Cristy Li

For the love of Christ urges us on because we are convinced that One has died for all, therefore all have died and He died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for Him who died and was raised for them. –2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NRSVCE)  Image Courtesy: Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word

The Impotence of Idols and the Greatness of God

Not to us O Lord, not to us but to Your name give glory, for the sake of Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness.

Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’

Our God is in the Heavens; He does whatever He pleases.

Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths but do not speak, eyes but do not see. They have ears but do not hear; Noses but do not smell. They have hands but do not feel; Feet but do not walk, they make no sounds in their throats. Those who make them are like them, so all who trust in them.

O Israel, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield.

O House of Aaron, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield.

You Who Fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield.

The Lord has been mindful to us; He will bless us; He will bless the House of Israel; He will bless the House of Aaron; He will bless Those who fear the Lord, both small and great.

May the Lord give you increase, both you and your children.

May you be blessed by the Lord, who made Heaven and Earth.

The Heavens are the Lord’s Heavens but the Earth He has given to human beings. (See also: God’s Promise to Create a New Heaven and a New Earth –Isaiah 65:17-25)

The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any that go down into silence but we will bless the Lord from this time on and forevermore.

Praise the Lord! –Psalm 115:1-18

If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; Everything old has passed away, see, everything has become new!

All this is from God who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.
–2 Corinthians 5:17-19

Related: For Today’s Bible Readings and More Visit: -USCCB

Jesus said to Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen Me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” –John 20:29 (NRSVCE)
Image Courtesy: EWTN

Jesus speaking to His Disciples said, “Go into all the world and proclaim the Good News to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved but the one who does not believe will be condemned.” –Mark 16:15-16

Universal Call To Worship

Praise the Lord, all you nations!

Extol Him, all you peoples!

For Great is His steadfast love toward us and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Praise the Lord! –Psalm 117:1-2

“Go into all the world and proclaim the Good News to the whole creation.” –Mark 16:15

Jesus and Thomas

Thomas (who was called the Twin) one of the twelve (Apostles) was not with them when Jesus came, so the other Disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’

Thomas said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails and my hand in His side, I will not believe.’

A week later His (Jesus’) Disciples were again in the house and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

Then He (Jesus) said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see My hands. Reach out your hand and put it in My side. Do not doubt but believe.”

Thomas answered Him, ‘My Lord and My God!’

Jesus said to him (Thomas) “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” –John 20:24-29

Related: For Today’s Bible Readings on the Memorial of St. Thomas the Apostle -USCCB

Lord, I love the House in which You dwell and the place where Your glory abides. –Psalm 26:8 (NRSVCE)
Image Courtesy: Blue Army Shrine Our Lady of Fatima

Plea For Justice and Declaration of Righteousness

For Your steadfast love is before my eyes. –Psalm 26:3A

Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.

Prove me, O Lord and try me; Test my heart and mind. For Your steadfast love is before my eyes and I walk in faithfulness to you.

I do not sit with the worthless nor do I consort with hypocrites; I hate the company of evildoers and I will not sit with the wicked. (See Also: 1 Corinthians 15:33  “Bad company ruins good morals.”)

I wash my hands in innocence and go around Your Alter, O Lord, singing aloud a Song of Thanksgiving and telling all Your wondrous deeds.

O Lord, I love the House in which You dwell and the place where Your glory abides.

Do not sweep me away with sinners, nor my life with the bloodthirsty, those in whose hands are evil devices and whose right hands are full of bribes.

As for me, I walk in my integrity; Redeem me and be gracious to me.

My foot stands on level ground in the great congregation I will bless the Lord. –Psalm 26:1-12

Related: For Today’s Bible Readings and More Visit — USCCB

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. –103:8 (NRSVCE)
Image Courtesy: Blue Army Shrine Our Lady of Fatima

Thanksgiving For God’s Goodness

Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me, bless His Holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul and do not forget all His benefits — who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit (Hell), who crown you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His way to Moses, His acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will He keep His anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.

For as the Heavens are high above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, so far He removes our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear Him. For He knows how we were made; He remembers that we are dust.

As for mortals, their days are like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field, for the wind passes over it is gone and its place knows it no more but the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him and His righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep His Covenant and remember to do His Commandments.

The Lord has established His throne in the Heavens and His Kingdom rules over all.

Bless the Lord, O you His angels, you mighty ones who do His bidding, obedient to His spoken Word.

Bless the Lord, all His hosts, His ministers that do His will.

Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul. –Psalm 103:1-22

Related: For Today’s Bible Readings and More Visit: -USCCB