Only a fool spurns a father’s discipline, whoever accepts correction is discreet.
6 In the house of the upright there is no lack of treasure, the earnings of the wicked are fraught with anxiety.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, not so the hearts of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is abhorrent to Yahweh, dear to him is the prayer of the honest.
9 The conduct of the wicked is abhorrent to Yahweh, but he loves the person whose goal is uprightness.
10 Correction is severe for one who leaves the way; whoever hates being reprimanded will die.
11 Sheol and Perdition lie open to Yahweh; how much more the human heart!
12 The mocker does not care to be reprimanded, and will not choose the wise as companions.
13 Glad heart means happy face, where the heart is sad the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of the wise seeks knowledge, a fool’s mouth feeds on folly.
15 For the poor every day is evil, for the joyous heart it is always festival time.
16 Better to have little and with it fear of Yahweh than immense wealth and with it anxiety.
17 Better a dish of herbs when love is there than a fattened ox and hatred to go with it.
18 The hot-headed provokes disputes, the equable allays dissension.
19 The way of the lazy is like a thorny hedge, the path of the honest is a broad highway.
20 A wise child is a father’s joy; only a brute despises his mother.
21 Folly appeals to someone without sense, a person of understanding goes straight forward.
22 Without deliberation plans come to nothing. Plans succeed where counsellors are many.
23 Anyone who has a ready answer has joy too: how satisfying is the apt reply!
24 For the prudent, the path of life leads upwards thus avoiding Sheol below.
25 Yahweh pulls down the house of the proud, but he keeps the widow’s boundaries intact.
26 Wicked scheming is abhorrent to Yahweh, but words that are kind are pure.
27 Craving for dishonest gain brings trouble on a house, hatred of bribery earns life.
28 The heart of the upright reflects before answering, the mouth of the wicked spews out wickedness.
29 Yahweh keeps his distance from the wicked, but he listens to the prayers of the upright.
30 A kindly glance gives joy to the heart, good news lends strength to the bones.
31 The ear attentive to wholesome correction finds itself at home in the company of the wise.
32 Whoever rejects correction lacks self-respect, whoever accepts reproof grows in understanding.
33 The fear of Yahweh is a school of wisdom, before there can be glory, there must be humility.
John 8 : 31-59
31 To the Jews who believed in him Jesus said: If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples;
32 you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
33 They answered, ‘We are descended from Abraham and we have never been the slaves of anyone; what do you mean, “You will be set free?” ‘
34 Jesus replied: In all truth I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave.
35 Now a slave has no permanent standing in the household, but a son belongs to it for ever.
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free.
37 I know that you are descended from Abraham; but you want to kill me because my word finds no place in you.
38 What I speak of is what I have seen at my Father’s side, and you too put into action the lessons you have learnt from your father.
39 They repeated, ‘Our father is Abraham.’ Jesus said to them: If you are Abraham’s children, do as Abraham did.
40 As it is, you want to kill me, a man who has told you the truth as I have learnt it from God; that is not what Abraham did.
41 You are doing your father’s work. They replied, ‘We were not born illegitimate, the only father we have is God.’
42 Jesus answered: If God were your father, you would love me, since I have my origin in God and have come from him; I did not come of my own accord, but he sent me.
43 Why do you not understand what I say? Because you cannot bear to listen to my words.
44 You are from your father, the devil, and you prefer to do what your father wants. He was a murderer from the start; he was never grounded in the truth; there is no truth in him at all. When he lies he is speaking true to his nature, because he is a liar, and the father of lies.
45 But it is because I speak the truth that you do not believe me.
46 Can any of you convict me of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe me?
47 Whoever comes from God listens to the words of God; the reason why you do not listen is that you are not from God.
48 The Jews replied, ‘Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and possessed by a devil?’ Jesus answered:
49 I am not possessed; but I honour my Father, and you deny me honour.
50 I do not seek my own glory; there is someone who does seek it and is the judge of it.
51 In all truth I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.
52 The Jews said, ‘Now we know that you are possessed. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are dead, and yet you say, “Whoever keeps my word will never know the taste of death.”
53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? The prophets are dead too. Who are you claiming to be?’
54 Jesus answered: If I were to seek my own glory my glory would be worth nothing; in fact, my glory is conferred by the Father, by the one of whom you say, ‘He is our God,’
55 although you do not know him. But I know him, and if I were to say, ‘I do not know him,’ I should be a liar, as you yourselves are. But I do know him, and I keep his word.
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to think that he would see my Day; he saw it and was glad.
57 The Jews then said, ‘You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham!’
58 Jesus replied: In all truth I tell you, before Abraham ever was, I am.
59 At this they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.
Sermons by various teachers regarding the verses above.
Catholic Daily Readings and Reflections
Reading 1, Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22
1 The word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, as follows,
2 ‘Yahweh, God of Israel, says this, “Write for yourself in a book all the words I have spoken to you.
12 Yes, Yahweh says this: Your wound is incurable, your injury past healing.
13 There is no one to plead your cause; for an ulcer there are remedies, but for you no cure at all.
14 All your lovers have forgotten you, they look for you no more. Yes, I have struck you as an enemy strikes, with cruel punishment (because of your great guilt and countless sins).
15 Why cry out because of your wound? Your pain is incurable! Because of your great guilt and countless sins, I have treated you like this.
18 Yahweh says this: Look, I shall restore the tents of Jacob and take pity on his dwellings: the town will be rebuilt on its mound, the stronghold where it ought to stand.
19 From them will come thanksgiving and shouts of joy. I shall make them increase, they will not decrease; I shall make them honoured, no more to be humbled.
20 Their sons will be as once they were, their community fixed firmly before me, and I shall punish all their oppressors.
21 Their prince will be one of their own, their ruler come from their own people, and I shall permit him to approach me freely; for who, otherwise, would be so bold as to approach me, Yahweh demands?
22 You will be my people and I shall be your God.
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 102:16-18, 19-21, 29, 22-23
16 when Yahweh builds Zion anew, he will be seen in his glory;
17 he will turn to hear the prayer of the destitute, and will not treat their prayer with scorn.
18 This shall be put on record for a future generation, and a people yet to be born shall praise God:
19 Yahweh has leaned down from the heights of his sanctuary, has looked down from heaven to earth,
20 to listen to the sighing of the captive, and set free those condemned to death,
21 to proclaim the name of Yahweh in Zion, his praise in Jerusalem;
22 nations will gather together, and kingdoms to worship Yahweh.
23 In my journeying my strength has failed on the way;
Gospel, Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14
1 Then Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem came to Jesus and said,
2 ‘Why do your disciples break away from the tradition of the elders? They eat without washing their hands.’
10 He called the people to him and said, ‘Listen, and understand.
11 What goes into the mouth does not make anyone unclean; it is what comes out of the mouth that makes someone unclean.’
12 Then the disciples came to him and said, ‘Do you know that the Pharisees were shocked when they heard what you said?’
13 He replied, ‘Any plant my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.
14 Leave them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind; and if one blind person leads another, both will fall into a pit.’
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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