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OSV News photo/Sam Lucero
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.
Matthew Chapters 17-18
Read Matthew 17:1-3 again, and then read Exodus 34:29.
Faces shine when in God’s presence. Ask God to help us to notice which activities bring lightness, and which ones bring darkness, to our appearance.
Have you ever noticed the facial expression of someone who spends a lot of time in deep prayer, meditation or Bible study? Has anyone ever told you that there was anything different about you when you’ve spent more time practising your faith?
Matthew Chapters 19-20
Read Matthew 18:1-9 and 19:13-15 again.
These verses show Jesus’ deep concern for children.
Ask God to develop leaders in the Church, and in the outside community, who will demonstrate the love that Jesus has for children.
Do you have experience in sports, academics or some other area that you can offer to a group that helps children?
Matthew Chapters 21-22
Read Matthew 21:1-7 again. Then, read Mark 11:1-7 and Luke 19:28-35.
Ask God to help us to notice the similarities and the differences in the four Gospels, and what meanings we can draw from these comparisons.
Why do you think that all three of these Gospel writers chose to include this story in their account of Jesus’ life? Does this story have any special meaning for you?
Matthew Chapters 23-24
Read Matthew 23:3 again.
Jesus told the people to obey the Pharisees, even though we can see in Chapter 23 that Jesus did not approve of the Pharisees’ actions.
Ask God to help us to separate facts from feelings when dealing with other people.
What do you think this example tells us about our relationships with people who have legitimate power over our lives?
Matthew Chapters 25-26
Read Matthew 25:14-30 again, and then read Mark 4:21-22.
Ask God to open doors of opportunity to put all our resources to good use.
Are you hiding your gifts and talents or are you using them to help others? For what purpose would God want us to be noticed by others?
Matthew Chapters 27-28
Read Matthew 27:3-5 and 27:57-61 again.
Ask God to provide all dying people with a loving, respectful and dignified departure.
Who are the people, like Judas, who have no one to mourn their death? If you are a police officer, firefighter, ambulance driver or someone who is otherwise involved with those who are dying, do you pray for opportunities to bring a loving departure to those who are unloved or even despised?
Mark Chapters 1-3
Read Mark 1:5, 1:17-20, 1:32-33, 1:45 and 2:1-4 again.
The power drawing people to John and to Jesus was remarkable. Might this power be the same as that drawing us now to read the Bible and inspiring us to gather together in our faith communities?
Ask God to help us to be inspired by contemplating the powerful encounters Jesus and other Biblical figures had, as described in Holy Scripture.
Imagine the power drawing people to Jesus and to John the Baptist in the above verses. Imagine the crowds pushing, trying to get close to Jesus. Where do you see yourself in this scene? Are you in the crowd or are you observing the scene from a distance? What significance is there in the role that you are playing in this scene?
A version of this story appeared in the March 09, 2025, issue of The Catholic Registerwith the headline "Use your gifts, talent to help others".
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