This Week with Incarnation Teens

Posted on January 20th, 2009 in Incarnation Teens by Derek Rotty

We have returned from an AMAZING winter retreat!  The Holy Spirit definitely moved through the hearts of all who attended (youth and adults) this past weekend.  Everyone must consider attending the retreat next year!  Look for pictures and memories to be posted very soon to this site.

Aside from our winter retreat, the Incarnation Teens are now in the midst of another wonderful semester.  We intend to learn about Sacred Scripture and, most importantly, to live its lessons in our lives.  Together we hope to become a holy group of youth and adults!

WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK?

  • ENCOUNTER
    • Wednesday, January 21 @ 7:15pm
    • Holy Family Life Center Gym
    • Topic: How the Bible Came to Be
    • Bring your Bibles, and be prepared for some ultimate frisbee!
  • Open Door Friday
    • Friday, January 23 @ 3pm
    • Youth Room
    • Outdoor sports (weather permitting)
  • Teens Loving Christ
    • Sunday, January 25 @ 1pm
    • Youth Room
    • Snacks @ 1pm; lesson begins @ 1:15pm

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER

  • DEADLINES Approaching
    • Friday, January 23
      • Early registration deadline for Diocesan Youth Celebration (March 6-7)
      • DYC: early registration cost is $40 (and, option to purchase $12 t-shirt)
    • Friday, January 30
      • Registration deadline for Steubenville Mid-America Youth Conference
      • Friday, July 10 thru Monday, July 13; traveling to Springfield and St. Louis, MO
      • Cost will be ~$225 (includes transportation, conference, food, lodging, t-shirts, and theme park ticket)
  • Events During Lent
    • Knights of Columbus Fish Fries (Youth Ministry fundraising opportunity)
      • Begin on Friday, February 27 (six consecutive weeks)
      • Need volunteers (adults, too) for set-up, service, and clean-up
    • Living Stations of the Cross
      • Practices begin on Wednesday, March 11
      • Portrayals of devotion on Fridays, March 27 and April 3 @ 7:15pm in small church

LOOKING FORWARD TO MASS

The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul occurs every year on January 25.  It is most appropriate that the feast falls on a Sunday during this Jubilee Year of St. Paul.  All of the faithful will hear  Scripture readings and homilies about the life, conversion, and mission of the Apostle.  As this holy feast is celebrated, let us all take time to ask for St. Paul's intercession and hope that we might become great evangelizers, spreading the Good News to our own modern culture!

This Week with Incarnation Teens

Posted on January 13th, 2009 in Incarnation Teens by Derek Rotty

Greetings again, devoted followers of high school youth ministry!  [That was my best imitation of one of the Star Trek characters.]  The Christmas season is behind us, and the break from school is over.  But, you can still continue to have fun and enjoy your life by participating in Incarnation Teens events.  Give it a try!

WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK?

  • ENCOUNTER
    • Wednesday, January 14 @ 7:15pm
    • Holy Family Life Center Gymnasium
    • There will be a game show, candy, and a dancing hamster!
  • Incarnation Teens Winter Retreat
    • Friday, January 16 thru Sunday, January 18
    • Natchez Trace State Park
    • Theme: "Fire and Ice"
    • There is still a little bit of time to register if you haven't already done so!  You don't want to miss this!

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER

  • Open Door Friday will begin again on Friday, January 23.
  • Teens Loving Christ will begin again on Sunday, January 25
  • There are a few DEADLINES approaching
    • Winter Retreat Sign-Up: Wednesday, January 14
    • Diocesan Youth Celebration Sign-Up: Friday, January 23
    • Steubenville Mid-America Retreat Sign-Up: Friday, January 30

LOOKING FORWARD TO MASS

This coming Sunday will mark the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time.  During Mass, we will hear the tale of Samuel's vocation (call) from God.  And, we will hear Jesus' command to two of John's disciples in response to their question: "Come and you will see."

The message is clear.  God is calling each and every one of His people to listen to Him; to live life with Him.  However, our ears must be attuned to God's voice (just like Samuel), and we must be willing to go along with Christ when He says, "Come."  Let us make that our prayer this week: that we will try to hear God's voice calling us; and when we do hear His voice, we will go where He commands.

God bless! 

Incarnation Teens Pictures and Information

Posted on December 11th, 2008 in Incarnation Teens by Derek Rotty

The pictures below are from last night's ENCOUNTER!  We had two groups attempt to untie the human knot, and one was much more successful than the other.  Either way, it was pretty hysterical!  And, we all stuffed our faced with great dessert foods!

 

Click here to see more pictures from the ENCOUNTER.

Aside from all the fun and great food, we were treated to great questions and answers about the Catholic Church's teachings on the Last Things.  Thanks to all of the youth who asked the great questions; and adult ministers and teen leaders who answered those questions.  I am very proud to be a part of a group that seeks TRUTH!

Alas, the teaching on the Last Things was the end of our "learning" for the semester (but, we are never finished learning about our Faith!).  Next week, we will celebrate a wonderful semester with a pre-Christmas party!

That means that everyone who attends needs to bring two things.

  1. A gag gift worth $5
  2. Your favorite dessert, or my favorite dessert (apple pie and peanut butter cookies!)

We will celebrate with music, gifts, food, and fellowship!  It will, no doubt, be festive and Christmas-y!

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions.  God's blessings be with each of you! 

This Week with Incarnation Teens

Posted on December 5th, 2008 in Incarnation Teens by Derek Rotty

Greetings, and Happy New Year!  Happy New Liturgical Year, that is!  The blessed season of Advent is here, and we joyfully and hopefully await the arrival of our Blessed Lord.  Rejoice with me!

Click here to see all of the latest ENCOUNTER pictures.

REFLECTION ON THE READINGS

Second Sunday in Advent: Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11; Psalm 85:9-14; 2 Peter 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8

This week, we hear twice that God will send a messenger who will tell the people to "prepare the way of the Lord."  The one who served as that messenger was clearly John the Baptist, and his message was phenomenal.

Lest I tell you, again, about the Baptist's life and ministry, I would like to focus on a different passage.  In the prophecy of Isaiah, hearers are told, "Go up on to a high mountain…cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news.  Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God!"  Advent is a time of preparation; but part of our preparation is to help other prepare.  During Advent, we ought to go out and proclaim that we eagerly await the coming of the Lord in His glory!

WHAT'S HAPPENING NEXT?

  • Youth Fellowship Dinner
    • Saturday, December 6 @ 6pm
    • Restaurant to be decided
  • Chili Dinner Fundraiser
    • Sunday, December 7 @ 4pm
    • Fellowship Hall
  • Advent Lessons and Carols
    • Sunday, December 7 @ 6pm
    • Large Church
  • ENCOUNTER
    • Wednesday, December 10 @ 7:15pm
    • HFLC Gym
  • Open Door Friday (Last of semester!)
    • Friday, December 12 @ 3pm
    • Youth Room

As always, feel free to contact me with any questions.  May God bless your weekend!

Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
1Be comforted, be comforted, my people, saith your God.
2Speak ye to the heart of Jerusalem, and call to her: for her evil is come to an end, her iniquity is forgiven: she hath received of the hand of the Lord double for all her sins.
3The voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the wilderness the paths of our God.
4Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough ways plain.
5And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh together shall see, that the mouth of the Lord hath spoken.
9Get thee up upon a high mountain, thou that bringest good tidings to Sion: lift up thy voice with strength, thou that bringest good tidings to Jerusalem: lift it up, fear not. Say to the cities of Juda: Behold your God:
10Behold the Lord God shall come with strength, and his arm shall rule: Behold his reward is with him and his work is before him.
11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather together the lambs with his arm, and shall take them up in his bosom, and he himself shall carry them that are with young.
Psalm 85:9-14
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
9I will hear what the Lord God will speak in me: for he will speak peace unto his people: And unto his saints: and unto them that are converted to the heart.
10Surely his salvation is near to them that fear him: that glory may dwell in our land.
11Mercy and truth have met each other: justice and peace have kissed.
12Truth is sprung out of the earth: and justice hath looked down from heaven.
13For the Lord will give goodness: and our earth shall yield her fruit.
14Justice shall walk before him: and shall set his steps in the way.
2 Peter 3:8-14
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
8But of this one thing be not ignorant, my beloved, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9The Lord delayeth not his promise, as some imagine, but dealeth patiently for your sake, not willing that any should perish, but that all should return to penance.
10But the day of the Lord shall come as a thief, in which the heavens shall pass away with great violence, and the elements shall be melted with heat, and the earth and the works which are in it, shall be burnt up.
11Seeing then that all these things are to be dissolved, what manner of people ought you to be in holy conversation and godliness?
12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of the Lord, by which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with the burning heat?
13But we look for new heavens and a new earth according to his promises, in which justice dwelleth.
14Wherefore, dearly beloved, waiting for these things, be diligent that you may be found before him unspotted and blameless in peace.
Mark 1:1-8
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2As it is written in Isaias the prophet: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare the way before thee.
3A voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
4John was in the desert baptizing, and preaching the baptism of penance, unto remission of sins.
5And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all they of Jerusalem, and were baptized by him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
6And John was clothed with camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7And he preached, saying: There cometh after me one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.
8I have baptized you with water; but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

A Penny Pledge Milestone!

Posted on November 14th, 2008 in Incarnation Teens by Derek Rotty

Just so everyone knows about our progress on the "Our Family in Faith" Penny Pledge:

We have just surpassed the $200 plateau in spare change donations that help to pay off our parish's debt!

Only two more years to go!  Keep up the great work, teens! 

Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
1Be comforted, be comforted, my people, saith your God.
2Speak ye to the heart of Jerusalem, and call to her: for her evil is come to an end, her iniquity is forgiven: she hath received of the hand of the Lord double for all her sins.
3The voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the wilderness the paths of our God.
4Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough ways plain.
5And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh together shall see, that the mouth of the Lord hath spoken.
9Get thee up upon a high mountain, thou that bringest good tidings to Sion: lift up thy voice with strength, thou that bringest good tidings to Jerusalem: lift it up, fear not. Say to the cities of Juda: Behold your God:
10Behold the Lord God shall come with strength, and his arm shall rule: Behold his reward is with him and his work is before him.
11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather together the lambs with his arm, and shall take them up in his bosom, and he himself shall carry them that are with young.
Psalm 85:9-14
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
9I will hear what the Lord God will speak in me: for he will speak peace unto his people: And unto his saints: and unto them that are converted to the heart.
10Surely his salvation is near to them that fear him: that glory may dwell in our land.
11Mercy and truth have met each other: justice and peace have kissed.
12Truth is sprung out of the earth: and justice hath looked down from heaven.
13For the Lord will give goodness: and our earth shall yield her fruit.
14Justice shall walk before him: and shall set his steps in the way.
2 Peter 3:8-14
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
8But of this one thing be not ignorant, my beloved, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9The Lord delayeth not his promise, as some imagine, but dealeth patiently for your sake, not willing that any should perish, but that all should return to penance.
10But the day of the Lord shall come as a thief, in which the heavens shall pass away with great violence, and the elements shall be melted with heat, and the earth and the works which are in it, shall be burnt up.
11Seeing then that all these things are to be dissolved, what manner of people ought you to be in holy conversation and godliness?
12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of the Lord, by which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with the burning heat?
13But we look for new heavens and a new earth according to his promises, in which justice dwelleth.
14Wherefore, dearly beloved, waiting for these things, be diligent that you may be found before him unspotted and blameless in peace.
Mark 1:1-8
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2As it is written in Isaias the prophet: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare the way before thee.
3A voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
4John was in the desert baptizing, and preaching the baptism of penance, unto remission of sins.
5And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all they of Jerusalem, and were baptized by him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
6And John was clothed with camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7And he preached, saying: There cometh after me one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.
8I have baptized you with water; but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

This Week with Incarnation Teens

Posted on November 14th, 2008 in Incarnation Teens by Derek Rotty

First, let me apologize for neglecting the blog last week.  There were other work matters that prevented me from spilling my thoughts into cyberspace.  Alas, I have returned with a vengeance!

During the past two weeks, we have had some amazing youth ministry experiences!  More than a dozen youth gathered for Mass and a fellowship breakfast on the Solemnity of All Saints!  (I was thrilled that high school youth decided to get out of bed early on a Saturday morning.)  Last Wednesday, over 40 youth worshiped Jesus Christ, present in the Blessed Sacrament; and many of those same youth took the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation!  Catholicism all around!

 

Just two days ago, as our regular Wednesday ENCOUNTERs continued, we were treated to wonderful teachings, and a fabulous witness story!  It was just another example of why I'm proud to work with this group of youth and adults!  Fabulous, I say!

 

 

 

Click here to see all of the pictures from our ENCOUNTERs this semester.

I do pray that this awesome trend will continue, even as the holidays are approaching and families become uber-busy.  Remember, we all need Jesus, all the time!

REFLECTIONS ON THE READINGS

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Proverbs 31:10-13,30-31; Psalm 128:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; Matthew 25:14-30

At this week's Mass, we will hear Jesus' parable of the talents.  As we listen to these words, it should become clear to us that God has entrusted us with gifts and resources.  As we come to understand that God has entrusted His gifts to us, we should also understand that such gifts bring great responsibility also.

So, we must be good stewards of the gifts that God has given to us.  We must use them wisely, never taking them for granted.  We must put them into action, because such gifts are multiplies when they are used correctly and responsibly.

Take time during this next week to discern which gifts God has given to you.  After you have discerned, try to use them in your daily life.  I'll bet that you will be more content and productive than you have ever been before!

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Teens Loving Christ
    • Sunday, November 16 @ 1:15pm
    • Youth Room
    • Bring your Bible!
  • ENCOUNTER
    • Wednesday, November 19 @ 7:15pm
    • Holy Family Life Center Gym
  • Open Door Friday
    • Friday, November 21 @ 3pm
    • Youth Room
  • November Service Project
    • Friday, November 21 @ 4:30pm
    • HFLC Kitchen

I hope that all of you are able to attend one or more of these upcoming gathering!

RANDOM FINAL THOUGHT

Birthday cake is still good after four weeks in the refrigerator!

Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
1Be comforted, be comforted, my people, saith your God.
2Speak ye to the heart of Jerusalem, and call to her: for her evil is come to an end, her iniquity is forgiven: she hath received of the hand of the Lord double for all her sins.
3The voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the wilderness the paths of our God.
4Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough ways plain.
5And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh together shall see, that the mouth of the Lord hath spoken.
9Get thee up upon a high mountain, thou that bringest good tidings to Sion: lift up thy voice with strength, thou that bringest good tidings to Jerusalem: lift it up, fear not. Say to the cities of Juda: Behold your God:
10Behold the Lord God shall come with strength, and his arm shall rule: Behold his reward is with him and his work is before him.
11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather together the lambs with his arm, and shall take them up in his bosom, and he himself shall carry them that are with young.
Psalm 85:9-14
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
9I will hear what the Lord God will speak in me: for he will speak peace unto his people: And unto his saints: and unto them that are converted to the heart.
10Surely his salvation is near to them that fear him: that glory may dwell in our land.
11Mercy and truth have met each other: justice and peace have kissed.
12Truth is sprung out of the earth: and justice hath looked down from heaven.
13For the Lord will give goodness: and our earth shall yield her fruit.
14Justice shall walk before him: and shall set his steps in the way.
2 Peter 3:8-14
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
8But of this one thing be not ignorant, my beloved, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9The Lord delayeth not his promise, as some imagine, but dealeth patiently for your sake, not willing that any should perish, but that all should return to penance.
10But the day of the Lord shall come as a thief, in which the heavens shall pass away with great violence, and the elements shall be melted with heat, and the earth and the works which are in it, shall be burnt up.
11Seeing then that all these things are to be dissolved, what manner of people ought you to be in holy conversation and godliness?
12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of the Lord, by which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with the burning heat?
13But we look for new heavens and a new earth according to his promises, in which justice dwelleth.
14Wherefore, dearly beloved, waiting for these things, be diligent that you may be found before him unspotted and blameless in peace.
Mark 1:1-8
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2As it is written in Isaias the prophet: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare the way before thee.
3A voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
4John was in the desert baptizing, and preaching the baptism of penance, unto remission of sins.
5And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all they of Jerusalem, and were baptized by him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
6And John was clothed with camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7And he preached, saying: There cometh after me one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.
8I have baptized you with water; but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Proverbs 31:10-13,30-31
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
10Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.
11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
12She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.
Psalm 128:1-5
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
1Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: that walk in his ways.
2For thou shalt eat the labours of thy hands: blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee.
3Thy wife as a fruitful vine, on the sides of thy house.
4Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.
5May the Lord bless thee out of Sion: and mayest thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
View in: NAB NIV KJV Vulg Greek
1But of the times and moments, brethren, you need not, that we should write to you;
2For yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord shall so come, as a thief in the night.
3For when they shall say, peace and security; then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the pains upon her that is with child, and they shall not escape.
4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5For all you are the children of light, and children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do; but let us watch, and be sober.
Matthew 25:14-30
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
14For even as a man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods;
15And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey.
16And he that had received the five talents, went his way, and traded with the same, and gained other five.
17And in like manner he that had received the two, gained other two.
18But he that had received the one, going his way digged into the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them.
20And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above.
21His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me: behold I have gained other two.
23His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24But he that had received the one talent, came and said: Lord, I know that thou art a hard man; thou reapest where thou hast not sown, and gatherest where thou hast not strewed.
25And being afraid I went and hid thy talent in the earth: behold here thou hast that which is thine.
26And his lord answering, said to him: Wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sow not, and gather where I have not strewed:
27Thou oughtest therefore to have committed my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received my own with usury.
28Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him that hath ten talents.
29For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: but from him that hath not, that also which he seemeth to have shall be taken away.
30And the unprofitable servant cast ye out into the exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

This Week with Incarnation Teens

Posted on October 31st, 2008 in Incarnation Teens by Derek Rotty

Thanks to all of the youth who helped me celebrate my birthday this past Wednesday night!  I now have mashed potatoes for a year!  Yummy!

I promise that the pictures will return next week, because I have now found the camera that I misplaced a couple of weeks ago.  Hooray!

REFLECTIONS ON THE READINGS

Solemnity of All Souls (Commemoration of the Faithful Departed): Wisdom 3:1-9; Psalm 23:1-6; Romans 5:5-11; John 6:37-40

The readings that you will hear at Mass this coming weekend are powerful reminders of Jesus Christ's sacrifice.  He came and gave His life for everyone, even those of us who aren't as holy as we ought to be.  But, that does not mean that we can take God's gift (salvation through Christ's ultimate sacrifice) for granted.

Friends, it is necessary to rely on God's wisdom and mercy all the days of our life.  We must seek His will, and we must seek out the Sacrament of Reconciliation when we fail to do His will.  If we follow that plan faithfully from this day forward, we can have great hope that we will enter into heavenly glory.

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Mass on the Solemnity of All Saints
    • Saturday, November 1 @ 8:15am
    • Small Church
  • Fellowship Breakfast
    • Saturday, November 1; immediately following Mass
    • Fellowship Hall
  • Teens Loving Christ
    • Sunday, November 2 @ 1:15pm
    • Youth Room
  • ENCOUNTER
    • Wednesday, November 5 @ 7:15pm
    • Small Church
    • Followed by snacks and Ultimate Frisbee
  • Open Door Friday
    • Friday, November 7 @ 3pm
    • Youth Room

FINAL THOUGHT

Which would you rather wear: a cowboy hat with huge rhinestones or pilgrims' shoes? 

Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
1Be comforted, be comforted, my people, saith your God.
2Speak ye to the heart of Jerusalem, and call to her: for her evil is come to an end, her iniquity is forgiven: she hath received of the hand of the Lord double for all her sins.
3The voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the wilderness the paths of our God.
4Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough ways plain.
5And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh together shall see, that the mouth of the Lord hath spoken.
9Get thee up upon a high mountain, thou that bringest good tidings to Sion: lift up thy voice with strength, thou that bringest good tidings to Jerusalem: lift it up, fear not. Say to the cities of Juda: Behold your God:
10Behold the Lord God shall come with strength, and his arm shall rule: Behold his reward is with him and his work is before him.
11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather together the lambs with his arm, and shall take them up in his bosom, and he himself shall carry them that are with young.
Psalm 85:9-14
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
9I will hear what the Lord God will speak in me: for he will speak peace unto his people: And unto his saints: and unto them that are converted to the heart.
10Surely his salvation is near to them that fear him: that glory may dwell in our land.
11Mercy and truth have met each other: justice and peace have kissed.
12Truth is sprung out of the earth: and justice hath looked down from heaven.
13For the Lord will give goodness: and our earth shall yield her fruit.
14Justice shall walk before him: and shall set his steps in the way.
2 Peter 3:8-14
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
8But of this one thing be not ignorant, my beloved, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9The Lord delayeth not his promise, as some imagine, but dealeth patiently for your sake, not willing that any should perish, but that all should return to penance.
10But the day of the Lord shall come as a thief, in which the heavens shall pass away with great violence, and the elements shall be melted with heat, and the earth and the works which are in it, shall be burnt up.
11Seeing then that all these things are to be dissolved, what manner of people ought you to be in holy conversation and godliness?
12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of the Lord, by which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with the burning heat?
13But we look for new heavens and a new earth according to his promises, in which justice dwelleth.
14Wherefore, dearly beloved, waiting for these things, be diligent that you may be found before him unspotted and blameless in peace.
Mark 1:1-8
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2As it is written in Isaias the prophet: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare the way before thee.
3A voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
4John was in the desert baptizing, and preaching the baptism of penance, unto remission of sins.
5And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all they of Jerusalem, and were baptized by him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
6And John was clothed with camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7And he preached, saying: There cometh after me one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.
8I have baptized you with water; but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Proverbs 31:10-13,30-31
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
10Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.
11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
12She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.
Psalm 128:1-5
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
1Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: that walk in his ways.
2For thou shalt eat the labours of thy hands: blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee.
3Thy wife as a fruitful vine, on the sides of thy house.
4Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.
5May the Lord bless thee out of Sion: and mayest thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
View in: NAB NIV KJV Vulg Greek
1But of the times and moments, brethren, you need not, that we should write to you;
2For yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord shall so come, as a thief in the night.
3For when they shall say, peace and security; then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the pains upon her that is with child, and they shall not escape.
4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5For all you are the children of light, and children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do; but let us watch, and be sober.
Matthew 25:14-30
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
14For even as a man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods;
15And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey.
16And he that had received the five talents, went his way, and traded with the same, and gained other five.
17And in like manner he that had received the two, gained other two.
18But he that had received the one, going his way digged into the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them.
20And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above.
21His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me: behold I have gained other two.
23His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24But he that had received the one talent, came and said: Lord, I know that thou art a hard man; thou reapest where thou hast not sown, and gatherest where thou hast not strewed.
25And being afraid I went and hid thy talent in the earth: behold here thou hast that which is thine.
26And his lord answering, said to him: Wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sow not, and gather where I have not strewed:
27Thou oughtest therefore to have committed my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received my own with usury.
28Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him that hath ten talents.
29For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: but from him that hath not, that also which he seemeth to have shall be taken away.
30And the unprofitable servant cast ye out into the exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Wisdom 3:1-9
View in: NAB NIV KJV Vulg LXX
1But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them.
2In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for misery:
3And their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace.
4And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality.
5Afflicted in few things, in many they shall be well rewarded: because God hath tried them, and found them worthy of himself.
6As gold in the furnace he hath proved them, and as a victim of a holocaust he hath received them, and in time there shall be respect had to them.
7The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks among the reeds.
8They shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.
9They that trust in him, shall understand the truth: and they that are faithful in love shall rest in him: for grace and peace is to his elect.
Psalm 23:1-6
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
1A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.
2He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment:
3He hath converted my soul. He hath led me on the paths of justice, for his own name's sake.
4For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me.
5Thou hast prepared a table before me against them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil; and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it!
6And thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.
Romans 5:5-11
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
5And hope confoundeth not: because the charity of God is poured forth in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost, who is given to us.
6For why did Christ, when as yet we were weak, according to the time, die for the ungodly?
7For scarce for a just man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man some one would dare to die.
8But God commendeth his charity towards us; because when as yet we were sinners, according to the time,
9Christ died for us; much more therefore, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from wrath through him.
10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
11And not only so; but also we glory in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received reconciliation.
John 6:37-40
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
37All that the Father giveth to me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me, I will not cast out.
38Because I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39Now this is the will of the Father who sent me: that of all that he hath given me, I should lose nothing; but should raise it up again in the last day.
40And this is the will of my Father that sent me: that every one who seeth the Son, and believeth in him, may have life everlasting, and I will raise him up in the last day.

This Week with Incarnation Teens

Posted on October 24th, 2008 in Incarnation Teens by Derek Rotty

What more is there to say than another week has gone by?  I could say that this has been an excellent week!  I could say that I am now four days away from entering my "late twenties."  I will say that I continue to be amazed by God's love and grace, which I see every day of my life!  I do hope that all of you who read this will continue to grow closer to Jesus Christ and become holy!

[This is the place where I would normally post a couple of pictures, but I haven't taken any pictures in a few weeks.  My bad!]

REFLECTIONS ON THE READINGS

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Exodus 22:20-26; Psalm 18; 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10; Matthew 22:34-40

God desires that each of us becomes "a model for all the believers."  He wants us to be cleansed of our attachment to idols (including modern things like bad music, television, and movies), receive His Word, and imitate Him.  Indeed, Jesus tells us in the Gospel passage that the greatest commandment is to love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind.  When such a transformation begins to happen in our lives, God will deliver us from harm; and we will be able to look forward with joy to living in Heaven forever!

Thanks be to God that He allows us to turn from sin and continually try to become holy.

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Teens Loving Christ
    • Sunday, October 26 @ 1:15pm
    • Youth Room
    • We will continue our study of St. Paul's life and writings
  • ENCOUNTER
    • Wednesday, October 29 @7:15pm
    • Holy Family Life Center Gym
    • We will continue to affirm God's presence in our lives, as well as celebrate Derek's birthday!
  • Mass on the Solemnity of All Saints followed by a Fellowship Breakfast
    • Saturday, November 1 @ 8:15pm
    • Small Church and Fellowship Hall
    • Worship and eat with friends and fellow Christians!
  • Teens Loving Christ
    • Sunday, November 2 @ 1:15pm
    • Youth Room

FINAL THOUGHT

Could we compare the Apostles to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions.

God bless! 

Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
1Be comforted, be comforted, my people, saith your God.
2Speak ye to the heart of Jerusalem, and call to her: for her evil is come to an end, her iniquity is forgiven: she hath received of the hand of the Lord double for all her sins.
3The voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the wilderness the paths of our God.
4Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough ways plain.
5And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh together shall see, that the mouth of the Lord hath spoken.
9Get thee up upon a high mountain, thou that bringest good tidings to Sion: lift up thy voice with strength, thou that bringest good tidings to Jerusalem: lift it up, fear not. Say to the cities of Juda: Behold your God:
10Behold the Lord God shall come with strength, and his arm shall rule: Behold his reward is with him and his work is before him.
11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather together the lambs with his arm, and shall take them up in his bosom, and he himself shall carry them that are with young.
Psalm 85:9-14
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
9I will hear what the Lord God will speak in me: for he will speak peace unto his people: And unto his saints: and unto them that are converted to the heart.
10Surely his salvation is near to them that fear him: that glory may dwell in our land.
11Mercy and truth have met each other: justice and peace have kissed.
12Truth is sprung out of the earth: and justice hath looked down from heaven.
13For the Lord will give goodness: and our earth shall yield her fruit.
14Justice shall walk before him: and shall set his steps in the way.
2 Peter 3:8-14
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
8But of this one thing be not ignorant, my beloved, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9The Lord delayeth not his promise, as some imagine, but dealeth patiently for your sake, not willing that any should perish, but that all should return to penance.
10But the day of the Lord shall come as a thief, in which the heavens shall pass away with great violence, and the elements shall be melted with heat, and the earth and the works which are in it, shall be burnt up.
11Seeing then that all these things are to be dissolved, what manner of people ought you to be in holy conversation and godliness?
12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of the Lord, by which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with the burning heat?
13But we look for new heavens and a new earth according to his promises, in which justice dwelleth.
14Wherefore, dearly beloved, waiting for these things, be diligent that you may be found before him unspotted and blameless in peace.
Mark 1:1-8
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2As it is written in Isaias the prophet: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare the way before thee.
3A voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
4John was in the desert baptizing, and preaching the baptism of penance, unto remission of sins.
5And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all they of Jerusalem, and were baptized by him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
6And John was clothed with camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7And he preached, saying: There cometh after me one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.
8I have baptized you with water; but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Proverbs 31:10-13,30-31
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
10Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.
11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
12She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.
Psalm 128:1-5
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
1Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: that walk in his ways.
2For thou shalt eat the labours of thy hands: blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee.
3Thy wife as a fruitful vine, on the sides of thy house.
4Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.
5May the Lord bless thee out of Sion: and mayest thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
View in: NAB NIV KJV Vulg Greek
1But of the times and moments, brethren, you need not, that we should write to you;
2For yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord shall so come, as a thief in the night.
3For when they shall say, peace and security; then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the pains upon her that is with child, and they shall not escape.
4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5For all you are the children of light, and children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do; but let us watch, and be sober.
Matthew 25:14-30
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
14For even as a man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods;
15And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey.
16And he that had received the five talents, went his way, and traded with the same, and gained other five.
17And in like manner he that had received the two, gained other two.
18But he that had received the one, going his way digged into the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them.
20And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above.
21His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me: behold I have gained other two.
23His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24But he that had received the one talent, came and said: Lord, I know that thou art a hard man; thou reapest where thou hast not sown, and gatherest where thou hast not strewed.
25And being afraid I went and hid thy talent in the earth: behold here thou hast that which is thine.
26And his lord answering, said to him: Wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sow not, and gather where I have not strewed:
27Thou oughtest therefore to have committed my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received my own with usury.
28Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him that hath ten talents.
29For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: but from him that hath not, that also which he seemeth to have shall be taken away.
30And the unprofitable servant cast ye out into the exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Wisdom 3:1-9
View in: NAB NIV KJV Vulg LXX
1But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them.
2In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for misery:
3And their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace.
4And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality.
5Afflicted in few things, in many they shall be well rewarded: because God hath tried them, and found them worthy of himself.
6As gold in the furnace he hath proved them, and as a victim of a holocaust he hath received them, and in time there shall be respect had to them.
7The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks among the reeds.
8They shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.
9They that trust in him, shall understand the truth: and they that are faithful in love shall rest in him: for grace and peace is to his elect.
Psalm 23:1-6
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
1A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.
2He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment:
3He hath converted my soul. He hath led me on the paths of justice, for his own name's sake.
4For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me.
5Thou hast prepared a table before me against them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil; and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it!
6And thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.
Romans 5:5-11
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
5And hope confoundeth not: because the charity of God is poured forth in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost, who is given to us.
6For why did Christ, when as yet we were weak, according to the time, die for the ungodly?
7For scarce for a just man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man some one would dare to die.
8But God commendeth his charity towards us; because when as yet we were sinners, according to the time,
9Christ died for us; much more therefore, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from wrath through him.
10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
11And not only so; but also we glory in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received reconciliation.
John 6:37-40
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
37All that the Father giveth to me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me, I will not cast out.
38Because I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39Now this is the will of the Father who sent me: that of all that he hath given me, I should lose nothing; but should raise it up again in the last day.
40And this is the will of my Father that sent me: that every one who seeth the Son, and believeth in him, may have life everlasting, and I will raise him up in the last day.
Exodus 22:20-26
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
20He that sacrificeth to gods, shall be put to death, save only to the Lord.
21Thou shalt not molest a stranger, nor afflict him: for yourselves also were strangers in the land of Egypt.
22You shall not hurt a widow or an orphan.
23If you hurt them they will cry out to me, and I will hear their cry:
24And my rage shall be enkindled, and I will strike you with the sword, and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
25If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor, that dwelleth with thee, thou shalt not be hard upon them as an extortioner, nor oppress them with usuries.
26If thou take of thy neighbour a garment in pledge, thou shalt give it him again before sunset.
1 Thessalonians 1:5
View in: NAB NIV KJV Vulg Greek
5For our gospel hath not been unto you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much fulness, as you know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes.
Matthew 22:34-40
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
34But the Pharisees hearing that he had silenced the Sadducees, came together:
35And one of them, a doctor of the law, asking him, tempting him:
36Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law?
37Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind.
38This is the greatest and the first commandment.
39And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
40On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets.

This Week with Incarnation Teens

Posted on October 16th, 2008 in Incarnation Teens by Derek Rotty

Fall Break is over…sadness.  But, that means that we can all come back together for fellowship, and we can grow closer to Christ!  It also means that the best season of the year is upon us…fall!

Last night's ENCOUNTER was incredible!  We had great music, great food, and great fellowship!  I can't wait to do something like that again!

In the mean time…

REFLECTION ON THE READINGS

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Isaiah 45:1,4-6; Psalm 96; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b; Matthew 22:15-21

The words of the prophet Isaiah are meant to remind readers and listeners that God's call is the one of highest significance.  Yes, God has "called you by your name, giving you a title."  He wants people to remember that nothing in this world is as important as Him; that He alone can make the sun rise and set.  So, as Jesus proclaims in the Gospel: we must give to God "what belongs to God."

What belongs to God?  EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE AND EVERY MOVE YOU MAKE!

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Teens Loving Christ
    • Sunday, October 19 @ 1:15pm
    • Youth Room
    • Snacks available
  • ENCOUNTER
    • Wednesday, October 22 @ 7:15pm
    • HFLC Gymnasium
    • Snacks and games afterward
  • Open Door Friday
    • Friday, October 24 @ 3pm
    • Youth Room
  • ICS Autum Festival
    • Friday, October 24 @ 6pm
    • HFLC Gymnasium and Baseball Field
    • Take your shot at Derek in the dunk tank!

FINAL THOUGHT

It be nice if the ground moved like a conveyor belt so we wouldn't have to exert much energy to get from place to place!

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions.

God bless! 

Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
1Be comforted, be comforted, my people, saith your God.
2Speak ye to the heart of Jerusalem, and call to her: for her evil is come to an end, her iniquity is forgiven: she hath received of the hand of the Lord double for all her sins.
3The voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the wilderness the paths of our God.
4Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough ways plain.
5And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh together shall see, that the mouth of the Lord hath spoken.
9Get thee up upon a high mountain, thou that bringest good tidings to Sion: lift up thy voice with strength, thou that bringest good tidings to Jerusalem: lift it up, fear not. Say to the cities of Juda: Behold your God:
10Behold the Lord God shall come with strength, and his arm shall rule: Behold his reward is with him and his work is before him.
11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather together the lambs with his arm, and shall take them up in his bosom, and he himself shall carry them that are with young.
Psalm 85:9-14
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
9I will hear what the Lord God will speak in me: for he will speak peace unto his people: And unto his saints: and unto them that are converted to the heart.
10Surely his salvation is near to them that fear him: that glory may dwell in our land.
11Mercy and truth have met each other: justice and peace have kissed.
12Truth is sprung out of the earth: and justice hath looked down from heaven.
13For the Lord will give goodness: and our earth shall yield her fruit.
14Justice shall walk before him: and shall set his steps in the way.
2 Peter 3:8-14
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
8But of this one thing be not ignorant, my beloved, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9The Lord delayeth not his promise, as some imagine, but dealeth patiently for your sake, not willing that any should perish, but that all should return to penance.
10But the day of the Lord shall come as a thief, in which the heavens shall pass away with great violence, and the elements shall be melted with heat, and the earth and the works which are in it, shall be burnt up.
11Seeing then that all these things are to be dissolved, what manner of people ought you to be in holy conversation and godliness?
12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of the Lord, by which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with the burning heat?
13But we look for new heavens and a new earth according to his promises, in which justice dwelleth.
14Wherefore, dearly beloved, waiting for these things, be diligent that you may be found before him unspotted and blameless in peace.
Mark 1:1-8
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2As it is written in Isaias the prophet: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare the way before thee.
3A voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
4John was in the desert baptizing, and preaching the baptism of penance, unto remission of sins.
5And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all they of Jerusalem, and were baptized by him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
6And John was clothed with camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7And he preached, saying: There cometh after me one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.
8I have baptized you with water; but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Proverbs 31:10-13,30-31
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
10Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.
11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
12She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.
Psalm 128:1-5
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
1Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: that walk in his ways.
2For thou shalt eat the labours of thy hands: blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee.
3Thy wife as a fruitful vine, on the sides of thy house.
4Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.
5May the Lord bless thee out of Sion: and mayest thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
View in: NAB NIV KJV Vulg Greek
1But of the times and moments, brethren, you need not, that we should write to you;
2For yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord shall so come, as a thief in the night.
3For when they shall say, peace and security; then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the pains upon her that is with child, and they shall not escape.
4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5For all you are the children of light, and children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do; but let us watch, and be sober.
Matthew 25:14-30
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
14For even as a man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods;
15And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey.
16And he that had received the five talents, went his way, and traded with the same, and gained other five.
17And in like manner he that had received the two, gained other two.
18But he that had received the one, going his way digged into the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them.
20And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above.
21His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me: behold I have gained other two.
23His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24But he that had received the one talent, came and said: Lord, I know that thou art a hard man; thou reapest where thou hast not sown, and gatherest where thou hast not strewed.
25And being afraid I went and hid thy talent in the earth: behold here thou hast that which is thine.
26And his lord answering, said to him: Wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sow not, and gather where I have not strewed:
27Thou oughtest therefore to have committed my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received my own with usury.
28Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him that hath ten talents.
29For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: but from him that hath not, that also which he seemeth to have shall be taken away.
30And the unprofitable servant cast ye out into the exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Wisdom 3:1-9
View in: NAB NIV KJV Vulg LXX
1But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them.
2In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for misery:
3And their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace.
4And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality.
5Afflicted in few things, in many they shall be well rewarded: because God hath tried them, and found them worthy of himself.
6As gold in the furnace he hath proved them, and as a victim of a holocaust he hath received them, and in time there shall be respect had to them.
7The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks among the reeds.
8They shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.
9They that trust in him, shall understand the truth: and they that are faithful in love shall rest in him: for grace and peace is to his elect.
Psalm 23:1-6
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
1A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.
2He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment:
3He hath converted my soul. He hath led me on the paths of justice, for his own name's sake.
4For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me.
5Thou hast prepared a table before me against them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil; and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it!
6And thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.
Romans 5:5-11
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
5And hope confoundeth not: because the charity of God is poured forth in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost, who is given to us.
6For why did Christ, when as yet we were weak, according to the time, die for the ungodly?
7For scarce for a just man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man some one would dare to die.
8But God commendeth his charity towards us; because when as yet we were sinners, according to the time,
9Christ died for us; much more therefore, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from wrath through him.
10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
11And not only so; but also we glory in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received reconciliation.
John 6:37-40
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
37All that the Father giveth to me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me, I will not cast out.
38Because I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39Now this is the will of the Father who sent me: that of all that he hath given me, I should lose nothing; but should raise it up again in the last day.
40And this is the will of my Father that sent me: that every one who seeth the Son, and believeth in him, may have life everlasting, and I will raise him up in the last day.
Exodus 22:20-26
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
20He that sacrificeth to gods, shall be put to death, save only to the Lord.
21Thou shalt not molest a stranger, nor afflict him: for yourselves also were strangers in the land of Egypt.
22You shall not hurt a widow or an orphan.
23If you hurt them they will cry out to me, and I will hear their cry:
24And my rage shall be enkindled, and I will strike you with the sword, and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
25If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor, that dwelleth with thee, thou shalt not be hard upon them as an extortioner, nor oppress them with usuries.
26If thou take of thy neighbour a garment in pledge, thou shalt give it him again before sunset.
1 Thessalonians 1:5
View in: NAB NIV KJV Vulg Greek
5For our gospel hath not been unto you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much fulness, as you know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes.
Matthew 22:34-40
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
34But the Pharisees hearing that he had silenced the Sadducees, came together:
35And one of them, a doctor of the law, asking him, tempting him:
36Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law?
37Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind.
38This is the greatest and the first commandment.
39And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
40On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets.
Isaiah 45:1,4-6
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
1Thus saith the Lord to my anointed Cyrus, whose right hand I have taken hold of, to subdue nations before his face, and to turn the backs of kings, and to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut.
4For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have made a likeness of thee, and thou hast not known me.
5I am the Lord, and there is none else: there is no God, besides me: I girded thee, and thou hast not known me:
6That they may know who are from the rising of the sun, and they who are from the west, that there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is none else:
1 Thessalonians 1:1-5
View in: NAB NIV KJV Vulg Greek
1Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy: to the church of the Thessalonians, in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ.
2Grace be to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for you all; making a remembrance of you in our prayers without ceasing,
3Being mindful of the work of your faith, and labour, and charity, and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God and our Father:
4Knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election:
5For our gospel hath not been unto you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much fulness, as you know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes.
Matthew 22:15-21
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
15Then the Pharisees going, consulted among themselves how to insnare him in his speech.
16And they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying: Master, we know that thou art a true speaker, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou dost not regard the person of men.
17Tell us therefore what dost thou think, is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
18But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said: Why do you tempt me, ye hypocrites?
19Shew me the coin of the tribute. And they offered him a penny.
20And Jesus saith to them: Whose image and inscription is this?
21They say to him: Caesar's. Then he saith to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God, the things that are God's.

This Week with Incarnation Teens

Posted on September 26th, 2008 in Incarnation Teens by Derek Rotty

Another Friday is here, and this week has been filled with beautiful weather and lots of fun!  Throughout the past seven days, our high school youth have conducted service projects, learned about the fascinating history of St. Paul of Tarsus, and participated in a skit involving the Joker and Darth Vader!  I told you that this week has been filled with fun.

 

Click here to see pictures of this week's ENCOUNTER. 

REFLECTION ON THIS WEEK'S READINGS

St. Paul wrote that we should think and act "of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing."  But, whose is the mind that we should use?  Whose heart has the love that is perfect?

The mind and heart to which St. Paul referred was that of the Church!  The Church is the perfect guide for our thoughts and actions.  The Church teaches all faithful people how to love perfectly.  We will never be led astray if we follow the Church!

WHAT'S HAPPENING NEXT WEEK?

There are a few less things happening this week, but they'll all be just as great!  Bill and Ted might think that they are "excellent!"

  • Youth Ministry Service Project
    • Saturday, September 27 @ 9am
    • Meet at Youth Room
    • Adult drivers needed to help collect bags of food and hygiene products
    • Food provided at end of project
  • ENCOUNTER
    • Wednesday, October 1 @7:15pm
    • Holy Family Life Center Gym
    • Bring a smile, an open heart, and your Bible!
  • Fall Youth Gathering and Camping Trip
    • Leave from parish going to Chickasaw State Park on Saturday, October 4 @ 7:30am
    • Return from park by 11:30am on Sunday, October 5
    • Cost is $10 for food; must RSVP by Monday, September 29
    • Please let us borrow your extra camping gear for the weekend

FINAL THOUGHT

Distressed princesses and fire-breathing dragons always make for intriguing television!

As always, please feel free to contact me vial email or phone if you have any questions.

God bless! 

Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
1Be comforted, be comforted, my people, saith your God.
2Speak ye to the heart of Jerusalem, and call to her: for her evil is come to an end, her iniquity is forgiven: she hath received of the hand of the Lord double for all her sins.
3The voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the wilderness the paths of our God.
4Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough ways plain.
5And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh together shall see, that the mouth of the Lord hath spoken.
9Get thee up upon a high mountain, thou that bringest good tidings to Sion: lift up thy voice with strength, thou that bringest good tidings to Jerusalem: lift it up, fear not. Say to the cities of Juda: Behold your God:
10Behold the Lord God shall come with strength, and his arm shall rule: Behold his reward is with him and his work is before him.
11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather together the lambs with his arm, and shall take them up in his bosom, and he himself shall carry them that are with young.
Psalm 85:9-14
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
9I will hear what the Lord God will speak in me: for he will speak peace unto his people: And unto his saints: and unto them that are converted to the heart.
10Surely his salvation is near to them that fear him: that glory may dwell in our land.
11Mercy and truth have met each other: justice and peace have kissed.
12Truth is sprung out of the earth: and justice hath looked down from heaven.
13For the Lord will give goodness: and our earth shall yield her fruit.
14Justice shall walk before him: and shall set his steps in the way.
2 Peter 3:8-14
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
8But of this one thing be not ignorant, my beloved, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9The Lord delayeth not his promise, as some imagine, but dealeth patiently for your sake, not willing that any should perish, but that all should return to penance.
10But the day of the Lord shall come as a thief, in which the heavens shall pass away with great violence, and the elements shall be melted with heat, and the earth and the works which are in it, shall be burnt up.
11Seeing then that all these things are to be dissolved, what manner of people ought you to be in holy conversation and godliness?
12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of the Lord, by which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with the burning heat?
13But we look for new heavens and a new earth according to his promises, in which justice dwelleth.
14Wherefore, dearly beloved, waiting for these things, be diligent that you may be found before him unspotted and blameless in peace.
Mark 1:1-8
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2As it is written in Isaias the prophet: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare the way before thee.
3A voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
4John was in the desert baptizing, and preaching the baptism of penance, unto remission of sins.
5And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all they of Jerusalem, and were baptized by him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
6And John was clothed with camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7And he preached, saying: There cometh after me one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.
8I have baptized you with water; but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Proverbs 31:10-13,30-31
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
10Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.
11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
12She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.
Psalm 128:1-5
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
1Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: that walk in his ways.
2For thou shalt eat the labours of thy hands: blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee.
3Thy wife as a fruitful vine, on the sides of thy house.
4Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.
5May the Lord bless thee out of Sion: and mayest thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
View in: NAB NIV KJV Vulg Greek
1But of the times and moments, brethren, you need not, that we should write to you;
2For yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord shall so come, as a thief in the night.
3For when they shall say, peace and security; then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the pains upon her that is with child, and they shall not escape.
4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5For all you are the children of light, and children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do; but let us watch, and be sober.
Matthew 25:14-30
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
14For even as a man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods;
15And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey.
16And he that had received the five talents, went his way, and traded with the same, and gained other five.
17And in like manner he that had received the two, gained other two.
18But he that had received the one, going his way digged into the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them.
20And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above.
21His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me: behold I have gained other two.
23His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24But he that had received the one talent, came and said: Lord, I know that thou art a hard man; thou reapest where thou hast not sown, and gatherest where thou hast not strewed.
25And being afraid I went and hid thy talent in the earth: behold here thou hast that which is thine.
26And his lord answering, said to him: Wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sow not, and gather where I have not strewed:
27Thou oughtest therefore to have committed my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received my own with usury.
28Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him that hath ten talents.
29For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: but from him that hath not, that also which he seemeth to have shall be taken away.
30And the unprofitable servant cast ye out into the exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Wisdom 3:1-9
View in: NAB NIV KJV Vulg LXX
1But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them.
2In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for misery:
3And their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace.
4And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality.
5Afflicted in few things, in many they shall be well rewarded: because God hath tried them, and found them worthy of himself.
6As gold in the furnace he hath proved them, and as a victim of a holocaust he hath received them, and in time there shall be respect had to them.
7The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks among the reeds.
8They shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.
9They that trust in him, shall understand the truth: and they that are faithful in love shall rest in him: for grace and peace is to his elect.
Psalm 23:1-6
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
1A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.
2He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment:
3He hath converted my soul. He hath led me on the paths of justice, for his own name's sake.
4For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me.
5Thou hast prepared a table before me against them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil; and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it!
6And thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.
Romans 5:5-11
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
5And hope confoundeth not: because the charity of God is poured forth in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost, who is given to us.
6For why did Christ, when as yet we were weak, according to the time, die for the ungodly?
7For scarce for a just man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man some one would dare to die.
8But God commendeth his charity towards us; because when as yet we were sinners, according to the time,
9Christ died for us; much more therefore, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from wrath through him.
10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
11And not only so; but also we glory in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received reconciliation.
John 6:37-40
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
37All that the Father giveth to me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me, I will not cast out.
38Because I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39Now this is the will of the Father who sent me: that of all that he hath given me, I should lose nothing; but should raise it up again in the last day.
40And this is the will of my Father that sent me: that every one who seeth the Son, and believeth in him, may have life everlasting, and I will raise him up in the last day.
Exodus 22:20-26
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
20He that sacrificeth to gods, shall be put to death, save only to the Lord.
21Thou shalt not molest a stranger, nor afflict him: for yourselves also were strangers in the land of Egypt.
22You shall not hurt a widow or an orphan.
23If you hurt them they will cry out to me, and I will hear their cry:
24And my rage shall be enkindled, and I will strike you with the sword, and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
25If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor, that dwelleth with thee, thou shalt not be hard upon them as an extortioner, nor oppress them with usuries.
26If thou take of thy neighbour a garment in pledge, thou shalt give it him again before sunset.
1 Thessalonians 1:5
View in: NAB NIV KJV Vulg Greek
5For our gospel hath not been unto you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much fulness, as you know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes.
Matthew 22:34-40
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
34But the Pharisees hearing that he had silenced the Sadducees, came together:
35And one of them, a doctor of the law, asking him, tempting him:
36Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law?
37Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind.
38This is the greatest and the first commandment.
39And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
40On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets.
Isaiah 45:1,4-6
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
1Thus saith the Lord to my anointed Cyrus, whose right hand I have taken hold of, to subdue nations before his face, and to turn the backs of kings, and to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut.
4For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have made a likeness of thee, and thou hast not known me.
5I am the Lord, and there is none else: there is no God, besides me: I girded thee, and thou hast not known me:
6That they may know who are from the rising of the sun, and they who are from the west, that there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is none else:
1 Thessalonians 1:1-5
View in: NAB NIV KJV Vulg Greek
1Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy: to the church of the Thessalonians, in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ.
2Grace be to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for you all; making a remembrance of you in our prayers without ceasing,
3Being mindful of the work of your faith, and labour, and charity, and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God and our Father:
4Knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election:
5For our gospel hath not been unto you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much fulness, as you know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes.
Matthew 22:15-21
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
15Then the Pharisees going, consulted among themselves how to insnare him in his speech.
16And they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying: Master, we know that thou art a true speaker, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou dost not regard the person of men.
17Tell us therefore what dost thou think, is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
18But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said: Why do you tempt me, ye hypocrites?
19Shew me the coin of the tribute. And they offered him a penny.
20And Jesus saith to them: Whose image and inscription is this?
21They say to him: Caesar's. Then he saith to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God, the things that are God's.
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