2.17.2021

 Today's Bible story *

February 17, 2021

I hope that you have a nice day today too.

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Ash Wednesday

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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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Joel 2:12-18

12 "Yet even now," says the LORD, "turn to me with all your heart,
and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning."

13 Tear your heart, and not your garments,
and turn to the LORD, your God;
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness,
and relents from sending calamity.

14 Who knows? He may turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
even a meal offering and a drink offering to the LORD, your God.

15 Blow the trumpet in Zion!
Sanctify a fast.
Call a solemn assembly.

16 Gather the people.
Sanctify the assembly.
Assemble the elders.
Gather the children, and those who nurse from breasts.
Let the bridegroom go out of his room,
and the bride out of her room.

17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar,
and let them say, "Spare your people, LORD,
and don't give your heritage to reproach,
that the nations should rule over them.
Why should they say amongst the peoples,
'Where is their God?'"

18 Then the LORD was jealous for his land,
And had pity on his people.

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2 Corinthians 5:20--6:2

5:20 We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

21 For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

6:1 Working together, we entreat also that you not receive the grace of God in vain,

2 for he says,
"At an acceptable time I listened to you,
in a day of salvation I helped you."
Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.

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

◇ February 17, 2021 Daily Mass Reading
http://www.hanamori.info/u/go/20210217bible.html

◇ Daily Readings February 17, 2021
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021721.cfm

◇ Abiding Radio Instrumental (BGM)
https://www.abidingradio.org/radio/instrumental

◇ Today's Bible Story
http://todaysbiblestory.seesaa.net/

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