December 31, 2017
I hope you have a nice day today too.
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The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
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Gospel: Luke 2:22-40
22 When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord
23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"),☆
24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."☆
25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.*
27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,
28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 "Now you are releasing your servant, Master,
according to your word, in peace;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
32 a light for revelation to the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel."
33 Joseph and his mother were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him,
34 and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.
35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
36 There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,
37 and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn't depart from the temple, worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day.
38 Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
40 The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
☆2:23: Exodus 13:2,12
☆2:24: Leviticus 12:8
*2:26: "Christ" (Greek) and "Messiah" (Hebrew) both mean "Anointed One"
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Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3
15:1 After these things the LORD's word came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Don't be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."
2 Abram said, "Lord* the LORD, what will you give me, since I go childless, and he who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?"
3 Abram said, "Behold, to me you have given no children†: and, behold, one born in my house is my heir."
4 Behold, the LORD's word came to him, saying, "This man will not be your heir, but he who will come out of your own body will be your heir."
5 The LORD brought him outside, and said, "Look now towards the sky, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." He said to Abram, "So will your offspring‡ be."
6 He believed in the LORD, who credited it to him for righteousness.
21:1 The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had spoken.
2 Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
3 Abraham called his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac. *
*15:2: The word translated "Lord" is "Adonai".
†15:3: or, seed
‡15:5: or, seed
*21:3: Isaac means "He laughs".
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Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19
8 By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went.
11 By faith, even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead.
17 By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his one and only son,
18 to whom it was said, "your offspring‡ will be accounted as from Isaac"; ☆
19 concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.
‡11:18: or, seed
☆11:18: Genesis 21:12
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* The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/
◇ December 31, 2017 Daily Mass Reading
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/17_12_31.mp3
◇ Daily Readings December 31, 2017
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/123117.cfm
◇ Liturgical Calendar
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendarday.php?date=2017-12-31
◇ Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Luke.2
◇ King James Version Bible Online
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Luke&chapter=2&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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