December 16, 2019
I hope you have a nice day today too.
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Monday of the Third Week of Advent
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Gospel : Matthew 21:23-27
23 When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?"
24 Jesus answered them, "I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
25 The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?"
They reasoned with themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask us, 'Why then did you not believe him?'
26 But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet."
27 They answered Jesus, and said, "We don't know."
He also said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
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Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a
2 Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came on him.
3 He took up his parable, and said,
"Balaam the son of Beor says,
the man whose eyes are open says;
4 he says, who hears the words of God,
who sees the vision of the Almighty,
falling down, and having his eyes open:
5 How goodly are your tents, Jacob,
and your tents, Israel!
6 As valleys they are spread out,
as gardens by the riverside,
as aloes which the LORD has planted,
as cedar trees beside the waters.
7 Water shall flow from his buckets.
His seed shall be in many waters.
His king shall be higher than Agag.
His kingdom shall be exalted.
8 God brings him out of Egypt.
He has as it were the strength of the wild ox.
He shall eat up the nations his adversaries,
shall break their bones in pieces,
and pierce them with his arrows.
9 He couched, he lay down as a lion,
as a lioness; who shall rouse him up?
Everyone who blesses you is blessed.
Everyone who curses you is cursed."
10 Balak's anger burnt against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times.
11 Therefore now flee you to your place! I thought to promote you to great honour; but, behold, the LORD has kept you back from honour."
12 Balaam said to Balak, "Didn't I also tell your messengers who you sent to me, saying,
13 'If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can't go beyond the LORD's word, to do either good or bad of my own mind. I will say what the LORD says'?
14 Now, behold, I go to my people. Come, I will inform you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days."
15 He took up his parable, and said,
"Balaam the son of Beor says,
the man whose eyes are open says;
16 he says, who hears the words of God,
knows the knowledge of the Most High,
and who sees the vision of the Almighty,
Falling down, and having his eyes open:
17a I see him, but not now.
I see him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob.
A sceptre will rise out of Israel,
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* The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/
◇ December 16, 2019 Daily Mass Reading
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/2019/19_12_16.mp3
◇ Daily Readings December 16, 2019
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121619.cfm
◇ Liturgical Calendar
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendarday.php?date=2019-12-16
◇ Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.21
◇ King James Version Bible Online
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Matthew&chapter=21&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/
◇ Chibadera Catholic Church
http://www.chibaderacatholic.jp/
◇ Today's Bible Story
http://todaysbiblestory.seesaa.net/
http://todaysbible.jugem.jp/
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