Daily Catholic Bible Reading - 21 Nov 2015

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

November 21 2015

Saturday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 501

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112015.cfm

1 Maccabee 6:1-13
Some puzzling historical contradictions in Maccabees. In 2 Maccabees we learn that Antiochus and his men were (with God's help and approval) smashed by stones, dismembered, and beheaded in a temple. But here we are told he was killed by grief or fright. But in 2 Maccabees 9 we are told he died of bowel disease.

Historical evidence suggests he died in Iran... http://www.britannica.com/biography/Antio

Psalms 9:2, 3, 4, 6, 16, 19
Here we learn that if we pray to God He will kill our enemies and destroy cities. Not sure how that works if both sides are praying for the same thing. Mutually Assured Destruction?

2 Timothy 1:10
Despite a complete lack of evidence, this says that Jesus has abolished death. Having said that, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that medical science will achieve that in a few decades. Unfortunately the verse picker missed 1:9 which explains that God selected us to be either saved or damned, and there isn't anything we can do about it. Some implications for free will then.

Luke 20:27-40

Jesus explains that everyone in heaven is unmarried. Does that mean that married people can't go to heaven, or do they get a heavenly divorce on arrival?

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With thanks to Steve Wells

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