Today's Bible story *

February 28, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

-----

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.

-----

Isaiah 55:10-11

10 For as the rain comes down and the snow from the sky,
and doesn't return there, but waters the earth,
and makes it grow and bud,
and gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater;

11 so is my word that goes out of my mouth:
it will not return to me void,
but it will accomplish that which I please,
and it will prosper in the thing I sent it to do.

-----

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

◇ February 28, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-28-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 28, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022823.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 27, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Monday of the First Week of Lent

-----

Gospel : Matthew 25:31-46

31 "But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.

32 Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

33 He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then the King will tell those on his right hand, 'Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;

35 for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in.

36 I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.'

37 "Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink?

38 When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you?

39 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?'

40 "The King will answer them, 'Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'

41 Then he will say also to those on the left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels;

42 for I was hungry, and you didn't give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink;

43 I was a stranger, and you didn't take me in; naked, and you didn't clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn't visit me.'

44 "Then they will also answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn't help you?'

45 "Then he will answer them, saying, 'Most certainly I tell you, because you didn't do it to one of the least of these, you didn't do it to me.'

46 These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

-----

Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18

1 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

2 "Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and tell them, 'You shall be holy; for I, the LORD your God, am holy.

11 "'You shall not steal.
"'You shall not lie.
"'You shall not deceive one another.

12 "'You shall not swear by my name falsely, and profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.

13 "'You shall not oppress your neighbour, nor rob him.
"'The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night until the morning.

14 "'You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind; but you shall fear your God. I am the LORD.

15 "'You shall do no injustice in judgement. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor show favouritism to the great; but you shall judge your neighbour in righteousness.

16 "'You shall not go up and down as a slanderer amongst your people.
"'You shall not endanger the life of your neighbour. I am the LORD.

17 "'You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbour, and not bear sin because of him.

18 "'You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbour as yourself. I am the LORD.

-----

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

◇ February 27, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-27-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 27, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022723.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 26, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

First Sunday of Lent

-----

Gospel : Matthew 4:1-11

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

2 When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward.

3 The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."

4 But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"

5 Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple,

6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, 'He will put his angels in charge of you.' and,
'On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you don't dash your foot against a stone.'"

7 Jesus said to him, "Again, it is written, 'You shall not test the Lord, your God.'"

8 Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory.

9 He said to him, "I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me."

10 Then Jesus said to him, "Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.'"

11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him.

----

Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7

2:7 The LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

8 The LORD God planted a garden eastward, in Eden, and there he put the man whom he had formed.

9 Out of the ground the LORD God made every tree to grow that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food, including the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Has God really said, 'You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?'"

2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden,

3 but not the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God has said, 'You shall not eat of it. You shall not touch it, lest you die.'"

4 The serpent said to the woman, "You won't surely die,

5 for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took some of its fruit, and ate; and she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate it, too.

7 Their eyes were opened, and they both knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made coverings for themselves.

-----

Romans 5:12-19

12 Therefore as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, because all sinned.

13 For until the law, sin was in the world; but sin is not charged when there is no law.

14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those whose sins weren't like Adam's disobedience, who is a foreshadowing of him who was to come.

15 But the free gift isn't like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.

16 The gift is not as through one who sinned: for the judgement came by one to condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses to justification.

17 For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.

18 So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life.

19 For as through the one man's disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one, many will be made righteous.

-----

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

◇ February 26, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-26-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 26, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022623.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 25, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

-----

Gospel : Luke 5:27-32

27 After these things he went out, and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and said to him, "Follow me!"

28 He left everything, and rose up and followed him.

29 Levi made a great feast for him in his house. There was a great crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining with them.

30 Their scribes and the Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?"

31 Jesus answered them, "Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.

32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

-----

Isaiah 58:9b-14

9b "If you take away from amongst you the yoke,
finger pointing,
and speaking wickedly;

10 and if you pour out your soul to the hungry,
and satisfy the afflicted soul:
then your light will rise in darkness,
and your obscurity will be as the noonday;

11 and the LORD will guide you continually,
and satisfy your soul in dry places,
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
and like a spring of water,
whose waters don't fail.

12 Those who shall be of you shall build the old waste places;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
and you shall be called Repairer of the Breach,
Restorer of Paths with Dwellings.

13 "If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath,
from doing your pleasure on my holy day;
and call the Sabbath a delight,
and the holy of the LORD honourable;
and shall honour it,
not doing your own ways,
nor finding your own pleasure,
nor speaking your own words:

14 then you shall delight yourself in the LORD;
and I will make you to ride on the high places of the earth;
and I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father:"
for the LORD's mouth has spoken it.

-----

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

◇ February 25, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-25-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 25, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022523.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 24, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Friday after Ash Wednesday

-----

Gospel : Matthew 9:14-15

14 Then John's disciples came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don't fast?"

15 Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

-----

Isaiah 58:1-9a

1 "Cry aloud, don't spare.
Lift up your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their disobedience,
and to the house of Jacob their sins.

2 Yet they seek me daily,
and delight to know my ways.
As a nation that did righteousness,
and didn't forsake the ordinance of their God,
they ask of me righteous judgements.
They delight to draw near to God.

3 'Why have we fasted,' say they, 'and you don't see?
Why have we afflicted our soul, and you don't notice?'
"Behold, in the day of your fast you find pleasure,
and oppress all your labourers.

4 Behold, you fast for strife and contention,
and to strike with the fist of wickedness.
You don't fast today so as to make your voice to be heard on high.

5 Is this the fast that I have chosen?
A day for a man to humble his soul?
Is it to bow down his head like a reed,
and to spread sackcloth and ashes under himself?
Will you call this a fast,
and an acceptable day to the LORD?

6 "Isn't this the fast that I have chosen:
to release the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and that you break every yoke?

7 Isn't it to distribute your bread to the hungry,
and that you bring the poor who are cast out to your house?
When you see the naked,
that you cover him;
and that you not hide yourself from your own flesh?

8 Then your light will break out as the morning,
and your healing will appear quickly;
then your righteousness shall go before you;
and the LORD's glory will be your rear guard.

9a Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say, 'Here I am.'

-----

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

◇ February 24, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-24-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 24, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022423.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 23, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

-----

Gospel : Luke 9:22-25

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.

25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self?

-----

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

15 Behold, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and evil.

16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his ordinances, that you may live and multiply, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land where you go in to possess it.

17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

18 I denounce to you today, that you will surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you pass over the Jordan to go in to possess it.

19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your descendants;

20 to love the LORD your God, to obey his voice, and to cling to him; for he is your life, and the length of your days; that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

-----

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

◇ February 23, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-23-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 23, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022323.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 22, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Ash Wednesday

-----

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.

-----

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.

-----

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.

-----

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

◇ February 22, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-22-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 22, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022223.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 21, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

-----

Gospel : Mark 9:30-37

30 They went out from there, and passed through Galilee. He didn't want anyone to know it.

31 For he was teaching his disciples, and said to them, "The Son of Man is being handed over to the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, on the third day he will rise again."

32 But they didn't understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

33 He came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing amongst yourselves on the way?"

34 But they were silent, for they had disputed one with another on the way about who was the greatest.

35 He sat down, and called the twelve; and he said to them, "If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all."

36 He took a little child, and set him in the middle of them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them,

37 "Whoever receives one such little child in my name, receives me, and whoever receives me, doesn't receive me, but him who sent me."

-----

Sirach 2:1-11

1 My son, if you come to serve the Lord,
Prepare your soul for temptation.

2 Set your heart aright, and constantly endure,
And make not haste in time of calamity.

3 Cleave to him, and depart not,
That you may be increased at your latter end.

4 Accept whatever is brought upon you,
And be longsuffering when you passest into humiliation.

5 For gold is tried in the fire,
And acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.

6 Put your trust in him, and he will help you:
Order your ways aright, and set your hope on him.

7 You that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy;
And turn not aside, lest you fall.

8 You that fear the Lord, put your trust in him;
And your reward shall not fail.

9 You that fear the Lord, hope for good things,
And for eternal gladness and mercy.

10 Look at the generations of old, and see:
Who did ever put his trust in the Lord, and was ashamed?
Or who did abide in his fear, and was forsaken?
Or who did call upon him, and he despised him?

11 For the Lord is full of compassion and mercy;
And he forgives sins, and saves in time of affliction.

-----

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

◇ February 21, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-21-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 21, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022123.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 20, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

-----

Gospel : Mark 9:14-29

14 Coming to the disciples, he saw a great multitude around them, and scribes questioning them.

15 Immediately all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him greeted him.

16 He asked the scribes, "What are you asking them?"

17 One of the multitude answered, "Teacher, I brought to you my son, who has a mute spirit;

18 and wherever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and wastes away. I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they weren't able."

19 He answered him, "Unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me."

20 They brought him to him, and when he saw him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground, wallowing and foaming at the mouth.

21 He asked his father, "How long has it been since this has come to him?"
He said, "From childhood.

22 Often it has cast him both into the fire and into the water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us."

23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."

24 Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, "I believe. Help my unbelief!"

25 When Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, "You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!"

26 Having cried out, and convulsed greatly, it came out of him. The boy became like one dead; so much that most of them said, "He is dead."

27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose.

28 When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we cast it out?"

29 He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing, except by prayer and fasting."

-----

Sirach 1:1-10

1 All wisdom comes from the Lord,
And is with him forever.

2 The sand of the seas, and the drops of rain,
And the days of eternity, who shall count?

3 The height of the heaven, and the breadth of the earth,
And the deep, and wisdom, who shall search them out?

4 Wisdom has been created before all things,
And the understanding of prudence from everlasting.

5 (Verses 5 omitted by the best authorities.)

6 To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed?
And who has known her shrewd counsels?

7 (Verses 5 omitted by the best authorities.)

8 There is one wise, greatly to be feared,
The Lord sitting upon his throne:

9 He created her,
And saw, and counted her,
And poured her out upon all his works.

10 She is with all flesh according to his gift;
And he gave her freely to them that love him.

-----

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

◇ February 20, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-20-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 20, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022023.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 19, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

-----

Gospel : Matthew 5:38-48

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.

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.

----

Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18

1 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

2 "Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and tell them, 'You shall be holy; for I, the LORD your God, am holy.

17 "'You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbour, and not bear sin because of him.

18 "'You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbour as yourself. I am the LORD.

-----

1 Corinthians 3:16-23

16 Don't you know that you are a temple of God, and that God's Spirit lives in you?

17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is holy, which you are.

18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise amongst you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He has taken the wise in their craftiness."

20 And again, "The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise, that it is worthless."

21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours,

22 whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All are yours,

23 and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

-----

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

◇ February 19, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-19-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 19, 2023
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021923.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 18, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

-----

Gospel : Mark 9:2-13

2 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and brought them up onto a high mountain privately by themselves, and he was changed into another form in front of them.

3 His clothing became glistening, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.

4 Elijah and Moses appeared to them, and they were talking with Jesus.

5 Peter answered Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let's make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

6 For he didn't know what to say, for they were very afraid.

7 A cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."

8 Suddenly looking around, they saw no one with them any more, except Jesus only.

9 As they were coming down from the mountain, he commanded them that they should tell no one what things they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

10 They kept this saying to themselves, questioning what the "rising from the dead" meant.

11 They asked him, saying, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"

12 He said to them, "Elijah indeed comes first, and restores all things. How is it written about the Son of Man, that he should suffer many things and be despised?

13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they have also done to him whatever they wanted to, even as it is written about him."

-----

Hebrews 11:1-7

1 Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.

2 For by this, the elders obtained testimony.

3 By faith, we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible.

4 By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him that he was righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks.

5 By faith, Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn't see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God.

6 Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.

7 By faith, Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

-----

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

◇ February 18, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-18-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 18, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021823.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 17, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

-----

Gospel : Mark 8:34--9:1

8:34 He called the multitude to himself with his disciples, and said to them, "Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it.

36 For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?

37 For what will a man give in exchange for his life?

38 For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him, when he comes in his Father's glory, with the holy angels."

9:1 He said to them, "Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste death until they see God's Kingdom come with power."

-----

Genesis 11:1-9

1 The whole earth was of one language and of one speech.

2 As they travelled east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they lived there.

3 They said to one another, "Come, let's make bricks, and burn them thoroughly." They had brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar.

4 They said, "Come, let's build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top reaches to the sky, and let's make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad on the surface of the whole earth."

5 The LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men built.

6 The LORD said, "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is what they begin to do. Now nothing will be withheld from them, which they intend to do.

7 Come, let's go down, and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech."

8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there on the surface of all the earth. They stopped building the city.

9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. From there, the LORD scattered them abroad on the surface of all the earth.

-----

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

◇ February 17, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-17-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 17, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021723.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 16, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

-----

Gospel : Mark 8:27-33

27 Jesus went out, with his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that I am?"

28 They told him, "John the Baptiser, and others say Elijah, but others: one of the prophets."

29 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Peter answered, "You are the Christ."

30 He commanded them that they should tell no one about him.

31 He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

32 He spoke to them openly. Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

33 But he, turning around, and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you have in mind not the things of God, but the things of men."

-----

Genesis 9:1-13

1 God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

2 The fear of you and the dread of you will be on every animal of the earth, and on every bird of the sky. Everything that moves along the ground, and all the fish of the sea, are delivered into your hand.

3 Every moving thing that lives will be food for you. As I gave you the green herb, I have given everything to you.

4 But flesh with its life, that is, its blood, you shall not eat.

5 I will surely require your blood of your lives; at the hand of every animal I will require it. At the hand of man, even at the hand of every man's brother, I will require the life of man.

6 Whoever sheds man's blood, his blood will be shed by man, for God made man in his own image.

7 Be fruitful and multiply. Increase abundantly in the earth, and multiply in it."

8 God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying,

9 "As for me, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your offspring after you,

10 and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the livestock, and every animal of the earth with you, of all that go out of the ship, even every animal of the earth.

11 I will establish my covenant with you: All flesh will not be cut off any more by the waters of the flood. There will never again be a flood to destroy the earth."

12 God said, "This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:

13 I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be a sign of a covenant between me and the earth.

-----

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

◇ February 16, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-16-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 16, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021623.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 15, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

-----

Gospel : Mark 8:22-26

22 He came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to him, and begged him to touch him.

23 He took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village. When he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands on him, he asked him if he saw anything.


24 He looked up, and said, "I see men; for I see them like trees walking."

25 Then again he laid his hands on his eyes. He looked intently, and was restored, and saw everyone clearly.

26 He sent him away to his house, saying, "Don't enter into the village, nor tell anyone in the village."

-----

Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22

6 At the end of forty days, Noah opened the window of the ship which he had made,

7 and he sent out a raven. It went back and forth, until the waters were dried up from the earth.

8 He himself sent out a dove to see if the waters were abated from the surface of the ground,

9 but the dove found no place to rest her foot, and she returned to him into the ship, for the waters were on the surface of the whole earth. He put out his hand, and took her, and brought her to him into the ship.

10 He waited yet another seven days; and again he sent the dove out of the ship.

11 The dove came back to him at evening and, behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters were abated from the earth.

12 He waited yet another seven days, and sent out the dove; and she didn't return to him anymore.

13 In the six hundred first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth. Noah removed the covering of the ship, and looked. He saw that the surface of the ground was dried.

20 Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

21 The LORD smelled the pleasant aroma. The LORD said in his heart, "I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake because the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth. I will never again strike every living thing, as I have done.

22 While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night will not cease."

-----

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

◇ February 15, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-15-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 15, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021523.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 14, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Memorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop

-----

Gospel : Mark 8:14-21

14 They forgot to take bread; and they didn't have more than one loaf in the boat with them.

15 He warned them, saying, "Take heed: beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod."

16 They reasoned with one another, saying, "It's because we have no bread."

17 Jesus, perceiving it, said to them, "Why do you reason that it's because you have no bread? Don't you perceive yet, neither understand? Is your heart still hardened?

18 Having eyes, don't you see? Having ears, don't you hear? Don't you remember?

19 When I broke the five loaves amongst the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?"
They told him, "Twelve."

20 "When the seven loaves fed the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?"
They told him, "Seven."

21 He asked them, "Don't you understand, yet?"

-----

Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10

6:5 The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of man's heart was continually only evil.

6 The LORD was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him in his heart.

7 The LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the surface of the ground?man, along with animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky?for I am sorry that I have made them."

8 But Noah found favour in the LORD's eyes.

7:1 The LORD said to Noah, "Come with all of your household into the ship, for I have seen your righteousness before me in this generation.

2 You shall take seven pairs of every clean animal with you, the male and his female. Of the animals that are not clean, take two, the male and his female.

3 Also of the birds of the sky, seven and seven, male and female, to keep seed alive on the surface of all the earth.

4 In seven days, I will cause it to rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights. Every living thing that I have made, I will destroy from the surface of the ground."

5 Noah did everything that the LORD commanded him.

10 After the seven days, the floodwaters came on the earth.

-----

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

◇ February 14, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/2023-02-14-usccb-daily-mass-readings

◇ Daily Readings February 14, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021423.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 13, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

-----

Gospel : Mark 8:11-13

11 The Pharisees came out and began to question him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, and testing him.

12 He sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Most certainly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation."

13 He left them, and again entering into the boat, departed to the other side.

-----

Genesis 4:1-15, 25

1 The man knew Eve his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Cain, and said, "I have gotten a man with the LORD's help."

2 Again she gave birth, to Cain's brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

3 As time passed, Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the ground.

4 Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. The LORD respected Abel and his offering,

5 but he didn't respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell.

6 The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen?

7 If you do well, won't it be lifted up? If you don't do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it."

8 Cain said to Abel, his brother, "Let's go into the field." While they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him.

9 The LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel, your brother?"
He said, "I don't know. Am I my brother's keeper?"

10 The LORD said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries to me from the ground.

11 Now you are cursed because of the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.

12 From now on, when you till the ground, it won't yield its strength to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth."

13 Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is greater than I can bear.

14 Behold, you have driven me out today from the surface of the ground. I will be hidden from your face, and I will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth. Whoever finds me will kill me."

15 The LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold." the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that anyone finding him would not strike him.

25 Adam knew his wife again. She gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, saying, "for God has given me another child instead of Abel, for Cain killed him."

-----

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

◇ February 13, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-13-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 13, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021323.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 12, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

-----

Gospel : Matthew 5:17-37

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.

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.

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.

33 "Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,'

34 but I tell you, don't swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God;

35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

36 Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can't make one hair white or black.

37 But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'No.' Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.

----

Sirach 15:15-20

15 If you will, you shall keep the commandments;
And to perform faithfulness is of your own good pleasure.

16 He has set fire and water before you:
You shall stretch forth your hand to whichever you will.

17 Before man is life and death;
And whichever he likes, it shall be given him.

18 For great is the wisdom of the Lord:
He is mighty in power, and sees all things;

19 And his eyes are upon them that fear him;
And he will take knowledge of every work of man.

20 He has not commanded any man to be ungodly;
And he has not given any man licence to sin.

-----

1 Corinthians 2:6-10

6 We speak wisdom, however, amongst those who are full grown; yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nothing.

7 But we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds for our glory,

8 which none of the rulers of this world has known. For had they known it, they wouldn't have crucified the Lord of glory.

9 But as it is written,
"Things which an eye didn't see, and an ear didn't hear,
which didn't enter into the heart of man,
these God has prepared for those who love him."

10 But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

-----

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

◇ February 12, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/2023-02-12-usccb-daily-mass-readings

◇ Daily Readings February 12, 2023
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021223.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 11, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

-----

Gospel : Mark 8:1-10

Mk 8:1-10

1 In those days, when there was a very great multitude, and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to himself, and said to them,

2 "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have stayed with me now three days, and have nothing to eat.

3 If I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way, for some of them have come a long way."

4 His disciples answered him, "From where could one satisfy these people with bread here in a deserted place?"

5 He asked them, "How many loaves do you have?"
They said, "Seven."

6 e commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves. Having given thanks, he broke them, and gave them to his disciples to serve, and they served the multitude.

7 They had a few small fish. Having blessed them, he said to serve these also.

8 They ate, and were filled. They took up seven baskets of broken pieces that were left over.

9 Those who had eaten were about four thousand. Then he sent them away.

10 Immediately he entered into the boat with his disciples, and came into the region of Dalmanutha.

-----

Genesis 3:9-24

9 The LORD God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?"

10 The man said, "I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself."

11 God said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"

12 The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it."

13 The LORD God said to the woman, "What have you done?"
The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

14 The LORD God said to the serpent,
"Because you have done this,
you are cursed above all livestock,
and above every animal of the field.
You shall go on your belly
and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.

15 I will put hostility between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring.
He will bruise your head,
and you will bruise his heel."

16 To the woman he said,
"I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth.
In pain you will bear children.
Your desire will be for your husband,
and he will rule over you."

17 To Adam he said,
"Because you have listened to your wife's voice,
and ate from the tree,
about which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it,'
the ground is cursed for your sake.
You will eat from it with much labour all the days of your life.

18 It will yield thorns and thistles to you;
and you will eat the herb of the field.

19 By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground,
for out of it you were taken.
For you are dust,
and to dust you shall return."

20 The man called his wife Eve because she would be the mother of all the living.

21 The LORD God made coats of animal skins for Adam and for his wife, and clothed them.

22 The LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand, and also take of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever..."

23 Therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken.

24 So he drove out the man; and he placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

-----

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

◇ February 11, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-11-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 11, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021123.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 10, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin

-----

Gospel : Mark 7:31-37

31 Again he departed from the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and came to the sea of Galilee, through the middle of the region of Decapolis.

32 They brought to him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech. They begged him to lay his hand on him.

33 He took him aside from the multitude, privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue.

34 Looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha!" that is, "Be opened!"

35 Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was released, and he spoke clearly.

36 He commanded them that they should tell no one, but the more he commanded them, so much the more widely they proclaimed it.

37 They were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes even the deaf hear, and the mute speak!"

-----

Genesis 3:1-8

1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Has God really said, 'You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?'"

2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden,

3 but not the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God has said, 'You shall not eat of it. You shall not touch it, lest you die.'"

4 The serpent said to the woman, "You won't surely die,

5 for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took some of its fruit, and ate; and she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate it, too.

7 Their eyes were opened, and they both knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made coverings for themselves.

8 They heard the LORD God's voice walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

-----

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

◇ February 10, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-10-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 10, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021023.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 9, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

-----

Gospel : Mark 7:24-30

24 From there he arose, and went away into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. He entered into a house, and didn't want anyone to know it, but he couldn't escape notice.

25 For a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard of him, came and fell down at his feet.

26 Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. She begged him that he would cast the demon out of her daughter.

27 But Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled first, for it is not appropriate to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."

28 But she answered him, "Yes, Lord. Yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs."

29 He said to her, "For this saying, go your way. The demon has gone out of your daughter."

30 She went away to her house, and found the child having been laid on the bed, with the demon gone out.

-----

Genesis 2:18-25

18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper comparable to him."

19 Out of the ground the LORD God formed every animal of the field, and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. Whatever the man called every living creature became its name.

20 The man gave names to all livestock, and to the birds of the sky, and to every animal of the field; but for man there was not found a helper comparable to him.

21 The LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. As the man slept, he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.

22 the LORD God made a woman from the rib which had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.

23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. She will be called 'woman,' because she was taken out of Man."

24 Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.

25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they were not ashamed.

-----

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

◇ February 9, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-9-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 9, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020923.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 8, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

-----

Gospel : Mark 7:14-23

14 He called all the multitude to himself, and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand.

15 There is nothing from outside of the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man.

16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"

17 When he had entered into a house away from the multitude, his disciples asked him about the parable.

18 He said to them, "Are you also without understanding? Don't you perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside can't defile him,

19 because it doesn't go into his heart, but into his stomach, then into the latrine, thus purifying all foods?"

20 He said, "That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man.

21 For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts,

22 covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness.

23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."

-----

Genesis 2:4b-9, 15-17

4b in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.

5 No plant of the field was yet in the earth, and no herb of the field had yet sprung up; for the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the earth. There was not a man to till the ground,

6 but a mist went up from the earth, and watered the whole surface of the ground.

7 The LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

8 The LORD God planted a garden eastward, in Eden, and there he put the man whom he had formed.

9 Out of the ground the LORD God made every tree to grow that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food, including the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

15 The LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.

16 The LORD God commanded the man, saying, "You may freely eat of every tree of the garden;

17 but you shall not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die."

-----

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

◇ February 8, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-8-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 8, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020823.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 7, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

-----

Gospel : Mark 7:1-13

1 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered together to him, having come from Jerusalem.

2 Now when they saw some of his disciples eating bread with defiled, that is unwashed, hands, they found fault.

3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews, don't eat unless they wash their hands and forearms, holding to the tradition of the elders.

4 They don't eat when they come from the marketplace unless they bathe themselves, and there are many other things, which they have received to hold to: washings of cups, pitchers, bronze vessels, and couches.)

5 The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why don't your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?"

6 He answered them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,
'This people honours me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me.

7 But they worship me in vain,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'

8 "For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men?the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things."

9 He said to them, "Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.

10 For Moses said, 'Honour your father and your mother;' and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.'

11 But you say, 'If a man tells his father or his mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban, that is to say, given to God";'

12 then you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother, 13 making void the word of God by your tradition, which you have handed down. You do many things like this."

-----

Genesis 1:20--2:4a

1:20 God said, "Let the waters abound with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of sky."

21 God created the large sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind. God saw that it was good.

22 God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth."

23 There was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.

24 God said, "Let the earth produce living creatures after their kind, livestock, creeping things, and animals of the earth after their kind"; and it was so.

25 God made the animals of the earth after their kind, and the livestock after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind. God saw that it was good.

26 God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

27 God created man in his own image. In God's image he created him; male and female he created them.

28 God blessed them. God said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

29 God said, "Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food.

30 To every animal of the earth, and to every bird of the sky, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food;" and it was so.

31 God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.

2:1 The heavens, the earth, and all their vast array were finished.

2 On the seventh day God finished his work which he had done; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done.

3 God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because he rested in it from all his work of creation which he had done.

4a This is the history of the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created,

-----

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

◇ February 7, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-7-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 7, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020723.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 6, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs

-----

Gospel : Mark 6:53-56

53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore.

54 When they had come out of the boat, immediately the people recognised him,

55 and ran around that whole region, and began to bring those who were sick, on their mats, to where they heard he was.

56 Wherever he entered, into villages, or into cities, or into the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch just the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched him were made well.

-----

Genesis 1:1-19

1 In the beginning, God* created the heavens and the earth.

2 The earth was formless and empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep and God's Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters.
3 God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

4 God saw the light, and saw that it was good. God divided the light from the darkness.

5 God called the light "day", and the darkness he called "night". There was evening and there was morning, the first day.

6 God said, "Let there be an expanse in the middle of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters."

7 God made the expanse, and divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so.

8 God called the expanse "sky". There was evening and there was morning, a second day.

9 God said, "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together to one place, and let the dry land appear"; and it was so.

10 God called the dry land "earth", and the gathering together of the waters he called "seas". God saw that it was good.

11 God said, "Let the earth yield grass, herbs yielding seeds, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with their seeds in it, on the earth"; and it was so.

12 The earth yielded grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, with their seeds in it, after their kind; and God saw that it was good.

13 There was evening and there was morning, a third day.

14 God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of sky to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs to mark seasons, days, and years;

15 and let them be for lights in the expanse of sky to give light on the earth"; and it was so.

16 God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars.

17 God set them in the expanse of sky to give light to the earth,

18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. God saw that it was good.

19 There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.

-----

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

◇ February 6, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-6-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 6, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020623.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 5, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

-----

Gospel : Matthew 5:13-16

13 "You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavour, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.

14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can't be hidden.

15 Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.

16 Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

----

Isaiah 58:7-10

7 Isn't it to distribute your bread to the hungry,
and that you bring the poor who are cast out to your house?
When you see the naked,
that you cover him;
and that you not hide yourself from your own flesh?

8 Then your light will break out as the morning,
and your healing will appear quickly;
then your righteousness shall go before you;
and the LORD's glory will be your rear guard.

9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say, 'Here I am.'
"If you take away from amongst you the yoke,
finger pointing,
and speaking wickedly;

10 and if you pour out your soul to the hungry,
and satisfy the afflicted soul:
then your light will rise in darkness,
and your obscurity will be as the noonday;

-----

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

1 When I came to you, brothers, I didn't come with excellence of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know anything amongst you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.

4 My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

5 that your faith wouldn't stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

-----

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

◇ February 5, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-5-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 5, 2023
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020523.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 4, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

-----

Gospel : Mark 6:30-34

30 The apostles gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him all things, whatever they had done, and whatever they had taught.

31 He said to them, "You come apart into a deserted place, and rest awhile." For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

32 They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.

33 They saw them going, and many recognised him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to him.

34 Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.

-----

Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21

15 Through him, then, let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to his name.

16 But don't forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.

20 Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus,

21 make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

-----

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

◇ February 4, 2023 USCCB Daily Mass Readings
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-4-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 4, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020423.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 3, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

-----

Gospel : Mark 6:14-29

14 King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, "John the Baptiser has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."

15 But others said, "He is Elijah." Others said, "He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets."

16 But Herod, when he heard this, said, "This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead."

17 For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, for he had married her.

18 For John said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."

19 Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him, but she couldn't,

20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.

21 Then a convenient day came, that Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.

22 When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you."

23 He swore to her, "Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom."

24 She went out, and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"
She said, "The head of John the Baptiser."

25 She came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptiser on a platter."

26 The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths, and of his dinner guests, he didn't wish to refuse her.

27 Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring John's head, and he went and beheaded him in the prison,

28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother.

29 When his disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

-----

Hebrews 13:1-8

1 Let brotherly love continue.

2 Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.

3 Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you are also in the body.

4 Let marriage be held in honour amongst all, and let the bed be undefiled: but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

5 Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, "I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you."

6 So that with good courage we say,
"The Lord is my helper. I will not fear.
What can man do to me?"

7 Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

-----

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

◇ Daily Mass Reading Podcast For February 3, 2023
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-3-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 3, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020323.cfm

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

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

-----

Today's Bible story *

February 2, 2023

Have a good day!

-----

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

-----

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.

-----

Malachi 3:1-4

1 "Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, behold, he comes!" says the LORD of Armies.

2 "But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like launderer's soap;

3 and he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver; and they shall offer to the LORD offerings in righteousness.

4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasant to the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in ancient years.

---

Second Reading
Hebrews 2:14-18

14 Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

15 and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

16 For most certainly, he doesn't give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspring of Abraham.

17 Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

-----

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

◇ Daily Mass Reading Podcast For February 2, 2023
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-2-2023

◇ Daily Readings February 2, 2023
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020223.cfm

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

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

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