One Walk

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The Words of Jesus of Nazareth

The Good Shepherd

Fear not, little flock, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

This earth is plagued by corruption, by death and destruction. I have come to undo this curse, that you might discover the true meaning of life and be blessed.

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Abba, Father, Lord God, humble, thankful, I still seek, thirst and hunger for understand and control of myself; but is that possible? I read and listen to every Word of my Lord Jesus expecting the next to have the key, the secret; but is the key to just keep seeking, keep thirsting and keep hungering for Jesus, more and more of Him until I am gone all that remains is His image. Is that the secret, will I even know if and when it happens? Help me stay thirsty and hungry, help me keep seeking Lord Jesus! In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

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True charity consists in doing good to those who do us evil, and in thus winning them over.

— St. Alphonsus Liguori

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Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17
Psalm 23:1-3, 5-6

1  The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want;  2  he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters;  3  he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows.  6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28

20  But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.  21  For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.  22  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 
Matthew 25:31-46

31  "When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.  32  Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats,  33  and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left.  34  Then the King will say to those at his right hand, `Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;  35  for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,  36  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’  37  Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink?  38  And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee?  39  And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?’  40  And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’  41  Then he will say to those at his left hand, `Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels;  42  for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,  43  I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’  44  Then they also will answer, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?’  45  Then he will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.’  46  And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." 

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

The Words of Jesus of Nazareth by Lee Cantelon

Ask and It Is Given, Volume 1: The Law of Attraction Unabridged By Esther Hicks and Jerry Hicks Narrated by Jerry Hicks – Ask and It Is Given, by Esther and Jerry Hicks, which presents the teachings of the nonphysical entity Abraham, will help you learn how to manifest your desires so that you’re living the joyous and fulfilling life you deserve. As you listen, you’ll come to understand how the Universal laws that govern your time/space reality influence your relationships, health issues, finances, career concerns, and more. It’s your birthright to live a life filled with everything that is good, and this audio program will show you how to make it so in every way!

The Pontiff in Winter: Triumph and Conflict in the Reign of John Paul II By John Cornwell Narrated by John Lee – Pope John Paul II is one of the most famous and influential political figures of the world. Now, best-selling author and journalist John Cornwell has written an accessible and provocative portrait of this highly charged figure, focusing primarily on the last five years and the major world events, and scandals within the Church that have impacted the papacy. The result is a thoughtful assessment of John Paul II’s legacy to the Church. In an age when many people see the Catholic Church as an institution in crisis, Cornwell raises the level of debate by posing difficult questions; chief among them is the effectiveness of a system that grants lifetime power to an individual vulnerable to the vicissitudes of aging and illness.

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The Words of Jesus of Nazareth

 Following the Resurrection

Oh fools, so slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Should not Christ have suffered all of these things and then enter into his glory? Be faithless no longer, but believe.

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Abba, Father, Lord God, aware, thankful, humble, You are my rock, I ask that You trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle under the sun; You are my rock and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield. In and through Jesus I wake to You and come back to You each day to measure and weight myself against the image of my Lord Jesus. Ready to be convicted where I fall short and humbled knowing it is only by Your grace that I walk, and Your mercy that I find the way to keep going, keep seeking. Help me to return home to You at night and to wake with You each morning. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.

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The everlasting God has in His wisdom, foreseen from eternity the cross that He now presents to you as a gift from His inmost heart. This cross He now sends you, He has considered with His all-knowing eyes, understood with His Divine mind, tested with His wise justice, warmed with His loving arms and weighed with His own hands, to see that it be not one inch too large and not one ounce too heavy for you. He has blessed it with His holy Name, anointed it with His grace, perfumed it with His consolation, taken one last glance at you and your courage, and then sent it to you from heaven, a special greeting from God to you, an alms of the all-merciful love of God. Our business is to love what would have done. He wills our vocation as it is. Let us love that and not trifle away our time hankering after other people’s vocations.

— St. Francis de Sales

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Revelation 11:4-12
Psalm 144:1-2, 9-10

1  Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; 2  my rock and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues the peoples under him. 
Luke 20:27-40

27  There came to him some Sadducees, those who say that there is no resurrection,

28  and they asked him a question, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the wife and raise up children for his brother.  29  Now there were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and died without children;  30  and the second  31  and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. 32  afterward the woman also died.  33  In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife."  34  And Jesus said to them, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage;  35  but those who are accounted worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage,  36  for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.  37  But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.  38  Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him."  39  And some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you have spoken well."  40  For they no longer dared to ask him any question.

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

The Words of Jesus of Nazareth by Lee Cantelon

Ask and It Is Given, Volume 1: The Law of Attraction Unabridged By Esther Hicks and Jerry Hicks Narrated by Jerry Hicks – Ask and It Is Given, by Esther and Jerry Hicks, which presents the teachings of the nonphysical entity Abraham, will help you learn how to manifest your desires so that you’re living the joyous and fulfilling life you deserve. As you listen, you’ll come to understand how the Universal laws that govern your time/space reality influence your relationships, health issues, finances, career concerns, and more. It’s your birthright to live a life filled with everything that is good, and this audio program will show you how to make it so in every way!

The Pontiff in Winter: Triumph and Conflict in the Reign of John Paul II By John Cornwell Narrated by John Lee – Pope John Paul II is one of the most famous and influential political figures of the world. Now, best-selling author and journalist John Cornwell has written an accessible and provocative portrait of this highly charged figure, focusing primarily on the last five years and the major world events, and scandals within the Church that have impacted the papacy. The result is a thoughtful assessment of John Paul II’s legacy to the Church. In an age when many people see the Catholic Church as an institution in crisis, Cornwell raises the level of debate by posing difficult questions; chief among them is the effectiveness of a system that grants lifetime power to an individual vulnerable to the vicissitudes of aging and illness.

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The Words of Jesus of Nazareth

Patience, Mercy, and Forgiveness

When little is forgiven, little love is returned.

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Abba, Father, Lord God, aware, thankful, humbled, I ask Your continued blessings for me and mine; that You would make Yourself visible, helping those that do not see, see; those that cannot accept, accept; those that will not forget, forget; those that feel no love, love. By faith, with hope, in love I ask in Jesus name, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

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The everlasting God has in His wisdom, foreseen from eternity the cross that He now presents to you as a gift from His inmost heart. This cross He now sends you, He has considered with His all-knowing eyes, understood with His Divine mind, tested with His wise justice, warmed with His loving arms and weighed with His own hands, to see that it be not one inch too large and not one ounce too heavy for you. He has blessed it with His holy Name, anointed it with His grace, perfumed it with His consolation, taken one last glance at you and your courage, and then sent it to you from heaven, a special greeting from God to you, an alms of the all-merciful love of God. Our business is to love what would have done. He wills our vocation as it is. Let us love that and not trifle away our time hankering after other people’s vocations.

— St. Francis de Sales

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Revelation 11:4-12
Psalm 144:1-2, 9-10
Luke 20:27-40

27  There came to him some Sadducees, those who say that there is no resurrection,  28  and they asked him a question, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the wife and raise up children for his brother.  29  Now there were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and died without children;  30  and the second  31  and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died.  32  Afterward the woman also died.  33  In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife." 34  And Jesus said to them, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage;  35  but those who are accounted worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage,  36  for they cannot die any more, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. 37  But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.  38  Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him."  39  And some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you have spoken well."  40  For they no longer dared to ask him any question. 

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

The Words of Jesus of Nazareth by Lee Cantelon

Ask and It Is Given, Volume 1: The Law of Attraction Unabridged By Esther Hicks and Jerry Hicks Narrated by Jerry Hicks – Ask and It Is Given, by Esther and Jerry Hicks, which presents the teachings of the nonphysical entity Abraham, will help you learn how to manifest your desires so that you’re living the joyous and fulfilling life you deserve. As you listen, you’ll come to understand how the Universal laws that govern your time/space reality influence your relationships, health issues, finances, career concerns, and more. It’s your birthright to live a life filled with everything that is good, and this audio program will show you how to make it so in every way!

The Pontiff in Winter: Triumph and Conflict in the Reign of John Paul II By John Cornwell Narrated by John Lee – Pope John Paul II is one of the most famous and influential political figures of the world. Now, best-selling author and journalist John Cornwell has written an accessible and provocative portrait of this highly charged figure, focusing primarily on the last five years and the major world events, and scandals within the Church that have impacted the papacy. The result is a thoughtful assessment of John Paul II’s legacy to the Church. In an age when many people see the Catholic Church as an institution in crisis, Cornwell raises the level of debate by posing difficult questions; chief among them is the effectiveness of a system that grants lifetime power to an individual vulnerable to the vicissitudes of aging and illness.

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11192008

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The Words of Jesus of Nazareth

On a Fruitful Life      

The fruit of people’s lives will reveal the life they have chosen to live.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt has lost its power to purify, flavor, and preserve, how can it be made salt again? It is worthless, except to be discarded and trampled underfoot.

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Abba, Father, Lord God, thankful, humbled yet distrustful of myself and everything; O Lord God as St. John Eudes states today, separate me from myself and its deceitful ways; place me on solid ground rooted in Jesus.

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Separate me from myself and from all that is not you, in order to unite and incorporate me with you. Empty me of myself and of all things, destroy me utterly, in order to fill me with yourself and to form and establish yourself in me. Cause me henceforth to be a perfect image of yourself; just as you are a most perfect image of your Father.

— St. John Eudes

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Revelation 4:1-11
Psalm 150:1-6
Luke 19:11-28

11  As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately.  12  He said therefore, "A nobleman went into a far country to receive a kingdom and then return.  13  Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten pounds, and said to them, `Trade with these till I come.’  14  But his citizens hated him and sent an embassy after him, saying, `We do not want this man to reign over us.’  15  When he returned, having received the kingdom, he commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading.  16  The first came before him, saying, `Lord, your pound has made ten pounds more.’  17  And he said to him, `Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’  18  And the second came, saying, `Lord, your pound has made five pounds.’  19  And he said to him, `And you are to be over five cities.’  20  Then another came, saying, `Lord, here is your pound, which I kept laid away in a napkin;  21  for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man; you take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow.’

22  He said to him, `I will condemn you out of your own mouth, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow?  23  Why then did you not put my money into the bank, and at my coming I should have collected it with interest?’  24  And he said to those who stood by, `Take the pound from him, and give it to him who has the ten pounds.’  25  (And they said to him, `Lord, he has ten pounds!’)  26  `I tell you, that to everyone who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.  27  But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them before me.’" 

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

The Words of Jesus of Nazareth by Lee Cantelon

Ask and It Is Given, Volume 1: The Law of Attraction Unabridged By Esther Hicks and Jerry Hicks Narrated by Jerry Hicks – Ask and It Is Given, by Esther and Jerry Hicks, which presents the teachings of the nonphysical entity Abraham, will help you learn how to manifest your desires so that you’re living the joyous and fulfilling life you deserve. As you listen, you’ll come to understand how the Universal laws that govern your time/space reality influence your relationships, health issues, finances, career concerns, and more. It’s your birthright to live a life filled with everything that is good, and this audio program will show you how to make it so in every way!

The Pontiff in Winter: Triumph and Conflict in the Reign of John Paul II By John Cornwell Narrated by John Lee – Pope John Paul II is one of the most famous and influential political figures of the world. Now, best-selling author and journalist John Cornwell has written an accessible and provocative portrait of this highly charged figure, focusing primarily on the last five years and the major world events, and scandals within the Church that have impacted the papacy. The result is a thoughtful assessment of John Paul II’s legacy to the Church. In an age when many people see the Catholic Church as an institution in crisis, Cornwell raises the level of debate by posing difficult questions; chief among them is the effectiveness of a system that grants lifetime power to an individual vulnerable to the vicissitudes of aging and illness.

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11182008

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The Words of Jesus of Nazareth

The Call

You have not chosen me. I have chosen you, and appointed you to produce good fruit from the lives that you live, fruit that will last.

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Abba, Father, Lord God, thankful for knowing You are there, humbled by how I get in Your way and my lack of ability to draw upon You as my source or source and letting You work in and flow through me as I walk, talk and interact with others. 

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Before prayer, endeavor to realize whose Presence you are approaching, and to whom you are about to speak. We can never fully understand how we ought to behave towards God, before whom the angles tremble.

— St. Teresa of Avila

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Acts 28:11-16, 30-31
Psalm 98:1-6
Matthew 14:22-33

22  And the servant said, `Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’  23  And the master said to the servant, `Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.  24  For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’"  25  Now great multitudes accompanied him; and he turned and said to them,  26  "If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.  27  Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.  28  For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?  29  Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,  30  saying, `This man began to build, and was not able to finish.’  31  Or what king, going to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?  32  And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an embassy and asks terms of peace.  33  So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. 

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

The Words of Jesus of Nazareth by Lee Cantelon

Ask and It Is Given, Volume 1: The Law of Attraction Unabridged By Esther Hicks and Jerry Hicks Narrated by Jerry Hicks – Ask and It Is Given, by Esther and Jerry Hicks, which presents the teachings of the nonphysical entity Abraham, will help you learn how to manifest your desires so that you’re living the joyous and fulfilling life you deserve. As you listen, you’ll come to understand how the Universal laws that govern your time/space reality influence your relationships, health issues, finances, career concerns, and more. It’s your birthright to live a life filled with everything that is good, and this audio program will show you how to make it so in every way!

The Pontiff in Winter: Triumph and Conflict in the Reign of John Paul II By John Cornwell Narrated by John Lee – Pope John Paul II is one of the most famous and influential political figures of the world. Now, best-selling author and journalist John Cornwell has written an accessible and provocative portrait of this highly charged figure, focusing primarily on the last five years and the major world events, and scandals within the Church that have impacted the papacy. The result is a thoughtful assessment of John Paul II’s legacy to the Church. In an age when many people see the Catholic Church as an institution in crisis, Cornwell raises the level of debate by posing difficult questions; chief among them is the effectiveness of a system that grants lifetime power to an individual vulnerable to the vicissitudes of aging and illness.

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The Words of Jesus of Nazareth

Disciples and Servants

When the Messiah returns in his glory and all the holy angels are with him, he will sit upon the throne of his heavenly glory. Before him will be gathered all nations and he will separate them, as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. The sheep he will set on his right hand, and the goats on his left.

Then the King of Heaven will say to those on his right: "Come, blessed by my Father; enter into the inheritance of the kingdom, prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you offered me food. I was thirsty, and you brought me cold water to drink. I was without home, and you invited me in. I was without clothes, and you clothed me. I was ill, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me."

Then the righteous will answer in amazement: "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you; or thirsty and give you drink? When did we shelter or clothe you? Did we ever care for you when you were ill, or visit you in prison?"

The King will reply: "Truly, inasmuch as you have done such things for the least of my brothers and sisters, you have done the same for me."

To the ones on his left, the King will say: "Depart from me! For I was hungry, and you gave me no food. I was thirsty, and you offered me nothing to drink. I was without home, and you turned me away. I was naked, and you gave me no clothes. I was sick, yet you didn’t care for me. I was in prison, but you didn’t visit me."

These will protest: "Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or homeless, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and fail to comfort you?"

The King will answer: "Truly I say to you, inasmuch as you have failed to do these things for the least of my brothers and sisters, you have failed to do them for me."

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Abba, Father, Lord God, thankful, and humble I pray ‘4 take me out of the net which is hidden for me, for thou art my refuge. 5 Into thy hand I commit my spirit; thou hast redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God. 8 and hast not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; thou hast set my feet in a broad place. 9 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief, my soul and my body also.’ In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen. 

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It is better for a man to be silent and be [a Christian], than to talk and not to be one. It is good to teach, if he who speaks also acts. There is then one Teacher, who spoke and it was done; while even those things which He did in silence are worthy of the Father. He who possesses the word of Jesus, is truly able to hear even His very silence, that he may be perfect, and may both act as he speaks, and be recognized by his silence.

— St. Ignatius

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Sirach 26:1-3, 15-18, 24 (Vulgate)

1  Happy is the husband of a good wife; the number of his days will be doubled.  2  A loyal wife rejoices her husband, and he will complete his years in peace.  3  A good wife is a great blessing; she will be granted among the blessings of the man who fears the Lord.  15  A modest wife adds charm to charm, and no balance can weigh the value of a chaste soul.  16  Like the sun rising in the heights of the Lord, so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home.  17  Like the shining lamp on the holy lamp stand, so is a beautiful face on a stately figure.  18  Like pillars of gold on a base of silver, so are beautiful feet with a steadfast heart. 

 or 1 Timothy 5:3-10

3  Honor widows who are real widows.  4  If a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn their religious duty to their own family and make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.  5  She who is a real widow, and is left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day;  6  whereas she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7 Command this, so that they may be without reproach.  8  If any one does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.  9  Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband;  10  and she must be well attested for her good deeds, as one who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, relieved the afflicted, and devoted herself to doing good in every way. 
Psalm 31:4-5, 8-9, 20, 24-25
Matthew 25:31-40

40 And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’ 

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

The Words of Jesus of Nazareth by Lee Cantelon

Ask and It Is Given, Volume 1: The Law of Attraction Unabridged By Esther Hicks and Jerry Hicks Narrated by Jerry Hicks – Ask and It Is Given, by Esther and Jerry Hicks, which presents the teachings of the nonphysical entity Abraham, will help you learn how to manifest your desires so that you’re living the joyous and fulfilling life you deserve. As you listen, you’ll come to understand how the Universal laws that govern your time/space reality influence your relationships, health issues, finances, career concerns, and more. It’s your birthright to live a life filled with everything that is good, and this audio program will show you how to make it so in every way!

The Pontiff in Winter: Triumph and Conflict in the Reign of John Paul II By John Cornwell Narrated by John Lee – Pope John Paul II is one of the most famous and influential political figures of the world. Now, best-selling author and journalist John Cornwell has written an accessible and provocative portrait of this highly charged figure, focusing primarily on the last five years and the major world events, and scandals within the Church that have impacted the papacy. The result is a thoughtful assessment of John Paul II’s legacy to the Church. In an age when many people see the Catholic Church as an institution in crisis, Cornwell raises the level of debate by posing difficult questions; chief among them is the effectiveness of a system that grants lifetime power to an individual vulnerable to the vicissitudes of aging and illness.

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The Words of Jesus of Nazareth

The Kingdom of Heaven

I instruct you with these stories because it is given to you to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.

Here is another parable that illustrates the kingdom: Once there lived a rich investor who was preparing to depart for a distant country. Before leaving, he called together three associates, putting them in charge of managing his investments during his absence. He gave five accounts to one, two lesser accounts to the other, and to the third he gave one insignificant account, responsibilities equal to their levels of experience.

So it happened that the associate who had been entrusted with five accounts immediately began to buy and sell, and before long, he had doubled his holdings, so that his accounts were now ten instead of five. The second associate did likewise, investing his two accounts until he had made four from the two entrusted to him. But the third associate did nothing. So fearful was he that he locked his account in a strongbox and buried it in the ground, terrified that it might be tampered with, lost, or stolen.

A good while later, the rich man returned from his trip. Immediately he summoned his three associates, curious to learn how they had managed his money during his absence.

The first associate recounted how he had invested the five accounts and now had ten. At this the rich man said: “You have done well, and proved faithful. Because you have been trustworthy with the five accounts that I gave you, I will put more important ones under your trust. You may begin today to benefit from these responsibilities.”

Then the rich man called the second associate, who reported: “You put two accounts into my care; now I have four.”

Hearing this, the rich man repeated what he had said to the first associate: “Well done! You have been faithful in managing two minor accounts. I will put you in charge of many more. Go to your task with happiness.”

Finally, the third associate was called, and immediately confessed: “I have always thought of you as a difficult man. You collect profits from other people’s money, and I figured that you would only take back whatever profits I might make from my insignificant account. I buried my account in the ground, where it has remained unharmed until your return.”

To this, the rich man answered: “Foolish associate. You know the manner in which I conduct my affairs. At the very least you could have entrusted your account with the currency dealers. Only one account was assigned to your care, and you have chosen to bury it in the ground. Now even this will be taken from you and given to the others who did wisely. What is left to you, except to dwell on your own regrets?”

In the kingdom of heaven, those who use what they possess, no matter how insignificant it might seem at the time, will continue to receive more and more. Abundance will be theirs! But those who act in fear, unfaithful in the least of life’s matters, will eventually lose all.

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Abba, Father, Lord God, thankful and humble asking for courage, strengthen and perseverance to complete what I have started in Jesus name; even though I stumble help me to find the faith, hope and love to carry on. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

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But a soul that does not live by the love of God suffers in a different way. It is not happy because it does not correspond generously enough to divine love; it hears a call and feels an attraction to which it does not respond. God punishes it by preventing it from being at peace in the quiet of laziness which it creates for itself. How many times is God sent away in this manner!

— St. Peter Emyard

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Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

10  A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.  11  The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.  12  She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.  13  She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. 

19  She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.  20  She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.  30  Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.  31  Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
Psalm 128:1-5
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Matthew 25:14-30

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

The Words of Jesus of Nazareth by Lee Cantelon

Ask and It Is Given, Volume 1: The Law of Attraction Unabridged By Esther Hicks and Jerry Hicks Narrated by Jerry Hicks – Ask and It Is Given, by Esther and Jerry Hicks, which presents the teachings of the nonphysical entity Abraham, will help you learn how to manifest your desires so that you’re living the joyous and fulfilling life you deserve. As you listen, you’ll come to understand how the Universal laws that govern your time/space reality influence your relationships, health issues, finances, career concerns, and more. It’s your birthright to live a life filled with everything that is good, and this audio program will show you how to make it so in every way!

The Pontiff in Winter: Triumph and Conflict in the Reign of John Paul II By John Cornwell Narrated by John Lee – Pope John Paul II is one of the most famous and influential political figures of the world. Now, best-selling author and journalist John Cornwell has written an accessible and provocative portrait of this highly charged figure, focusing primarily on the last five years and the major world events, and scandals within the Church that have impacted the papacy. The result is a thoughtful assessment of John Paul II’s legacy to the Church. In an age when many people see the Catholic Church as an institution in crisis, Cornwell raises the level of debate by posing difficult questions; chief among them is the effectiveness of a system that grants lifetime power to an individual vulnerable to the vicissitudes of aging and illness.

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