December 22, 2012
Saturday of the Third Week of Advent.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
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+ Saints: St. Chaeromon
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+ First Reading: 1 Samuel 1:24-28
24 When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, and one ephah§ of meal, and a bottle of wine, and brought him to Yahweh's house in Shiloh. The child was young.
25 They killed the bull, and brought the child to Eli.
26 She said, "Oh, my lord, as your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to Yahweh.
27 I prayed for this child; and Yahweh has given me my petition which I asked of him.
28 Therefore I have also given him to Yahweh. As long as he lives he is given to Yahweh." He worshiped Yahweh there.
§1:24: 1 ephah is about 22 liters or about 2/3 of a bushel
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+ Psalm: 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd
1 Hannah prayed, and said:
"My heart exults in Yahweh!
My horn is exalted in Yahweh.
My mouth is enlarged over my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.
4 "The bows of the mighty men are broken.
Those who stumbled are armed with strength.
5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread.
Those who were hungry are satisfied.
Yes, the barren has borne seven.
She who has many children languishes.
6 "Yahweh kills, and makes alive.
He brings down to Sheol,* and brings up.
7 Yahweh makes poor, and makes rich.
He brings low, he also lifts up.
8abcd He raises up the poor out of the dust.
He lifts up the needy from the dunghill,
To make them sit with princes,
and inherit the throne of glory.
(For the pillars of the earth are Yahweh's.
He has set the world on them.)
*2:6: Sheol is the place of the dead.
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+ Gospel: Luke 1:46-56
46 Mary said,
"My soul magnifies the Lord.
47 My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked at the humble state of his servant.
For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.
49 For he who is mighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him.
51 He has shown strength with his arm.
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has put down princes from their thrones.
And has exalted the lowly.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things.
He has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,
55 As he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and his offspring‡ forever."
56 Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.
‡1:55: or, seed
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+ Today's Reading: Isaiah 43:1-13
1 But now Yahweh who created you, Jacob,
and he who formed you, Israel says:
"Don't be afraid, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by your name.
You are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned,
and flame will not scorch you.
3 For I am Yahweh your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
your Savior.
I have given Egypt as your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
4 Since you have been precious and honored in my sight,
and I have loved you;
therefore I will give people in your place,
and nations instead of your life.
5 Don't be afraid; for I am with you.
I will bring your offspring* from the east,
and gather you from the west.
6 I will tell the north, 'Give them up!'
and tell the south, 'Don't hold them back!
Bring my sons from far,
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name,
and whom I have created for my glory,
whom I have formed,
yes, whom I have made.'"
8 Bring out the blind people who have eyes,
and the deaf who have ears.
9 Let all the nations be gathered together,
and let the peoples be assembled.
Who among them can declare this,
and show us former things?
Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified;
or let them hear, and say, "That is true."
10 "You are my witnesses," says Yahweh,
"With my servant whom I have chosen;
that you may know and believe me,
and understand that I am he.
Before me there was no God formed,
neither will there be after me.
11 I myself am Yahweh;
and besides me there is no savior.
12 I have declared, I have saved, and I have shown;
and there was no strange god among you.
Therefore you are my witnesses",
says Yahweh, "and I am God.
13 Yes, since the day was I am he;
and there is no one who can deliver out of my hand.
I will work, and who can hinder it?"
*43:5: or, seed
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