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Bible Book(s)/Chapter(s) for week 20: Sunday, Nov. 3 to Saturday, Nov 9.
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November 1, 2024
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Here are the Bible Book(s)/Chapter(s) to read each day this week. Note that the readings are based on the New American Bible.
Psalms Chapters 73-78
Read Psalm 77 again.
Compare part 1 of Psalm 77, verses 1-11 (or 1-10), to part 2, verses 12-21 (or 11-20). This psalm seems to suggest a formula for dealing with the ruts in our lives. Part 1 of the psalm shows us that we tend to focus on ourselves in times of distress. Part 2 tells us that we should lift up our eyes and focus on God.
Ask God for the gift of being able to focus on God so that we can see the mountains and not just the valleys of life.
Have you ever thought about your patterns in reacting to stress? Do you ever say a quick, silent prayer for guidance when you find yourself in a difficult situation?
Psalms Chapters 79-84
The Christian community was built through the blood of the martyrs. Horrible persecutions of Christians, and people of other faiths, continue today.
Ask God to protect all people from persecution and to bless diplomats and others who are working for peace.
When you think about the price that the martyrs paid to keep the faith going, how do you see your own role in the Body of Christ?
Psalms Chapters 85-90
Read Psalm 90:8 again.
There are no secrets with God. God knows everything about us — the good we’ve done and the hurt and destruction we have caused.
Read Psalm 103:12 and ask God to help us know that when we confess our sins, we are truly forgiven.
Are you feeling the weight of guilt about something you have said or done? Forgiveness is just a confession away.
Psalms Chapters 91-97
Read Psalm 92:14-15 again.
Ask God to help older people continue to grow deeper in their faith, and to be respected and loved, by their own and by their church families.
How much “fruit” do the older people in your life produce? Do they feel “planted,” that is, wanted, at family gatherings, at the workplace and at various church committees and ministries?
Psalms Chapters 98-104
Read Psalm 101 again and then meditate on verse 6.
Ask God to help us to find friends who are seriously seeking to serve God, so that we will be better able to care for those who don’t yet care for God.
Although God calls us to love all people, it is also important to make wise choices in our close friendships. How honest are the people with whom you spend the most time? Do they seek the truth?
Psalms Chapters 105-111
In Psalm 105, the story about how God had blessed the Israelites is retold.
Ask God to help us to slow down and spend time with other people, getting to know their stories and sharing our own, so that we can grow in love and appreciation for each other.
Telling stories is one way to build a sense of community, whether in a family or in another group. In your parish are there any small faith communities in which people can learn from the experiences of others?
Psalms Chapters 112-118
Read Psalm 115:4-8 again.
Psalm 115 verse 8 tells us that the makers of the idols became like the idols.
Jesus, unlike the idols described in these verses, could speak, see, smell, hear and feel. When you think of the human side of Jesus, how does it make you feel to know that He experienced all the emotions that you feel?
Ask God to help us to know the person of Jesus better so that we can become more like Him.
The apostle Paul tells us to become like Jesus (see Romans 8:29 and Romans 12:2). If you do become more like Jesus, what differences would you see in your life?
A version of this story appeared in the November 03, 2024, issue of The Catholic Registerwith the headline "Focus on life’s mountains, not just valleys".
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