Be humble in this life that God may raise you up in the next. Be truly moderate… Be gentle… Be honorable… Be chaste so that you may avoid all the foulness of lust like the pangs of death.

03202009

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The Words of Jesus of Nazareth by Lee Cantelon

Disciples and Servants

 

You cannot allow two masters to rule your life. Either you will disregard one and love the other; or else cling to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and remain enslaved to the gods of this world.

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Lord God, Abba Father, as a runner at the starting line I listen with eyes focused straight ahead; anticipating Your call asking and praying that I do not false start or react to quickly to my will, my needs, my desires, and do not relax into failing to hear Your call, and know Your will, missing to act according to Your will and purpose for me. This is how I wake, how I walk, and what I pray; for I know all else is as Solomon said vanity. Help Lord God, Abba Father through and in Jesus name in the Holy Spirit that lives within me. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

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Be humble in this life that God may raise you up in the next. Be truly moderate and do not punish or condemn anyone immoderately. Be gentle so that you may never oppose justice. Be honorable so that you may never voluntarily bring disgrace upon anyone. Be chaste so that you may avoid all the foulness of lust like the pangs of death.

— St. Stephen of Hungry

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Hos 14:2-10

Thus says the LORD:

Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God;

you have collapsed through your guilt.

Take with you words,

and return to the LORD;

Say to him, "Forgive all iniquity,

and receive what is good, that we may render

as offerings the bullocks from our stalls.

Assyria will not save us,

nor shall we have horses to mount;

We shall say no more, ‘Our god,’

to the work of our hands;

for in you the orphan finds compassion."

I will heal their defection, says the LORD,

I will love them freely;

for my wrath is turned away from them.

I will be like the dew for Israel:

he shall blossom like the lily;

He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar,

and put forth his shoots.

His splendor shall be like the olive tree

and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar.

Again they shall dwell in his shade

and raise grain;

They shall blossom like the vine,

and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

Ephraim! What more has he to do with idols?

I have humbled him, but I will prosper him.

"I am like a verdant cypress tree"–

Because of me you bear fruit!

Let him who is wise understand these things;

let him who is prudent know them.

Straight are the paths of the LORD,

in them the just walk,

but sinners stumble in them.

Ps 81:6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10-11ab, 14 and 17

Mk 12:28-34
One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,
"Which is the first of all the commandments?"
Jesus replied,
"The first is this:
Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
The second is this:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these."

The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher.
You are right in saying,
He is One and there is no other than he.
And to love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding,
with all your strength,
and to love your neighbor as yourself
is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,
he said to him,
"You are not far from the Kingdom of God."
And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

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Audio books I am listening to and other books or readings I am reading:

http://www.richardangulo.com/reading

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