Tuesday, February 24, 2015

    Isaiah 55: 10 - 11

    For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.

Psalm 34: 4 - 7, 16 - 19

  Glorify the Lord with me, let us together extol his name.

  I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. 

When the afflicted man called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him.

  The Lord has eyes for the just, and ears for their cry. The Lord confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.  When the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. The Lord is close to the broken hearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.

Gospel of Matthew 6: 7 - 15

  Jesus said to his disciples;

  "In your prayer do not rattle on like the pagans. They think they will win a hearing by the sheer multiplication of words.  Do not imitate them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This is how you are to pray:

   'Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us the wrong we have done as we forgive those who wrong us. Subject us not to the trial but deliver us from the evil one.'

   If you forgive the faults of others, our heavenly Father will forgive yours.  If you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive you."