RELIGION AND ART

When Solomon grew old his wives swayed his heart to other gods; and his heart was not wholly with the Lord this God as his father David has been. Solomon became a follower of Astarte, the goddess of the Sidonians, and of Milcom, the Ammonite abomination. He did what was displeasing to the Lord........ Mass Readings The Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart had turned from The Lord the God o Israel who had appeared to him twice, and who had forbidden him to follow other gods; but he did not carry out the Lords order. Lectures The Lord there said to Solomon, 'Since you behave like this and do not keep my covenant or the laws I laid down for you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants.'  For your father David's sake, however, I will not do this during your lifetime, but will tear it out of your son's hands.  Even so, I will not tear the whole kingdom from him.  For the sake of my servant David, and for the sake of Je...

The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered round him, and they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with unclean hand, that is, without washing them. For the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, follow the tradition of the elders and never eat without washing their arms as far as the elbow; and on returning from the market place they never eat without first sprinkling themselves. There are also many other observances which have been handed down to them concerning the washing of cups and pots and bronze dishes. So these Pharisees and scribes asked him, 'Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the  elders but eat their food with unclean hands?' Mass Readings Lectures du jour How lovely is your dwelling place

Solomon called the elders of Israel together in Jerusalem to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord up from the Citadel of David, which is Zion.  All the men of Israel assembled round King Solomon in the month of Ethanim, at the time of the feast (that is, the seventh month), and the priests took up the ark and the Tent of Meeting with all the sacred vessels that were in it. In the presence of the ark, King Solomon and all Israel sacrificed sheep and oxen, countless, innumerable. The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, in the Debir of the Temple, that is, in the Holy of Holies, under the cherubs' wings.  For there where the ark was placed the cherubs spread out their wings and sheltered the ark and its shafts. Mass Readings Lectures There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets Moses had placed in it at Horeb, the tablets of the covenant which the Lord had made with the Israelites when they came out of the Land of  Egypt;...

Jesus said to his disciples: 'You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men. 'You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.' Lectures \ Mass Readings The year is gone beyond recall

Jesus made a tour round the villages teaching. The Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs giving them authority over the unclean spirits. And he instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff - no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses. They were to wear sandals but, he added, 'Do not take a spare tunic'. And he said to them, 'If you enter a house anywhere, stay there until you leave the district. And if any place does not welcome you and the people refuse to listen to you, as you walk away shake off the dust from under your feet as a sign to them.' So they set off to preach repentance; and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them. So they set off to preach repentance; and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them. Mass Readings Gospel Heavenly Father when you created man, you gave him authority over all things. This is beca...

Meanwhile King Herod had heard about Jesus, since by now his name was well-known. Some were saying, 'John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous power are at work in him'.  Others said, 'He is Elijah', others again, 'He is prophet, like the prophets we used to have'. But when Herod heard this he said, 'It is John whose head I cut off, he has risen from the dead. Psalm 23 Mass Readings Lectures du jour Heavenly Father, thank you for today's readings.  Two great men, King David and John the Baptist. One was promised that his kingdom will be forever established, and the second came to announce the fulfilment of your promise through the coming of your Son Jesus Christ. Father give me the wisdom, the knowledge and understanding know you and obey your commands.

So Gad went to David and told him. 'Are three years of famine to come on you in your country, 'he said, 'or will you flee fro three months before your pursuing enemy, or would you rather have three days' pestilence in your country? Now think, and decide how I am to answer him who sends me. 'David said to Gad, "This is a hard choice.  But let us rather fall into the Power of  the Lord, since his mercy is great, and not into the power of men. 'So David chose pestilence. Mass Reading Lectures du jour Saint Agatha with the Lord there is Mercy Heavenly Father it is true you are full of mercy and compassion. I know that with you there is forgiveness and compassion.  My fellow being may find it difficult to forgive and other may want to take revenge against me or pursue me for no reason. With you Father, I am safe.  May your mercy and love remain with me always.