#Psalm 79:1

[eternal-echoes]

“We can try to limit suffering, to fight against it, but we cannot eliminate it. It is when we attempt to avoid suffering by withdrawing from anything that might involve hurt, when we try to spare ourselves the effort and pain of pursuing truth, love, and goodness, that we drift into a life of emptiness, in which there may be almost no pain, but the dark sensation of meaninglessness and abandonment is all the greater. It is not by sidestepping or fleeing from suffering that we are healed, but rather by our capacity for accepting it, maturing through it and finding meaning through union with Christ, who suffered with infinite love. In this context, I would like to quote a passage from a letter written by the Vietnamese martyr Paul Le-Bao-Tinh († 1857) which illustrates this transformation of suffering through the power of hope springing from faith. “I, Paul, in chains for the name of Christ, wish to relate to you the trials besetting me daily, in order that you may be inflamed with love for God and join with me in his praises, for his mercy is for ever (Ps 136 [135]). The prison here is a true image of everlasting Hell: to cruel tortures of every kind—shackles, iron chains, manacles—are added hatred, vengeance, calumnies, obscene speech, quarrels, evil acts, swearing, curses, as well as anguish and grief. But the God who once freed the three children from the fiery furnace is with me always; he has delivered me from these tribulations and made them sweet, for his mercy is for ever. In the midst of these torments, which usually terrify others, I am, by the grace of God, full of joy and gladness, because I am not alone —Christ is with me ... How am I to bear with the spectacle, as each day I see emperors, mandarins, and their retinue blaspheming your holy name, O Lord, who are enthroned above the Cherubim and Seraphim? (cf. Ps 80:1 [79:2]). Behold, the pagans have trodden your Cross underfoot! Where is your glory? As I see all this, I would, in the ardent love I have for you, prefer to be torn limb from limb and to die as a witness to your love. O Lord, show your power, save me, sustain me, that in my infirmity your power may be shown and may be glorified before the nations ... Beloved brothers, as you hear all these things may you give endless thanks in joy to God, from whom every good proceeds; bless the Lord with me, for his mercy is for ever ... I write these things to you in order that your faith and mine may be united. In the midst of this storm I cast my anchor towards the throne of God, the anchor that is the lively hope in my heart”[28]. This is a letter from “Hell”. It lays bare all the horror of a concentration camp, where to the torments inflicted by tyrants upon their victims is added the outbreak of evil in the victims themselves, such that they in turn become further instruments of their persecutors' cruelty. This is indeed a letter from Hell, but it also reveals the truth of the Psalm text: “If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I sink to the nether world, you are present there ... If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall hide me, and night shall be my light' —for you darkness itself is not dark, and night shines as the day; darkness and light are the same” (Ps 139 [138]:8-12; cf. also Ps 23 [22]:4). Christ descended into “Hell” and is therefore close to those cast into it, transforming their darkness into light. Suffering and torment is still terrible and well- nigh unbearable. Yet the star of hope has risen—the anchor of the heart reaches the very throne of God. Instead of evil being unleashed within man, the light shines victorious: suffering—without ceasing to be suffering—becomes, despite everything, a hymn of praise.”

-Pope Benedict XVI, Spe Salvi

[walkswithmyfather]

“✨ Answered prayer: exuberant Praise”

“I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart.” —Psalm 138:1 (ESV)

“When David gave thanks, he used everything in him: “I give You thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart” (Psalm 138:1). David’s life exemplified exuberant praise and worship of the LORD.

Psalm 138 gives us a glimpse into why David was so exuberant about the LORD. He excitedly praised God because “On the day I called, You answered me; my strength of soul You increased” (138:3). David’s fellowship with God was so intimate, God knew that the moment He answered David’s prayer, David would give Him praise.

The first Christmas was a time of many answered prayers. Just imagine how many people—Simeon, Zechariah, Anna, Elizabeth, Mary, and countless others—had prayed for the coming of the Messiah, saying “next year in Jerusalem,” “maybe this year will be the year?” Now their prayers were answered.

And, just like David in Psalm 138, they gave exuberant praise to God. It was almost beyond description as Mary recited her Magnificat (Luke 1:46–56), Zechariah prophesied (1:67–79), Simeon gave his praise (2:29–32), and the very angels cried out saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” (2:14). Not only was God faithful but, imagine, “God was pleased!”

The people had been praying for this very event for thousands of years. Wonder, amazement, and awe are words that cannot fully express the coming of the Messiah. But if we didn’t try to use words to describe it, the very rocks would cry out (19:40).

This Christmas, what answers to prayer have you had that lead you to praise God with exuberance the way David did in Psalm 138? Not only did God keep His word in the first coming, but He is coming again to take us to heaven where there will be no more tears, pain, sickness, cancer, or depression, and we will see our loved ones again.

To quote a hymn from the past, “When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory.”

—Dr. Rodney H. Orr (Dallas Theological Seminary)

From: “The Spiritual Encourager” (FB)

[solidrockistand]

Praise of God's Law pt 10

73. Your hands have made me and fashioned me; give me discernment that I may learn your commands (So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; Male and female he created them. Genesis1:27 NLT)

(Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be purer than his maker? Job 4:17 NIV)

("Indeed, I know that this is true, how can a mortal be righteous before God? Job9:2 NIV)

(For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20 ESV)

74. Those who fear you shall see me and be glad, because I hope in your word. (My soul makes it's boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Psalms 34:2 ESV)

(Let them boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who is just and righteous, who's love is unfailing and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord have spoken! Jeremiah 9:24 NLT)

(Therefor as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." 1st Corinthians 1:31 NIV)

(But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14 ESV)

75. I know, O Lord your ordinances are just, and, in your faithfulness, you have afflicted me. (The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy. Psalms 119:138 NIV)

(The law of the Lord is perfect, REVIVING THE SOUL; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Psalms 19:7 ESV)

76. May your unfailing love be my comfort according to your promise to your servant. (Turn, O Lord and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. Psalms 6:4 NIV)

(Turn to me and be gracious to me for I am lonely and afflicted. Psalms 25:16 NIV)

(Answer me, O Lord for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me. Psalms 69:16 ESV)

(Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you, Psalms 63:3 ESV)

77. Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. (So, teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Return, O Lord! How long? have pity on your servants! Psalms 90:12-13 ESV)

(We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 NLT)

(Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalms 139:16 ESV)

78. Let the proud be put to shame for oppressing me unjustly; I will meditate on your precepts. (Make me understand the way of your precepts and I will meditate on your wonderous works. Psalms 119:27 ESV)

(Sing to him sing praise to him tell of all his wonderful acts. Psalms 105:2 NIV)

79. Let those turn to me who fear you and acknowledge your decrees. (I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. Psalms 119:125 NIV)

(O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant. you have loosed my bonds. Psalms 116:16 ESV)

(Look down and have mercy on me. Give me strength to your servant; yes, save me for I am your servant. Psalms 86:16 NLT)

80. Let my heart be perfect in your statutes, that I be not put to shame. (Let your heart therefor be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments as at this day. 1st Kings 8:61 ESV)

(Now, O Lord please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart and have done what is good in your sight." and Hezekiah wept bitterly. 2nd Kings 20:3 ESV)

(Please remember what you told your servant Moses: If you sin, I will scatter you among the nations. Nehemiah 1:8 NLT)

(Thus, Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. 2nd Chronicles 31:20 ESV)

Psalms 119:73-80: The New American Bible

[mental-health-and-jesus]

9-17-2024 | Bible App Their Verse of the Day | Philippians 4:6

‘Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.’ Philippians 4:6

#Bible - Verse of the Day | Psalm 56:3

‘When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.’ Psalm 56:3

Bible App | Luke 1:68-79

Zechariah’s Song 🎵

‘“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past, salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives. And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high, to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”’ ‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭68‬-‭79‬

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[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

2nd December >> Mass Readings (GB)

Monday, First Week of Advent (C)

(Liturgical Colour: Violet. Year: C(I))

(The new Lectionary is here)

First Reading Isaiah 2:1-5 The Lord gathers all nations together into the eternal peace of the Kingdom of God.

The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say:

‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Sion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 122(121):1-2. 3-4a. 8-9. ℟ cf. 1

R/ Let us go rejoicing to the house of the LORD.

I rejoiced when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’ And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.

R/ Let us go rejoicing to the house of the LORD.

Jerusalem is built as a city bonded as one together. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD.

R/ Let us go rejoicing to the house of the LORD.

For the sake of my family and friends, let me say, ‘Peace upon you.’ For the sake of the house of the LORD, our God, I will seek good things for you.

R/ Let us go rejoicing to the house of the LORD.

Gospel Acclamation Cf. Psalm 80(79):4

Alleluia, alleluia. Come and set us free, O Lord our God; let your face shine forth, and we shall be saved. Alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 8:5-11 ‘Many will come from east and west to the kingdom of heaven.’

At that time: When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, ‘Lord, my servant is lying paralysed at home, suffering terribly.’ And he said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.’ But the centurion replied, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, “Go”, and he goes, and to another, “Come”, and he comes, and to my servant, “Do this”, and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this, he marvelled and said to those who followed him, ‘Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[wisdomfish]

Neither will our Lord forget...

The longer a trial goes, the more tempted we may be to think that God has forgotten us. I know there have been times when I have prayed, with David, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 13:1). But God remembers.

Between Genesis 50, when Joseph died, and Exodus 1, Jacob’s descendants endured 400 years of increasing difficulty in Egypt with no apparent word from the Lord. But “God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob” (Exodus 2:24), and He sent Moses to rescue His people.

At the time Jesus was born, God had again been silent for 400 years. But as another Zechariah proclaimed, God had not forgotten His promise to send a Savior: “Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:78-79 NKJV).

Neither will our Lord forget us no matter how long our time of suffering seems to go on.

~ Manifold Witness

[pugzman3]

Psalms chapter 79

1 (A Psalm of Asaph.) O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

2 The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.

3 Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.

4 We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.

5 How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?

6 Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.

7 For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.

8 O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.

9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.

10 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.

11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;

12 And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

13 So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.

[a-queer-seminarian]

This time each year my old seminary professor Marcus holds Psalmtember, which is what it says on the tin: a batch of 30 psalms, one for each day of September, each with a prompt to inspire art. (I’ll share the prompt list below the readmore if anyone’s interested! Also, if you search #Psalmtember2024 on FB you can see what folks have created so far)

The above piece is one of my fave drawing’s he’s made — what a fantastic way to bring the verse’s image to life ☀️

ID: The Psalmtember2024 chart. Pasting below as text —

Sep 1: Ps 61 CRY

Sep 2: Ps 62 TOTTERING

Sep 3: Ps 63 THIRST

Sep 4: Ps 64 ARROW

Sep 5: Ps 65 WAVES

Sep 6: Ps 66 SPACIOUS

Sep 7: Ps 67 SHINE

Sep 8: Ps 68 FLOCK

Sep 9: Ps 69 SINKING

Sep 10: Ps 70 HASTE

Sep 11: Ps 71 WOMB

Sep 12: Ps 72 SUN

Sep 13: Ps 73 NECKLACE

Sep 14: Ps 74 BROKE

Sep 15: Ps 75 FOAMING

Sep 16: Ps 76 ROUSED

Sep 17: Ps 77 WHIRLWIND

Sep 18: Ps 78 ANCESTORS

Sep 19: Ps 79 POUR

Sep 20: Ps 80 BRANCHES

Sep 21: Ps 81 MOON

Sep 22: Ps 82 SHAKEN

Sep 23: Ps 83 CHAFF

Sep 24: Ps 84 NEST

Sep 25: Ps 85 KISS

Sep 26: Ps 86 HEART

Sep 27: Ps 87 DANCERS

Sep 28: Ps 88 DEEP

Sep 29: Ps 89 ANOINTED

Sep 30: Ps 90 DREAM

[braveheart-princess]

Psalms chapter 79 verses 1-13 Holy Bible KJV

[barbaramoorersm]

August 20, 2023

August 20, 2023

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 56: 1, 6-7

God’s words in Isaiah convey an outreach to all people including, foreigners.

Psalm 67

The Psalmists shares the same inclusive message from God.

Romans 11: 13-15, 29-32

Paul demonstrates inclusivity as he writes to the Romans.

Matthew 15: 23-28

Jesus eventually choses an inclusive gesture.

Any one of us who knew our immigrant grandparents can tell stories of the hard times they faced when they emigrated to this nation.  Prejudice existed based on their nationality and culture, and often surfaced because of their religious beliefs.  Roman Catholics faced such problems in the 19th century.  People often find it difficult to accept differences in culture, food, and customs.  Some believe their way is a superior one and others may have fear replacement or scarcity of resources when claims for help are being addressed.  Many of us can attest to this reality when we look at the numbers of cultural churches that were established in our community. They assisted folks in their transition to this nation’s culture. Inclusivity and the embrace of the “other” is a human issue.  And our Scripture readings this weekend address the same thing.

Long before the birth of Christ, the ancient Prophet Isaiah realized that the “Lord would bring foreigners who will join themselves to the Lord.”  The religious leaders did expect the foreigners to abide by the Jewish laws and customs but the acceptance of the “other” into the community is remarkable.

In the Letter to the Romans, Paul appears to have already accepted the “others,” the Gentiles, into the Christian community.  At the same time Paul reaffirms Israel’s special place in the eyes of God. He writes, “For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.”

Perhaps Paul is aware of the story Matthew shares with us today when Jesus tells the Canaanite woman requesting his help, “I was sent to only to the lost sheep of Israel.”  But her persistence on behalf of her daughter eventually has Jesus saying to her, “O woman great is your faith” and her daughter was healed.

Let us turn to a recent book by Amy-Jill Levine, a Jewish scholar who teaches the New Testament.  Her credentials help us explore the relationship between Jesus, Jews, and non-Jews as we experience them in this Gospel.  Just as an aside, when one finishes Matthew’s Gospel, we find Jesus commissioning the disciples to go out to all the nations.  Matthew now expresses a more inclusive message.  This reality causes me to remember a statement in Luke.  Jesus, after being lost in the Temple, returns home and Luke tells us that “…Jesus increased in wisdom and in years.”  Perhaps this reality was at play in this Gospel.  But during his ministry it seems Jesus is coming to grips with his ministry that is reaching more people and is expanding his horizons.

Levine in her book, “The Difficult Words of Jesus” shares that, “…thinking the Messianic age was beginning they (Jesus’ apostles) would not have the time to get to the Gentiles if they were to go to their own people first.” (79)  But Jesus could also look back into the Jew’s sacred scriptures and find examples of the prophets assisting non-Jews. 

But it is the woman, who in my mind, is a deciding factor in this story.  She understands the differences between the two cultures, and even after what looks like an insult, she presses on.  Levine writes, “She is the model for anyone, seeking aid for a child, who is told: you don’t have the right papers; you don’t have insurance; you don’t have money.” (96)

“Woman great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”  Jesus is a model for all of us as he steps outside his comfort zone and realizes the goodness and faith of the “other.”  “He grew in age and wisdom.”  May this Gospel story enlighten us to see the faith, the goodness, and the beauty in those so many call the “others.” 

Levine writes, “…Matthew recognizes that both Jewish and Gentile identities are important, and it gives us the model of not just recognizing, but even celebrating various forms of difference in our own settings.” (98)

Wouldn’t you love to meet this courageous fearless women who serves as a model for all of us?

[jdgo51]

Daily Devotion

The Blessing of Loving Others

We are called to love others as Jesus loves us—even when they are unkind.

June 26, 2025

Related Scripture

1 Peter 1:22-25

Romans 5:8

1 John 3:14

John 13:35

Psalms 79-84

1 Peter 1:22-25

If we responded simply out of our natural impulses, we would probably be nice when people were kind to us. At other times, though, we could be angry or hurtful.

Yet Jesus teaches us to love even when those around us are uncivil. He lived out what He taught: Jesus loved us enough to die on the cross for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). Out of gratitude for what He did and in reliance on the Lord’s strength, we—His followers—should love others (1 John 3:14).

While it’s hard to respond to unkindness with love, doing so can lead to blessing—first, because the Father is pleased with us. This should bring us joy, peace, and a sense of contentment. We also ought to feel excitement and anticipation to watch how the Lord will honor our obedience. And finally, we’ll have an awareness that the Holy Spirit is working from within, enabling divine love to flow through lives that are yielded to Him.

John 13:35 tells of an important benefit: Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Treating others as we want to be treated is what builds the deep, satisfying connections all people desire. So think about the people you come in contact with throughout the week and treat them the way Jesus would—with love.

Bible in One Year:

Psalms 79-84

Copied from Intouch Ministries - 2025

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Living His Word

The steadfast love of the LORD's never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning great is thy faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in Him." — Lamentations 3:22-24

As one surveys the landscape of life and all its troubles, sufferings, and challenges, we know there is always hope for the believer—"the LORD is my portion." The Lord is always the source of hope.

In our passage, describing the Lord as "my portion" may be a reference to a time past in Canaan when the land was portioned out among the different tribes. It was there that Aaron and the priestly tribe of the Levites were given no land, but instead, the Lord said, "I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel" (Numbers 18:20). It is a picture of a special and personal relationship with God since the priests were set apart in service to Him. It is the same kind of relationship with God that inspired the Psalmist to proclaim through a crisis that "God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:26)!

A personal relationship with God, made possible by the redemption that comes through Christ, is the foundation of faith and the essence of hope. Such divine hope exists by knowing the true character of God. Our passage comes from a time past, but faith brings it into an experience with God that can be had in the present. God's character—yesterday, today, and forever—is that of steadfast love, promising the faithful His constant presence and His unchanging love.

God's mercies show His compassion toward His people which never ends. "Because of our God's merciful compassion, the dawn from on high will visit us to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:78-79). And He is faithful. It is God's faithfulness in which we can rest with hope; it is a faithfulness that never fails. When Moses received the Ten Commandments the Lord spoke to him saying, "The Lord, the Lord God, is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth" (Exodus 34:6).

Love, mercy, and faithfulness are characteristics of God that are available and new every morning. No matter your sins of yesterday, the trouble, the suffering, the challenges today, God is there for us each and every day. Sometimes it is a blessed do-over that comes with a new day. Other days one is given a fresh anointing, power, strength, and courage to get through something hard. And for those who believe, each day is an opportunity to walk in a fresh, personal, loving relationship with God. He is all we need, and He is our portion forever fulfilled in Christ Jesus. Christ is the aroma and assurance of God's steadfast love, mercy, and faithfulness. His death and resurrection took the relationship with God from the past into the present, where He is with you every day.

© 2024 by Bible League International

[jacksonwekesa]

Psalm 107:10-16

[10] Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and in irons, [Luke 1:79.]

[11] Because they had rebelled against the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High.

[12] Therefore He bowed down their hearts with hard labor; they stumbled and fell down, and there was none to help.

[13] Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses.

[14] He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke apart the bonds that held them. [Ps. 68:6; Acts 12:7; 16:26.]

[15] Oh, that men would praise [and confess to] the Lord for His goodness and loving-kindness and His wonderful works to the children of men!

[16] For He has broken the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron apart.

[mental-health-and-jesus]

9-29-2024 | Bible App Their Verse of the Day | ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬

‘As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.’ Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬

#Bible - Verse of the Day | ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭23‬

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.’ ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭23‬

Bible App | Psalms 55:1-2 | Yesterday’s Re-Reading 📖

‘Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not ignore my plea. Attend to me and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and distraught at the voice of the enemy, at the pressure of the wicked. For they release disaster upon me and revile me in their anger.’ ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭55‬:‭1‬-‭3‬

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

5th August >> Mass Readings (USA)

Monday, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time 

or

Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

Monday, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time 

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

First Reading Jeremiah 28:1-17 The Lord has not sent you, and you have raised false confidence in this people.

In the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, in the fifth month of the fourth year, the prophet Hananiah, son of Azzur, from Gibeon, said to me in the house of the LORD in the presence of the priests and all the people: “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon. Within two years I will restore to this place all the vessels of the temple of the LORD which Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, took away from this place to Babylon. And I will bring back to this place Jeconiah, son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the exiles of Judah who went to Babylon,’ says the LORD, ‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.’” The prophet Jeremiah answered the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people assembled in the house of the LORD, and said: Amen! thus may the LORD do! May he fulfill the things you have prophesied by bringing the vessels of the house of the LORD and all the exiles back from Babylon to this place! But now, listen to what I am about to state in your hearing and the hearing of all the people. From of old, the prophets who were before you and me prophesied war, woe, and pestilence against many lands and mighty kingdoms. But the prophet who prophesies peace is recognized as truly sent by the LORD only when his prophetic prediction is fulfilled. Thereupon the prophet Hananiah took the yoke from the neck of the prophet Jeremiah and broke it, and said in the presence of all the people: “Thus says the LORD: ‘Even so, within two years I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, from off the neck of all the nations.’” At that, the prophet Jeremiah went away. Some time after the prophet Hananiah had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: Go tell Hananiah this: Thus says the LORD: By breaking a wooden yoke, you forge an iron yoke! For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: A yoke of iron I will place on the necks of all these nations serving Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and they shall serve him; even the beasts of the field I give him. To the prophet Hananiah the prophet Jeremiah said: Hear this, Hananiah! The LORD has not sent you, and you have raised false confidence in this people. For this, says the LORD, I will dispatch you from the face of the earth; this very year you shall die, because you have preached rebellion against the LORD. That same year, in the seventh month, Hananiah the prophet died.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 119:29, 43, 79, 80, 95, 102

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

Remove from me the way of falsehood, and favor me with your law.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

Take not the word of truth from my mouth, for in your ordinances is my hope.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

Let those turn to me who fear you and acknowledge your decrees.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

Let my heart be perfect in your statutes, that I be not put to shame.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

Sinners wait to destroy me, but I pay heed to your decrees.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

From your ordinances I turn not away, for you have instructed me.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 4:4

Alleluia, alleluia. One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 14:13-21

When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” He said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over– twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major 

(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 Revelation 21:1-5a I saw a new Jerusalem, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.” The One who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Judith 13:18bcde, 19

R/ You are the highest honor of our race.

Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God, above all the women on earth; and blessed be the LORD God, the creator of heaven and earth.

R/ You are the highest honor of our race.

Your deed of hope will never be forgotten by those who tell of the might of God.

R/ You are the highest honor of our race.

Gospel Acclamation Luke 11:28

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 11:27-28 Blessed is the womb that carried you.

While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[dfroza]

A link to my personal reading of the Scriptures

for the 6th of june 2025 with a paired chapter from each Testament (the First & the New Covenant) of the Bible

[The Book of Revelation, Chapter 19 • The Book of Job, Chapter 25]

along with Today’s reading from the ancient books of Proverbs and Psalms with Proverbs 6 and Psalm 6 coinciding with the day of the month, accompanied by Psalm 79 for the 79th day of Astronomical Spring, and Psalm 7 for day 157 of the year (with the consummate book of 150 Psalms in its 2nd revolution this year)

A post by John Parsons:

The Ultimate Reality...

The revelation of God in Yeshua means that Ultimate Reality -- that is, the transcendental Source of all that exists -- is intensely personal, intimately knowable, and full of love. "Metaphysics" (i.e., that which is "really real") is therefore not about an impersonal force known in objective relationship (i.e., a "what") but a personal agency and creative mind known in subjective relationship (i.e., a "who"). The Scriptures teach that what is ultimately real (אהיה אשׁר אהיה) is the Ultimate Person of the LORD (אני יהוה). In Him we "live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28).

The LORD who is the Most High, the possessor of heaven and earth, is not only the Creator and Sustainer of all possible worlds, but the Lover and Redeemer of our very souls -- the One who empties himself to become "with us" and who overcomes the sickness of death for us... The climactic expression of the character of Ultimate Reality is revealed at Golgotha, the "place of the skull," where God's sacrificial life in Yeshua destroyed death by the greater power of divine love (Psalm 85:10). The heart of our Lord as he suffered and died for our sins reveals the great compassion of God; it is "ha'makom" (הַמָּקוֹם) the place of his atonement for us; his hidden dark cloud, and his resurrection glory reveals our deliverance for death. God loves us despite knowing all of our sins and yet redeems us from its curse...

We "connect" with the truth of who God is by the instrumentality of faith, and the essential question is whether we are in a "trusting relationship" with God or not, for if we do not truly know God as our loving Savior, we remain lost, in darkness, and alienated from the life of God. Faith is self-authenticating as we experience grace in the exercise of our trust in God.

Practically speaking, our relationship with God "shows up" in our lives by means of the various choices we make, though particularly in our moral choices. That's because righteousness is "ontological," or grounded in what is real. Since God is righteous, doing acts of righteousness enables us to partake in God's life and passion (1 John 2:29). On the other hand the practice of sin deadens us and turns us away from God’s Presence…

Love is essentially relational, and therefore the Scriptures reveal God as being in relationship both with others within creation, but also within himself - the One God is unity in plurality of relationship: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (John 17:24). The "I AM" of God (Being) is also known in the "Thou Art" of God (Doing). God is not only the Eternal Lover but also the Eternal Beloved, and the bond of that love is the Spirit of God "hovering above the depths." "Draw near to me, hear this: from the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time anything came to be there I AM, and now the Lord GOD has sent me, and his Spirit" (Isa. 48:16). Note in this verse the transpersonal unity of the Godhead....

Now while the Torah certainly affirms that "God is one" (יהוה אחד), note that the word "one" (i.e., echad: אֶחָד) means something more than merely numerical identity (i.e., yechidut: יְחִידוּת) but instead unity in plurality, a "transcendental oneness" that points to the unfathomable mystery of the Name YHVH (יהוה) and the ineffable Godhead (אֵין סוֹף). Moreover, echad primarily means “first” in order or preeminence, for example when the Torah describes the “first day” of creation not as “yom ha’rishon” (יום ראשון), but as “yom echad” (יוֹם אחד; Gen. 1:5). That is why the Shema is not an affirmation of the “mystical pantheistic unity of all things” but rather that the LORD our God is preeminent and alone worthy of our worship and trust. “Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God is one LORD (i.e., unity of the godhead) the LORD alone (i.e., God is first, primary, central, and our greatest good). “God is love” means that he is the Lover, the Beloved, and the Communion of true love

The doctrine of the tripartite-yet-one divine nature (השילוש הקדוש) is not known apart from the revelation of Yeshua, and it is an essential part of His message of redemption to us (see John 17:3). In other words, if you believe that Yeshua embodies and reveals the "Who" of Ultimate Reality, then you will accept his teaching that God is expressed in relationship - the Son in relation to the Father and to the Holy Spirit, and that these three are "echad," or one... “The Father has borne witness of me; whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 5:37; 14:9); “I and the Father are one”; “before Abraham was, I am...” “who is the liar but he who denies that Yeshua is the Messiah? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son” (1 John 2:22). Believers in the Lord are commissioned to go and make students or learners (תלמידים) of all the nations, baptizing them (i.e., identifying them) in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19).

[ Hebrew for Christians ]

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Isaiah 48:16 reading:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/isa48-16b-jjp.mp3

Hebrew page:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/isa48-16b-lesson.pdf

6.5.25 • Facebook

from Israel365

Today’s message (Days of Praise) from the Institute for Creation Research