REFLECTION FOR TOADY
Humility is the safeguard of chastity. In the matter of purity, there is no greater danger than not fearing danger. When a person puts himself in an occasion of sin, saying, " I shall not fall", it is almost an infallible sign that he will fall, and with great injury to his soul. We must specifically and regularly pray for God's assistance and not rely on our own strength.
-- St. Phillip Neri
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Romans 10:9-18
9 If you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from death, you will be saved.
10 For it is by our faith that we are put right with God; it is by our confession that we are saved.
11 The scripture says, “Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.”
12 This includes everyone, because there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles; God is the same Lord of all and richly blesses all who call to him.Humility is the safeguard of chastity. In the matter of purity, there is no greater danger than not fearing danger. When a person puts himself in an occasion of sin, saying, " I shall not fall", it is almost an infallible sign that he will fall, and with great injury to his soul. We must specifically and regularly pray for God's assistance and not rely on our own strength.
-- St. Phillip Neri
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Romans 10:9-18
9 If you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from death, you will be saved.
10 For it is by our faith that we are put right with God; it is by our confession that we are saved.
11 The scripture says, “Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.”
13 As the scripture says, “Everyone who calls out to the Lord for help will be saved.”
14 But how can they call to him for help if they have not believed? And how can they believe if they have not heard the message? And how can they hear if the message is not proclaimed?
15 And how can the message be proclaimed if the messengers are not sent out? As the scripture says, “How wonderful is the coming of messengers who bring good news!”
16 But not all have accepted the Good News. Isaiah himself said, “Lord, who believed our message?”
17 So then, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through preaching Christ.
18 But I ask: Is it true that they did not hear the message? Of course they did—for as the scripture says:
“The sound of their voice went out to all the world;
their words reached the ends of the earth.”
Psalms: Psalm 19:8-11
8 The laws of the Lord are right, and those who obey them are happy. The commands of the Lord are just and give understanding to the mind.
9 Reverence for the Lord is good; it will continue forever. The judgments of the Lord are just; they are always fair.
10 They are more desirable than the finest gold; they are sweeter than the purest honey.
11 They give knowledge to me, your servant; I am rewarded for obeying them.
Gospel: Matthew 4:18-22
(Jesus Calls Four Fishermen)
18 As Jesus walked along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two brothers who were fishermen, Simon (called Peter) and his brother Andrew, catching fish in the lake with a net.
19 Jesus said to them, “Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people.”
20 At once they left their nets and went with him.
21 He went on and saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in their boat with their father Zebedee, getting their nets ready. Jesus called them,
22 and at once they left the boat and their father, and went with him.
