Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
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+ Saints: St. Josephine Bakhita
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Gospel : Mark 6:14-29
14 King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, "John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."15 But others said, "He is Elijah." Others said, "He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets."
16 But Herod, when he heard this, said, "This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead."
17 For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, for he had married her.
18 For John said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."
19 Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him, but she couldn't,
20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.
21 Then a convenient day came, that Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.
22 When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you."
23 He swore to her, "Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom."
24 She went out, and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" She said, "The head of John the Baptizer."
25 She came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter."
26 The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths, and of his dinner guests, he didn't wish to refuse her.
27 Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring John's head, and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother.
29 When his disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
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Hebrews 13:1-8
1 Let brotherly love continue.2 Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.
3 Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you are also in the body.
4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
5 Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, "I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you."☆
6 So that with good courage we say, "The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?"☆
7 Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
☆13:5: Deuteronomy 31:6
☆13:6: Psalm 118:6-7
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* Romans 15:14-33
14 I myself am also persuaded about you, my brothers,† that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish others.15 But I write the more boldly to you in part, as reminding you, because of the grace that was given to me by God,
16 that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17 I have therefore my boasting in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.
18 For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,
19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God's Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ;
20 yes, making it my aim to preach the Good News, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another's foundation.
21 But, as it is written, "They will see, to whom no news of him came. They who haven't heard will understand."☆
22 Therefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you,
23 but now, no longer having any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come to you,
24 whenever I travel to Spain, I will come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.
25 But now, I say, I am going to Jerusalem, serving the saints.
26 For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem.
27 Yes, it has been their good pleasure, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to serve them in fleshly things.
28 When therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by way of you to Spain.
29 I know that, when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the Good News of Christ.
30 Now I beg you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,
31 that I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints;
32 that I may come to you in joy through the will of God, and together with you, find rest. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
†15:14: The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."
☆15:21: Isaiah 52:15
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