Day 296: know your heart

1 Maccabees 15:1-41 Antiochus VII, despite his initial goodwill, soon made demands upon Simon and Judea that would lead to another armed conflict.


Sirach 36:1-17 The Sacred Author, writing only a couple of centuries before the time of Christ, was well aware of the prophecies concerning a Messiah who would come to redeem the people of Israel. This prayer for Israel thanks God for all that he had done for his people and petitions that his favor continue.


Celebration: We speak of liturgy and worship in terms of celebration because we are joyful in our thanksgiving for all God has done for us. (CCC 441, 1135-1136)


Ch 36:18-26 These proverbs on finding a spouse reflect the patriarchal culture of that period: Men could select their own brides, but the reverse was not the case for women, whose mother and father would choose a husband for their daughter. 


Ch 37:1-15 A person must be prudent and discerning in determining from whom to seek advice. Thomas a Kempis summarized this theme as well as much of the theme of this entire book when he wrote, “Take counsel with a wise and conscientious man. Seek the advice of your betters in preference to following your own inclinations. A good life makes a man wise according to God and gives him experience in many things, for the more humble he is and the more subject to God, the wiser and the more at peace he will be in all things” (The Imitation of Christ, I, 4).


Ch 37:16-31 The sign of a wise person is the ability to give cogent advice inspired by both moral law and the Gospel. Moreover, the wise person is usually content and at peace. The author returns to the subject of temperance and control of the bodily appetites not only for moral reasons but also for the maintenance of good health. Overindulgence is not only harmful to the spiritual and moral life but also can cause damage to the body. (CCC 1809)

(*The Didache Bible RSV-CE Ignatius Edition, 2006)


(*Walking With God: A Journey Through The Bible by Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins)



Prayer by Fr. Mike: “Father in Heaven we give you praise. Thank you so much, once again for your Word. Thank you for Jesus Christ, your Son of God, the Word made Flesh that dwells among us, and has dwelt among us, and has sent us your Spirit. Help us to live by the Spirit. Help us to listen to your Word. And help us to be formed by what we hear. Help us to live by what we hear. Help us to do your will in everything. Gosh! Thank you, Father. In your name, in the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.”