One Year Bible - Day 4

Today's readings are Gen 4, Ps 4, and Mt 3. I will reflect on the first reading.

I have always wondered why God accepted Abel's offering but not Cain's. Regardless it is inexcusable for Cain to have killed Abel. God warns Cain, " If you do well, you can hold up your head; but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door: his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master" (vs. 7). I believe that God is speaking to me as well. Sin is a demon that desires my submission, but I must be the master. I must not give in to the many temptations that face me each day. And how must I overcome these temptations?

I cannot overcome them on my own. I need God's Grace and Love to set me free. In recent months, I have learned that it is not enough to say no to sin if I do not say yes to something else. For me, that is love. Our desire for sin exists as a result of an emptiness in our heart that can only be filled by love. In our relationship with God and in our relationship with others we come to know this love. When God rejected Cain's offering, Cain thought that God had rejected him. But this was not so. Cain closed himself off from love even for his brother. The hole in Cain's heart was easily filled with sin. Sin became his master.

We need to remember that just as important as loving others is allowing others to love us. When we close ourselves off from love, we allow sin to enter our hearts and dominate us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may I be open to receiving love today so that I can learn to love others like You.

Tomorrow's Readings: Gen 5-6:8, Ps 5, Mt 4

One Year Bible - Day 3

Today's readings are Gen 3, Ps 3, and Mt 2. I will reflect on the Gospel reading.

The last reading is so appropriate for this liturgical season. In Matthew 2, the Magi arrive, Herod slaughters children aged 2 and under, and Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt with their newborn son. The Magi, some scholars believe, were Zoroastrian priests from Persia. Although they were not Jewish, they were the first to see the infant Jesus and worshiped Him. "They prostrated themselves and did him homage" (vs. 11). This Jesus had not come to save only the Jews but the Gentiles as well. However, the birth of Jesus had the adverse effect on Herod who called for the killing of all children aged two and under. It is because Herod knew the identity of the boy that he felt threatened by the birth of Jesus. He knew that the only one more powerful than him had been born. The Magi and Herod both understood the power hidden in Jesus, but they reacted differently to this Good News. When Jesus speaks to me or when people speak about Jesus do I receive the Good News in joy like the Magi or do I feel threatened by God's message like Herod?

No matter how hard Herod tried to destroy Jesus, he could not. But this is not all. Matthew explains that the events of Jesus' nativity were not coincidence but fulfilled Old Testament prophesy. Mary and Joseph went into exile in Egypt with their son but later returned to Israel once Herod died. God spoke to Joseph saying, Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead" (vs. 20). God's message to Joseph, the footnotes explain, is the same as His message to Moses thousands of years before. Moses was to return to Egypt and to Pharaoh "for all the men who sought your life are dead" (Ex 4:19). Moses, though a mere man, saved the Hebrews of Egypt. Now, the Son of God came into the world to save all humanity.

Prayer: Lord, may I never forget that you created me for a purpose. Even if your Will calls me into the desert may I never seek to do my own will in opposition to Yours, for I know that "all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).

Tomorrow's Readings: Gen 4, Ps 4, Mt 3

One Year Bible - Day 2

Today's readings are Gen 2, Ps 2, and Mt 1:18-25. I will reflect on Psalm 2.

In this Psalm, although the rulers of the nations belittle Israel and its king, the LORD derides them (vs.4B). The kings think that they can conquer Israel probably because of its relatively small size or small army, but God has a plan for Israel and nothing the kings do can thwart this plan. In fact, in vs. 4 the Psalmist writes that the LORD laughs at these detractors. This is God's plan:

"I myself have installed my king

 on Zion, my holy mountain.

 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD,

 who said to me, 'You are my son;

today I am your father.

 Only ask it of me,

 and I will make your inheritance the nations,

 your possession the ends of the earth.

 With an iron rod you shall shepherd

 them,

 like a clay pot you will shatter them" (vs. 7-9). 

This promise, which God gives to Israel and its king, is fulfilled in Jesus Christ who is the Son of God and who has total dominion over the nations of the earth. He is also the Good Shepherd who does not will for any one of his sheep to go astray. 

Instead of mocking Israel, the Psalmist warns the kings to worship the LORD in fear and trembling. The Church is the New Israel, and it is no exaggeration that Christians are mocked and belittled in our world. In other countries, Christians are even killed. However, like Israel, God has a plan for the Church. In our culture, practicing Christians are a minority. Sometimes we feel alone, but we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus is the head of the Church. The only appropriate response to such a head is adoration. 

Prayer: Lord, may I remember that although at times I may feel alone in my worship of You, You are the  head of the Church and You will fulfill what you promised.

Tomorrow's Readings: Gen 3, Ps 3, Mt 2

One Year Catholic Bible Reading Plan for 2013 - Intro and Day 1

Last year I was not able to go through the Catholic Bible in one year. This year I plan on trying again. I will also try to write a reflection for each set of readings. I am using a plan that I found on someone's blog. I highly recommend it because it covers the Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms/Proverbs every day. Here is the link: http://readthecatholicbibleinayear.wordpress.com/week-1/ . So without further ado, I will post a reflection on the readings for Day 1.

The first day's readings are Gen 1, Ps 1, and Mt 1:1-17. Today, I will focus on the first two readings.

It is worth noting that the first of God's creations is light. Then God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. God saw how good the light was. God then separated the light from the darkness (Genesis 1:3-4). In this Christmas season we must not overlook the importance of light. Jesus, we learn, is the light of the world. The light drives out the darkness. How interesting that God created light first. Darkness existed when the world was a formless wasteland. Thus, God willed for there to be light while darkness was not created by God but was negated by Him. However, darkness is needed for night; so, while darkness represents the formless wasteland, God still allows it to exist in the world in the form of "night". What do you all think about this passage? We know that Jesus the Light banishes all darkness (all evil) in the world. And yet, God allows evil to exist. This, I believe, is a mystery which I hope to understand after I die. But in the meantime, I will follow the Light of the World.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, in this New Year, may I only follow You, the Light of the World.

Tomorrow's Readings: Gen 2, Ps 2, Mt 1:18-25