Week 13 – Sunday, Sept. 1 to Saturday, Sept. 7

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. 

Day 85 – Sunday, Sept. 1

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2 Kings Chapters 17-20

Read 2 Kings 18:27-37 again.

Despite the attempt by the commander representing the king of Assyria to “divide and conquer” King Hezekiah’s people, King Hezekiah had taught his people not to engage with the commander (See 2 Kings 18:36).

Ask God to give us the love to pray for the people who seem to cause us the most trouble, and the skills to keep their words and actions from causing us harm.

Is there anything you can do to avoid pouring “gasoline on a fire” with respect to an area of conflict you are dealing with?

Day 86 – Monday, Sept. 2

2 Kings Chapters 21-25

In 2 Kings Chapters 22 and 23, Josiah heard God’s Word and was moved to clean up his land.

Ask God to help us to see what others see in our lives, and to remember that God loves us no matter how far we may have fallen from the expectations we had for ourselves or that others had for us.

In your home or workplace, are there objects that give honour to your faith, or dishonour it? Is it time to do some spiritual spring cleaning?

Day 87 – Tuesday, Sept. 3

1 Chronicles Chapters 1-5

In today’s reading, we see very long lists of names describing the Israelite family tree.

Ask God to send the Holy Spirit to bring all people together in one harmonious spiritual family tree, despite the great diversity of its members.

The next time you go someplace where there is a crowd of people present, take a moment to look at many of the individuals there. Then, imagine how each person represents one leaf of a very long branch of his or her own family tree. What can you do to encourage others to see God’s gift of life as precious, marvelous and to be protected and honoured at every age?

Day 88 – Wednesday, Sept. 4

1 Chronicles Chapters 6-9

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Read 1 Chronicles 9:17-33 again. These verses describe how gatekeepers served at the temple.

Ask God to help us to notice the words, ideas and examples that we can apply to our lives as we read each section of the Bible.

In today’s reading, what particular detail in how the gatekeepers fulfilled their duties caught your attention? Can you apply this detail to your life in some way?

Day 89 – Thursday, Sept. 5

1 Chronicles Chapters 10-13

Today’s reading includes lists of King David’s warriors and their accomplishments.

Ask God to help us to see the many ways that we touch the lives of others, and that no kind act, no matter how small, escapes God’s attention.

Imagine an entry with your name and a description of your life as in 1 Chronicles Chapter 11. What would be listed beside your name? What would you like to see listed beside your name in the future?

Day 90 – Friday, Sept. 6

1 Chronicles Chapters 14-17

In Chapter 15, David set in motion preparations to move the ark of God involving the coordination of hundreds of people having different roles to play.

Preparations for daily and Sunday Masses also involve a great deal of effort on the part of priests, sacristans, lectors, cantors, ushers and parish administrators.

Ask God to bless and reward all who serve the Church in her liturgical celebrations.

Is this a time in your life when you could help share in the work that your parish community does in preparing for daily or Sunday Masses or in any of its other ministries? 

Day 91 – Saturday, Sept. 7

1 Chronicles Chapters 18-21

In 1 Chronicles 19:4-5, we read that David’s men were humiliated by their enemies.

In Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus tells us to love our enemies. 

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Ask God to help us bring His love to all people and to protect them from inhumane treatment.

Why do you think that it is so hard for individuals and nations to obey Jesus’ teaching to love our enemies, especially during elections and at times of war? Is there an enemy for whom you can pray today?