Daily Bible Reflections for Cathoics
MARCH, 2000
1
WEDNESDAY
...realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct... --- 1 Peter 1:18
REFLECTION: Think about your own redemption experience.
Dear God, let me not be afraid of being known by You.
2
THURSDAY
But you are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people of His own..." --- 1 Peter 2:9
REFLECTION: Blind corners remind you that you will always need a Savior.
O Lord Jesus, You are the lover of my soul.
3
FRIDAY
"When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you
have a grievance..." --- Mark 11:25
REFLECTION: Is there somebody you still need to forgive?
God's grace is sufficient.
Lord, when I find myself in the position to forgive others,
remind me of all my "second chances."
4
SATURDAY
Keep yourself in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our
Lord Jesus Christ... --- Jude 21
REFLECTION: Are you preparing for the greater "millenium bug?"
Do you need upgrading, replacement or conversion?
Lord Jesus, may all my resources be focused only in You
everyday as I wait to meet my Creator!
5
SUNDAY
"The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbarh." --- Mark 2:27
REFLECTION: The true essence of Mass starts the moment you
step out of the church.
Lord God, thank You for always giving me opportunities
to really show my love for others.
6
MONDAY
...may grace and peace be yours in abundance through knowledge of
God and Jesus our Lord. --- 2 Peter 1:2
REFLECTION: The most important friendship we should nurture
is our relationship with God.
Knowing Jesus makes me want to be more like Him.
I am made in His image and likeness.
7
TUESDAY
"Why are you testing Me?" --- Mark 12:15
REFLECTION: Recall occasions in your life when you felt that the Lord
was testing your faith in Him. How did you find Him?
Lord, we thank You for revealing Yourself to us
during the times when we are about to give up.
8
WEDNESDAY
"[But] take care not to perform righteous deeds in order
that people may see them..." --- Matthew 6:1
REFLECTION: The reading call us to reflect upon our heart's
orientation to the Lord.
Jesus, grant me the grace of true conversion of heart this Lent.
9
THURSDAY
I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse.
Choose life. --- Deuteronomy 30:19
REFLECTION: In your dark night, God lights one candle --- you.
Lord, take the blindness from my eyes...take the deafness from my ears,
when I'm dull and slow to hear, help me recognize Your voice...
10
FRIDAY
This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly,
untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed... --- Isaiah 58:6
REFLECTION: Do the poor people around you know that
you are a Christian?
I need of heart change, Lord. Help me to love my neighbors
who are poor.
11
SATURDAY
"Follow me." --- Luke 5:27
REFLECTION: Do you believe that God choose you to be the salt of the
earth, the light of the world?
Lord, teach me not to be afraid but to find security in Your
assurance that I AM YOUR BELOVED ONE.
12
SUNDAY
At once the Spirit drove Him out into the desert. --- Mark 1:12
REFLECTION: You need money, but you must not allow money to possess you.
Lord, You are the pearl of great price to my heart.
13
MONDAY
When did we see You a Stranger and welcome You, or naked
and clothe You? --- Matthew 25: 38
REFLECTION: A smile, a handshake, a greeting can make a person
feel important and improve his self-esteem.
Lord Jesus, please help me to see You in all people.
Let me burn with Your love for them.
14
TUESDAY
Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. --- Matthew 6: 8
REFLECTION: "You're on your own" really means
"you're in big trouble." Depend on God.
Today, Lord, I realize how much I depend on Your love.
15
WEDNESDAY
Man and beast shall be covered in sackcloth and call loudly to
God; every man shall turn from his evil way. --- Jonah 3: 8
REFLECTION: Everyday, we have crosses to offer to Jesus.
Lord Jesus, thank You for the grace of allowing us
to ake part in Your suffering and be cleansed.
16
THURSDAY
...how much more will your heavenly Father give good things... --- Matthew 7: 11
REFLECTION: When you look at your loved ones, do you see
more reasons to dance?
I will dance for You, sing to You, lift my hands in praise
to You. These are expressions of my love.
17
FRIDAY
I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes
and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. --- Matthew 5: 20
REFLECTION: It is easy to recognize the Pharisee in other people
but it is very difficult to consider ourselves one.
Would You please forgive a Pharisee like me, Lord?
18
SATURDAY
So be perfect, just as Your heavenly Father is perfect. --- Matthew 5: 48
REFLECTION: Perfection is God's expertise, not ours.
Thank You, Father, for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Help me to learn to rely more and more upon His help...
in my life.
19
SUNDAY
And he was transfigured before them... --- Mark 9: 2
REFLECTION: Jesus can bring you to your truest, most beautiful self.
Take my life and let it be pleasing, Lord, to Thee.
20
MONDAY
When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had
commanded him... --- Matthew 1: 24
REFLECTION: How do you measure your world?
Lord, grant me the courage to change the things I can change.
21
TUESDAY
If you are willing, you shall eat the good things of the land. --- Isaiah 1: 19
REFLECTION: Willingness is one big step toward servanthood.
I am self-willed, Lord. Help me to love God's will.
22
WEDNESDAY
"Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve..." --- Matthew 20: 28
REFLECTION: God speaks to us in so many ways.
Think about the people He used to convey His message to you.
Pray for them.
Your love is my refuge, dearest Jesus.
23
THURSDAY
'If they will not listen...' --- Luke 16: 31
REFLECTION: Let God take the driver's seat.
Divine Savior, please grant me the grace to trust in You
with all my heart. Help me not to fall back to being
stubborn and self-centered.
24
FRIDAY
When the chief priests and the Pharisee heard His parables,
they knew that He was speaking about them. --- Matthew 21: 45
REFLECTION: Do you believe in the saying ---
"From the ashes of my monumental failure
shall rise the empire of my success."
Lord, always help me to accept my failures and shortcomings.
25
SATURDAY
By this "will," we have been consecrated through the offering
of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. --- Hebrews 10: 10
REFLECTION: My pride hinders my service.
Does something hinder yours?
Lord, I lift up to You the things that hinder me from doing
Your will. Grant me the strength to overcome them
and courage to face the consequences.
26
SUNDAY
"Zeal for Your house will consume me." --- John 2: 17
REFLECTION: Regrets in the life of service?
Remember, you labor not in vain.
I will never trade my service to You with any other
treasure. You are my gold and silver.
27
MONDAY
"Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha
the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed..." --- Luke 4: 27
REFLECTION: Ask God to reveal to you the "unknown"
sins in your life.
Jesus, I'm sorry for my sins.
Thank You for the forgiveness which You
so freely give to me.
28
TUESDAY
"Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant,
as I had pity on you?" ---
REFLECTION: Today, I make amends to myself and to others.
Lord, may we be truthful offenders and may we be
compassionate offended ones.
29
WEDNESDAY
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law
or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill." --- Matthew 5: 17
REFLECTION: What kind of law do you follow in your life?
Lord, please give me the grace to fulfill the Law
and the Prophets, loving my brothers and sisters.
30
THURSDAY
Walk in all the ways that I command you. --- Jeremiah 7: 23
REFLECTION: When you love yourself as God loves you,
you are free to love others.
Lord, my greatest joy is in knowing You
and in finding You - there in the midst of those who,
in all humility, allow You to be in control.
31
FRIDAY
Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God. --- Hosea 14: 2
REFLECTION: Today, decide to go to confession.
Decide to be set free.
Lord, teach me the beauty of the Sacrament of Reconciliation
that I may experience Your life-changing power.
Your friend in Jesus,
SHEILA
