MONDAY- 25^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 8:16-18: A lamp I put on a lamp-stand so that people may see the light when they come in.

I Reading: Ezra 1:1-6: Whoever is of the Lord’s people, let him go up to Jerusalem to build the Temple of the Lord.

Jesus Teaches Three Fundamental Principles of Life, 8:16-18

Jesus gives three fundamental principles of life to all believers both layperson and preacher.

1. A lamp (life) is for the purpose of giving light (v.16)

a. it is not covered, not hid

b. it is made conspicuous

2. Secrecy is impossible: All things shall be found out (v.17)

3. Truth is very narrow (v.18)

a. a person must watch how he/she hears

b. the reason: truth shall be rewarded; but the seemingly true shall be stripped away.

Thought: It is great encouragement to the faithful and a realistic and understandable threat to the lazy and close-minded.

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SUNDAY- 25^th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

I Reading: Wisdom 2:12.17-20: Let us condemn him to a shameful death.

II Reading: James 3:16-4:3: Peacemakers, when they work for peace, saw the seeds which will bear fruit in holiness.

Gospel: Mark 9:30-37: The Son of Man will be delivered. If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself servant of all.

The Second Prediction of Death:

Intensive Training in the Death of Christ, 9:30-32

The thrust of this passage is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus drilled the truth of His death and resurrection into His disciples. It is absolutely essential that every person grasp the death and resurrection of Jesus.

1. The preparation: Jesus got along his disciples (v.30)

2. The lesson: Jesus taught his disciples that he was to die and arise (v.31)

3. The response: The disciples rejected what they did not wish to see

The Disciples’ Terrible Ignorance of Messiahship:

A Problem of Ambition, 9:33-37

The disciples were thinking that who would hold the highest position (for recognition and position) in the kingdom of Jesus. It is nice to have a good ambition for the highest gifts or good or service.

1. Jesus returned to Capernaum (v.33)

a. The disciples argued

b. Jesus questioned what they were arguing about

2. Ambition can shame (v.34)

3. Ambition needs instruction (v.35)

4. Ambition is a virtue, but it must be directed toward the right goal: to serve (v.35)

5. Ambition for service proves a person’s discipleship (36-37)

a. The Illustration: welcoming a child

b. The lesson: proves one’s discipleship

          1) Proves one has received Christ

          2) proves one has received God

Thought: Ambition that leads to argument and division is wrong. It must be based on service and highest gifts.

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SATURDAY- 24^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 8:4-15: The part in the rich soil is people who take the word to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance.

I Reading: 1 Timothy 6:13-16: Do all that you have been told, with no faults or failures, until the appearing of the Lord.

Jesus Teaches the Sure Fate of the Word:

How People Receive the Word, 8:14-15

Jesus wanted people to know that hearing the Word of God was not enough but need to bear fruits. Those who hear the Word of God and obey accordingly definitely they will bear fruit. It is great encouragement to the preacher and teacher and to the lay witnesses. The seed they sow shall bear fruit (Mt 13:1-9; Mk 4:1-20).

1. Crowds thronged Jesus came from every town (v.4)

2. The parable: A farmer sowed seed (v.5-8)

a. some fell by the path

          1) were trampled

          2) were devoured

b. some fell upon rock

          1) were withered and scorched

          2) had no moisture or depth

c. some fell among thorns: were choked

d. some fell on good ground: were fruitful

3. The reason why Jesus spoke in parables (9-10)

a. to reveal the truth to open hearts

b. to conceal the truth from closed minds

4. The interpretation (v.11-15)

a. the seed is the Word of God

b. some are by the path

          1) they do hear

          2) the devil snatches the word away

c. some are on rock

          1) they do hear

          2) they are choked with materialism and pleasure

e. some are on rich soil

          1) the keep the word

          2) they have honest and good hearts

          3) they bear fruit

Thought: The success of the seed depends upon one thing alone; the condition of the soil (heart) to receive the seed (Word). If the ground (heart) is soft and rich (good qualities) then will bear much fruit.

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FRIDAY- 24^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 8:1-3: With Jesus went several women who provided for him out of their own resources.

I Reading: 1 Timothy 6:2-12: As a man dedicated to God you must aim to be saintly.

Jesus and the Women who Supported Him, 8:1-3

This is an interesting passage. It shows that Jesus received financial support for his ministry. There were some women, apparently well-off financially, who supported Him.

1. They supported a ministry of preaching (v.1)

a. It reached out

b. It was true to the gospel: the kingdom of God

2. They supported a ministry of discipleship (v.1)

a. Mary Magdalene: A dark past

b. Joanna: A lady of the king’s court

c. Susanna: An unnoticed follower

d. Many others: unknown

Thought: The women supported a ministry of discipleship. Although Jesus appointed the twelve disciples and later on it was soon to be the Great Commission to all His followers.

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THURSDAY- 24^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 7:36-50: Her many sins must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love.

I Reading: 1 Timothy 4:12-16: Always take great care about what you do and what you teach; in this way you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

Jesus Contrasts the Attitudes of the Repentant and Self-Righteousness,

Lk 7:36-50

The present passage contrasts the attitudes of the sinful (repentant) and the self-righteous. Self-righteousness is a serious sin. It is both common and damning.

1. Simon, a Pharisee, invited Jesus to dinner and Jesus accepted (v.36)

2. The attitude of the repentant: A woman prostitute (v.37-38)

a. She sensed a desperate need

b. She approached the Lord despite all

c. She surrendered to the Lord in utter humility

d. She loved much giving her most precious possession

3. The attitude of the self-righteous (v.39)

a. He was a considerate man, but self-righteous

b. He considered himself better than others

c. He sensed no need for forgiveness

4. The two attitudes illustrated: The parable of two debtors (v.40-43)

a. One debtor owed much; the other little

b. A free forgiveness of both debtors

c. A piercing question: who appreciated and loved the most?

d. A begrudging answer

5. The need of the self-righteous: To really see Jesus, who the repentant say He is (v.44-50)

a. He is the one who deserves more than common courtesies

1) common vs. worshipful respect

2) common vs. humble greeting

3) common vs. sacrificial gift

b. He is the One who has the power to forgive sins

c. He is the One who people need to  ask about

d. He is the One who saves the repentant

Thought: The person who comes to Jesus Christ must come with a broken and contrite heart.

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WEDNESDAY- 24^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 7:31-35: We played the pipes for you, and you wouldn’t dance; we sang dirges, and you wouldn’t cry.

I Reading: 1 Timothy 3:14-16: The mystery of our religion is very deep.

Jesus Reveals God’s Verdict Upon This Generation and Age, 7:29-35

Jesus gave the verdict upon His generation and every generation of people.

1. Reactions to John (v.29-31)

a. The people and tax collectors who were baptised: vindicated John

b. The religionists who were not baptised: rejected God’s purpose

c. Jesus warned His generation and age

2. An age of childishness (v.32)

3. An age of escapism: seeking to escape responsibility (v.33-34)

a. Accused John of conservatism: too denying

b. Accused Jesus of license: too loose

4. An age with only a few wise toward God (v.35)

Thought: The wise (children of wisdom) who accept the ministry of both John and Jesus, both of whom fulfilled the Prophetic Word of God.

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TUESDAY- 24^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 7:11-17: Young man, I tell you to get up.

I Reading: 1 Timothy 3:1-13: The president must have an impeccable character. In the same way, deacons must be conscientious believers in the mystery of the faith.

Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son: Great Compassion and Power, 7:11-17

The most phenomenal event in all history is the resurrection of the dead. In this event Luke shared the great compassion and power of Jesus to raise the dead.

1. Jesus entered Nain-many were present to witness the conquest of death (v.11)

2. The great compassion of Jesus: He was touched (v.12-13)

a. by death, a dead man

b. by a broken heart

c. by a loving, caring and beloved woman

d. The Lord saw: had compassion and spoke, giving assurance

3. The great power of Jesus (v.14-15)

a. to bypass traditional beliefs

b. to stop the death processional

c. to raise the dead

4. The great awe of the people (v.16-17)

a. they glorified God

b. they believed him to be a prophet

c. they acknowledged God’s dealing with them again

d. they bore witness

Thought: It was the Lord who saw her, had compassion upon her and spoke and gave great assurance.

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