Here are the Bible Book(s)/Chapter(s) to read each day this week. Note that the readings are based on the New American Bible. 

Day 262 – Sunday, March 2

Matthew Chapters 3-4

Today, we meet John the Baptist, a man who didn’t fit in with polite society yet was highly honoured by Jesus.

Read Matthew 3:4-7 again, and then read Matthew 11:11.

Ask God to help us see the value in other people, especially when they express themselves in ways that may not be comfortable for us.

Has anyone who resembles John the Baptist ever joined a group to which you belonged, for example, your Bible study or your social circle? If so, what reaction did the group have to his or her participation?

Day 263 – Monday, March 3

Matthew Chapters 5-6

In today’s reading, Matthew 5:13 tells us that we are the salt of the earth.

Imagine a winter storm with ice and snow covering the roads and sidewalks. Someone takes some salt and tosses it on an icy patch and the ice begins to melt. Then, imagine smiling at someone walking by whose expression had been sad and tense, softening and lighting up.

Ask God to give us the assurance that the love we show to others helps melt their resistance to God’s love.

What would cause us to stop having a “warming effect” on others?

Day 264 – Tuesday, March 4

Matthew Chapters 7-8

Read Matthew 7:7-8 again.

Ask God to help us know how much knocking that we should be doing, and how much praying, when we come up to closed “doors.”

Is there a “door” that you would like to see open in your life? If so, have you tried knocking on it? If not, why not?

Day 265 – Wednesday, March 5

Matthew Chapters 9-10

Read Matthew 9:9 again, and then read 1 Samuel 3:1-10 and John 1:35-39.

These verses tell stories of how powerful God’s call is, although it sometimes takes time to realize from whom this call is coming.

Ask God to show us what we are being called to do today.

Imagine that you are sitting outside. You then see Jesus walking some distance away from you. He calls to you and asks you to follow Him. How do you respond to His call?

Day 266 – Thursday, March 6

Matthew Chapters 11-12

Read Matthew 11:2-6 again.

When John’s disciples asked Jesus if He was the Messiah, He did not enter into a theological debate with them, but simply stated the effect that He had had on the lives of people.

Ask God to help us to do our best evangelizing by simply radiating God’s love for us.

When you meet people who don’t believe in God or belong to another faith or denomination, do you feel tempted to enter into an argument to try to prove that your beliefs are justified? What can we learn from Jesus’ response to the disciples of John to help us present our faith to others?

Day 267 – Friday, March 7

Matthew Chapters 13-14

Read the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1-9 and its explanation in Matthew 13:18-23 again.

Our faith grows in good “soil.” Is there enough good “soil” for people who are outside of the Church to learn about the faith and to be fully received at the Lord’s Table? In order to participate in the Church’s Rite of Initiation of Adults into Christianity (RCIA), for example, people need to have enough to eat, somewhere to sleep and enough stability in their lives to participate in such a program.

Ask God to guide us to make sure that everyone who wants to receive the Lord will have that opportunity.

Are there any people you know who could use some support in learning about faith?

Day 268 – Saturday, March 8

Matthew Chapters 15-16

Read Matthew 16:15-19 again.

In the readings of yesterday and today, we see two contrasting images — deep fertile soil and a hard rock. 

The Church is both spiritual and institutional. Ask God to give wisdom to our bishops in their oversight of both the spiritual and temporal affairs of the Church.

How can you support Church leaders today?