#King Jehoiachin

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Nebuchadnezzar Besieges Jerusalem

1 so on the tenth day of the tenth month of the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and his entire army approached Jerusalem, attacked it, encamped against it, and built a siege wall that surrounded the city. 2 The city remained under siege until the eleventh year of the reign of King Zedekiah. 3 By the ninth day of the fourth month, the resulting famine had become so severe in the city that no food remained for the people who lived in the land. 4 The city was breached, and the entire army left during the night through the gate that stood between the two walls beside the royal garden, even though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city. They escaped through the Arabah, 5 but the Chaldean army pursued the king and overtook him in the Jericho plains, where his entire army was scattered. 6 The Chaldeans captured the king and brought him to Riblah, where the king of Babylon determined his sentence. 7 They executed Zedekiah’s sons in his presence, blinded Zedekiah, bound him with bronze chains, and transported him to Babylon.

Jerusalem is Burned and the Temple Demolished

8 On the seventh day of the fifth month, which was during the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign as king of Babylon, captain of the guard Nebuzaradan, a servant of the king of Babylon, arrived in Jerusalem 9 and set fire to the Lord’s Temple, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem. He even incinerated the lavish homes. 10 The Chaldean army that accompanied the captain of the guard demolished the walls that surrounded Jerusalem. 11 Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, carried the survivors of the people who remained in the city, those who had deserted to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the multitude into exile. 12 However, the captain of the guard left some of the poor people of the land to work as vinedressers and farmers.

13 The Chaldeans also broke into pieces and carried back to Babylon the bronze pillars that stood in the Lord’s Temple, along with the stands and the bronze sea that used to be in the Lord’s Temple. 14 They also confiscated the pots, shovels, snuffers, spoons, and the rest of the bronze vessels that were used in ministry. 15 The captain of the guard also confiscated the fire pans, basins, and whatever had been crafted of pure gold and pure silver. 16 The bronze contained in the two pillars, the one sea, and the stands that Solomon had crafted for the Lord’s Temple could not be inventoried for weight. 17 The height of one of the pillars was eighteen cubits, and the capital on top of it was three cubits high. A latticework carved in the form of pomegranates encircled the capital, crafted completely out of brass. The second pillar was identical to the first.

Judah’s Leaders are Executed

18 The captain of the guard arrested Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the second priest, three temple officials, 19 one overseer from the city who supervised the soldiers, five of the king’s advisors who had been discovered in the city, the scribe who served the army captain who mustered the army of the land, and 60 men of the land who were discovered in the city. 20 Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, took them to the king of Babylon at Riblah, 21 where the king of Babylon executed them in the land of Hamath. And so Judah was transported into exile from the land.

Gedaliah is Appointed Governor

22 Now as for the people who remained in the land of Judah whom King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had left behind, he appointed Ahikam’s son Gedaliah, the grandson of Shaphan, to rule. 23 When all the captains of the armies, along with their men, heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah, these men visited Gedaliah at Mizpah: Nethaniah’s son Ishmael, Kareah’s son Johanan, Tanhumeth the Netophathite’s son Seraiah, and Jaazaniah, who was descended from the Maacathites. 24 Gedaliah made this promise to them and to their men: “Don’t be afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and things will go well with you.” 25 Nevertheless, seven months later, Nethaniah’s son Ishmael, the grandson of Elishama from the royal family, came with ten men and attacked Gedaliah. As a result, he died along with the Jews and Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah. 26 Then all the people, including those who were insignificant and those who were important, fled with the captains of the armed forces to Egypt, because they were afraid of the Chaldeans.

Jehoiachin Leaves Prison

27 Later on, after King Jehoiachin of Judah had been in exile for 37 years, on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month, during the first year of his reign, King Evil-merodach of Babylon released King Jehoiachin of Judah from prison. 28 He spoke kindly to him and elevated his position above the thrones of the kings with him in Babylon. 29 Jehoiachin changed out of his prison clothes and had regular meals in the king’s presence every day for the rest of his life, 30 and a regular stipend was provided to him by the king in accordance with his needs for as long as he lived. — 2 Kings 25 | International Standard Version (ISV) The International Standard Version of the Holy Bible Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. All Rights Reserved internationally. Cross References: Genesis 40:13; Exodus 27:3; Deuteronomy 28:64; Deuteronomy 28:36; Joshua 18:26; 2 Samuel 9:7; 1 Kings 7:15; 1 Kings 7:27; 1 Kings 7:50; 1 Kings 9:8; 2 Kings 6:24-25; 2 Kings 22:12; 2 Kings 23:33; 2 Kings 24:14; 2 Chronicles 32:5; 2 Chronicles 36:17; 2 Chronicles 36:20; Ezra 5:12; Ezra 7:1; Nehemiah 1:3; Nehemiah 11:23; Esther 1:14; Jeremiah 21:7; Jeremiah 27:19; Jeremiah 32:1; Jeremiah 39:9; Jeremiah 40:9; Jeremiah 41:2; Jeremiah 43:4; Jeremiah 52:32; Daniel 2:37

[lordgodjehovahsway]

2 Kings 24: Jehoiakim Becomes Nebuchadnezzar's Vassal After Being Invaded By Babylon

1 During Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded the land, and Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years. But then he turned against Nebuchadnezzar and rebelled. 

2 The Lord sent Babylonian, Aramean, Moabite and Ammonite raiders against him to destroy Judah, in accordance with the word of the Lord proclaimed by his servants the prophets. 

3 Surely these things happened to Judah according to the Lord’s command, in order to remove them from his presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done, 

4 including the shedding of innocent blood. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the Lord was not willing to forgive.

5 As for the other events of Jehoiakim’s reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? 

6 Jehoiakim rested with his ancestors. And Jehoiachin his son succeeded him as king.

7 The king of Egypt did not march out from his own country again, because the king of Babylon had taken all his territory, from the Wadi of Egypt to the Euphrates River.

Jehoiachin King of Judah

8 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Nehushta daughter of Elnathan; she was from Jerusalem. 

9 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father had done.

10 At that time the officers of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon advanced on Jerusalem and laid siege to it,

 11 and Nebuchadnezzar himself came up to the city while his officers were besieging it. 

12 Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his attendants, his nobles and his officials all surrendered to him.

In the eighth year of the reign of the king of Babylon, he took Jehoiachin prisoner. 

13 As the Lord had declared, Nebuchadnezzar removed the treasures from the temple of the Lord and from the royal palace, and cut up the gold articles that Solomon king of Israel had made for the temple of the Lord. 

14 He carried all Jerusalem into exile: all the officers and fighting men, and all the skilled workers and artisans—a total of ten thousand. Only the poorest people of the land were left.

15 Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin captive to Babylon. He also took from Jerusalem to Babylon the king’s mother, his wives, his officials and the prominent people of the land. 

16 The king of Babylon also deported to Babylon the entire force of seven thousand fighting men, strong and fit for war, and a thousand skilled workers and artisans. 

17 He made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah.

Zedekiah King of Judah

18 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah. 

19 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, just as Jehoiakim had done. 

20 It was because of the Lord’s anger that all this happened to Jerusalem and Judah, and in the end he thrust them from his presence.

The Fall of Jerusalem

Now Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

[kdmiller55]

Turning Sorrow Into Gladness

Turning Sorrow Into Gladness

1 And you, take up a lamentation for the princes of Israel, 2 and say: What was your mother? A lioness!     Among lions she crouched; in the midst of young lions     she reared her cubs. 3 And she brought up one of her cubs;     he became a young lion, and he learned to catch prey;     he devoured men. 4 The nations heard about him;     he was caught in their pit, and they brought him with…

[twiggy-in-pink]

“As surely as I live,” says the Lord, “I will abandon you, Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah. Even if you were the signet ring on my right hand, I would pull you off. I will hand you over to those who seek to kill you, those you so desperately fear—to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and the mighty Babylonian army.”

Jeremiah 22:24-25

[theprayingteacher]

God Always Has A Plan For You

Jeremiah 29 New International Version A Letter to the Exiles 29 This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.2 (This was after King Jehoiachin[a] and the queen mother, the court officials and the…

[cheerfullycatholic]

Where is the phrase "Queen of Heaven" in the Bible?

If you're referring specifically to Mary as Queen of Heaven, I don't believe she's ever blatantly called that in the Bible. That belief is a long one to explain, I found an article that does so way better than I could, but instead of just linking it I thought I'd copy and paste it so you don't have to leave the website.

Mary’s title as “Queen of Heaven and Earth” is a great scandal to many non-Catholic Christians. After all, the Bible doesn’t mention anything about there being a queen in God’s kingdom. All this royal attention Catholics give to Mary—whether it’s singing “Hail, holy queen enthroned above” or portraying Mary in statues and paintings with a crown on her head—seems to many non-Catholics to detract from the royalty of Christ, who alone is King of Kings. Besides, how could Mary be a queen, since she is not the wife of the Jesus but only his mother?

One biblical theme sheds light on these questions and serves as a key for unlocking the mystery of Mary’s queenship: the Old Testament tradition of the “queen mother” in the Davidic kingdom.

In the monarchy of King David, as well as in other ancient kingdoms of the Near East, the mother of the ruling king held an important office in the royal court and played a key part in the process of dynastic succession. In fact, the king’s mother ruled as queen, not his wife.

The great pre-eminence of the king’s mother may seem odd from our modern Western perspective, in which we think of a queen as being the wife of a king. However, recall that most ancient Near-Eastern kings practiced polygamy. King Solomon had seven hundred wives (1 Kgs. 11:3)—imagine the chaos in the royal court if all seven hundred were awarded the queenship! But since each king had only one mother, one can see the practical wisdom in bestowing the queenship upon her.

A number of Old Testament passages reflect the important role of the queen mother in the Davidic kingdom. For example, almost every time the narrative of 1 and 2 Kings introduces a new monarch in Judah, it mentions the king’s mother as well, showing the mother’s intimate involvement in her royal son’s reign. Similarly, the queen mother is listed among the members of the royal court whom king Jehoiachin surrendered to the king of Babylon in 2 Kings 24:12.

Her royal office is also described by the prophet Jeremiah, who tells how the queen mother possessed a throne and a crown, symbolic of her position of authority in the kingdom: “Say to the king and the queen mother: ‘Take a lowly seat, for your beautiful crown has come down from your head. . . . Lift up your eyes and see those who come from the north. Where is the flock that was given you, your beautiful flock?’” (Jer. 13:18, 20). It is significant that God directed this oracle about the upcoming fall of Judah to both the king and his mother. Addressing both king and queen mother, Jeremiah portrays her as sharing in her son’s rule over the kingdom.

Probably the clearest example of the queen mother’s role is that of Bathsheba, wife of David and mother of Solomon. Scholars have noted the excellence of Bathsheba’s position in the kingdom once she became queen mother during Solomon’s rule. Compare the humble attitude of Bathsheba as spouse of King David (1 Kgs. 1:16–17, 31) with her majestic dignity as mother of the next king, Solomon (1 Kgs. 2:19–20). As spouse of the king, Bathsheba bows with her face to the ground and does obeisance to her husband, David, upon entering his royal chamber. In striking contrast, after her son Solomon assumed the throne and she became queen mother, Bathsheba receives a glorious reception upon meeting with her royal son:

“So Bathsheba went to King Solomon, to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. And the king rose to meet her, and bowed down to her; then he sat on his throne and had a seat brought for the king’s mother; and she sat on his right. Then she said, ‘I have one small request to make of you; do not refuse me.’ And the king said to her, ‘Make your request, my mother; for I will not refuse you’” (1 Kgs. 2:19–20).

This account reveals the sovereign prerogatives of the queen mother. Note how the king rises and bows as she enters. Bathsheba’s seat at the king’s right hand has the greatest significance. In the Bible, the right hand is the place of ultimate honor. This is seen in particular in the messianic Psalm 110 (“Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool”). In fact, many New Testament passages refer to the right-hand imagery of Psalm 110 to show Christ’s divinity and his reign with the Father over the whole universe (e.g., Hebrews 1:13). Thus, the queen mother sitting at the king’s right hand symbolizes her sharing in the king’s royal authority and illustrates how she holds the most important position in the kingdom, second only to the king.

This passage regarding Bathsheba also shows how the queen mother served as an advocate for the people, carrying petitions to the king. In 1 Kings 2:17, Adonijah asks Bathsheba to take a petition for him to King Solomon. He says to her: “Pray ask King Solomon—he will not refuse you—to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife” (1 Kgs. 2:17). It is clear that Adonijah recognizes the queen mother’s position of influence over the king, so he confidently turns to Bathsheba as an intercessor for his request.

A few Old Testament prophecies incorporate the queen mother tradition when telling of the future Messiah. One example is Isaiah 7:14, which originated during a time of dynastic crisis in Judah when Syria and Israel were threatening Jerusalem and plotting to overthrow King Ahaz. God offers Ahaz a sign that the kingdom will continue: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emmanuel” (Isa. 7:13–14).

On one level, this passage points to the next king (Hezekiah) as a pledge that the Davidic dynasty will continue despite the threats of invading armies. At the same time, the royal son who is to be named “Emmanuel” points to the future messianic king (cf., Isa. 9:6–7, 11:1–2). This is why the New Testament says Jesus fulfills this prophecy from Isaiah (Matt. 1:23).

For our purposes we should note how this prophecy links the mother to her royal son. Since the oracle is addressed specifically to the Davidic household and concerns the continuation of the dynasty, the young woman bearing forth the royal son would be understood as a queen mother. This has implications for our understanding of Mary. Since the mother of the king always ruled as queen mother, we should expect to find the mother of the messianic king playing the role of the true queen mother in the everlasting Kingdom of God.

With this Old Testament background, we can now more clearly see how the New Testament portrays Mary in light of the queen mother tradition.

The Gospel of Matthew has often been called the “Gospel of the Kingdom.” Matthew emphasizes that Jesus is “the Son of David,” who is the true King of the Jews establishing the “Kingdom of Heaven.” With all this kingly imagery, it should not be surprising to find queen mother themes as well.

Right away, Matthew shows explicitly how the infant Jesus is the “Emmanuel” child as prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 (Matt. 1:23). As we saw above, this prophecy links the royal messianic child with his queen mother. Further, Matthew singles out the intimate relationship between the mother and her royal son by using the phrase “the child and his mother” five times in the first two chapters, recalling the close association between queen mother and royal son as described in the Books of Kings. Just as the queen mother was constantly mentioned alongside the Judean kings in 1 and 2 Kings, so Mary is frequently mentioned alongside her royal son, Jesus, in Matthew’s infancy narrative (Matt. 1:18; 2:11, 13, 14, 20, 21).

We find Mary portrayed against the background of Davidic kingdom motifs in Luke’s Gospel as well, especially in his accounts of the Annunciation and Visitation. First, the angel Gabriel is said to appear to a virgin betrothed to a man “of the house of David” (1:27). Then the angel tells Mary, “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:31–33).

Hear the strong Davidic overtones describing Mary and her royal son: a woman from the house of David giving birth to a son who will be the new king whose reign will never end. With echoes from the queen mother tradition of the Davidic kingdom and the mother-son prophecy of Isaiah 7:14, we can conclude that Mary is being given the vocation of queen mother.

Mary’s royal office is made even more explicit in Luke’s account of the Visitation. Elizabeth greets Mary with the title “the mother of my Lord” (Luke 1:43). This title is charged with great queenly significance. In the royal court language of the ancient NearEast, the title “Mother of my Lord” was used to address the queen mother of the reigning king (who himself was addressed as “my Lord”; cf., 2 Sam. 24:21). Thus with this title Elizabeth is recognizing the great dignity of Mary’s role as the royal mother of the king, Jesus.

Finally, Mary’s queenship can be seen in the great vision described in Revelation 12: “And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; she was with child and she cried out in her pangs of birth, in anguish for delivery” (Rev. 12:1–2). Who is this newborn child? He is described as the messianic king exercising his dominion. In verse 5, the author of Revelation chose the messianic Psalm 2 to describe how this child will “rule all the nations with a rod of iron” (Rev. 12:5, Ps. 2:9). This royal son is taken up to heaven to sit on a throne (Rev. 12:5), and he ushers in the kingdom of God by defeating the devil: “Now the kingdom of our God has come, for the accuser has been throne down” (12:10). Certainly, this newborn child is the royal Messiah, King Jesus.

In this light it is clear who this woman is who gave birth to the messiah: It is Mary. Some people have interpreted this woman in Revelation 12 as merely a symbol either for the Old Testament people of Israel or for the New Testament Church and therefore have concluded that the woman cannot be an individual (i.e., Mary). However, this “either-or” proposition is foreign to the biblical worldview, in which individuals often symbolically represent collective groups. For instance, Adam represented all humanity (Rom. 5:19), and Jacob stood for all of Israel (Ps. 44:4). Given this biblical notion called “corporate personality,” the woman in Revelation 12 should be understood as both an individual (Mary) and a symbol for the people of God.

But for our purposes, once we see that this woman is Mary, the mother of Jesus, it is important to note how she is portrayed as queen in this passage. Her royal office is hinted at by the imagery of the sun, moon, and twelve stars, which recalls the Old Testament story of Joseph’s dream in which the sun, moon, and stars bow down before him, symbolizing his future authority (Gen. 37:9–11). Her queenship is made even clearer by the crown of twelve stars on her head. Just like the queen mother in Jeremiah 13:18, here Mary is wearing a crown, symbolizing her royal office in the kingdom of heaven. In sum, Revelation 12 portrays Mary as the new queen mother in the Kingdom of God, sharing in her son’s rule over the universe.

We have seen how the Old Testament queen mother tradition serves as an important background for understanding Mary’s royal office. Indeed, the New Testament portrays Mary as the queen mother par excellence. Thus, prayers, hymns, and art giving honor to Mary’s queenship are most fitting biblical responses for Christians. In honoring her as queen mother we do not take anything away from Christ’s glory, but rather we exalt him even more by recognizing the great work he has done in her and through her.

Understanding Mary as queen mother sheds light on her important intercessory role in the Christian life. Just like the queen mother of the Davidic kingdom, Mary serves as advocate for the people in the Kingdom of God today. Thus, we should approach our queen mother with confidence, knowing that she carries our petitions to her royal son and that he responds to her as Solomon did to Bathsheba: “I will never refuse you.”

[freebiblestudies]

Biblical Archaeology Lesson 01: The Old Testament

There are many skeptics who believe the Bible is a book of legends, myths, and even fairy tales.  However, the Bible speaks of real people, real places, and real historical events.  How can we be so sure of this?  The answer lies in biblical archaeology.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, archaeology is “the scientific study of material remains (such as tools, pottery, jewelry, stone walls, and monuments) of past human life and activities.  Biblical archaeology is a historical discipline that uses relevant archaeological discoveries to shed light on the historical and cultural setting of the Bible.

Let’s examine ten fascinating archaeological discoveries with relevance to the Old Testament of the Bible.

Let’s read together 2 Kings 17:5-23.

The Assyrian Limmu List (also known as the Assyrian Eponym List)

The Assyrian had devised a calendar system where they named each year after a prominent Assyrian official.  The Limmu List is a clay tablet with a list of those names in chronological order, dealing with years 858 to 699 BC.  The Limmu List is important because it establishes the chronology of Assyrian kings, which can be used to cross-reference and reconstruct the chronology of the kings of Israel.

Let’s read together 1 Kings 16:29-33.

Kurkh Monolith of Shalmaneser III

This is an Akkadian inscription on limestone.  It speaks of the military campaigns of the Assyrian King Shalmaneser III.  One campaign of note is the battle of Qarqar in 853 BC.  There is a reference to “Ahab the Israelite.”  This may be a reference to king Ahab of Israel who reigned from 874 to 853 BC.

Let’s read together Daniel 1:7; 2:49; 3:12-30; 2 Kings 25:8-9; and Jeremiah 39:9-14; 52:12-26.  

Nebuchadnezzar II prism

This is an eight-sided clay cylinder with inscriptions on each column (side).  The prism has an inscription telling of its completion in 598 BC.  Only six columns are preserved.  Column six is a list of Babylonian officials.  Nergal-Sharezer and Nebuzaran, two Babylonian officials mentioned in the Bible are on this list.  More notably this list also has the names of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, the Babylonian names of Daniel’s friends Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael!

Let’s read together Numbers 21:29; 2 Kings 3:4-5; and Jeremiah 48:46.

Moabite Stone (also known as the Mesha Stele)

This is a stone inscription written by Mesha king of Moab around 840-860 BC.  It confirms the Moabites worshiped the god Chemosh. It also mentions Mesha winning a victory over Omri, king of Israel.

Let’s read together 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 and Ezra 1:1-8.

Cyrus Cylinder

This clay cylinder is a propaganda account of Cyrus’ conquest of Babylon created around 539 BC.  In addition to establishing Persian rule, the Cyrus cylinder proclaims deported people may return to their homelands.  This proclamation gives credence to the Bible’s claim the people of Israel were allowed by Cyrus to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.

Let’s read together 2 Kings 24:8-20.

Jerusalem Chronicle

This describes the history of the kings of Babylon from 605 to 594 BC.  It records the first deportation of the Jews in 605 BC.  It also mentions the second deportation of the Jews in 597 BC, the destruction of the Jewish temple, the capture of Jehoiachin, and the appointment of Zedekiah.

Let’s read together 2 Kings 18:13-25 and 2 Chronicles 32:9-10.

Lachish Relief

This is a gypsum wall panel relief dating to 700-681 BC.  It depicts Sennacherib’s victory over the kingdom of Judah at Lachish.  This relief is significant in that the kingdom of Judah was formidable enough for Sennacherib to commission the relief in the first place.  Secondly, it is telling that the relief does not depict the defeat of Jursalem, meaning Sennacherib never conquered it, just as the Bible declares in 2 Kings chapter 18 and 19.

Let’s read together 2 Samuel 2:1-4; 5:3 and 2 Kings 8:25-29.

Tel Dan Stele

This stele was erected by an Aramaic king dating to approximately 900-801 BC.  The inscription boasts of the king’s victory of “the king of Israel” and “the king of the house of David.”  The significance of the Tel Dan stele is that it testifies to the historicity of King David in the Bible.

Let’s read together Psalm 12:6-7.

The Dead Sea Scrolls

This is the most well-known biblical archaeology discovery.  Fragments of all the books of the Bible (except for the book of Esther) have been found in the caves of Qumran in Israel.  These fragments date from roughly 250 BC to 68 AD. The Dead Sea Scrolls prove that the Old Testament we read today is the same Old Testament Jesus read over 2000 years ago.

Let’s read together Numbers 6:24-26.

Ketef Hinnom Silver Scroll

This is the oldest record of the Scriptures.  It records the blessing in Numbers 6:24-26.  The Ketef Hinnom scroll predates the Dead Sea scrolls by hundreds of years, dating to approximately 600 BC.

There are so many more archaeological findings of relevance to the Old Testament.  If you are interested, you can look up the Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, the Merneptah victory stele, Hezekiah’s tunnel inscription, the Lachish Letters, the Nabonidus Cylinder, the Berlin Pedestal, and the palace of Sargon.

These biblical archaeological discoveries show that the Bible is not a book of legends, myths, and fairy tales.  These archaeological finds show that we can trust the Bible when it speaks of historical things.  If we can trust what the Bible says about historical things, then we can trust what it says about spiritual things.

Friend, are you willing to put your trust in the Bible?

[marysittingathisfeet]

The Book of Habbakuk

I just started the Book of Habakkuk and I wanted some background information. Of course Habakkuk (let's call him Habby (name too long) is one of the minor prophets found in the Old Testament.

The book consists of three chapters with three different messages.

Chapter 1- A discussion between God and Habakkuk

Chapter 2- An oracle of woe. There is a taunting riddle in this chapter from verse 6-20. It is a short parable with a moral lesson. The riddle is 15 verses long from verse 6 to verse 20 and is divided into five woes of three verses each.

Chapter 3-A psalm, "Habakkuk's song"

No one knows when the book was written. Nahum and Zephaniah are considered contemporaries. It is believed the book was written round the time Jehoiakim died. The Babylonians were marching towards Jerusalem, Jehoiakim was killed by Nebuchadnezzar, his body thrown outside the wall. Jehoiakim's eighteen-year-old son  Jehoiachin assumed the throne. The reason this is believed is because of the following verses...

“Look at the nations and watch—     and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days     that you would not believe,     even if you were told. I am raising up the Babylonians,     that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth     to seize dwellings not their own. Habbakuk 1: 5-6

Habby then describes intimately how the Babylonians are seen by the surrounding nations.

They are a feared and dreaded people;     they are a law to themselves     and promote their own honor. Their horses are swifter than leopards,     fiercer than wolves at dusk. Their cavalry gallops headlong;     their horsemen come from afar. They fly like an eagle swooping to devour; they all come intent on violence. Their hordes advance like a desert wind     and gather prisoners like sand.  They mock kings     and scoff at rulers. They laugh at all fortified cities;     by building earthen ramps they capture them.  Then they sweep past like the wind and go on—     guilty people, whose own strength is their god.” Habbakuk 1:7-11

Now the Babylonians did build up a ramp to conquer Jerusalem after the other city states fell to the Babylonians 1 by 1. Habbakuk describes in detail the cruelty of the Babylonians.

You have made people like the fish in the sea,     like the sea creatures that have no ruler. The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks,     he catches them in his net, he gathers them up in his dragnet;     and so he rejoices and is glad. Therefore he sacrifices to his net     and burns incense to his dragnet, for by his net he lives in luxury     and enjoys the choicest food. Is he to keep on emptying his net,     destroying nations without mercy? Habakkuk 1: 14-17

The people of Judah and the surrounding countries must have been terrified. It surely did seem that God had deserted them. Maybe they were now just becoming aware of how much God had protected them. He does the same for us. Often we are unaware of his protection.

It is thought that Habby may have been a Levite, a singer, and temple prophet because Habby writes for the director of music with stringed instruments such as harps and lyres.

It was King David who set up the temple worship. We see in 1 chronicles that...

"David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals." 1 Chronicles 25:1

Habby declares in Chapter 3 that the preceding verses were written and played on stringed instruments.

The Sovereign Lord is my strength;     he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,     he enables me to tread on the heights.

For the director of music. On my stringed instruments. Habakkuk 3: 19

Interestingly enough Rabbinic Tradition (not Biblical) teaches that Habby was the Shunammite woman's son, who was restored to life by  Elisha is 2 Kings 4:32-36

When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the Lord. Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out on him, the boy’s body grew warm. Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.

Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite.” And he did. When she came, he said, “Take your son.” 

Nice thought if it is true. But we wont know for sure on this side of heaven. So understanding the history of the book, helps to understand the book.

[christisilluminati]

Enigmatic Ophanim in Ezekiel's Vision: A Celestial Puzzle

A Breakdown of Ezekiel's Vision:

Wheels are mentioned multiple times in the Old Testament and Ophanim can refer to conventional wheels on a cart or chariot, just like the chariot in the image provided. An image of the Spirit of God sitting on His throne, depicted as a chariot in Ezekiel's vision. They are also mentioned in the book of Enoch along with other angles as "Thrones". These "Throne Angles" are the carriers of God's chariot, His throne. This is important information to know because there is a misconception to "WHO" these "Throne Angles" are. "WHO" these wheels are. The Ophanim.

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2 Enoch 20:1-2

“I saw there a very great light, and fiery troops of great archangels, incorporeal forces, and dominions, orders and governments, Cherubim and seraphim, thrones and many-eyed ones, nine regiments, the Ioanit stations of light, and I became afraid and began to tremble with great terror, and those men took me, and led me after them, and said to me: Have courage, Enoch, do not fear, and showed me the Lord from afar, sitting on His very high throne.”

"very great light"

John 1:9

There was a very light, which lighteneth each man that cometh into this world

Let's first gather a brief summary of Ezekiel's vision. During Nebuchadnezzar's conquest in 597 BC, Ezekiel was one of 10,000 prisoners taken captive from Jerusalem, and he prophesied in Babylon to the exiles. (Ezekiel 1:1) Ezekiel's vision includes seeing the Ophanim.  The description of Ezekiel's inaugural vision has been one of the Old Testament's most challenging passages to translate. It has often been described as the Old Testament book of Revelation. So, describing the Ophanim depicted in Ezekiel's vision without considering the entirety of the revelation is challenging. This is a revelation, I myself have been granted from the Lord. So, I understand how important it is that we get this right.

When God chose to reveal the heavens before Ezekiel's mortal eyes, it marked the beginning of God revealing revelations to him. Ezekiel first tells where he was when he saw the vision and said that the Glory of the Spirit of God could be seen in all that was taking place. (2 Corinthians 4:4)

​Ezekiel chapter 1:1-4: WYC 1382

And it was done, in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, when I was in the midst of captives, beside the flood Chebar, heavens were opened, and I saw the revelations of God. In the fifth day of the month, that is the fifth year of [the] passing over of Jehoiachin, king of Judah; the word of the Lord was made to Ezekiel, priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of Chaldees, beside the flood Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was made there on him. And I saw, and lo! a whirlwind came from the north, and a great cloud, and fire wrapping in, and brightness in the compass thereof; and as the likeness of electrum from the midst thereof, that is, from the midst of the fire.

(I want you to take note that the passage says, "THE WORD OF THR LORD WAS MADE TO EZEKIEL." ​- A recurring theme in my ministry.)

Ezekiel tried to put into words something that couldn't be explained clearly. He used similes to describe it, comparing it to other things to give an idea of what it was like. Ezekiel observes what appears to be a fearsome cloud of lightning and fire moving in from the north. Four luminous entities are hidden within the cloud, each emitting a brilliant light. This light is what I have called a GLORY LIGHT, throughout my ministry.

These beings appear like humans, only with a combination of animal as well. Each one possessing four different faces: one human face, one lion face, one ox face, and one eagle face. (Ezekiel 1:10) The prophet doesn't record these creatures by name in Ezekiel 1 where the recounting of his vision begins. But by chapter 10, they're identified as Cherubim. (Ezekiel 10:1) After seeing the Cherubim, Ezekiel then sees the chariot wheels, the Ophanim. These wheels are described as resembling a gyroscope. A wheel within a wheel. (Ezekiel 1:16) Ezekiel was describing a wheel that could move in any direction without making a turn.

Ezekiel 1:5-14 WYC 1382

And of the midst thereof was a likeness of four beasts. And this was the beholding of those, the likeness of a man in those.  And four faces were to one, and four wings were to one. And the feet of those were straight feet, and the sole of the foot of those was as the sole of a foot of a calf, and sparkles, as the beholding of boiling brass. And the hands of a man were under the wings of those, in four parts; and those had faces and wings by four parts; and the wings of those were joined together of one to another. They turned not again, when they went, but each went before his face. Forsooth the likeness of the face of those was the face of a man, and the face of a lion, at the right half of those four. Forsooth the face of an ox was at the left half of those four; and the face of an eagle was above those four. And the faces of those and (the) wings of those were stretched forth above. Two wings of each were joined together, and twain covered the bodies of those. And each of those went before his face. Where (ever) the fierceness of the wind was, thither those went, and turned not again, when they went. And the likeness of the beasts, and the beholding of them, was as of burning coals of fire, and as the beholding of lamps. This was the sight running about in the midst of [the] beasts, the shining of fire, and the lightning going out of the fire. And the beasts went, and turned again, at the likeness of lightning shining. 

Ezekeil describes two types of light, burning coals or the shining of fire. And the second light, a lamp or lightening shining.

​Ezekiel 1:15-21: WYC 1382

And when I beheld the beasts, one wheel appeared on the ground, beside the beasts having four faces, And the beholding of the wheels and the work of those was as the sight of the sea; and one likeness was of those four; and the beholding and the works of those, as if a wheel be in the midst of a wheel. Those going went by four parts of those, and turned not again, when those went. Also stature, and highness, and horrible beholding was to the wheels; and all the body (of them) was full of eyes in the compass of those four. And when the beasts went, the wheels also went together beside those. And when the beasts were raised [up] from the earth, the wheels also were raised [up] together. Whither ever the spirit went, when the spirit went thither, also the wheels following it were raised [up] together (with them); for why the spirit of life was in the wheels. Those went with the beasts going, and those stood with the beasts standing. And with the beasts raised (up) from [the] earth, also the wheels following those beasts were raised together; for the spirit of life was in the wheels. 

​Ezekiel explains the constant interaction between the wheels, cherubim and the Spirit of the Lord sitting on His throne. He expresses the lack of control these "Throne Angles" have on their own, describing the cherubim and Spirit as the drivers of this chariot. He does his best to describe what he sees by using a repeating method of vocabulary. I want you to pay attention to placement of the three types of entities. 

Key:

1- Ophanim

2- Cherubim

3- Spirit of Life

And when the beasts (2) went, the wheels (1) also went together beside those. (2) And when the beasts (2) were raised [up] from the earth, the wheels (1) also were raised [up] together. Whither ever the spirit (3) went, when the spirit (3) went thither, also the wheels (1) following it were raised [up] together (with them); (2-3) for why the spirit of life (3) was in the wheels. (1) Those (1) went with the beasts (2) going, and those stood with the beasts (2) standing. And with the beasts (2) raised (up) from [the] earth, also the wheels (1) following those beasts (2) were raised together; for the spirit of life (3) was in the wheels. 

​What Ezekiel saw or described in this passage has been difficult for us to visualize. It has been assumed; this is an image of a magnificent chariot with four wheels that "brings" the throne of God. However, the assumption is not completely accurate. What is accurate though is everything in this image, including the living beings and God's throne, appears to be in constant motion and activity.  

​Ezekiel was meant to understand that God's chariot or chariot throne was on the move. That it was in motion and in these passages, the throne of God is set on wheels, The Ophanim, and then by the instruction of the Spirit sitting on the throne, the wheels follow the four creatures. However, we cannot misinterpret this. These wheels do not have control, even while they are following the creatures. This is a sign of both submission and control.

Whither ever the spirit (3) went, when the spirit (3) went thither, also the wheels (1) following it - The wheels follow the Spirit.

And with the beasts (2) raised (up) from [the] earth, also the wheels (1) following those beasts (2) were raised together - The wheels follow the Beast.

For the spirit of life (3) was in the wheels. - Spirit is inside the wheel. How then can they follow the Spirit?

God consistently provided Ezekiel with unusual visions that drove him to speak in unusual ways, things that are hard for anyone to describe, from hands and scrolls descending from heaven to four abominations committed in the temple, to vines, eagles, lions, dry bones and fires. Ezekiel trafficked in strange but memorable pictures. The message was clear. Though His people were in exile and their nation was about to be destroyed, God was still on the throne. This is fitting to my analogy of a vulnerable God.

What Is This Vision?

This vision shown to Eziekiel is the Kingdom of God. He describes God as being active while sitting on His throne. His throne is inside of the Temple, and we are the Temples of God. (1 Corinthians 3:16) I understand this vision. Still, I too struggle as Ezekiel did to CLEARLY break it down for you. Plus, I have to be able to confirm it with scripture or many will not hear me when I say, "I am the prophet chosen to deliver a message." Many are too afraid to listen to anything that is not already in their false doctrines, with the belief that everyone else's doctrine is false, not theirs. Stubborn Christians.

To just plainly state it:

Christ is the Spirit, "The Many Members" (1 Corinthians 12:12) are the beast, and we humans are the wheel.

THIS IS ILLUMINATI!

Christ has a body of "Many Members" inside of His kingdom. These "Many Members" make up Christ, and since we are the wheels, we are His throne, and He is the light that lighteth each and every human and animal that breathes air. (John 1:9) That is why the beast have the 4 faces. The animals join His kingdom too. 

This is a hard one to prove in a short blog. So, I ask you to continue to study from this website to get the full understanding of the message I am to deliver. A message PROVING A CHANGED BIBLE. Changed from the first English translation, translated in 1382 by John Wycliff. The WYC version.

God put a living soul in each animal just as he put a living soul in each human, (Genesis 1:21-25 WYC 1382) Our newer text does not tell us this. (Genesis 1:21-25 NIV 2011) And that is why we haven't understood these things. We are not looking at the ORIGINAL translation. We are trusting man. Man, that progressively grew more and more divided over the years. Causing THE DISSENTION. (2 Thessalonians 2:3) A disagreement that has led to discord.

We are told Christ is the Spirit of life. (John 1:4) The Spirit of life was inside the wheel. And we are told that He is the light that lighteth each man as he comes into this world. (John 1:9) This spirit of life-giving light inside the wheels. (Ezekiel 1:13)

Ezekiel 1:22-28: WYC 1382

And the likeness of the firmament was above the head[s] of the beasts, and as the beholding of horrible crystal, and stretched abroad on the heads of those beasts above. Forsooth under the firmament the wings of those beasts were straight (out), of one to another; each beast covered his body with two wings, and another was covered in like manner. And I heard the sound of wings, as the sound of many waters, as the sound of (the) high God. When those went, there was as a sound of (a) multitude, as the sound of hosts of battle; and when those stood, the wings of those were let down.  For why when a voice was made on the firmament, that was on the head[s] of those, those stood, and let down their wings. And on the firmament, that was above the head(s) of those, was as the beholding of a sapphire stone, (in) the likeness of a throne; and on the likeness of the throne was a likeness, as the beholding of a man above. And I saw as a likeness of electrum, as the beholding of fire within, by the compass thereof; from the loins of him and above, and from the loins of him till to beneath, I saw as the likeness of fire, shining in compass, as the beholding of the rainbow, when it is in the cloud in the day of rain. This was the beholding of shining by compass. This was a sight of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And I saw, and I fell down on my face; and I heard the voice of a speaker.

 

Ezekeil describes the chariots frame as the likeness of glass or sapphire stone. (Ezekiel 1:26) Above the glass he describes the Spirit of life sitting on His throne with a bright light beaming all around Him, calling this description "The Glory of the Lord." (Ezekiel 1:26-28) The same Glory 1 Samuel describes sitting on top of The Ark, between the two cherubim/beast, calling Him the Lord of host. (1 Samuel 4:4) The Glory that had been captured. (1 Samuel 4:22)

He also describes a sound of "many waters" coming from wings as the sound of the "HIGH GOD" as well as describing the same sound as a "host of battle." (Ezekiel 1:24) (MANY MEMBERS) As, I said this is difficult to describe and Ezekiel did his best doing so. But how can this sound of "many waters" be both the sound of the "High God" and the sound of the "host of battle"? How can one sound be both?  - THE LORD OF HOST

The host are the "MANY MEMBERS" that make up His body. We can understand this by looking at the story of Egypt when God said, "Let my son go." (Exodus 4:23) He also said, "Let my people go." (Exodus 9:1) Collectively the people made up a body. This same thing applies in the spiritual realm. These host of winged beast known as cherubim are a collective group that make up His body. (1 Corinthians 12:12)

Also, Ezekiel describes the chariot frame as being "ABOVE" the heads of the beast as well as describing it stretched out "ON" the heads of the beast. How can it be both? This is where my recurring ministry theme of schizophrenia sets in. Because he tells us that the voice was on the heads of the beast.

This entire vision is one of the hardest visions to dissect in scripture. But ultimately Christ is a Spirit made up of "MANY HUMAN AND ANIMAL MEMBERS." Mammals that breath air. He is the Breath of life, the Spirit of Life. He breathed life into man giving him a soul. The same was done for the animals: He breathed life into them, giving them a soul. (Genesis 2:7, Genesis 1:21-25) These "Many Members" have died and joined His Kingdom, which is His body. And that Kingdom lives with the Tabernacle of our human flesh, (Luke 17:21) we are the wheels to which He drives. He is the Glory Light I speak of often, that lighteth each man that cones into this world. (John 1:9) The light shing like lightening. This is what is seen on The Mount of Transfiguration: A Glory light, with the MEMBERS of Moses and Elijah, inside of Jesus flesh. - The wheel.(Matthew 17:1-3)

If you can grasp this imagery, then you are ready to grasp stage two of the description: "THE SECOND LIGHT" - The light of "burning coals" or "shining fire." Remember the beast were also in the likeness of burning coal? (Ezekiel 1:13) If these beast of burning coals also make up a body, a Spirit on a throne, could it be Christ? How can a LAMP like LIGHTENING SHINING also be BURNING COALS? He's not. This is a depiction of The Man of Sin sitting in the Temple of God which is also a recurring theme in my ministry. And remember the Temple is the wheel. The wheel is the throne. And he is sitting on Gods throne.

 

2 Thessalonians 2:4

that is adversary, and is enhanced over [upon] all thing that is said God, or that is worshipped, so that he sit in the temple of God, and show himself as if he were Go

I can only hope I did well enough on this one that you can understand it. Or at least enough to hook you in to further investigate my claims throughout my ministry. I want to thank you for reading this blog and supporting this cause.

Learn more at: www.ChristTheTrueLight.com

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Jehoahaz Succeeds Josiah

1 ¶ Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz, the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father’s stead in Jerusalem.

2 Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.

3 And the king of Egypt put him down at Jerusalem and condemned the land in one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.

4 And the king of Egypt made Eliakim, his brother, king over Judah and Jerusalem and changed his name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took Jehoahaz, his brother, and carried him to Egypt.

5 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem, and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God.

6 And Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came up against him and bound him with fetters of brass; he carried him to Babylon.

7 Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon and put them in his temple at Babylon.

8 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim and his abominations which he did and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah; and Jehoiachin, his son, reigned in his stead.

9 Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem; and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.

10 And when the year was expired, King Nebuchadnezzar sent and caused him to be brought to Babylon with the precious vessels of the house of the LORD and made Zedekiah, his brother, king over Judah and Jerusalem.

11 ¶ Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.

12 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah, the prophet, who spoke unto him from the mouth of the LORD.

13 He rebelled, likewise, against King Nebuchadnezzar, unto whom he had sworn by God; but he stiffened his neck and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.

14 Moreover, all the princes of the priests and the people increased the rebellion, rebelling according to all the abominations of the Gentiles and polluting the house of the LORD which he had sanctified in Jerusalem.

15 And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by the hand of his messengers, rising up early, and sending because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place.

16 But they mocked the messengers of God and despised his words and misused his prophets until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, and there was no remedy.

17 Therefore, he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age; he gave them all into his hands.

18 Likewise, all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon.

19 And they burnt the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem and burnt all its palaces with fire and destroyed all its desirable vessels.

20 And those that escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon; where they were slaves to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia,

21 to fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah until the land had fulfilled her sabbaths; for all the time of her desolation she rested until the seventy years were fulfilled.

22 ¶ But in the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and put it also in writing, saying,

23 Thus saith Cyrus, king of Persia, The LORD God of the heavens has given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he has charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? Let the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up. — 2 Chronicles 36 | Jubilee Bible 2000 (JUB) Jubilee Bible 2000 Copyright © 2013, 2020 by Ransom Press International. Cross References: Leviticus 25:4; Deuteronomy 28:36; Deuteronomy 29:25; Deuteronomy 32:25; 2 Samuel 11:1; 1 Kings 9:8; 2 Kings 23:34; 2 Kings 23:36; 2 Kings 24:1; 2 Kings 24:5-6; 2 Kings 24:8; 2 Kings 24:13; 2 Chronicles 24:9; 2 Chronicles 33:23-24; Ezra 1:1; Ezra 2:1; Psalm 136:26; Jeremiah 1:3; Jeremiah 27:20; Matthew 5:12; Matthew 23:34; Acts 7:52

[lordgodjehovahsway]

1 Chronicles 3: History Records Of David's Sons And Daughter

1 These were the sons of David born to him in Hebron:

The firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel;

the second, Daniel the son of Abigail of Carmel;

2 the third, Absalom the son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;

3 the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

and the sixth, Ithream, by his wife Eglah.

4 These six were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months.

David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years, 

5 and these were the children born to him there:

Shammua, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon. These four were by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel. 

6 There were also Ibhar, Elishua, Eliphelet, 

7 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 

8 Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet—nine in all. 

9 All these were the sons of David, besides his sons by his concubines. And Tamar was their sister.

The Kings of Judah

10 Solomon’s son was Rehoboam,

Abijah his son,

Asa his son,

Jehoshaphat his son,

11 Jehoram his son,

Ahaziah his son,

Joash his son,

12 Amaziah his son,

Azariah his son,

Jotham his son,

13 Ahaz his son,

Hezekiah his son,

Manasseh his son,

14 Amon his son,

Josiah his son.

15 The sons of Josiah:

Johanan the firstborn,

Jehoiakim the second son,

Zedekiah the third,

Shallum the fourth.

16 The successors of Jehoiakim:

Jehoiachin his son,

and Zedekiah.

The Royal Line After the Exile

17 The descendants of Jehoiachin the captive:

Shealtiel his son, 

18 Malkiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama and Nedabiah.

19 The sons of Pedaiah:

Zerubbabel and Shimei.

The sons of Zerubbabel:

Meshullam and Hananiah.

Shelomith was their sister.

20 There were also five others:

Hashubah, Ohel, Berekiah, Hasadiah and Jushab-Hesed.

21 The descendants of Hananiah:

Pelatiah and Jeshaiah, and the sons of Rephaiah, of Arnan, of Obadiah and of Shekaniah.

22 The descendants of Shekaniah:

Shemaiah and his sons:

Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah and Shaphat—six in all.

23 The sons of Neariah:

Elioenai, Hizkiah and Azrikam—three in all.

24 The sons of Elioenai:

Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah and Anani—seven in all.

[kdmiller55]

A Glimpse of God

A Glimpse of God

1 In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the Chebar canal, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. 2 On the fifth day of the month (it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin), 3 the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the Chebar canal, and the hand of…

[catolinewsdailyreadings]

Monday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of Monday, August 12, 2024

Reading 1

EZ 1:2-5, 24-28C

On the fifth day of the fourth month of the fifth year, that is, of King Jehoiachin's exile, The word of the LORD came to the priest Ezekiel, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar.— There the hand of the LORD came upon me. As I looked, a stormwind came from the North, a huge cloud with flashing fire enveloped in brightness, from the midst of which (the midst of the fire) something gleamed like electrum. Within it were figures resembling four living creatures that looked like this: their form was human. Then I heard the sound of their wings, like the roaring of mighty waters,  like the voice of the Almighty. When they moved, the sound of the tumult was like the din of an army. And when they stood still, they lowered their wings. Above the firmament over their heads something like a throne could be seen,  looking like sapphire. Upon it was seated, up above, one who had the appearance of a man. Upward from what resembled his waist I saw what gleamed like electrum; downward from what resembled his waist I saw what looked like fire; he was surrounded with splendor. Like the bow which appears in the clouds on a rainy day was the splendor that surrounded him. Such was the vision of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14

R./ Heaven and earth are filled with your glory. or: R./ Alleluia.

Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights; Praise him, all you his angels; praise him, all you his hosts. R./ Heaven and earth are filled with your glory. or: R./ Alleluia.

Let the kings of the earth and all peoples, the princes and all the judges of the earth, Young men too, and maidens,  old men and boys, R./ Heaven and earth are filled with your glory. or: R./ Alleluia.

Praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted;  His majesty is above earth and heaven. R./ Heaven and earth are filled with your glory. or: R./ Alleluia.

And he has lifted up the horn of his people. Be this his praise from all his faithful ones, from the children of Israel, the people close to him.  Alleluia. R./ Heaven and earth are filled with your glory. or: R./ Alleluia.

Gospel

MT 17:22-27

As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day." And they were overwhelmed with grief. When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said, "Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?" "Yes," he said.  When he came into the house, before he had time to speak, Jesus asked him, "What is your opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax? From their subjects or from foreigners?" When he said, "From foreigners," Jesus said to him, "Then the subjects are exempt. But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up.  Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you."

[ongolecharles]

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS (DSR) 📚 Group, Mon Aug 12th, 2024 ... Monday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Reading 1

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Ez 1:2-5, 24-28c

On the fifth day of the fourth month of the fifth year,

that is, of King Jehoiachin's exile,

The word of the LORD came to the priest Ezekiel,

the son of Buzi,

in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar.—

There the hand of the LORD came upon me.

As I looked, a stormwind came from the North,

a huge cloud with flashing fire enveloped in brightness,

from the midst of which (the midst of the fire)

something gleamed like electrum.

Within it were figures resembling four living creatures

that looked like this: their form was human.

Then I heard the sound of their wings,

like the roaring of mighty waters,

like the voice of the Almighty.

When they moved, the sound of the tumult was like the din of an army.

And when they stood still, they lowered their wings.

Above the firmament over their heads

something like a throne could be seen,

looking like sapphire.

Upon it was seated, up above, one who had the appearance of a man.

Upward from what resembled his waist I saw what gleamed like electrum;

downward from what resembled his waist I saw what looked like fire;

he was surrounded with splendor.

Like the bow which appears in the clouds on a rainy day

was the splendor that surrounded him.

Such was the vision of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm

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PS 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14

R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Praise the LORD from the heavens;

praise him in the heights;

Praise him, all you his angels;

praise him, all you his hosts.

R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Let the kings of the earth and all peoples,

the princes and all the judges of the earth,

Young men too, and maidens,

old men and boys,

R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Praise the name of the LORD,

for his name alone is exalted;

His majesty is above earth and heaven.

R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.

or:

R. Alleluia.

And he has lifted up the horn of his people.

Be this his praise from all his faithful ones,

from the children of Israel, the people close to him.

Alleluia.

R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Alleluia

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See 2 Thes 2:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

God has called you through the Gospel

To possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

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Mt 17:22-27

As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee,

Jesus said to them,

"The Son of Man is to be handed over to men,

and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day."

And they were overwhelmed with grief.

When they came to Capernaum,

the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said,

"Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?"

"Yes," he said.

When he came into the house, before he had time to speak,

Jesus asked him, "What is your opinion, Simon?

From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?

From their subjects or from foreigners?"

When he said, "From foreigners," Jesus said to him,

"Then the subjects are exempt.

But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook,

and take the first fish that comes up.

Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax.

Give that to them for me and for you."

***

FOCUS AND LITURGY OF THE WORD

I had to do some homework for this reflection. I didn’t know the details of the Gospel situation about the temple tax and how it impacted the disciples. It turns out that all adult Jewish males were supposed to pay the temple tax for use of the temple. This is for the use of the religious building; it is not a civil tax. When the temple tax collector asks Peter if Jesus pays the tax, Peter says yes, he does.

But Jesus has just warned the disciples that things are not going to go well. He tells them that he will be betrayed and will die, but it’s sort of ok because he will be raised from the dead. The disciples do not really understand what will happen and they are overwhelmed with grief that he would die.  There has already been a lot of controversy, with others trying to discredit Jesus, trying to find things to arrest him for, to put him down and get rid of him. 

Before Peter even has a chance to tell Jesus about his conversation with the temple tax collectors, Jesus is aware that there is a problem. It turns out the priests and rabbis do not have to pay the temple tax because they work there. They are the religious and exempt from the temple tax. Jesus asks about who pays taxes. He says the kings on earth take taxes from foreigners, not their own people. The intimates of the house do not pay. The religious do not pay the temple tax. Of course, Jesus is an intimate of his father’s house, the temple. Jesus is saying that he is obviously exempt from the temple tax, but he will make sure the tax gets paid anyway, to avoid more controversy.

This seems to me that he is showing his true dual nature here. He is wholly God, and wholly man, son of God and son of Man. As son of God he would be exempt from the temple tax, but as son of Man he should pay it. So he tells Peter he will pay it, and tells Peter to go to the sea and drop in a hook (not a net) and the first fish he will catch will have in its mouth the coin they need to pay the tax.

This is a little miracle you don’t hear much about. I think the layers in this story are interesting. As God he is exempt from the tax but as man he will pay it, with miracle money. It’s a little bit of, let’s not make any more waves, things will go bad soon enough on their own. It is also a reflection of Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and render unto God that which is God’s. While Jesus is here, he’s still subject to man’s laws and to human nature, even though he is really God.

***

SAINT OF THE DAY

Saint Jane Frances de Chantal

 (January 28, 1572 – December 13, 1641)

Saint Jane Frances de Chantal’s Story

Jane Frances was wife, mother, nun, and founder of a religious community. Her mother died when she was 18 months old, and her father, head of parliament at Dijon, France, became the main influence on her education. Jane developed into a woman of beauty and refinement, lively and cheerful in temperament. At 21, she married Baron de Chantal, by whom she had six children, three of whom died in infancy. At her castle, she restored the custom of daily Mass, and was seriously engaged in various charitable works.

Jane’s husband was killed after seven years of marriage, and she sank into deep dejection for four months at her family home. Her father-in-law threatened to disinherit her children if she did not return to his home. He was then 75, vain, fierce, and extravagant. Jane Frances managed to remain cheerful in spite of him and his insolent housekeeper.

When she was 32, Jane met Saint Francis de Sales who became her spiritual director, softening some of the severities imposed by her former director. She wanted to become a nun but he persuaded her to defer this decision. She took a vow to remain unmarried and to obey her director.

After three years, Francis told Jane of his plan to found an institute of women that would be a haven for those whose health, age, or other considerations barred them from entering the already established communities. There would be no cloister, and they would be free to undertake spiritual and corporal works of mercy. They were primarily intended to exemplify the virtues of Mary at the Visitation—hence their name the Visitation nuns—humility and meekness.

The usual opposition to women in active ministry arose and Francis de Sales was obliged to make it a cloistered community following the Rule of Saint Augustine. Francis wrote his famous Treatise on the Love of God for them. The congregation consisting of three women began when Jane Frances was 45. She underwent great sufferings: Francis de Sales died; her son was killed; a plague ravaged France; her daughter-in-law and son-in-law died. She encouraged the local authorities to make great efforts for the victims of the plague, and she put all her convent’s resources at the disposal of the sick.

During a part of her religious life, Jane Frances had to undergo great trials of the spirit—interior anguish, darkness, and spiritual dryness. She died while on a visitation of convents of the community.

Reflection

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It may strike some as unusual that a saint should be subject to spiritual dryness, darkness, interior anguish. We tend to think that such things are the usual condition of “ordinary” sinful people. Some of our lack of spiritual liveliness may indeed be our fault. But the life of faith is still one that is lived in trust, and sometimes the darkness is so great that trust is pressed to its limit.

Saint Jane Frances de Chantal is a Patron Saint of:

Mothers

Widows

Wives

***

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[jaguar726]

The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, 5 and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures

Daily Verse Reading – Ezekiel 1: 2-5; 24-28 Ezekiel 1:2-5 2 On the fifth of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin— 3 the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians.[a] There the hand of the Lord was on him. 4 I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing…

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

12th August >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Monday, Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time 

or

Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Religious 

or

Saint Muredach, Bishop 

or

Saint Attracta, Virgin 

or

Saint Lelia, Virgin.

Monday, Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II))

First Reading Ezekiel 1:2-5,24-28 Ezekiel's vision of the glory of the Lord.

On the fifth of the month – it was the fifth year of exile for King Jehoiachin – the word of the Lord was addressed to the priest Ezekiel son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldaeans, on the bank of the river Chebar. There the hand of the Lord came on me. I looked; a stormy wind blew from the north, a great cloud with light around it, a fire from which flashes of lightning darted, and in the centre a sheen like bronze at the heart of the fire. In the centre I saw what seemed four animals. They looked like this. They were of human form. I heard the noise of their wings as they moved; it sounded like rushing water, like the voice of Shaddai, a noise like a storm, like the noise of a camp; when they halted, they folded their wings, and there was a noise. Above the vault over their heads was something that looked like a sapphire; it was shaped like a throne and high up on this throne was a being that looked like a man. I saw him shine like bronze, and close to and all around him from what seemed his loins upwards was what looked like fire; and from what seemed his loins downwards I saw what looked like fire, and a light all round like a bow in the clouds on rainy days; that is how the surrounding light appeared. It was something that looked like the glory of the Lord. I looked, and prostrated myself.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 148:1-2,11-14

R/ Your glory fills all heaven and earth. or R/ Alleluia!

Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights. Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his host.

R/ Your glory fills all heaven and earth. or R/ Alleluia!

All earth’s kings and peoples, earth’s princes and rulers, young men and maidens, old men together with children.

R/ Your glory fills all heaven and earth. or R/ Alleluia!

Let them praise the name of the Lord for he alone is exalted. The splendour of his name reaches beyond heaven and earth.

R/ Your glory fills all heaven and earth. or R/ Alleluia!

He exalts the strength of his people. He is the praise of all his saints, of the sons of Israel, of the people to whom he comes close.

R/ Your glory fills all heaven and earth. or R/ Alleluia!

Gospel Acclamation Psalm 147:12,15

Alleluia, alleluia! O praise the Lord, Jerusalem! He sends out his word to the earth. Alleluia!

Or: cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:14

Alleluia, alleluia! Through the Good News God called us to share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 17:22-27 'They will put the Son of Man to death'.

One day when they were together in Galilee, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men; they will put him to death, and on the third day he will be raised to life again.’ And a great sadness came over them. When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel came to Peter and said, ‘Does your master not pay the half-shekel?’ ‘Oh yes’ he replied, and went into the house. But before he could speak, Jesus said, ‘Simon, what is your opinion? From whom do the kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their sons or from foreigners?’ And when he replied, ‘From foreigners’, Jesus said, ‘Well then, the sons are exempt. However, so as not to offend these people, go to the lake and cast a hook; take the first fish that bites, open its mouth and there you will find a shekel; take it and give it to them for me and for you.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

----------------------------

Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Religious 

(Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II))

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Monday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading Philippians 4:4-9 If there is anything you need, pray for it.

I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord; I repeat, what I want is your happiness. Let your tolerance be evident to everyone: the Lord is very near. There is no need to worry; but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, fill your minds with everything that is true, everything that is noble, everything that is good and pure, everything that we love and honour, and everything that can be thought virtuous or worthy of praise. Keep doing all the things that you learnt from me and have been taught by me and have heard or seen that I do. Then the God of peace will be with you.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 130(131)

R/ Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.

O Lord, my heart is not proud nor haughty my eyes. I have not gone after things too great nor marvels beyond me.

R/ Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.

Truly I have set my soul in silence and peace. A weaned child on its mother’s breast, even so is my soul.

R/ Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.

O Israel, hope in the Lord both now and forever.

R/ Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation John 8:31-32

Alleluia, alleluia! If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples, and you will learn the truth, says the Lord. Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 22:34-40 The commandments of love.

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees they got together and, to disconcert him, one of them put a question, ‘Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?’ Jesus said, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

--------------------------

Saint Muredach, Bishop 

(Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II))

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Monday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

Either:

First Reading Exodus 32:7-14 Moses pleads with the Lord his God to spare Israel.

The Lord spoke to Moses, ‘Go down now, because your people whom you brought out of Egypt have apostatised. They have been quick to leave the way I marked out for them; they have made themselves a calf of molten metal and have worshipped it and offered it sacrifice. “Here is your God, Israel,” they have cried, “who brought you up from the land of Egypt!”’ the Lord said to Moses, ‘I can see how headstrong these people are! Leave me, now, my wrath shall blaze out against them and devour them; of you, however, I will make a great nation.’ But Moses pleaded with the Lord his God. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘why should your wrath blaze out against this people of yours whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with arm outstretched and mighty hand? Why let the Egyptians say, “Ah, it was in treachery that he brought them out, to do them to death in the mountains and wipe them off the face of the earth”? Leave your burning wrath; relent and do not bring this disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, your servants to whom by your own self you swore and made this promise: I will make your offspring as many as the stars of heaven, and all this land which I promised I will give to your descendants, and it shall be their heritage for ever.’ So the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

OR: --------

First reading Deuteronomy 10:8-9 The Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to do him service

Moses said to the people: ‘The Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the Lord’s covenant, to stand in the presence of the Lord, to do him service and in his name to pronounce blessing as they still do today. Levi therefore has no share or inheritance with his brothers: the Lord is his inheritance, as the Lord your God told him.’

OR: --------

First reading 1 Samuel 16:1,6-13 David is anointed by Samuel

The Lord said to Samuel, ‘Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen myself a king among his sons.’ Samuel purified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they arrived, he caught sight of Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed one stands there before him’, but the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Take no notice of his appearance or his height for I have rejected him; God does not see as man sees; man looks at appearances but the Lord looks at the heart.’ Jesse then called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel, who said, ‘The Lord has not chosen this one either.’ Jesse then presented Shammah, but Samuel said, ‘The Lord has not chosen this one either.’ Jesse presented his seven sons to Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, ‘The Lord has not chosen these.’ He then asked Jesse, ‘Are these all the sons you have?’ He answered, ‘There is still one left, the youngest; he is out looking after the sheep.’ Then Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send for him; we will not sit down to eat until he comes.’ Jesse had him sent for, a boy of fresh complexion, with fine eyes and pleasant bearing. The Lord said, ‘Come, anoint him, for this is the one.’ At this, Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him where he stood with his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord seized on David and stayed with him from that day on.

OR: --------

First reading Isaiah 6:1-2,3-8 'Here I am: send me'

In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord of Hosts seated on a high throne; his train filled the sanctuary; above him stood seraphs, each one with six wings. And they cried out to one another in this way,

‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts. His glory fills the whole earth.’

The foundations of the threshold shook with the voice of the one who cried out, and the Temple was filled with smoke. I said:

‘What a wretched state I am in! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have looked at the King, the Lord of Hosts.’

Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding in his hand a live coal which he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. With this he touched my mouth and said:

‘See now, this has touched your lips, your sin is taken away, your iniquity is purged.’

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying:

‘Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?’

I answered, ‘Here I am, send me.’

OR: --------

First reading Isaiah 61:1-3 He has sent me to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord

The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to bind up hearts that are broken;

to proclaim liberty to captives, freedom to those in prison; to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord, a day of vengeance for our God,

to comfort all those who mourn and to give them for ashes a garland; for mourning robe the oil of gladness, for despondency, praise.

OR: --------

First reading Jeremiah 1:4-9 Go and say whatever I command you and do not fear

The word of the Lord was addressed to me, saying,

‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you; I have appointed you as prophet to the nations.’

I said, ‘Ah, Lord; look, I do not know how to speak: I am a child!’

But the Lord replied, ‘Do not say, “I am a child.” Go now to those to whom I send you and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to protect you – it is the Lord who speaks!’

Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me:

‘There! I am putting my words into your mouth.’

OR: --------

First reading Ezekiel 3:17-21 Warn the wicked man, and you will live

The word of the Lord was addressed to me as follows, ‘Son of man, I have appointed you as sentry to the House of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from me, warn them in my Name. If I say to a wicked man, “You are to die,” and you do not warn him; if you do not speak and warn him to renounce his evil ways and so live, then he shall die for his sin, but I will hold you responsible for his death. If, however, you do warn a wicked man and he does not renounce his wickedness and his evil ways, then he shall die for his sin, but you yourself will have saved your life. When the upright man renounces his integrity to do evil and I set a trap for him, he too shall die; since you failed to warn him, he shall die for his sin and the integrity he practised will no longer be remembered; but I will hold you responsible for his death. If, however, you warn the upright man not to sin and he abstains from sinning, he shall live, thanks to your warning, and you too will have saved your life.’

OR: --------

First reading Ezekiel 34:11-16 I will look after my flock myself and keep all of it in view

The Lord God says this: I am going to look after my flock myself and keep all of it in view. As a shepherd keeps all his flock in view when he stands up in the middle of his scattered sheep, so shall I keep my sheep in view. I shall rescue them from wherever they have been scattered during the mist and darkness. I shall bring them out of the countries where they are; I shall gather them together from foreign countries and bring them back to their own land. I shall pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in every inhabited place in the land. I shall feed them in good pasturage; the high mountains of Israel will be their grazing ground. There they will rest in good grazing ground; they will browse in rich pastures on the mountains of Israel. I myself will pasture my sheep, I myself will show them where to rest – it is the Lord who speaks. I shall look for the lost one, bring back the stray, bandage the wounded and make the weak strong. I shall watch over the fat and healthy. I shall be a true shepherd to them.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 15(16):1-2,5,7-8,11

You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you. I say to the Lord: ‘You are my God.’ O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; it is you yourself who are my prize.

You are my inheritance, O Lord.

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, who even at night directs my heart. I keep the Lord ever in my sight: since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.

You are my inheritance, O Lord.

You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, at your right hand happiness for ever.

You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation Mt23:9,10

Alleluia, alleluia! You have only one Father, and he is in heaven; you have only one Teacher, the Christ. Alleluia!

Or: Mt28:19,20

Alleluia, alleluia! Go, make disciples of all the nations. I am with you always; yes, to the end of time. Alleluia!

Or: Mk1:17

Alleluia, alleluia! Follow me, says the Lord, and I will make you into fishers of men. Alleluia!

Or: Lk4:18

Alleluia, alleluia! The Lord has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives. Alleluia!

Or: Jn10:14

Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own sheep and my own know me. Alleluia!

Or: Jn15:5

Alleluia, alleluia! I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty, says the Lord. Alleluia!

Or: 2Co5:19

Alleluia, alleluia! God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself, and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled. Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 9:35-37 The harvest is rich but the labourers are few.

Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness. And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

-----------------------------

Saint Attracta, Virgin    and/or

Saint Lelia, Virgin 

(Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II))

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Monday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

Either:

First Reading Song of Songs 8:6-7 The flash of love is a flame of the Lord himself.

Set me like a seal on your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is strong as Death, jealousy as relentless as Sheol. The flash of it is a flash of fire, a flame of the Lord himself. Love no floods can quench, no torrents drown.

Were a man to offer all the wealth of his house to buy love, contempt is all he would purchase.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Or:

First Reading Hosea 2:16,17,21-22 I will betroth you to myself for ever.

The Lord says this:

I am going to lead her out into the wilderness and speak to her heart. There she will respond to me as she did when she was young, as she did when she came out of the land of Egypt. I will betroth you to myself for ever, betroth you with integrity and justice, with tenderness and love; I will betroth you to myself with faithfulness, and you will come to know the Lord.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 44(45):11-12,14-17

R/ Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words. or R/ The bridegroom is here! Go out and meet Christ the Lord.

Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words: forget your own people and your father’s house. So will the king desire your beauty: He is your lord, pay homage to him.

R/ Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words. or R/ The bridegroom is here! Go out and meet Christ the Lord.

The daughter of the king is clothed with splendour, her robes embroidered with pearls set in gold. She is led to the king with her maiden companions.

R/ Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words. or R/ The bridegroom is here! Go out and meet Christ the Lord.

They are escorted amid gladness and joy; they pass within the palace of the king. Sons shall be yours in place of your fathers: you will make them princes over all the earth.

R/ Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words. or R/ The bridegroom is here! Go out and meet Christ the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation John 14:23

Alleluia, alleluia! If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him. Alleluia!

Or:

Alleluia, alleluia! This is the wise virgin whom the Lord found watching; she went in to the wedding feast with him when he came. Alleluia!

Or:

Alleluia, alleluia! Come, bride of Christ, and receive the crown which the Lord has prepared for you for ever.

Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 19:3-12 Husband and wife are no longer two, but one body.

Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and to test him they said, ‘Is it against the Law for a man to divorce his wife on any pretext whatever?’ He answered, ‘Have you not read that the creator from the beginning made them male and female and that he said: This is why a man must leave father and mother, and cling to his wife, and the two become one body? They are no longer two, therefore, but one body. So then, what God has united, man must not divide.’ They said to him, ‘Then why did Moses command that a writ of dismissal should be given in cases of divorce?’ ‘It was because you were so unteachable’ he said ‘that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but it was not like this from the beginning. Now I say this to you: the man who divorces his wife – I am not speaking of fornication – and marries another, is guilty of adultery.’ The disciples said to him, ‘If that is how things are between husband and wife, it is not advisable to marry.’ But he replied, ‘It is not everyone who can accept what I have said, but only those to whom it is granted. There are eunuchs born that way from their mother’s womb, there are eunuchs made so by men and there are eunuchs who have made themselves that way for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.