Today's Bible story

June 30, 2016

We hope it will be a good day today !

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The First Martyrs of Holy Roman Church (Optional Memorial)

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Gospel: Matthew 9:1-8

1 He entered into a boat, and crossed over, and came into his own city.

2 Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralysed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, "Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you."

3 Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man blasphemes."

4 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?

5 For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven;' or to say, 'Get up, and walk?'

6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins..." (then he said to the paralytic), "Get up, and take up your mat, and go to your house."

7 He arose and departed to his house.

8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

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Amos 7:10-17

10 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, "Amos has conspired against you in the middle of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words.

11 For Amos says, 'Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of his land.'"

12 Amaziah also said to Amos, "You seer, go, flee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:

13 but don't prophesy again any more at Bethel; for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a royal house!"

14 Then Amos answered Amaziah, "I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was a herdsman, and a farmer of sycamore figs;

15 and the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'

16 Now therefore listen to the LORD's word: 'You say, Don't prophesy against Israel, and don't preach against the house of Isaac.'

17 Therefore the LORD says: 'Your wife shall be a prostitute in the city, and your sons and your daughters shall fall by the sword, and your land shall be divided by line; and you yourself shall die in a land that is unclean, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of his land.'"

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◇ The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/

◇ June 30, 2016 Daily Mass Reading
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/16_06_30.mp3

◇ Daily Readings June 30, 2016
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/063016.cfm

◇ Liturgical Calendar
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendarday.php?date=2016-06-30

◇ Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.9

◇ King James Version Bible Online
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Matthew&chapter=9&verse=

◇ The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/index.cfm

◇ Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

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Today's Bible story

June 29, 2016

We hope it will be a good day today !

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Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles (Solemnity)

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Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

13 Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"

14 They said, "Some say John the Baptiser, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets."

15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

17 Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

18 I also tell you that you are Peter,* and on this rock † I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades‡ will not prevail against it.

19 I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven."


*16:18: Peter's name, Petros in Greek, is the word for a specific rock or stone.

†16:18: Greek, petra, a rock mass or bedrock.

‡16:18: or, Hell

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Acts 12:1-11

1 Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly.

2 He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.

3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread.

4 When he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover.

5 Peter therefore was kept in the prison, but constant prayer was made by the assembly to God for him.

6 The same night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards in front of the door kept the prison.

7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up, saying, "Stand up quickly!" His chains fell off from his hands.

8 The angel said to him, "Get dressed and put on your sandals." He did so. He said to him, "Put on your cloak, and follow me."

9 And he went out and followed him. He didn't know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision.

10 When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went out, and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

11 When Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I truly know that the Lord has sent out his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were expecting."

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2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18

6 For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.

7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.

8 From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.

17 But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

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◇ The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/

◇ June 29, 2016 Daily Mass Reading
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/16_06_29.mp3

◇ Daily Readings June 29, 2016
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062916-mass-during-day.cfm

◇ Liturgical Calendar
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendarday.php?date=2016-06-29

◇ Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.16

◇ King James Version Bible Online
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Matthew&chapter=16&verse=

◇ The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/index.cfm

◇ Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

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Today's Bible story

June 28, 2016

We hope it will be a good day today !

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St. Irenaeus, Bishop, Martyr (Memorial)

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Gospel: Matthew 8:23-27

23 When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him.

24 Behold, a violent storm came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep.

25 They came to him, and woke him up, saying, "Save us, Lord! We are dying!"

26 He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm.

27 The men marvelled, saying, "What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

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Amos 3:1-8, 4:11-12

3:1 Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up out of the land of Egypt, saying:

2 "You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth.

Therefore I will punish you for all of your sins."

3 Do two walk together,

unless they have agreed?

4 Will a lion roar in the thicket,

when he has no prey?

Does a young lion cry out of his den,

if he has caught nothing?

5 Can a bird fall in a trap on the earth,

where no snare is set for him?

Does a snare spring up from the ground,

when there is nothing to catch?

6 Does the trumpet alarm sound in a city,

without the people being afraid?

Does evil happen to a city,

and the LORD hasn't done it?

7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing,

unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets.

8 The lion has roared.

Who will not fear?

The Lord GOD has spoken.

Who can but prophesy?

4:11 "I have overthrown some of you,

as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah,

and you were like a burning stick plucked out of the fire;

yet you haven't returned to me," says the LORD.

12 "Therefore thus will I do to you, Israel;

because I will do this to you,

prepare to meet your God, Israel.

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◇ The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/

◇ June 28, 2016 Daily Mass Reading
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/16_06_28.mp3

◇ Daily Readings June 28, 2016
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062816.cfm

◇ Liturgical Calendar
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendarday.php?date=2016-06-28

◇ Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.8

◇ King James Version Bible Online
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Matthew&chapter=8&verse=

◇ The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/index.cfm

◇ Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

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Today's Bible story

June 27, 2016

We hope it will be a good day today !

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Weekday

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Gospel: Matthew 8:18-22

18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave the order to depart to the other side.

19 A scribe came, and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."

20 Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."

21 Another of his disciples said to him, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father."

22 But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead."

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Amos 2:6-10, 13-16

6 the LORD says:

"For three transgressions of Israel, yes, for four,

I will not turn away its punishment;

because they have sold the righteous for silver,

and the needy for a pair of shoes;

7 They trample on the dust of the earth on the head of the poor,

and deny justice to the oppressed;

and a man and his father use the same maiden, to profane my holy name;

8 and they lay themselves down beside every altar on clothes taken in pledge;

and in the house of their God* they drink the wine of those who have been fined.

9 Yet I destroyed the Amorite before them,

whose height was like the height of the cedars,

and he was strong as the oaks;

yet I destroyed his fruit from above,

and his roots from beneath.

10 Also I brought you up out of the land of Egypt,

and led you forty years in the wilderness,

to possess the land of the Amorite.

13 Behold,† I will crush you in your place,

as a cart crushes that is full of grain.

14 Flight will perish from the swift;

and the strong won't strengthen his force;

neither shall the mighty deliver himself;

15 neither shall he stand who handles the bow;

and he who is swift of foot won't escape;

neither shall he who rides the horse deliver himself;

16 and he who is courageous amongst the mighty will flee away naked on that day,"

says the LORD.


*2:8: The Hebrew word rendered "God" is "?????????" (Elohim).

†2:13: "Behold", from "??????", means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.

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◇ The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/

◇ June 27, 2016 Daily Mass Reading
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/16_06_27.mp3

◇ Daily Readings June 27, 2016
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062716.cfm

◇ Liturgical Calendar
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendarday.php?date=2016-06-27

◇ Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.8

◇ King James Version Bible Online
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Matthew&chapter=8&verse=

◇ The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/index.cfm

◇ Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

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Today's Bible story

June 26, 2016

We hope that today is a good day.

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Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Gospel: Luke 9:51-62

51 It came to pass, when the days were near that he should be taken up, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem,

52 and sent messengers before his face. They went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, so as to prepare for him.

53 They didn't receive him, because he was travelling with his face set towards Jerusalem.

54 When his disciples, James and John, saw this, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from the sky, and destroy them, just as Elijah did?"

55 But he turned and rebuked them, "You don't know of what kind of spirit you are.

56 For the Son of Man didn't come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."

They went to another village.

57 As they went on the way, a certain man said to him, "I want to follow you wherever you go, Lord."

58 Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

59 He said to another, "Follow me!"

But he said, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father."

60 But Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce God's Kingdom."

61 Another also said, "I want to follow you, Lord, but first allow me to say good-bye to those who are at my house."

62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for God's Kingdom."

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1 Kings 19:16, 19-21

16 Anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi to be king over Israel; and anoint Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah to be prophet in your place.

19 So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. Elijah went over to him, and put his mantle on him.

20 Elisha left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, "Let me please kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you."

He said to him, "Go back again; for what have I done to you?"

21 He returned from following him, and took the yoke of oxen, and killed them, and boiled their meat with the instruments of the oxen, and gave to the people, and they ate. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and served him.

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Galatians 5:1, 13-18

1 Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don't be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

13 For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don't use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.

14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself."☆

15 But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don't consume one another.

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won't fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire.

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.


☆5:14: Leviticus 19:18

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◇ The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/

◇ June 26, 2016 Daily Mass Reading
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/16_06_26.mp3

◇ Daily Readings June 26, 2016
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062616.cfm

◇ Liturgical Calendar
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendarday.php?date=2016-06-26

◇ Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Luke.9

◇ King James Version Bible Online
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Luke&chapter=9&verse=

◇ The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/index.cfm

◇ Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

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Today's Bible story

June 25, 2016

We hope it will be a good day today !

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Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Gospel: Matthew 8:5-17

5 When he came into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking him,

6 and saying, "Lord, my servant lies in the house paralysed, grievously tormented."

7 Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."

8 The centurion answered, "Lord, I'm not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.

9 For I am also a man under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and tell another, 'Come,' and he comes; and tell my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to those who followed, "Most certainly I tell you, I haven't found so great a faith, not even in Israel.

11 I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven,

12 but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

13 Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed." His servant was healed in that hour.

14 When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother lying sick with a fever.

15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. She got up and served him. *

16 When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick;

17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, "He took our infirmities, and bore our diseases."☆


*8:15: TR reads "them" instead of "him"

☆8:17: Isaiah 53:4

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Lamentations 2:2, 10-14, 18-19

2 The Lord has swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob, and has not pitied:

He has thrown down in his wrath the strongholds of the daughter of Judah;

He has brought them down to the ground; he has profaned the kingdom and its princes.

10 The elders of the daughter of Zion sit on the ground, they keep silence;

They have cast up dust on their heads; they have clothed themselves with sackcloth:

The virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground.

11 My eyes do fail with tears, my heart is troubled;

My liver is poured on the earth, because of the destruction of the daughter of my people,

Because the young children and the infants swoon in the streets of the city.

12 They tell their mothers, Where is grain and wine?

When they swoon as the wounded in the streets of the city,

When their soul is poured out into their mothers' bosom.

13 What shall I testify to you? what shall I liken to you, daughter of Jerusalem?

What shall I compare to you, that I may comfort you, virgin daughter of Zion?

For your breach is great like the sea: who can heal you?

14 Your prophets have seen for you false and foolish visions;

They have not uncovered your iniquity, to bring back your captivity,

but have seen for you false revelations and causes of banishment.

18 Their heart cried to the Lord:

wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night;

Give yourself no respite; don't let the apple of your eye cease.

19 Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches;

Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord:

Lift up your hands towards him for the life of your young children, that faint for hunger at the head of every street.

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◇ The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/

◇ June 25, 2016 Daily Mass Reading
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/16_06_25.mp3

◇ Daily Readings June 25, 2016
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062516.cfm

◇ Liturgical Calendar
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendarday.php?date=2016-06-25

◇ Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.8

◇ King James Version Bible Online
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Matthew&chapter=8&verse=

◇ The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/index.cfm

◇ Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

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Today's Bible story

June 24, 2016

We hope it will be a good day today !

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The Nativity of St. John the Baptist (Solemnity)

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Gospel: Luke 1:57-66, 80

57 Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son.

58 Her neighbours and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her.

59 On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

60 His mother answered, "Not so; but he will be called John."

61 They said to her, "There is no one amongst your relatives who is called by this name."

62 They made signs to his father, what he would have him called.

63 He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John."

They all marvelled.

64 His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God.

65 Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea.

66 All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, "What then will this child be?" The hand of the Lord was with him.

80 The child was growing, and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

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Isaiah 49:1-6

1 Listen, islands, to me.

Listen, you peoples, from afar:

the LORD has called me from the womb;

from the inside of my mother he has mentioned my name.

2 He has made my mouth like a sharp sword.

He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand.

He has made me a polished shaft.

He has kept me close in his quiver.

3 He said to me, "You are my servant;

Israel, in whom I will be glorified."

4 But I said, "I have laboured in vain.

I have spent my strength in vain for nothing;

yet surely the justice due to me is with the LORD,

and my reward with my God."

5 Now the LORD says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant,

to bring Jacob again to him,

and to gather Israel to him,

for I am honourable in the LORD's eyes,

and my God has become my strength.

6 Indeed, he says, "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob,

and to restore the preserved of Israel?

I will also give you as a light to the nations,

that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth."

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Acts 13:22-26

22 When he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, to whom he also testified, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'

23 From this man's offspring,† God has brought salvation‡ to Israel according to his promise,

24 before his coming, when John had first preached the baptism of repentance to Israel.§

25 As John was fulfilling his course, he said, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. But behold, one comes after me the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.'

26 Brothers, children of the stock of Abraham, and those amongst you who fear God, the word of this salvation is sent out to you.

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◇ The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/

◇ June 24, 2016 Daily Mass Reading
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/16_06_24.mp3

◇ Daily Readings June 24, 2016
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062416-mass-during-day.cfm

◇ Liturgical Calendar
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendarday.php?date=2016-06-24

◇ Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Luke.1

◇ King James Version Bible Online
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Luke&chapter=1&verse=

◇ The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/index.cfm

◇ Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

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Today's Bible story

June 23, 2016

We hope it will be a good day today !

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Weekday

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Gospel: Matthew 7:21-29

21 Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

22 Many will tell me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?'

23 Then I will tell them, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.'

24 "Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock.

25 The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn't fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn't do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand.

27 The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell?and great was its fall."

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching,

29 for he taught them with authority, and not like the scribes.

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2 Kings 24:8-17

8 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother's name was Nehushta the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.

9 He did that which was evil in the LORD's sight, according to all that his father had done.

10 At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up to Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.

11 Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city while his servants were besieging it,

12 and Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers; and the king of Babylon captured him in the eighth year of his reign.

13 He carried out from there all the treasures of the LORD's house, and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold, which Solomon king of Israel had made in the LORD's temple, as the LORD had said.

14 He carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths. No one remained, except the poorest people of the land.

15 He carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, with the king's mother, the king's wives, his officers, and the chief men of the land. He carried them into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.

16 All the men of might, even seven thousand, and the craftsmen and the smiths one thousand, all of them strong and fit for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.

17 The king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin's father's brother, king in his place, and changed his name to Zedekiah.

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◇ The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/

◇ June 23, 2016 Daily Mass Reading
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/16_06_23.mp3

◇ Daily Readings June 23, 2016
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062316.cfm

◇ Liturgical Calendar
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendarday.php?date=2016-06-23

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Today's Bible story

June 22, 2016

We hope it will be a good day today !

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Saints John Fisher, Bishop, Martyr and Thomas More, Martyr (Optional Memorial)

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Gospel: Matthew 7:15-20

15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.

16 By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?

17 Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.

18 A good tree can't produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.

19 Every tree that doesn't grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.

20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

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2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-3

22:8 Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, "I have found the book of the law in the LORD's house." Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan, and he read it.

9 Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, "Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hands of the workmen who have the oversight of the LORD's house."

10 Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, "Hilkiah the priest has delivered a book to me." Then Shaphan read it before the king.

11 When the king had heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.

12 The king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king's servant, saying,

13 "Go enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found; for great is the LORD's wrath that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that which is written concerning us."

23:1 The king sent, and they gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.

2 The king went up to the LORD's house, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, with the priests, the prophets, and all the people, both small and great; and he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the LORD's house.

3 The king stood by the pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and all his soul, to confirm the words of this covenant that were written in this book; and all the people agreed to the covenant.

-----

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◇ June 22, 2016 Daily Mass Reading
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Today's Bible story

June 21, 2016

We hope it will be a good day today !

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St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious (Memorial)

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Gospel: Matthew 7:6, 12-14

6 "Don't give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

12 Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

13 "Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it.

14 How* narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it.


*7:14: TR reads "Because" instead of "How"

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2 Kings 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36

9b "Behold, he has come out to fight against you, he sent messengers again to Hezekiah, saying,

10 'Tell Hezekiah king of Judah this: "Don't let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.

11 Behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly. Will you be delivered?

14 Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it. Then Hezekiah went up to the LORD's house, and spread it before the LORD.

15 Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, "LORD, the God of Israel, who sit above the cherubim, you are the God, even you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.

16 Incline your ear, LORD, and hear. Open your eyes, LORD, and see. Hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to defy the living God.

17 Truly, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands,

18 and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone. Therefore they have destroyed them.

19 Now therefore, LORD our God, save us, I beg you, out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, LORD, are God alone."

20 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, "the LORD, the God of Israel, says 'You have prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, and I have heard you.

21 This is the word that the LORD has spoken concerning him: 'The virgin daughter of Zion has despised you and ridiculed you. The daughter of Jerusalem has shaken her head at you.

31 For out of Jerusalem a remnant will go out, and out of Mount Zion those who shall escape. the LORD's zeal will perform this.

32 "Therefore the LORD says concerning the king of Assyria, 'He will not come to this city, nor shoot an arrow there. He will not come before it with shield, nor cast up a mound against it.

33 By the way that he came, by the same he will return, and he will not come to this city,' says the LORD.

34 'For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake, and for my servant David's sake.'"

35a That night, the LORD's angel went out, and struck one hundred and eighty-five thousand in the camp of the Assyrians.

36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and lived at Nineveh.

-----

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Today's Bible story

June 20, 2016

We hope it will be a good day today !

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Weekday

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Gospel: Matthew 7:1-5

1 "Don't judge, so that you won't be judged.

2 For with whatever judgement you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.

3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but don't consider the beam that is in your own eye?

4 Or how will you tell your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye;' and behold, the beam is in your own eye?

5 You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother's eye.

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2 Kings 17:5-8, 13-15a, 18

5 Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years.

6 In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away to Assyria, and placed them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.

7 It was so because the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods,

8 and walked in the statutes of the nations whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they made.

13 Yet the LORD testified to Israel, and to Judah, by every prophet, and every seer, saying, "Turn from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets."

14 Notwithstanding, they would not listen, but hardened their neck, like the neck of their fathers, who didn't believe in the LORD their God.

15a They rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified to them;

18 Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight. There was none left but the tribe of Judah only.

-----

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◇ June 20, 2016 Daily Mass Reading
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Today's Bible story

June 19, 2016

We hope that today is a good day.

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Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Gospel: Luke 9:18-24

18 As he was praying alone, the disciples were with him, and he asked them, "Who do the multitudes say that I am?"

19 They answered, "'John the Baptiser,' but others say, 'Elijah,' and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again."

20 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

Peter answered, "The Christ of God."

21 But he warned them, and commanded them to tell this to no one,

22 saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up."

23 He said to all, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross,† and follow me.

24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same will save it.


†9:23: TR, NU add "daily"

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Zechariah 12:10-11; 13:1

12:10 I will pour on David's house, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they will look to me* whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and will grieve bitterly for him, as one grieves for his firstborn.

11 In that day there will be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.

13:1 "In that day there will be a spring opened to David's house and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.


*12:10: After "me", the Hebrew has the two letters "Aleph Tav" (the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet), not as a word, but as a grammatical marker.

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Galatians 3:26-29

26 For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as were baptised into Christ have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring** and heirs according to promise.


**3:29: or, seed

-----

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◇ June 19, 2016 Daily Mass Reading
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Today's Bible story

June 18, 2016

We hope it will be a good day today !

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Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Gospel: Matthew 6:24-34

24 "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can't serve both God and Mammon.

25 Therefore I tell you, don't be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

26 See the birds of the sky, that they don't sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you of much more value than they?

27 "Which of you, by being anxious, can add one moment† to his lifespan?

28 Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin,

29 yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.

30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won't he much more clothe you, you of little faith?

31 "Therefore don't be anxious, saying, 'What will we eat?', 'What will we drink?' or, 'With what will we be clothed?'

32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

33 But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.

34 Therefore don't be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day's own evil is sufficient.


†6:27: literally, cubit

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2 Chronicles 24:17-25

17 Now after the death of Jehoiada, the princes of Judah came, and bowed down to the king. Then the king listened to them.

18 They abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherah poles and the idols, so wrath came on Judah and Jerusalem for this their guiltiness.

19 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again to the LORD, and they testified against them; but they would not listen.

20 The Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people, and said to them, "Thus says God, 'Why do you disobey the LORD's commandments, so that you can't prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has also forsaken you.'"

21 They conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the LORD's house.

22 Thus Joash the king didn't remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son. When he died, he said, "May the LORD look at it, and repay it."

23 At the end of the year, the army of the Syrians came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from amongst the people, and sent all their plunder to the king of Damascus.

24 For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men; and the LORD delivered a very great army into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers. So they executed judgement on Joash.

25 When they had departed from him (for they left him very sick), his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and killed him on his bed, and he died. They buried him in David's city, but they didn't bury him in the tombs of the kings.

-----

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Today's Bible story

June 17, 2016

We hope it will be a good day today !

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Weekday

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Gospel: Matthew 6:19-23

19 "Don't lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal;

20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don't break through and steal;

21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light.

23 But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

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2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20

1 Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal offspring.*

2 But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from amongst the king's sons who were slain, even him and his nurse, and put them in the bedroom; and they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.

3 He was with her hidden in the LORD's house six years while Athaliah reigned over the land.

4 In the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the captains over hundreds of the Carites and of the guard, and brought them to him into the LORD's house; and he made a covenant with them, and made a covenant with them in the LORD's house, and showed them the king's son.

9 The captains over hundreds did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded; and they each took his men, those who were to come in on the Sabbath, with those who were to go out on the Sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.

10 The priest delivered to the captains over hundreds the spears and shields that had been king David's, which were in the LORD's house.

11 The guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, around the king.

12 Then he brought out the king's son, and put the crown on him, and gave him the covenant; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, "Long live the king!"

13 When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the LORD's house:

14 and she looked, and behold, the king stood by the pillar, as the tradition was, with the captains and the trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes, and cried, "Treason! Treason!"

15 Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds who were set over the army, and said to them, "Bring her out between the ranks. Kill anyone who follows her with the sword." For the priest said, "Don't let her be slain in the LORD's house."

16 So they made way for her; and she went by the way of the horses' entry to the king's house, and she was slain there.

17 Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD's people; also between the king and the people.

18 All the people of the land went to the house of Baal, and broke it down; his altars and his images broke they in pieces thoroughly, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. The priest appointed officers over the LORD's house.

20 So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. They had slain Athaliah with the sword at the king's house.


*11:1: or, seed

-----

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Today's Bible story

June 16, 2016

We hope it will be a good day today !

-----

Weekday

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Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15

7 In praying, don't use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.

8 Therefore don't be like them, for your Father knows what things you need, before you ask him.

9 Pray like this: 'Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

10 Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.

11 Give us today our daily bread.

12 Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.

13 Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.'*

14 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.


*6:13: NU omits "For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen."

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Sirach 48:1-14

1 Also there arose Elijah the prophet as fire,

And his word burnt like a torch:

2 Who brought a famine upon them,

And by his zeal made them few in number.

3 By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven:

Thrice did he thus bring down fire.

4 How was you glorified, O Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!

And who shall glory like to you?

5 Who did raise up a dead man from death,

And from * the place of the dead, by the word of the Most High:

6 Who brought down kings to destruction,

And honourable men from their bed:

7 Who heard rebuke in Sinai,

And judgements of vengeance in Horeb:

8 Who anointed kings for retribution,

And prophets to succeed after him:

9 Who was taken up in a tempest of fire,

In a chariot of fiery horses:

10 Who was recorded for reproofs in their seasons,

To pacify anger, before it brake forth into wrath;

To turn the heart of the father to the son,

And to restore the tribes of Jacob.

11 Blessed are they that saw you,

And they that have been beautified with love;

For we also shall surely live.


12 Elijah it was, who was wrapped in a tempest:

And Elisha was filled with his spirit;

And in all his days he was not moved by the fear of any ruler,

And no one brought him into subjection.

13 † Nothing was too high for him;

And when he was laid on sleep his body prophesied.

14 As in his life he did wonders,

So in death were his works marvellous.


*48:5: Gr. Hades.

†48:13: Or, No man's word overcame him

-----

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Today's Bible story

June 15, 2016

We hope it will be a good day today !

-----

Weekday

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Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

1 "Be careful that you don't do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

2 Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don't sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.

3 But when you do merciful deeds, don't let your left hand know what your right hand does,

4 so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

5 "When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward.

6 But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

16 "Moreover when you fast, don't be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.

17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face;

18 so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

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2 Kings 2:1, 6-14

1 When the LORD was about to take Elijah up by a whirlwind into heaven, Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.

6 Elijah said to him, "Please wait here, for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan."

He said, "As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you." Then they both went on.

7 Fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood opposite them at a distance; and they both stood by the Jordan.

8 Elijah took his mantle, and rolled it up, and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that they both went over on dry ground.

9 When they had gone over, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you."

Elisha said, "Please let a double portion of your spirit be on me."

10 He said, "You have asked a hard thing. If you see me when I am taken from you, it will be so for you; but if not, it will not be so."

11 As they continued on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated them, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

12 Elisha saw it, and he cried, "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!"

He saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes, and tore them in two pieces.

13 He also took up Elijah's mantle that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of the Jordan.

14 He took Elijah's mantle that fell from him, and struck the waters, and said, "Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" When he also had struck the waters, they were divided apart, and Elisha went over.

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◇ The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/

◇ June 15, 2016 Daily Mass Reading
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/16_06_15.mp3

◇ Daily Readings June 15, 2016
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061516.cfm

◇ Liturgical Calendar
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendarday.php?date=2016-06-15

◇ Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.6

◇ King James Version Bible Online
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Matthew&chapter=6&verse=

◇ The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/index.cfm

◇ Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

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Today's Bible story

June 14, 2016

We hope it will be a good day today !

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Weekday

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Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbour ‡‡‡ and hate your enemy.'§§§

44 But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,

45 that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.

46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same?

47 If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don't even the tax collectors* do the same?

48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.


§§§5:43: not in the Bible, but see Qumran Manual of Discipline Ix, 21-26

*5:47: NU reads "Gentiles" instead of "tax collectors".

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1 Kings 21:17-29

17 the LORD's word came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

18 "Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who dwells in Samaria. Behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone down to take possession of it.

19 You shall speak to him, saying, 'the LORD says, "Have you killed and also taken possession?"' You shall speak to him, saying, 'the LORD says, "In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs will lick your blood, even yours."'"

20 Ahab said to Elijah, "Have you found me, my enemy?"

He answered, "I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do that which is evil in the LORD's sight.

21 Behold, I will bring evil on you, and will utterly sweep you away and will cut off from Ahab everyone who urinates against a wall,* and him who is shut up and him who is left at large in Israel.

22 I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah for the provocation with which you have provoked me to anger, and have made Israel to sin."

23 The LORD also spoke of Jezebel, saying, "The dogs will eat Jezebel by the rampart of Jezreel.

24 The dogs will eat he who dies of Ahab in the city; and the birds of the sky will eat he who dies in the field."

25 But there was no one like Ahab, who sold himself to do that which was evil in the LORD's sight, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.

26 He did very abominably in following idols, according to all that the Amorites did, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

27 When Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes, and put sackcloth on his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.

28 the LORD's word came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

29 "See how Ahab humbles himself before me? Because he humbles himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days; but I will bring the evil on his house in his son's day."


*21:21: or, male

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◇ The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/

◇ June 14, 2016 Daily Mass Reading
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/16_06_14.mp3

◇ Daily Readings June 14, 2016
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061416.cfm

◇ Liturgical Calendar
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendarday.php?date=2016-06-14

◇ Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.5

◇ King James Version Bible Online
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Matthew&chapter=5&verse=

◇ The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/index.cfm

◇ Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

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Today's Bible story

June 13, 2016

We hope it will be a good day today !

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St. Anthony of Padua, OFM, Priest, Doctor of the Church (Feast)

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Gospel: Matthew 5:38-42

38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'☆

39 But I tell you, don't resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40 If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.

41 Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

42 Give to him who asks you, and don't turn away him who desires to borrow from you.


☆5:38: Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21

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1 Kings 21:1-16

1 After these things, Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.

2 Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, "Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near my house; and I will give you for it a better vineyard than it. Or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its worth in money."

3 Naboth said to Ahab, "May the LORD forbid me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!"

4 Ahab came into his house sullen and angry because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, "I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers." He laid himself down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

5 But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said to him, "Why is your spirit so sad, that you eat no bread?"

6 He said to her, "Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to him, 'Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if it pleases you, I will give you another vineyard for it.' He answered, 'I will not give you my vineyard.'"

7 Jezebel his wife said to him, "Do you now govern the kingdom of Israel? Arise, and eat bread, and let your heart be merry. I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."

8 So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters to the elders and to the nobles who were in his city, who lived with Naboth.

9 She wrote in the letters, saying, "Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high amongst the people.

10 Set two men, base fellows, before him, and let them testify against him, saying, 'You cursed God and the king!' Then carry him out, and stone him to death."

11 The men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had instructed them in the letters which she had written and sent to them.

12 They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high amongst the people.

13 The two men, the base fellows, came in and sat before him. The base fellows testified against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, "Naboth cursed God and the king!" Then they carried him out of the city and stoned him to death with stones.

14 Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, "Naboth has been stoned, and is dead."

15 When Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned, and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, "Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead."

16 When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

-----

◇ The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/

◇ June 13, 2016 Daily Mass Reading
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/16_06_13.mp3

◇ Daily Readings June 13, 2016
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061316.cfm

◇ Liturgical Calendar
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendarday.php?date=2016-06-13

◇ Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.5

◇ King James Version Bible Online
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Matthew&chapter=5&verse=

◇ The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/index.cfm

◇ Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

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Today's Bible story

June 12, 2016

We hope that today is a good day.

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Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Gospel: Luke 7:36--8:3

7:36 One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee's house, and sat at the table.

37 Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of ointment.

38 Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner."

40 Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."

He said, "Teacher, say on."

41 "A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.

42 When they couldn't pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?"

43 Simon answered, "He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most."

He said to him, "You have judged correctly."

44 Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.

45 You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet.

46 You didn't anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.

47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."

48 He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

49 Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

50 He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."

8:1 Soon afterwards, he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of God's Kingdom. With him were the twelve,

2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;

3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod's steward; Susanna; and many others; who served them* from their possessions.


*8:3: TR reads "him" instead of "them"

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2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13

7 Nathan said to David, "You are the man. This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul.

8 I gave you your master's house, and your master's wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that would have been too little, I would have added to you many more such things.

9 Why have you despised the LORD's word, to do that which is evil in his sight? You have struck Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

10 Now therefore the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised me, and have taken Uriah the Hittite's wife to be your wife.'

13 David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD."

Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has put away your sin. You will not die.

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Galatians 2:16, 19-21

16 yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.

19 For I, through the law, died to the law, that I might live to God.

20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.

21 I don't reject the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!"

-----

◇ The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/

◇ June 12, 2016 Daily Mass Reading
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/16_06_12.mp3

◇ Daily Readings June 12, 2016
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061216.cfm

◇ Liturgical Calendar
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendarday.php?date=2016-06-12

◇ Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Luke.7

◇ King James Version Bible Online
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Luke&chapter=7&verse=

◇ The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/index.cfm

◇ Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

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Today's Bible story

June 11, 2016

We hope it will be a good day today !

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St. Barnabas, Apostle (Memorial)

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Gospel: Matthew 10:7-13

7 As you go, preach, saying, 'The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!'

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers,† and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.

9 Don't take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts.

10 Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the labourer is worthy of his food.

11 Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy; and stay there until you go on.

12 As you enter into the household, greet it.

13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn't worthy, let your peace return to you.


†10:8: TR adds "raise the dead,"

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Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3

12:21b and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

22 The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch,

23 who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord.

24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.

25 Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul.

26 When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

13:1 Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2 As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them."

3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

-----

◇ The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/

◇ June 11, 2016 Daily Mass Reading
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/16_06_11.mp3

◇ Daily Readings June 11, 2016
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061116.cfm

◇ Liturgical Calendar
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendarday.php?date=2016-06-11

◇ Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.10

◇ King James Version Bible Online
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Matthew&chapter=10&verse=

◇ The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/index.cfm

◇ Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

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Today's Bible story

June 10, 2016

We hope it will be a good day today !

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Weekday

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Gospel: Matthew 5:27-32

27 "You have heard that it was said, §§ 'You shall not commit adultery;'☆

28 but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.

29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.***

30 If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.†††

31 "It was also said, 'Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,'☆

32 but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.


§§5:27: TR adds "to the ancients".

☆5:27: Exodus 20:14

***5:29: or, Hell

†††5:30: or, Hell

☆5:31: Deuteronomy 24:1

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1 Kings 19:9a, 11-16

9a He came to a cave there, and camped there; and behold, the LORD's word came to him,

11 He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD."

Behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake.

12 After the earthquake a fire passed; but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a still small voice.

13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle, went out, and stood in the entrance of the cave. Behold, a voice came to him, and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

14 He said, "I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of Armies; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away."

15 The LORD said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.

16 Anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi to be king over Israel; and anoint Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah to be prophet in your place.

-----

◇ The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/

◇ June 10, 2016 Daily Mass Reading
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/16_06_10.mp3

◇ Daily Readings June 10, 2016
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061016.cfm

◇ Liturgical Calendar
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendarday.php?date=2016-06-10

◇ Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.5

◇ King James Version Bible Online
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Matthew&chapter=5&verse=

◇ The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/index.cfm

◇ Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

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Today's Bible story

June 9, 2016

We hope it will be a good day today !

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Weekday

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Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26

20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

21 "You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, 'You shall not murder;'☆ and 'Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgement.'

22 But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause § will be in danger of the judgement; and whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' ** will be in danger of the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna. ††

23 "If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you,

24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are with him on the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.

26 Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there, until you have paid the last penny.‡‡


☆5:21: Exodus 20:13

§5:22: NU omits "without a cause".

**5:22: "Raca" is an Aramaic insult, related to the word for "empty" and conveying the idea of empty-headedness.

††5:22: or, Hell

‡‡5:26: literally, kodrantes. A kodrantes was a small copper coin worth about 2 lepta (widow's mites)--not enough to buy very much of anything.

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1 Kings 18:41-46

41 Elijah said to Ahab, "Get up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain."

42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed himself down on the earth, and put his face between his knees.

43 He said to his servant, "Go up now, and look towards the sea."

He went up, and looked, and said, "There is nothing."

He said, "Go again" seven times.

44 On the seventh time, he said, "Behold, a small cloud, like a man's hand, is rising out of the sea."

He said, "Go up, tell Ahab, 'Get ready and go down, so that the rain doesn't stop you.'"

45 In a little while, the sky grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.

46 the LORD's hand was on Elijah; and he tucked his cloak into his belt and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

-----

◇ The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/

◇ June 9, 2016 Daily Mass Reading
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/16_06_09.mp3

◇ Daily Readings June 9, 2016
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/060916.cfm

◇ Liturgical Calendar
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendarday.php?date=2016-06-09

◇ Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.5

◇ King James Version Bible Online
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Matthew&chapter=5&verse=

◇ The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/index.cfm

◇ Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

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Today's Bible story

June 8, 2016

We hope it will be a good day today !

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Weekday

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Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19

17 "Don't think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn't come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter† or one tiny pen stroke‡ shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.

19 Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.


†5:18: literally, iota

‡5:18: or, serif

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1 Kings 18:20-39

20 So Ahab sent to all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together to Mount Carmel.

21 Elijah came near to all the people, and said, "How long will you waver between the two sides? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him."

The people didn't say a word.

22 Then Elijah said to the people, "I, even I only, am left as a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

23 Let them therefore give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under; and I will dress the other bull, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under it.

24 You call on the name of your god, and I will call on the LORD's name. The God who answers by fire, let him be God."

All the people answered, "What you say is good."

25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one bull for yourselves, and dress it first; for you are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it."

26 They took the bull which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, "Baal, hear us!" But there was no voice, and nobody answered. They lept about the altar which was made.

27 At noon, Elijah mocked them, and said, "Cry aloud; for he is a god. Either he is deep in thought, or he has gone somewhere, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he sleeps and must be awakened."

28 They cried aloud, and cut themselves in their way with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them.

29 When midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the evening offering; but there was no voice, no answer, and nobody paid attention.

30 Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me!"; and all the people came near to him. He repaired the LORD's altar that had been thrown down.

31 Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the LORD's word came, saying, "Israel shall be your name."

32 With the stones he built an altar in the LORD's name. He made a trench around the altar, large enough to contain two seahs* of seed.

33 He put the wood in order, and cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood. He said, "Fill four jars with water, and pour it on the burnt offering, and on the wood."

34 He said, "Do it a second time"; and they did it the second time. He said, "Do it a third time"; and they did it the third time.

35 The water ran around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water.

36 At the time of the evening offering, Elijah the prophet came near, and said, "LORD, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word.

37 Hear me, LORD, hear me, that this people may know that you, LORD, are God, and that you have turned their heart back again."

38 Then the LORD's fire fell, and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

39 When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces. They said, "The LORD, he is God! the LORD, he is God!"


*18:32: 1 seah is about 7 litres or 1.9 gallons or 0.8 pecks

-----

◇ The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/

◇ June 8, 2016 Daily Mass Reading
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/16_06_08.mp3

◇ Daily Readings June 8, 2016
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/060816.cfm

◇ Liturgical Calendar
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendarday.php?date=2016-06-08

◇ Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.5

◇ King James Version Bible Online
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Matthew&chapter=5&verse=

◇ The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/index.cfm

◇ Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

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