#Abel looks SO tired bless him </3

[skyloftian-nutcase]

I forgot to share this, @kikker-oma had made this in honor of Abel's surprise appearance in the Healthcare AU and gave me permission to share it, so here it is in all its glory because she is an absolutely phenomenal artist <3 <3 <3 Healthcare Hyrule in his element, and Abel having a pretty typical day for his sad, angsty life (RIP my beloved blorbo LOL)

[dailychapel]

Hebrews 12:1–29 NLT - 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. 5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, "My child, don't make light of the LORD's discipline, and don't give up when he corrects you. 6 For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child." 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn't we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. 14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. 16 Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. 17 You know that afterward, when he wanted his father's blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears. 18 You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. 19 For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. 20 They staggered back under God's command: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death." 21 Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, "I am terrified and trembling." 22 No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. 23 You have come to the assembly of God's firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. 24 You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel. 25 Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! 26 When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: "Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also." 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. 28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire.

God of infinite love, I thank you for this reminder of your love and your call that we be more patient, gentle and compassionate with others. Here in the middle of Lent, I turn to you to beg for your help. Please soften my heart. Help me to let go of judging others. I ask you this, in Jesus' name.

[arctic-comet]

Osblaine week 2021, Day 2: Lyrics

Over the last several weeks, I have carefully curated a playlist for Osblaine. The final total length of the playlist is 2 hours and 53 minutes.

The playlist can be found HERE

Click "Keep Reading" if you're interested in the introduction, commentary, more graphics and the full tracklist.

For full disclosure, I have to give some of the credit to my amazing fellow Osblaine fangirls @dystopiandramaqueen, @splitscreen and everyone who participated in a certain conversation for the original inspiration and even bringing up some of the songs.

You should look at the playlist in five parts: one section for each season that's aired and one section for the future (because I like to end things on a hopeful note).

The playlist contains a lot of the following:

Music from movie and TV soundtracks

Instrumental music

Remixes

Classics and covers of classics

Country music. I blame Florida. My sincerest apologies.

Some of the songs were chosen because they reminded me of a certain Osblaine scene, and some of them aren't specific to particular scenes but chosen for the general Osblaine vibe. And most of the movie/TV music I chose have been used for couples that remind me of Nick and June.

Part I- Season 1, first 12 songs of the playlist:

Forbidden Love- Abel Korzeniowski, Jasper Randall, The Hollywood Studio Symphony (Romeo & Juliet)

Fireflies- Owl City

Echoes in Rain- Enya

My Ghost- Glass Pear (Bones)

Daring to Hope- Anne Dudley (Poldark)

Everytime We Touch- Cascada

1000 Times- Sara Bareilles

Too Good At Goodbyes- Sam Smith

In Case You Don't Live Forever- Ben Platt

To Find You- Cast of Sing Street, Brenock O’Connor

She- Elvis Costello (Notting Hill)

Miracle- Instrumental- Cö Shu Nie

Hanging By A Moment- Lifehouse

Commentary:

The first instrumental song IMO works as an intro for their entire love story.

The next two songs are more about having the right vibe. It's a little ambiguous and dark because that's how their life is in Gilead.

Leave my door open just a crack

Please take me away from here

'Cause I feel like such an insomniac

Please take me away from here

Why do I tire of counting sheep?

Please take me away from here

When I'm far too tired to fall asleep

***

Wait for the sun

Watching the sky

Black as a crow

Night passes by

Taking the stars

So far away

Everything flows

Here comes another new day

Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah

***

"My Ghost" is June's POV before they sleep together, wondering if she can trust Nick:

Who can you trust, in this place?

And whom can I put my faith?

If you're real, then show me now,

Who you are

The last two songs are for episode 1x10, for both Nick’s reaction to June’s pregnancy and the beginning of her first escape attempt (arranged by Nick).

She may be the face I can't forget The trace of pleasure or regret May be my treasure or the price I have to pay She may be the song that summer sings Maybe the chill that autumn brings Maybe a hundred different things Within the measure of a day

Part II- Season 2, next 10 songs:

Love Will Keep Us Alive- Eagles

So Easy- Phillip Phillips

Incomplete- James Bay

Rewrite the Stars- The Piano Guys (The Greatest Showman)

I’ll Be Your Shelter- Taylor Dayne

Love Never Fails- Brandon Heath

P.S. I Love You- 05:11- John Powell (P.S. I Love You)

It's A Girl- Mychel Danna (The Time Traveler's Wife)

I'll Stand By You- Josh Groban, Helene Fischer

The Miracle of Love- Eurythmics

Commentary:

The first four songs cover June’s escape attempt and the time they share at the Boston Globe.

"Incomplete" is Nick's POV from when she's on the run and he knows she'll be gone from his life soon. He lives in the moment.

I don't wanna look down

I don't want us to break up in the clouds

All I want is to stay us, to stay with you now

"I'll Be Your Shelter" is for when June's mental health is at its lowest point and he goes to Serena to beg for her to get June help.

What you need is a friend to count on

What you got baby you got someone

Who will stay when the rain is fallin'

And won't let it fall on you

P.S. I Love You takes me back to episode 2.09, Nick’s selflessness in the episode and of course the scene where after telling June that Luke loves her, he tells her that he loves her too, despite believing she probably doesn’t feel the same way.

It's A Girl makes me think of the beautiful moment they share during June's false labor when he helps her out of the van and they climb the steps together.

I’ll Stand By You is for 2.10, Nick holding June after she was heartbroken over Hannah and over what the Waterfords did to her and clinging onto him.

Part III- Season 3, next 6 songs:

Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close- Alexandre Desplat (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close)

All I Ask- Adele

Never Enough- Loren Allred (The Greatest Showman)

I Don’t Wanna Live Forever- Taylor Swift, ZAYN (Fifty Shades Darker)

Love is Gone- SLANDER, Dylan Matthew

Constellations- The Oh Hellos

Commentary:

For obvious reasons, it was extremely difficult to pick songs for this season.

The first (instrumental) song is for the beginning of the season with June coming back to the Waterford house and them then saying goodbye to each other on the street.

All I Ask, Never Enough, I Don't Wanna Live Forever and Love Is Gone are for their night together in June’s room at Lawrence’s (the one we didn’t get to see sigh). They know it's possible it's all they'll ever have, and they'll take it, but it'll never be enough.

I will leave my heart at the door I won't say a word They've all been said before, you know So why don't we just play pretend? Like we're not scared of what's coming next Or scared of having nothing left

Look, don't get me wrong I know there is no tomorrow All I ask is

If this is my last night with you Hold me like I'm more than just a friend Give me a memory I can use Take me by the hand while we do what lovers do It matters how this ends 'Cause what if I never love again?

***

All the shine of a thousand spotlights

All the stars we steal from the night sky

Will never be enough

Never be enough

Towers of gold are still too little

These hands could hold the world but it'll

Never be enough

Never be enough

***

I'm sorry, don't leave me, I want you here with me

I know that your love is gone

I can't breathe, I'm so weak, I know this isn't easy

Don't tell me that your love is gone

That your love is gone

"Constellations" is for their long separation and the doubts that I'm sure plagued them both during it. Would they ever see each other again?

Part IV- S4, next 12 songs:

All of Me- John Legend

(Everything I do) I Do It For You- Bryan Adams

Iris- Natalie Taylor (City of Angels)

She Was Like A Bright Light- Hans Zimmer, Rupert Greyson-Williams (Winter’s Tale)

Noah's Last Letter- Aaron Zigman (The Notebook)

What’s In The Middle- the bird and the bee (Bones)

ivy- Taylor Swift

Footprints in the Sand- Leona Lewis

Remember Me (Lullaby)- Gael Garcia Bernal, Gabriella Flores (Coco)

On The Nature Of Daylight- Max Richter

My Heart Will Go On- Basil Jose (Titanic)

The Story- Sara Ramirez (Grey's Anatomy)

Commentary:

There were sooo many songs I wanted to include in part IV, but I controlled myself and ended up with this particular dozen.

"She Was Like A Bright Light" and "Noah’s Last Letter" are an instrumental double punch to the gut for Nick’s time in Gilead during episodes 4.07-4.09. The first one is meant for when he finds out June made it to Canada, and the 2nd for is for when he starts to gather info on Hannah to give to June.

"What’s in the Middle" and "ivy" are June’s POV of episodes 4.07-4.09.

"What's In The Middle" has more of an angry and confused vibe, and June was definitely both in episodes 7 and 8.

Losing your head is such a common theme

All your brains are falling out, falling out the open seams

Where is the heart, is the heart of the matter

I will empty out my skull of all this useless chatter

On the other hand, "ivy" has this haunted vibe, but there's also reverence and acceptance, which she begins to achieve in episode 9.

Oh, goddamn

My pain fits in the palm of your freezing hand

Taking mine, but it's been promised to another

Oh, I can't

Stop you putting roots in my dreamland

My house of stone, your ivy grows

And now I'm covered in you

The next three songs are of course all for their reunion in 4.09, and I couldn’t resist including the song that was actually played in the scene.

"The Story" draws the season to a close nicely, with June understanding that her current needs are different from what they used to be and that there’s someone who understands her completely (and it’s not Luke).

You see the smile that's on my mouth

It's hiding the words that don't come out

And all of my friends who think that I'm blessed

They don't know my head is a mess

No, they don't know who I really am

And they don't know what I've been through like you do

And I was made for you

Part V- Season 5 and Beyond, the last 6 songs

Secret Love Song- Little Mix, Jason Derulo

Burn With You- Lea Michele

The Bones- Maren Morris

Feels Like Home- Auli'i Carvalho, Keegan DeWitt

Love Will Find A Way- Piano Covers (Lion King II)

Like I'll Never Love You Again- Carrie Underwood

“Secret Love Song” is a more angsty tune about a love that’s still kept a secret like June and Nick’s love (as far as most people are concerned). Now that they’ve already made out in front of the man who raped and abused June and made Nick watch him do that, I want to believe they can let go of the secrecy in S5, at least when it comes to a few people.

I'm living for that day Someday Can I hold you in the street? Why can't I kiss you on the dancefloor? I wish that we could be like that Why can't we it be like that? Cause I'm yours, I'm yours Why can't you hold me in the street? Why can't I kiss you on the dancefloor? I wish that it could be like that Why can't it be like that? Cause I'm yours Why can't I say that I'm in love? I wanna shout it from the rooftops I wish that it could be like that Why can't we be like that? Cause I'm yours Why can't we be like that? Wish we could be like that

***

“Bones” is about a relationship with a strong foundation, which IMO they do have. It will carry them in the future, too. They’re more into each other now than ever before and especially June is coming to terms with how strong that love is. They’ll weather any storm.

When the bones are good, the rest don't matter

Yeah, the paint could peel, the glass could shatter

Let it break 'cause you and I remain the same

When there ain't a crack in the foundation

Baby, I know any storm we're facing

Will blow right over while we stay put

The house don't fall when the bones are good

***

“Feels Like Home” is more hopeful. Their home is with each other and I hope that’s something that will be explored more in the future.

Take me, I'm ready

Go slow but go steady

To a place that we can call our own

I wanna know what feels like home

***

“Like I’ll Never Love You Again” is a good conclusion for the playlist. It’s hopeful and a testament to an epic love.

I wanna love you like the rain on a roof

Stronger than a bottle of a hundred ten proof

I wanna take love to places that love has never been

Yeah, I wanna love you like I'll never love you again

And I'll love you again

Oh, and again

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

9th December >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Wednesday, Second Week of Advent  

    or 

Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin.

Wednesday, Second Week of Advent  

(Liturgical Colour: Violet)

First Reading

Isaiah 40:25-31

The Lord strengthens the powerless

‘To whom could you liken me and who could be my equal?’ says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look. Who made these stars if not he who drills them like an army, calling each one by name? So mighty is his power, so great his strength, that not one fails to answer.

How can you say, Jacob, how can you insist, Israel, ‘My destiny is hidden from the Lord, my rights are ignored by my God’? Did you not know? Had you not heard?

The Lord is an everlasting God, he created the boundaries of the earth. He does not grow tired or weary, his understanding is beyond fathoming. He gives strength to the wearied, he strengthens the powerless. Young men may grow tired and weary, youths may stumble, but those who hope in the Lord renew their strength, they put out wings like eagles. They run and do not grow weary, walk and never tire.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 102(103):1-4,8,10

R/ My soul, give thanks to the Lord.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord    all my being, bless his holy name. My soul, give thanks to the Lord    and never forget all his blessings.

R/ My soul, give thanks to the Lord.

It is he who forgives all your guilt,    who heals every one of your ills, who redeems your life from the grave,    who crowns you with love and compassion.

R/ My soul, give thanks to the Lord.

The Lord is compassion and love,    slow to anger and rich in mercy. He does not treat us according to our sins    nor repay us according to our faults.

R/ My soul, give thanks to the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia! Behold, our Lord will come with power and will enlighten the eyes of his servants. Alleluia!

Or:

Alleluia, alleluia! Look, the Lord will come to save his people. Blessed those who are ready to meet him. Alleluia!

Gospel

Matthew 11:28-30

My yoke is easy and my burden light

Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin

(Liturgical Colour: White)

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Wednesday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

Either: --------

First reading

Genesis 12:1-4

All the tribes of the earth shall bless themselves by you

The Lord said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your family and your father’s house, for the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name so famous that it will be used as a blessing.

‘I will bless those who bless you: I will curse those who slight you. All the tribes of the earth shall bless themselves by you.’

So Abram went as the Lord told him.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Or: --------

First Reading

Leviticus 19:1-2,17-18

You must love your neighbour as yourself

The Lord spoke to Moses; he said: ‘Speak to the whole community of the sons of Israel and say to them:    ‘“Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy.    ‘“You must not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. You must openly tell him, your neighbour, of his offence; this way you will not take a sin upon yourself. You must not exact vengeance, nor must you bear a grudge against the children of your people. You must love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord.”’

OR: --------

First reading Deuteronomy 6:3-9 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart

Moses said to the people:    ‘Listen, Israel, keep and observe these commandments, which will make you prosper and give you great increase, as the Lord the God of your fathers has promised you, giving you a land where milk and honey flow.    ‘Listen, Israel: the Lord our God is the one Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength. Let these words I urge on you today be written on your heart. You shall repeat them to your children and say them over to them whether at rest in your house or walking abroad, at your lying down or at your rising; you shall fasten them on your hand as a sign and on your forehead as a circlet; you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.’

OR: --------

First reading Deuteronomy 10:8-9 The Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to do him service

Moses said to the people: ‘The Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the Lord’s covenant, to stand in the presence of the Lord, to do him service and in his name to pronounce blessing as they still do today. Levi therefore has no share or inheritance with his brothers: the Lord is his inheritance, as the Lord your God told him.’

OR: --------

First reading 1 Kings 19:4-9,11-15 The Lord was not in the wind, or the earthquake, or the fire

Elijah went into the wilderness, a day’s journey, and sitting under a furze bush wished he were dead. ‘O Lord,’ he said ‘I have had enough. Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.’ Then he lay down and went to sleep. But an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked round, and there at his head was a scone baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. But the angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat, or the journey will be too long for you.’ So he got up and ate and drank, and strengthened by that food he walked for forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.    There he went into the cave and spent the night in it. Then he was told, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ Then the Lord himself went by. There came a mighty wind, so strong it tore the mountains and shattered the rocks before the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake. But the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire. But the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there came the sound of a gentle breeze. And when Elijah heard this, he covered his face with his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then a voice came to him, which said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He replied, ‘I am filled with jealous zeal for the Lord of Hosts, because the sons of Israel have deserted you, broken down your altars and put your prophets to the sword. I am the only one left and they want to kill me.’    ‘Go,’ the Lord said, ‘go back by the same way to the wilderness of Damascus.’

OR: --------

First reading 1 Kings 19:16,19-21 Elisha leaves the plough to follow Elijah

The Lord said to Elijah, ‘Go, you are to anoint Elisha son of Shaphat, of Abel Meholah, as prophet to succeed you.’    Leaving there, Elijah came on Elisha son of Shaphat as he was ploughing behind twelve yoke of oxen, he himself being with the twelfth. Elijah passed near to him and threw his cloak over him. Elisha left his oxen and ran after Elijah. ‘Let me kiss my father and mother, then I will follow you’ he said. Elijah answered, ‘Go, go back; for have I done anything to you?’ Elisha turned away, took the pair of oxen and slaughtered them. He used the plough for cooking the oxen, then gave to his men, who ate. He then rose, and followed Elijah and became his servant.

OR: --------

First reading Tobit 8:4-8 A prayer on the wedding night

On their wedding night Tobias rose from the bed, and said to his wife Sarah, ‘Get up, my sister! You and I must pray and petition our Lord to win his grace and his protection.’ She stood up, and they began praying for protection, and this was how he began:

‘You are blessed, O God of our fathers; blessed, too, is your name for ever and ever. Let the heavens bless you and all things you have made for evermore. It was you who created Adam, you who created Eve his wife to be his help and support; and from these two the human race was born. It was you who said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; let us make him a helpmate like himself.” And so I do not take my sister for any lustful motive; I do it in singleness of heart. Be kind enough to have pity on her and on me and bring us to old age together.’

OR: --------

First reading Tobit 12:6-13 Bless God and utter his praise before all the living

Raphael took Tobit and his son Tobias aside and said, ‘Bless God, utter his praise before all the living for all the favours he has given you. Bless and extol his name. Proclaim before all men the deeds of God as they deserve, and never tire of giving him thanks. It is right to keep the secret of a king, yet right to reveal and publish the works of God. Thank him worthily. Do what is good, and no evil can befall you.    ‘Prayer with fasting and alms with right conduct are better than riches with iniquity. Better to practise almsgiving than to hoard up gold. Almsgiving saves from death and purges every kind of sin. Those who give alms have their fill of days; those who commit sin and do evil, bring harm on themselves.    ‘I am going to tell you the whole truth, hiding nothing from you. I have already told you that it is right to keep the secret of a king, yet right too to reveal in worthy fashion the works of God. So you must know that when you and Sarah were at prayer, it was I who offered your supplications before the glory of the Lord and who read them; so too when you were burying the dead. When you did not hesitate to get up and leave the table to go and bury a dead man, I was sent to test your faith, and at the same time God sent me to heal you and your daughter-in-law Sarah.’

OR: --------

First reading Judith 8:2-8 The widow Judith was devout and feared God

Judith’s husband Manasseh, of her own tribe and family, had died at the time of barley harvest. He was supervising the men as they bound up the sheaves in the field, when he caught sunstroke and had to take to his bed. He died in Bethulia, his home town, and was buried with his ancestors in the field that lies between Dothan and Balamon. As a widow, Judith stayed inside her home for three years and four months. She had had an upper room built for herself on the roof. She wore sackcloth round her waist and dressed in widow’s weeds. She fasted every day of her widowhood except for the sabbath eve, the sabbath itself, the eve of New Moon, the feast of New Moon and the festival days of the House of Israel. Now, she was very beautiful, charming to see. Her husband Manasseh had left her gold and silver, menservants and maidservants, cattle and lands; and she lived among all her possessions without anyone finding a word to say against her, so devoutly did she fear God.

OR: --------

First reading Esther 4:17 'I will not bow down to any but you, Lord'

Calling to mind all the wonderful works of the Lord, Mordecai offered this prayer:

‘Lord, Lord, King and Master of all things, everything is subject to your power, and there is no-one who can withstand you in your will to save Israel.

‘Yes, you have made heaven and earth, and all the marvels that are under heaven. You are the Lord of all, and there is none who can resist you, Lord.

‘You know all things: you know, Lord, you know, that no insolence, arrogance, vainglory prompted me to this, to this refusal to bow down before proud Haman. I would readily have kissed his feet for the safety of Israel.

‘But what I did, I did rather than place the glory of a man above the glory of God; and I will not bow down to any but to you, Lord: in so refusing I will not act in pride.

‘Hear my supplication, have mercy on your heritage, and turn our grief into rejoicing, that we may live to hymn your name, Lord. Do not suffer the mouths of those who praise you to perish.’

OR: --------

First reading Proverbs 31:10-13,19-20,30-31 A perfect wife - who can find her?

A perfect wife – who can find her?    She is far beyond the price of pearls. Her husband’s heart has confidence in her,    from her he will derive no little profit. Advantage and not hurt she brings him    all the days of her life. She is always busy with wool and with flax,    she does her work with eager hands. She sets her hands to the distaff,    her fingers grasp the spindle. She holds out her hand to the poor,    she opens her arms to the needy. Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty;    the woman who is wise is the one to praise. Give her a share in what her hands have worked for,    and let her works tell her praises at the city gates.

OR: --------

First reading Ecclesiasticus 2:7-13 You who fear the Lord, trust the Lord

You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy;    do not turn aside in case you fall. You who fear the Lord, trust him,    and you will not be baulked of your reward. You who fear the Lord hope for good things,    for everlasting happiness and mercy. Look at the generations of old and see:    who ever trusted in the Lord and was put to shame? Or who ever feared him steadfastly and was left forsaken?    Or who ever called out to him, and was ignored? For the Lord is compassionate and merciful,    he forgives sins, and saves in days of distress.

OR: --------

First reading Ecclesiasticus 3:19-25 Behave humbly, and you will find favour with the Lord

My son, be gentle in carrying out your business,    and you will be better loved than a lavish giver. The greater you are, the more you should behave humbly,    and then you will find favour with the Lord; for great though the power of the Lord is,    he accepts the homage of the humble. Do not try to understand things that are too difficult for you,    or try to discover what is beyond your powers. Concentrate on what has been assigned you:    you have no need to worry over mysteries. Do not meddle with matters that are beyond you:    what you have been taught already exceeds the scope of the human mind. For many have been misled by their own presumption,    and wrong-headed opinions have warped their ideas. For lack of eyes you want for light;    if you are without knowledge, do not attempt to convince.

OR: --------

First reading Ecclesiasticus 26:1-4,13-16 A perfect wife is the joy of her husband

Happy the husband of a really good wife;    the number of her days will be doubled. A perfect wife is the joy of her husband,    he will live out his years in peace. A good wife is the best of portions,    reserved for those who fear the Lord: rich or poor, they will be glad of heart,    cheerful of face, whatever the season. The grace of a wife will charm her husband,    her accomplishments will make him the stronger. A silent wife is a gift from the Lord,    no price can be put on a well-trained character. A modest wife is a boon twice over,    a chaste character cannot be weighed on scales. Like the sun rising over the mountains of the Lord    is the beauty of a good wife in a well-kept house.

OR: --------

First reading Isaiah 58:6-11 Then will your light shine like the dawn

Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me – it is the Lord who speaks – to break unjust fetters and undo the thongs of the yoke,

to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke, to share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor,

to clothe the man you see to be naked and not turn from your own kin? Then will your light shine like the dawn and your wound be quickly healed over.

Your integrity will go before you and the glory of the Lord behind you. Cry, and the Lord will answer; call, and he will say, ‘I am here.’

If you do away with the yoke, the clenched fist, the wicked word, if you give your bread to the hungry, and relief to the oppressed,

your light will rise in the darkness, and your shadows become like noon. The Lord will always guide you, giving you relief in desert places.

He will give strength to your bones and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters never run dry.

OR: --------

First reading Jeremiah 20:7-9 The word of the Lord has meant insult for me

You have seduced me, Lord, and I have let myself be seduced; you have overpowered me: you were the stronger. I am a daily laughing-stock, everybody’s butt. Each time I speak the word, I have to howl and proclaim: ‘Violence and ruin!’ The word of the Lord has meant for me insult, derision, all day long. I used to say, ‘I will not think about him, I will not speak in his name any more.’ Then there seemed to be a fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones. The effort to restrain it wearied me, I could not bear it.

OR: --------

First reading Micah 6:6-8 The Lord asks only this: to act justly, to love tenderly, to walk humbly

‘With what gift shall I come into the Lord’s presence    and bow down before God on high? Shall I come with holocausts,    with calves one year old? Will he be pleased with rams by the thousand,    with libations of oil in torrents? Must I give my first-born for what I have done wrong,    the fruit of my body for my own sin?’

– What is good has been explained to you, man;    this is what the Lord asks of you: only this, to act justly,    to love tenderly    and to walk humbly with your God.

OR: --------

First reading Zephaniah 2:3,3:12-13 In your midst I will leave a humble and lowly people

Seek the Lord, all you, the humble of the earth, who obey his commands. Seek integrity, seek humility: you may perhaps find shelter on the day of the anger of the Lord.

In your midst I will leave a humble and lowly people, and those who are left in Israel will seek refuge in the name of the Lord. They will do no wrong, will tell no lies; and the perjured tongue will no longer be found in their mouths. But they will be able to graze and rest with no one to disturb them.

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EITHER: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 1:1-4,6

His delight is the law of the Lord. or Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord. or The just will flourish like the palm-tree in the courts of our God.

Happy indeed is the man    who follows not the counsel of the wicked; nor lingers in the way of sinners    nor sits in the company of scorners, but whose delight is the law of the Lord    and who ponders his law day and night.

His delight is the law of the Lord. or Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord. or The just will flourish like the palm-tree in the courts of our God.

He is like a tree that is planted    beside the flowing waters, that yields its fruit in due season    and whose leaves shall never fade;    and all that he does shall prosper.

His delight is the law of the Lord. or Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord. or The just will flourish like the palm-tree in the courts of our God.

Not so are the wicked, not so! For they like winnowed chaff    shall be driven away by the wind: for the Lord guards the way of the just    but the way of the wicked leads to doom.

His delight is the law of the Lord. or Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord. or The just will flourish like the palm-tree in the courts of our God.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 14(15):2-5

The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

Lord, who shall dwell on your holy mountain? He who walks without fault; he who acts with justice and speaks the truth from his heart; he who does not slander with his tongue.

The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

He who does no wrong to his brother, who casts no slur on his neighbour, who holds the godless in disdain, but honours those who fear the Lord.

The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

He who keeps his pledge, come what may; who takes no interest on a loan and accepts no bribes against the innocent. Such a man will stand firm for ever.

The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 15(16):1-2,5,7-8,11

You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.    I say to the Lord: ‘You are my God.’ O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;    it is you yourself who are my prize.

You are my inheritance, O Lord.

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,    who even at night directs my heart. I keep the Lord ever in my sight:    since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.

You are my inheritance, O Lord.

You will show me the path of life,    the fullness of joy in your presence,    at your right hand happiness for ever.

You are my inheritance, O Lord.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 22(23)

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

The Lord is my shepherd;    there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures    where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me,    to revive my drooping spirit.

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

He guides me along the right path;    he is true to his name. If I should walk in the valley of darkness    no evil would I fear. You are there with your crook and your staff;    with these you give me comfort.

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

You have prepared a banquet for me    in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil;    my cup is overflowing.

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me    all the days of my life. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell    for ever and ever.

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 33(34):2-11

I will bless the Lord at all times. or Taste and see that the Lord is good.

I will bless the Lord at all times,    his praise always on my lips; in the Lord my soul shall make its boast.    The humble shall hear and be glad.

I will bless the Lord at all times. or Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Glorify the Lord with me.    Together let us praise his name. I sought the Lord and he answered me;    from all my terrors he set me free.

I will bless the Lord at all times. or Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Look towards him and be radiant;    let your faces not be abashed. This poor man called, the Lord heard him    and rescued him from all his distress.

I will bless the Lord at all times. or Taste and see that the Lord is good.

The angel of the Lord is encamped    around those who revere him, to rescue them. Taste and see that the Lord is good.    He is happy who seeks refuge in him.

I will bless the Lord at all times. or Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Revere the Lord, you his saints.    They lack nothing, those who revere him. Strong lions suffer want and go hungry    but those who seek the Lord lack no blessing.

I will bless the Lord at all times. or Taste and see that the Lord is good.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 102(103):1-4,8-9,13-14,17-18

My soul, give thanks to the Lord.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord    all my being, bless his holy name. My soul, give thanks to the Lord    and never forget all his blessings.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord.

It is he who forgives all your guilt,    who heals every one of your ills, who redeems your life from the grave,    who crowns you with love and compassion.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord.

The Lord is compassion and love,    slow to anger and rich in mercy. His wrath will come to an end;    he will not be angry for ever.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord.

As a father has compassion on his sons,    the Lord has pity on those who fear him; for he knows of what we are made,    he remembers that we are dust.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord.

But the love of the Lord is everlasting    upon those who hold him in fear; his justice reaches out to children’s children    when they keep his covenant in truth,    when they keep his will in their mind.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 111(112):1-9

Happy the man who fears the Lord. or Alleluia!

Happy the man who fears the Lord,    who takes delight in all his commands. His sons will be powerful on earth;    the children of the upright are blessed.

Happy the man who fears the Lord. or Alleluia!

Riches and wealth are in his house;    his justice stands firm for ever. He is a light in the darkness for the upright:    he is generous, merciful and just.

Happy the man who fears the Lord. or Alleluia!

The good man takes pity and lends,    he conducts his affairs with honour. The just man will never waver:    he will be remembered for ever.

Happy the man who fears the Lord. or Alleluia!

He has no fear of evil news;    with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord. With a steadfast heart he will not fear;    he will see the downfall of his foes.

Happy the man who fears the Lord. or Alleluia!

Open-handed, he gives to the poor;    his justice stands firm for ever.    His head will be raised in glory.

Happy the man who fears the Lord. or Alleluia!

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 127(128):1-5

O blessed are those who fear the Lord.

O blessed are those who fear the Lord    and walk in his ways! By the labour of your hands you shall eat.    You will be happy and prosper.

O blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine    in the heart of your house; your children like shoots of the olive,    around your table.

O blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Indeed thus shall be blessed    the man who fears the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion    all the days of your life!

O blessed are those who fear the Lord.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 130(131)

Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.

O Lord, my heart is not proud    nor haughty my eyes. I have not gone after things too great    nor marvels beyond me.

Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.

Truly I have set my soul    in silence and peace. A weaned child on its mother’s breast,    even so is my soul.

Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.

O Israel, hope in the Lord    both now and forever.

Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.

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Gospel Acclamation Mt5:3

Alleluia, alleluia! How happy are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia!

Or: Mt5:6

Alleluia, alleluia! Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied. Alleluia!

Or: Mt5:8

Alleluia, alleluia! Happy the pure in heart: they shall see God. Alleluia!

Or: Mt11:25

Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children. Alleluia!

Or: Mt23:11,12

Alleluia, alleluia! The greatest among you must be your servant, says the Lord: the man who humbles himself will be exalted. Alleluia!

Or: Mt11:28

Alleluia, alleluia! Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened and I will give you rest, says the Lord. Alleluia!

Or: Lk21:36

Alleluia, alleluia! Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to stand with confidence before the Son of Man. Alleluia!

Or: Jn8:12

Alleluia, alleluia! I am the light of the world, says the Lord; anyone who follows me will have the light of life. Alleluia!

Or: Jn8:31-32

Alleluia, alleluia! If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples, and you will learn the truth, says the Lord. Alleluia!

Or: Jn13:34

Alleluia, alleluia! I give you a new commandment: love one another just as I have loved you, says the Lord. Alleluia!

Or: Jn14:23

Alleluia, alleluia! If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him. Alleluia!

Or: Jn15:4,5

Alleluia, alleluia! Make your home in me, as I make mine in you, says the Lord; whoever remains in me bears fruit in plenty. Alleluia!

Or: Jn15:9,5

Alleluia, alleluia! Remain in my love, says the Lord; whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty. Alleluia!

________

EITHER: --------

Gospel Matthew 5:1-12a How happy are the poor in spirit

Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:

‘How happy are the poor in spirit;    theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Happy the gentle:    they shall have the earth for their heritage. Happy those who mourn:    they shall be comforted. Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right:    they shall be satisfied. Happy the merciful:    they shall have mercy shown them. Happy the pure in heart:    they shall see God. Happy the peacemakers:    they shall be called sons of God. Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right:    theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.’

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 5:13-16 Your light must shine in the sight of men

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.’

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 7:21-27 The wise man built his house on a rock

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. When the day comes many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, work many miracles in your name?” Then I shall tell them to their faces: I have never known you; away from me, you evil men!    ‘Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock. But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it had!’

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 11:25-30 You have hidden these things from the wise and revealed them to little children

Jesus exclaimed, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.    ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 13:44-46 He sells everything he owns and buys the field

Jesus said to the crowds: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.    ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.’

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 16:24-27 Anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life?    ‘For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and, when he does, he will reward each one according to his behaviour.’

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 18:1-5 Unless you become like little children you will not enter the kingdom of heaven

The disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ So he called a little child to him and set the child in front of them. Then he said, ‘I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.    ‘Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.’

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 19:3-12 Husband and wife are no longer two, but one body

Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and to test him they said, ‘Is it against the Law for a man to divorce his wife on any pretext whatever?’ He answered, ‘Have you not read that the creator from the beginning made them male and female and that he said: This is why a man must leave father and mother, and cling to his wife, and the two become one body? They are no longer two, therefore, but one body. So then, what God has united, man must not divide.’    They said to him, ‘Then why did Moses command that a writ of dismissal should be given in cases of divorce?’ ‘It was because you were so unteachable’ he said ‘that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but it was not like this from the beginning. Now I say this to you: the man who divorces his wife – I am not speaking of fornication – and marries another, is guilty of adultery.’    The disciples said to him, ‘If that is how things are between husband and wife, it is not advisable to marry.’ But he replied, ‘It is not everyone who can accept what I have said, but only those to whom it is granted. There are eunuchs born that way from their mother’s womb, there are eunuchs made so by men and there are eunuchs who have made themselves that way for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.’

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 19:27-29 They will be repaid a hundred times over and inherit eternal life

Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘What about us?’ he said. ‘We have left everything and followed you. What are we to have, then?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I tell you solemnly, when all is made new and the Son of Man sits on his throne of glory, you will yourselves sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or land for the sake of my name will be repaid a hundred times over, and also inherit eternal life.’

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 22:34-40 The commandments of love

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees they got together and, to disconcert him, one of them put a question, ‘Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?’ Jesus said, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also.’

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 25:1-13 The wise and foolish virgins

Jesus told this parable to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of heaven will be like this: Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were sensible: the foolish ones did take their lamps, but they brought no oil, whereas the sensible ones took flasks of oil as well as their lamps. The bridegroom was late, and they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. But at midnight there was a cry, “The bridegroom is here! Go out and meet him.” At this, all those bridesmaids woke up and trimmed their lamps, and the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, “Give us some of your oil: our lamps are going out.” But they replied, “There may not be enough for us and for you; you had better go to those who sell it and buy some for yourselves.” They had gone off to buy it when the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding hall and the door was closed. The other bridesmaids arrived later. “Lord, Lord,” they said “open the door for us.” But he replied, “I tell you solemnly, I do not know you.” So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour.’

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 25:14-30 You have been faithful in small things: come and join in your master's happiness

Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of Heaven is like a man on his way abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third one; each in proportion to his ability. Then he set out.    ‘The man who had received the five talents promptly went and traded with them and made five more. The man who had received two made two more in the same way. But the man who had received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.    ‘Now a long time after, the master of those servants came back and went through his accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents came forward bringing five more. “Sir,” he said “you entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made.”    ‘His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.”    ‘Next the man with the two talents came forward. “Sir,” he said “you entrusted me with two talents; here are two more that I have made.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.”    ‘Last came forward the man who had the one talent. “Sir,” said he “I had heard you were a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered; so I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here it is; it was yours, you have it back.” But his master answered him, “You wicked and lazy servant! So you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered? Well then, you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have recovered my capital with interest. So now, take the talent from him and give it to the man who has the five talents. For to everyone who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away. As for this good-for-nothing servant, throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.”’

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 25:14-23 You have been faithful in small things: come and join in your master's happiness

Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of Heaven is like a man on his way abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third one; each in proportion to his ability. Then he set out.    ‘The man who had received the five talents promptly went and traded with them and made five more. The man who had received two made two more in the same way. But the man who had received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.    ‘Now a long time after, the master of those servants came back and went through his accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents came forward bringing five more. “Sir,” he said “you entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made.”    ‘His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.”    ‘Next the man with the two talents came forward. “Sir,” he said “you entrusted me with two talents; here are two more that I have made.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.”’

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 25:31-46 I was naked and you clothed me; sick, and you visited me

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory. All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate men one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left.    ‘Then the King will say to those on his right hand, “Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me.” Then the virtuous will say to him in reply, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you; or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome; naked and clothe you; sick or in prison and go to see you?” And the King will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.”    ‘Next he will say to those on his left hand, “Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you never gave me food; I was thirsty and you never gave me anything to drink; I was a stranger and you never made me welcome, naked and you never clothed me, sick and in prison and you never visited me.” Then it will be their turn to ask, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison, and did not come to your help?” Then he will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me.”    ‘And they will go away to eternal punishment, and the virtuous to eternal life.’

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 25:31-40 I was naked and you clothed me; sick, and you visited me

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory. All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate men one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left.    ‘Then the King will say to those on his right hand, “Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me.” Then the virtuous will say to him in reply, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you; or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome; naked and clothe you; sick or in prison and go to see you?” And the King will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.”’

OR: --------

Gospel Mark 3:31-35 Who are my mother and my brothers? Those that do the will of God

The mother and brothers of Jesus arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him. A crowd was sitting round him at the time the message was passed to him, ‘Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside asking for you.’ He replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking round at those sitting in a circle about him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.’

OR: --------

Gospel Mark 9:34-37 Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me

The disciples had been arguing which of them was the greatest. So Jesus sat down, called the Twelve to him and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.’ He then took a little child, set him in front of them, put his arms round him, and said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’

OR: --------

Gospel Mark 10:13-16 It is to such as these little children that the kingdom of God belongs

People were bringing little children to Jesus, for him to touch them. The disciples turned them away, but when Jesus saw this he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ Then he put his arms round them, laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing.

OR: --------

Gospel Mark 10:17-30 Give everything you own to the poor, and follow me

Jesus was setting out on a journey when a man ran up, knelt before him and put this question to him, ‘Good master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You must not kill; You must not commit adultery; You must not steal; You must not bring false witness; You must not defraud; Honour your father and mother.’ And he said to him, ‘Master, I have kept all these from my earliest days.’ Jesus looked steadily at him and loved him, and he said, ‘There is one thing you lack. Go and sell everything you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ But his face fell at these words and he went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth.    Jesus looked round and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!’ The disciples were astounded by these words, but Jesus insisted, ‘My children,’ he said to them ‘how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were more astonished than ever. ‘In that case’ they said to one another ‘who can be saved?’ Jesus gazed at them. ‘For men’ he said ‘it is impossible, but not for God: because everything is possible for God.’    Peter took this up. ‘What about us?’ he asked him. ‘We have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘I tell you solemnly, there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not be repaid a hundred times over, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and land – not without persecutions – now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life.’

OR: --------

Gospel Mark 10:17-27 Give everything you own to the poor, and follow me

Jesus was setting out on a journey when a man ran up, knelt before him and put this question to him, ‘Good master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You must not kill; You must not commit adultery; You must not steal; You must not bring false witness; You must not defraud; Honour your father and mother.’ And he said to him, ‘Master, I have kept all these from my earliest days.’ Jesus looked steadily at him and loved him, and he said, ‘There is one thing you lack. Go and sell everything you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ But his face fell at these words and he went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth.    Jesus looked round and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!’ The disciples were astounded by these words, but Jesus insisted, ‘My children,’ he said to them ‘how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were more astonished than ever. ‘In that case’ they said to one another ‘who can be saved?’ Jesus gazed at them. ‘For men’ he said ‘it is impossible, but not for God: because everything is possible for God.’

OR: --------

Gospel Luke 6:27-38 Love your enemies

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I say this to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly. To the man who slaps you on one cheek, present the other cheek too; to the man who takes your cloak from you, do not refuse your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your property back from the man who robs you. Treat others as you would like them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks can you expect? For even sinners do that much. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. Instead, love your enemies and do good, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.    ‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’

OR: --------

Gospel Luke 9:57-62 'I will follow you wherever you go'

As Jesus and his disciples travelled along they met a man on the road who said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus answered, ‘Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’    Another to whom he said, ‘Follow me’, replied, ‘Let me go and bury my father first.’ But he answered, ‘Leave the dead to bury their dead; your duty is to go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.’    Another said, ‘I will follow you, sir, but first let me go and say goodbye to my people at home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’

OR: --------

Gospel Luke 10:38-42 Martha works; Mary listens

Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.’

OR: --------

Gospel Luke 12:32-34 It has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom.    ‘Sell your possessions and give alms. Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, treasure that will not fail you, in heaven where no thief can reach it and no moth destroy it. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’

OR: --------

Gospel Luke 12:35-40 You too must stand ready

Jesus said to his disciples:    ‘See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit. Be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks. Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. I tell you solemnly, he will put on an apron, sit them down at table and wait on them. It may be in the second watch he comes, or in the third, but happy those servants if he finds them ready. You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what hour the burglar would come, he would not have let anyone break through the wall of his house. You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’

OR: --------

Gospel Luke 14:25-33 Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple

Great crowds accompanied Jesus on his way and he turned and spoke to them. ‘If any man comes to me without hating his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes and his own life too, he cannot be my disciple. Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.    ‘And indeed, which of you here, intending to build a tower, would not first sit down and work out the cost to see if he had enough to complete it? Otherwise, if he laid the foundation and then found himself unable to finish the work, the onlookers would all start making fun of him and saying, “Here is a man who started to build and was unable to finish.” Or again, what king marching to war against another king would not first sit down and consider whether with ten thousand men he could stand up to the other who advanced against him with twenty thousand? If not, then while the other king was still a long way off, he would send envoys to sue for peace. So in the same way, none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions.’

OR: --------

Gospel John 15:1-8 I am the vine, you are the branches

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that bears no fruit he cuts away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes to make it bear even more. You are pruned already, by means of the word that I have spoken to you. Make your home in me, as I make mine in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself, but must remain part of the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is like a branch that has been thrown away – he withers; these branches are collected and thrown on the fire, and they are burnt. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask what you will and you shall get it. It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much fruit, and then you will be my disciples.’

OR: --------

Gospel John 15:9-17 You are my friends if you do what I command you

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete. This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you. I shall not call you servants any more, because a servant does not know his master’s business; I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. You did not choose me: no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; and then the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name. What I command you is to love one another.’

OR: --------

Gospel John 17:20-26 Father, may they be completely one

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:

‘Holy Father, I pray not only for these, but for those also who through their words will believe in me. May they all be one. Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me. I have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one as we are one. With me in them and you in me, may they be so completely one that the world will realise that it was you who sent me and that I have loved them as much as you loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they may always see the glory you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Father, Righteous One, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me. I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[micahss]

how micah looks down at his line before snorting it up (warning, drug mention, parental neglect)

here’s some statistics !! just a lil ..

full name: micah abel jeon nickname(s): doesn’t like nicknames,have to be named rosie to nickname him age: 22. date of birth: january 12th 1997 hometown: dallas, texas current location: milan, italy ethnicity: korean gender: cis male. religion: agnostic. sexuality: bisexual. education: has a high school diploma, no college.  language(s) spoken: korean & english hair colour: light brown eye colour: brown piercings: ears, both, left double helix piercing, 

✞ FAMILY LIFE .....

easy bullet points for my friends, the brat muns ...  also bc im typing this while i have a cold and im too tired from work to rly be ArtSy, 

micah abel jeon, MAJ if you will, was born to two loving parents..

SIKE, THEY’RE DEMONS, like his dad was a HUGE director, very respected in the business and heavily awarded, an award winning director, like oscars big. his mother was a socialite / model, think like naomi campbell but not that iconic, 

no one really thought the socialite and the director would last, considering how much shit that came out about them, (cheating scandals, public fights, being absent from each other for so long,) but they did ? they oddly worked with each other and lasted, god knows why, the media still loves them till this day, 

fast forward from their problems, sinclair jeon and valentina jeon had one son and he is their only son, micah abel jeon. 

parents are supposed to be warm, loving, kind, supportive - you would think so right ? to have them support you in whatever way shape or form but nah, since micah was in diapers he was forced into acting, and since their big names in the world getting him his first diaper gig wasn’t so hard, 

micah’s parents wanted a child prodigy, they got him involved in his toddler years in as many activities as he can but there was nothing more perfect than having a child that grew up knowing how to act and actually being good at it, like you have your bad child actors and then you have your first and only child prodigy that won his first award at 8, like that was big on them

they continued to push him into acting roles he did not, no matter how much he pleaded with his parents that he doesn’t want to do this anymore, he wants to be quote on quote.. normal, like he just wants to live his life but up until he was 15, his parents had full control over him,

what to eat for roles, what roles to take, how to present yourself in the media, to seem like a picture perfect family but what was so perfect if you’re the puppet of the worlds two biggest stars who only birthed you to use you as a piece in their selfishness? 

come the age of 15, micah has had enough that he wants to emancipate from his parents and at that point they had complete control of his assets, everything he ever made never came to him but his parents, so what does he do?

hires a lawyer, steals some of his own money, takes his parents to court

it was on national tv, headlines everywhere addressed “MICAH JEON SUING PARENTS VALENTINA & SINCLAIR JEON ! “ “MICAH JEON DIVORCING HIS PARENTS OVER MONEY” “HAS MICAH BEEN NEGLECTED ?” paps swarmed him, his parents, his home, his street for days and at that point he was on the outs with his parents. but he didn’t care, he’d show up to court expressionless and explained he had nothing left to do with his family anymore, and that they have ruined him since he was a baby, 

of course, he’s an actor and he’s such a good actor too like a blessing and a curse on behalf of his parents but karma is like that huh val n sin ? but in court that boy MILKED EVERY SECOND, it was just another role, playing an estranged boy who hates his parents

he won the sympathy of the jury, the judge and the public and his names was everywhere when he won the case, micah hasn’t talked to his parents since. so he packed up, moved out, once the money was transferred over, he with nina & rosie, searched for his first home independently, like he only has nina & rosie as family, and his pr team thts it 

all micah ever wanted was to disappear from a very young age, have his own cafe somewhere vacant, somewhere where no one would recognize him like call it a cliche but he really just wants to have a little bird inside of a cafe and to deal with just customers, that was it from a young age and go to school but he was robbed of that and resents it everyday..

✞ MICAH JEON’S LIFE AFTER THE CASE

see, now you would think the boy would stop acting and go pursue something else but his life was literally never gna be normal, he was recognized everywhere he went and he hated it, but also it was a good source of income

he gets the title, hollywoods devil because he literally is such a pain in the ass to work with, if he doesn’t like the littlest thing about you or what you’re doing he wants you fired and his PR team has been with him since he was a baby so tehy understand him better than his own family did

he was called for roles after roles into his 20′s that he became hollywoods biggest actor, from blockbuster films to small cameos like his fanbase is so big its ridiculous and people know, like they know if micah is in the movie even for a split second the ratings would be higher than what they’d expect

after the show he put on in court when he was 15 ? that gained him A LOT of sympathy and since then he grew as an actor, and at this point he’s indifferent to his job, he still hates it, still wants a cafe somewher quiet in like sicily or something but being recognized day after day makes it harder

✞ WHO IS MICAH ? 

micah is a frail fragile child without a childhood, he never had one, never wasoffered one, most kids had toys, he had scripts, red carpets, like this boy has grown up and not grown up at the same time

because he never really had a childhood, he acts out in the most childish ways, if he doesn’t like you, he will call in for a rumor, if you’re bothering him on set, he’ll fire you and the thing is they can’t fire him because they know they’ll lose money, and hollywood and money, we know how a capitalistic society works !

he manipulates a lot of situations for his benefit and if you call him out on it, he’s like huh?

one hobby he stayed with was playing the piano, it’s really soothing for days he wants to have a panic attack over his life, like he has a piano at his home in malibu / shared apartment w his friends, he’s probably gna order a whole ass piano for their new place in milan like good morning MY piano don’t touch.  he likes playing it when he’s sad, a lot .. its his fav thing to do is hum and play :/ he has kind of a childish aura when he does, like part of who he was is there when he’s in element... :/ 

he developed an addiction to cocaine when he was 17, he went to a party and someone told him to try blow, it wouldnt harm him just get him high, so he did, and it was the happiest he ever felt like cocaine gives him this rush weed / alcohol doesnt like when he needs an energy / mood boost he turned to cocaine, at first it was a few times every few months but now he has a problme he won’t even address it

sometimes at 3 am on the dot like don’t ask me why 3 am specifically but he just has a full on breakdown and thats it, crying is good for teh soul and he does it a lot KFMDG, hes such a mess he needs help but refuses help 

personality wise he’s absent a lot when you talk to him, like kind of like talking to a void ? like even on twitter people tweet about their day and this man is tweeting about his grocery list hes unreal and has two brain cells but yeah i think.. that’s it, for now .. that’s micah .. my dumbass <3

✞ BRAT PACK

you know, people ask him how does he feel under that title and he justlooks at laughs because till this day he just thinks its one running gag that someone really sat there and associated him with other people

[notforconsumption]

hi this is @runfive!! (from my main blog!) if you're still accepting prompts from the ask meme “Quiet Me” for sam and five or five and simon! (or whichever characters you feel like honestly haha)

Leave a “Quiet Me” in my ask, and I’ll write a drabble about one character trying to calm another down.

 This prompt with these characters has such potential but here I am, making it forlorn like I’m not completely predictable.

Edit: Spoilers! So many spoilers for Seasons 2 and 3.

Simon’s high laugh lasts until the fire-door slams shut behind him and then it falls apart into frantic, heaving coughs. There’s a wet rattle in his lungs that he can feel beneath the heave of his rasping that is blood, he thinks, definitely blood.

It could be more, bits of tissue or even bone from his shattered rib. He doesn’t know if that’s possible. Simon isn’t exactly a doctor and he doesn’t know quite where he’s hit, only that it’s hell riding it out and the process hasn’t even really started yet. 

Thought is chased away by the coughs shaking his ribcage until he feels like he’s falling apart, fallen, and all that will be left of him will be dust and the puddle of blood he’s making on the floor. 

Eventually, the fit passes. Or, rather, it doesn’t so much as pass as Simon’s body runs out of air to cough with. He takes what blessings he can and begins the climb up the fire escape stairwell. The fire-door is thick but not guaranteed to be soundproof. Simon needs to find somewhere out for the way for this next bit.

He leans heavily on the wall to keep upright and the rough concrete scrapes an atlas of grazes into his exposed skin. He leaves a dark trail smeared all the way up to the roof door but the important part is that he makes it there.  The bar keeping the building secure may be heavy and his feet leaden, and he’s pretty sure the pain is making him lose time, but he makes it. 

Up all six flights and out, out into the air where the cold tricks him into breathing and no one but the birds can hear him. 

Before, when he had so much to regrow and they didn’t know if it would work, Amelia had to be there. Now they do know. And this time it’s only a bullet wound.

Simon has come to hate eyes on him at the best of times and Amelia’s jabs are only fun on his good days when he can jab back. Days when he’s got more blood in him and fewer holes. He’s not keen on their new tag along being around for this, either. 

Dealing with Runner Five is a whole ordeal in and of itself. The way they watch him, half the time it’s like they’re back at Abel and he’s just cracked a joke terrible enough to make Five cringe and laugh at once- there’s warmth in their eyes like sunlight and a cup of tea after a long run and something that could be affection but after a long rain, after something terrible. The rest of the time Five looks like they’re about to beat his head in with a brick.

So, yeah. An ordeal.

Simon sways for a moment under the soft light of the setting sun before he decides standing takes too much effort. The floor is filthy with rotted leaf litter but it’s better than zombie bits so he takes the easy way down, letting himself fall against the wall beside the doorframe. His back hits with all his weight and the impact triggers another series of wet coughs. Slowly, as controlled as he can manage, Simon sinks down so he’s huddled in the shadowy space behind the open door. 

It’s all he can do to lean there, his head knocking against the cinderblock every time blood forces its way upwards.  

It’s in all his airways, tasting of iron and sweetness, and though it’s so very hard to think when he can barely stay upright Simon wonders what would happen if he drowned in his own blood, his nose and mouth choked full and no air to flush his lungs. Whether that might be the thing to kill him. You can’t heal a deficit of oxygen to the brain, after all. 

It would be a horrible, painful way to die. The idea frightens him, which is why Simon thinks it might be for the best. It would be something like justice, perhaps, to die choking on the fruit of his sins. 

He doesn’t stop coughing, though, forcing himself to expel mouthfuls of dark blood every time his lungs revolt so it spills down his chin and stains his shirt an ever deeper crimson. He’ll throw it over on to the next roof when he’s done. No sense in keeping a zombie magnet or looking like he’s stumbled off the set of a shitty B-horror slasher. 

Until now most of what Simon has been able to feel has been sharp, blinding pain and the peculiar sensation of drowning while shivering from the wind on his skin. Now he begins to feel the sharp cold in his collapsed lung, in the deepest place the bullet reached. He can feel the icy fire begin to stoke around his ribcage as he begins to mend. A new surge of blood and nausea rises up his windpipe and Simon spasms, exhausted enough that he can barely turn his head to the side. The blood bubbles around his lips and sticks in his throat and suddenly drowning seems less like a hysterical what-if and more like something that is actually happening, right this moment, to Simon. 

Chest heaving, he scrabbles weakly at his shirt collar, at his throat. He thinks perhaps if he could claw open his chest and scrape out all the rot inside it would feel no worse. Maybe better. Cleaner than what this is. 

The rational part of him knows he’ll survive, he’s survived worse, but the louder, bigger part of him that desperately doesn’t want to die is panicking. His eyes snap open, and damn if he doesn’t remember closing them, and there are black spots fizzing and expanding to cover his whole sight like the end is come to swallow him up and he no longer knows whether he can’t breathe because there’s blood filling his windpipe or because all the air has left the sky which is quickly turning to black. 

There’s nothing but the fear. 

Then, there’s a hand on his shoulder, another drawing his knees up and apart, firm and warm on his icy skin. (Cold, so cold. Even as his insides roil in a fever.)Simon is tipped forward, his head low between his knees.  The blood comes easier in this position, he does not have to try, a relief. He does not have the energy to keep trying. 

One of the hands settles at the top of his spine, palm flat against his neck and fingers tangled in his hair. The other runs circles across his back, in time with the quiet hums and shushing that wash over him. Simon barely registers that someone must have followed him up here. The nausea and the freezing cold in his lungs and the dizziness just compound the sheer relief of there being someone, anyone at all. Their strength seeping  into his exhausted body is salvation as they take the reigns from his hands that are too tired, too bloodied to keep holding on. 

The deluge from his lungs does not pass easy.

It passes, still. 

The sun is more than halfway gone by the time Simon can suck in enough air to  do more than just keep hacking away. The dizziness that turned his limbs to clay abates but he stays where he is, shivering at the exertion and at the patterns Runner Five is tracing across his back. 

(Because of course, of course it’s them. When have they ever looked into hell and said not me, not today. Of course.)

They’ve brushed his hair through until it is no longer a knotted mess. Five’s hand still rests there, nails scratching at Simon’s scalp in a way that tingles. Everywhere they’re pressed together sends fine tremors through him- from the hand in his hair to the one on his back to where Five’s bare knee just touches the inside of his thigh where they’re sat between his legs. They’re so warm and present and Simon can’t remember the last time someone willingly touched him. Not to comfort, not to help.

He can’t help it. Simon is a selfish man, he knows this better than anyone. He basks in this feeling, this warmth across his cold and tainted skin. 

In some company that doesn’t sneer. 

It takes a little while for him to gather the strength to end this, whatever this is. Why ever Five helped, why ever they had come. Simon looks up just as Runner Five presses their hand against the weeping hole in his chest.

His breath catches on the feeling of it which should be so much worse than it is. There’s the sharp freeze of the abomination in his blood, chasing out the natural death, almost at skin level now and then there’s Five’s hand. So warm in contrast it’s scalding. The clash is pain and rapture and Simon can’t help but wonder whether this is a symptom of  his condition or of being him. 

Five withdraws their hand and Simon almost chases the contact without thought, fatigue making him weak enough to want it and saving him by taking away his ability to move on the urge. He’s so wrecked right now Five could do just about anything and he’d be helpless. They could take his head. He almost wishes they would. 

It takes Simon a moment to notice what exactly Five is holding, their hand held up to his eyeline and stained with his blood. Crimson pools in their palm and trails down the bones of their wrist, wrapping around their forearm like manacles which is distracting in sick sort of way.

Dented and tarnished, it’s the bullet from Simon’s right lung. 

It’s wrong, so wrong that it’s there. That it’s in Runner Five’s hand, that it was ever in him. That it ever came out.

The urge to say something builds like the tide under Simon’s ribcage. To say what he doesn’t know- to damn Five, himself, everything. To thank them, to tell them to fuck off. It rises and bubbles with the need to ask them to stay, to hold onto him and not let the hellfire burn away any more of what is left of him. 

The need rises to the back of Simon’s throat so thick he can’t draw air so he opens his mouth to speak and vomits thick arterial blood onto Five’s shoes. The coughing returns as the ice and his body fight the wound and one another, forcing dead matter from his mouth.

This goes on for a time. The sky fades from bloody pink to purple to grey and Runner Five holds him throughout, their hands strong and warm and there.

Eventually Simon dozes off and Runner Five waits with him, at some point moving so their back is to the wall and Simon’s blood seeps into their hoodie. Simon wakes a few times before he gets around to thinking about getting up, about moving. It’s a while later that he actually does.

[softupshur]

The Lord Rejoices: Chapter 1

Next>

Ao3 Link if you’re into that kind of thing

This work is a sequel, so if you haven’t read the original you may want to check out.

~Updates every Sunday~ During Temple Gate's founding years, Marta nears womanhood and wonders of God's plan for her.

*Warning that while this particular chapter is harmless, this story will go into game typical content involving young characters*

Chapter 1:

“For whom was it by that the line of Adam corrupted beyond salvation?”

While other students flipped through their gospels and avoided Mrs. Carson’s eye, Marta’s hand shot up.

“Yes, Marta?”

With her worn and yellowed gospel in hand, Marta stood straight and tall. “It was through Cain’s sin that the line of Adam displeased the Lord. For as Chapter 2, Verse 3 says, he was uncircumcised of heart and stiff-necked,’ corrupting his line by the murder of his brother, Abel. Thus we are descended from such sin and must seek redemption in the Lord’s eyes, as Cain’s wickedness flows through our blood.”

“Very good, Marta. Nonetheless, man continues to believe himself made of an incorruptible gold.” Her gaze returned to the sea of students. “Can anyone tell me what drives man to believe in this lie?”

Marta’s hand rose again, but Mrs. Carson only sighed. “Can we hear from someone other than Marta?”

The students opted to stare at the clock on the wall or pretend to take notes rather than volunteer. She sought the roster for a victim. “Hm...who have we not heard from in a while—ah! Otis, why do you think man continues to believe himself incorruptible?”

Snickers erupted through the class and Mrs. Carson rubbed her temple at Otis, whose head rested on the desk, unresponsive. “Can someone wake Otis?”

As she sat at the desk beside him, Marta reached over to poke his shoulder.

It was enough to make him stir, but he still took his time sitting up. He yawned and rubbed his eyes, evoking laughter from the class.

“What did I miss this time?” he grumbled.

Mrs. Carson pinched the bridge of her nose, taking a deep breath. “What is it that makes man believe himself to be above corruption?”

He opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off.

“Stand, please. You know the rules.”

After stretching, Otis stood. “Uh…” While searching for an answer, he caught a glimpse of Marta’s gospel at the furthest corner of her desk. Once he brushed his overgrown hair out of his eyes, he was able to read it.

Marta pointed to the second verse in the second chapter.

“Because of the lies received from the traditions of our fathers?” Otis attempted after scanning the mercifully short verse.

“And why are those lies created?”

“Uh…” Otis looked again to Marta, but Mrs. Carson hadn’t the patience.

“Paige! Do you think you can help Otis?

In the front row, a rosy-cheeked girl stood. “It’s because it is easier to accept a lie than face a harsh truth.”

“That’s correct, and do you know what it is that keeps man in his ignorance?”

“That would be fear.”

“Fear of what?”

Paige hesitated as she looked down at her hands. “The fear that they are not predestined as we are in Temple Gate to receive salvation and His everlasting mercy.”

“That’s right.” She motioned for Paige to sit and reclaimed her lesson. “Outside Temple Gate, man will tell you that God forgives all; that Heaven welcomes everyone, when in truth only the chosen few can be saved. Those few are the faithful ones who are willing to take up the Lord’s battle to earn His love and mercy, rather than lie in complacency and take His power for granted. For those who believe otherwise, there is only the pit.” Her eyes wandered to the ticking clock on the wall and she went to scrawl an objective onto the blackboard. “Now, there will be no regular homework for tonight because tomorrow is a test day. You are to use the time to study Chapter 2 of the prophet’s word. You will be graded on both a written portion and your dictation, so be diligent in your work.”

After giving the students a moment to write their tasks, she bowed her head. “Now let us pray.”

When the class followed her lead, she began. “Our Father who art in Heaven, we thank Thee for the luxury to gather in Your name and learn Your word. Bless all those present among us. Be with them as they journey home, and bless them with Your all-knowing and loving nature. Praise be to the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Knoth, amen.”

“Amen,” the class echoed.

The chiming of the bells broke through the school walls. The pealing was heavy and low, the kind that rattled the bones of any too close. In the silence that followed, students gathered their things and gravitated into groups. Most departed quickly in a flurry of chatter but a few lingered, Otis being one of them, dragging.

“Are you alright?” Marta asked of his sluggishness.

“Hm?” Otis blinked a few times. “Yeah, just didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“Then you should consider retiring earlier. This is the third time this week you’ve slept through class.”

“Easier said than done. Seth has yet to understand the concept of bedtime.”

“Oh, I see.” Marta’s tone softened. “He really never gets tired?”

“Not that I’ve ever seen.”

“My sincerest apologies.”

“Thanks.” Otis slung his bag over his shoulder. “Hate to say hi and bye, but I got a lot of work waiting for me when I get home.”

“I understand. Good day and God bless.”

Never did Otis return her blessings, but he always offered a wave when they parted. “See ya tomorrow.”

When he left, Paige took his place. “Hi, Marta!”

“Good afternoon. How are you doing today?” Marta attempted a smile, but they were never as warm as Paige’s.

“Great! I was worried I would choke on the question like last week, but I did pretty good if I do say so myself!” Though she was one of the shortest girls in class, she puffed her chest out and stood as tall as she could.

Marta nodded. “Yes, you did very well. Especially with being called on so quickly like that.”

“I really should have seen it coming when she called on Otis.” Paige tsked.

“God help him.” Marta shook her head.

“Speaking of help, do you mind coming down to the farm? Dad is going to be home late, and I have to do a few extra chores when I get home. Would you care to lend me a hand? I could make us something to eat later.”

“I’d love to,” Marta replied.

“Great! Let’s go!” Paige took Marta’s wrist and led her out of the schoolhouse, a skip in her step. She chattered happily about this and that while Marta was content to listen. They went through the schoolyard, Paige meandering past bicycles and toys the younger children abandoned after recess. When they made it through, she let go to trot ahead.

Dark ink smudged Marta’s skin. Some faintly resembled letters. She stopped in her tracks and held up her wrist. “Paige.”

“Hm, yes?” Paige turned around. Her smile vanished when she saw the marks. “Oh.”

“Were you cheating again?”

Paige shrugged and showed the palms of her hands littered with notes and verse numbers. “I think of it more like a study guide.”

“Paige!”

“What? It’s not that I don’t get it. I’m just not as good at memorizing verses and lessons as you.”

“That just means you should study more.”

“More? But I already hear it all the time between sermon, school, and you. I’m bound to memorize it eventually. What’s wrong with having a little guide until I do?”

“Nonetheless, a few recitations wouldn’t hurt, especially with tomorrow’s test. How about we do a few after your chores?”

Though Paige pouted, she conceded with a dragged out, “Fine.”

For the remainder of the walk, they faded into idle chatter. Their destination was one of the smallest homes in Temple Gate: The Larsen Farm, built with only enough room to house Paige and her father. However, their yard was one of the largest, allowing space for dozens of chickens to wander freely. When the chickens saw Paige nearing, they rushed to the gate.

“Hello, lovelies!” Paige threw open the gate and crouched down so she could pet each one and greet them by name. “You should say hello too, Marta! They hadn’t seen you in a while.”

Only three days had passed since Marta saw them. She looked down and said a quiet, “Hello.”

Most of the chickens remained in their huddle around Paige. Only one broke away to peck at Marta’s boot.

Marta took a step back. “I don’t think they like me much.”

“Nonsense! That’s just Henrietta’s way of saying hi!”

Three pecks later and Henrietta returned to the huddle, which parted when Paige stood. They followed her in a noisy flock and Marta trailed behind them. She was careful not to step on any tail feathers until they came to a coop about the size of a large shed.

Inside were rows of nesting boxes. Most of them were empty, but resting hens occupied a few. Hay covered the floor and a full feeder stood in the center. Against one of the walls sat a basket so large that it took both hands to hold. Above it, a clipboard hung from a tack that Paige took. “You mind holding the basket?”

“Not at all.” Marta took the basket and followed Paige as she gathered eggs from each nest. She made a tally on the clipboard after each one. In another column were names of townspeople that Paige marked off as well. The basket was filled to the brim by the time she was through.

“It’s all thanks to our girls working so hard. Isn’t that right?” Paige knelt down to pet a few of the chickens.

They all clucked in agreement.

“Don’t get too excited now,” she said, “We still have some work to do.”

To pass the time between tasks, Marta and Paige exchanged rumors picked up around town. Paige told of the neighbor couple whose cow had twin calves the same day as the wife bore two healthy sons, and a recipe for the best cornbread Paige had been trying to get the older ladies to tell her. They always said “when you’re married,” no matter how much Paige pressed.

Marta, in turn, shared of a feud amongst the deacons of whether resources should be used to expand the chapel or build new homes for the growing population. Without Knoth to guide them, they bickered constantly. Some requested that Marta speak to Knoth on their behalf, but she always told them to pray for guidance. She never stayed to hear the arguments that followed.

“And that should about cover it,” Paige said once the rumors ran dry and the chores through. “Thanks so much for your help. I didn’t think we’d be able to finish so quickly.”

“It’s no trouble at all. I’m glad I could be of service.”

“I say we did enough to deserve some snacks, c’mon!”

They started for the house so small that Marta had to duck her head to pass through the doorway. Inside, the home was cozy. The wooden floors always shone, a hand-knitted afghan draped over the sofa, and Paige’s embroidery projects decorated the walls.

The grey family mouser cat, Thomas, meowed a hello as they entered and rubbed against Paige’s leg. “Whatever he does, don’t listen to him,” she whispered to Marta. “He’ll play nice but he’s not supposed to eat for another two hours.”

“I see…”

While Paige gathered snacks, Marta took a seat, but her knees bumped on the table. She stretched her legs to the side, nearly kicking Thomas’s food bowl, and her bony hips edged the arm rests. It felt as if the chair were made for a doll rather than a person.

After a few minutes, Paige placed the snacks on the table and sat across from Marta, who already opened her gospel.

“Shall we practice recitations now?”

Paige pouted. “Do we have to? I was having a nice time just hanging out.”

“Just for a little. It will help with the test tomorrow.”

“Oh, alright.” Paige took out her own gospel. “Where are we starting?”

“Chapter 2.”

“Okay.” After finding her place, Paige skimmed over the words. “I guess I should start, huh?”

“If you would.”

Paige took a deep breath as she turned her gospel over and started. “Verse 1: Therefore—I mean, wherefore, gird up the loins of you that would listen...ready your minds. Be open and sober in patience for revelation, as obedient as children to parents, as parents to…”

“Another ‘P’ word,” Marta said when Paige trailed off too long.

“Prophets!”

“Right! Keep going.”

“As prophets to God and His angels. Verse 2: For as much as you—”

“‘Ye,’” Marta said.

“Oh, for as much as ye know that you—”

“‘Ye.’”

“Know that ye were not made incorruptible by incorruptible gold, so are the lies of traditions received from ye—”

“‘Your.’”

Paige huffed. “Why does it constantly switch between ‘ye’ and ‘you’? Wouldn’t it be easier to just pick one or the other?”

“The gospel is transcribed as the Lord makes it known to our prophet. Papa copies it as closely as he can remember, but he is still only a man, despite his gift of communing with our Lord Almighty.”

“Yeah, but...I’d still just pick one,” Paige said. “It’s so hard to read this way.”

“That is why it is of utmost importance that we study His word. It comes to us in a nearly pure, unfiltered state. Thus, it is to be expected that it takes multiple readings and studies to fully comprehend with our imperfect, human understanding. You need only practice patience and diligence and it shall become clear.”

“If you say so…”

They continued their studies until Paige successfully recited the full chapter. Marta congratulated her and Paige offered her gratitude.

“You were such a big help today around the farm. Let me send you home with something to say thanks.”

“That won’t be necessary, really—”

But Paige was already at the icebox, pulling out a half-dozen carton of eggs. “It’s not much, but I want you to have these as a thank-you. They’re fresh and can help you make a good meal.”

“You really don’t have to. It’s my pleasure to help, truly. I don’t want to deprive your home for something I volunteered to do.”

“It’s as much of a help to us as it is to you in your home. We always have too many anyhow.”

Only then could Marta accept Paige’s offering and go on her way.

Outside, she shivered in the autumn chill, and pulled her shawl over her shoulders before the walk home. The path she followed cut through town square, which bustled during the day with craftsmen and laborers gathering to trade their goods and services. With the setting sun, it quieted to only a few stray workers who started home as well. They greeted Marta and gave their regards to the prophet before musing over what their wives prepared for dinner.

Past the square, the houses became fewer and farther between until there came an incline in the trail. Atop it was the largest home. It stood at two stories but grander than any, with the exception of the chapel. All of Temple Gate could be seen from its spot.

Marta didn’t need to lower her head when she entered. She breathed easily underneath the high ceilings and spacious rooms, and left her school bag and shawl by the door. With the carton of eggs in hand, she went to the icebox. It took some rearranging for the contents to fit, along with taking out the leftover beef to make a stew for dinner. While it never turned out as sweet as she hoped, it came with a roasted, smoky scent that welcomed her after a chilly day.

She set two places at the table, when she realized she had neglected to get the rolls from the pantry. However, she found the basket empty.

A heavy sigh followed. She abandoned the kitchen to travel up the stairs. There were two directions she could go. Left led to her bedroom. Right went to the one place in the home forbidden to her.

She went right.

Though she was not to enter Knoth’s bedroom without his explicit permission, the door was never locked. She only took a deep breath to prepare herself to pass through the doorway.

The smell of incense and wine always made her eyes water, strongest at the bed that was too plush and large for one man. She pulled it until exposing an old rug. Folding it over revealed several loose floorboards. When Marta removed them, there was a cache of food large enough to last a week. Within it were the rolls wrapped in cloth, which Marta took. The rest, she left in its place, putting the boards back and the rug as it was.

She stood so she could push the bed back to its proper spot when something metallic clattered onto the ground. At Marta’s feet lay the hunting knife that took Knoth’s eye years before. Once she finished pushing the bed, she picked up the blade and tucked it underneath the pillow before before leaving the room.

Upon exiting, she took in a deep breath of clean air before descending the stairs and returned to the dining room to finish setting the table and fetching the drinks. Beside Knoth’s, she placed three capsules, one for migraines, another for aching joints, and the third to help him sleep.

Then, she straightened the tablecloth and waited. She fiddled with the food on her plate, but never took a bite. Occasionally, she looked up at the front door, but never for more than a moment.

No one entered, but Marta sat until the food went cold. Only then did she take a bite. Three more and she abandoned the meal. She placed Knoth’s portion in the overstuffed ice box, then dumped her own in the trash. She glanced at the door once more before retiring for bed.

[idorkish]

Important Day - Jax Teller Fluff

Rquest: can you do a jax imagine where the reader is pregnant and it's about them telling the club that they're expecting and on the day she gives birth he proposes? If that's too long it's okay, sorry if it is lol. If it's possible when he proposes can it be when the guys and Gemma are seeing the baby once she's done delivering and he does it infront of them?

A/N - Ren = Reader name. I don’t like the look of Y/N in stories so this is my compromise. 

Tags:@sonsofahappyanarchy @mrstellerwinston @chaosmieu @realpowertwix @anarchyrenegade @soafanficluvr1 @fortheloveofthesoa @khyharah @redwoodog @thegoodthebadandtheempty @jade770 @supernaturalanarchy   @jaaxtellerasf   @brriik

Jax bounced his leg as he sat back in the chair. It was family dinner time at Gemma’s house and they were waiting for everyone to finally arrive. Ren sat next to him and placed her hand on his knee, halting the bouncing. Leaning over, Ren whispered into his ear “Stop fidgeting. Everyone is almost here. Then we’ll tell them.” Jax smiled and nodded, wrapping his arm around the back of her chair. Once everyone was there, the couple enjoyed the meal before them. Abel waved at them from his place next to Gemma, who was helping him cut up his food.

Halfway through the meal, Jax stood and cleared his throat. “I’m glad everyone is here. Ren and I have an announcement we’d like to share. As you all know, Ren has been feeling a little under the weather lately. Well,” he paused and looked at the faces staring back at him, “better get ready because there will be another tiny Teller running around.”

Gemma was the first out of her seat and ran to the couple, throwing her arms around them and pressing kisses to both their cheeks. “I”m going to be a grandma again?” Ren smiled and returned the hug, trying to push the tears back.

  - ----------------------------------------------- -

Ren slowly made her way toward the garage office and watched Gemma, who sat at the desk, sorting out papers and entering the information into the computer. Looking up from the papers, Gemma smiled as Ren sat carefully in the seat in front of the desk. “Hey, Momma. When is our little bean going to make their big entrance?” Ren smiled and shrugged. “I don’t know. Like Daddy, baby Teller has to bid their time to make the best entrance of all. I wish it was time though. I’m tired of carrying this watermelon around! I want to see my feet again!” Gemma laughed and shook her head. Ren was one of the few women that Gemma approved of almost immediately. Ren took to helping Jax care for Abel when he was a baby and finally, after 3 years being together, Ren was about to give Gemma her second grandchild.

“Well, don’t worry. Your feet are still as ugly as when you could see them,” Gemma grinned as Ren faked offense and tossed a balled up napkin at her. “Once this baby is out of you, we’ll go get a pedicure. That way you can see that your feet are still the same as they were.”

Ren rolled her eyes and started to rub her stomach, letting out a groan. “UGh, this baby needs to come soon. Or I’m killing your son. Why can’t we be like seahorses and have the men carry this load around?”

Gemma laughed harder and stood from her seat, making her way over and brushing the hair from Ren’s face. “Oh honey, if men had to carry a baby for 9 months, there would no longer be any humans on this earth. They can’t endure the pain. They’d crumble in a month or two.”

 -  ----------------------------------------------- -

It wouldn’t be for another two days that Ren would be admitted to the hospital. 9 hours and 32 minutes after being checked in, Ren laid back on the bed, hair matted to her face, and a sheen of sweat covering her body. She couldn’t help but smile as Jax walked back over to the bed with the small pink bundle in his arms. “And this is your Mommy. She thinks she looks horrible, but like you, my little princess, she is gorgeous.” Jax carefully handed over the small squirming bundle. “Everyone wants to come in and see you two. You ready?” Ren shook her head and continued to stare in wonder at her little girl, “Not yet. But go get Abel. I want him to meet his little sister.”

Jax returned minutes later, Abel trailing behind him with a stuffed crow in his arms. “Hey buddy, this is your little sister.” Jax picked up Abel and sat him on the bed next to Ren. “What’s her name?”

“Skylar Rose Teller”

Abel leaned in close and pressed a small kiss to the little girl’s nose.

-  ----------------------------------------------- -

Soon the room was filled with members of the SAMCRO family. Gemma led the pack and rushed toward the hospital bed, stopping and covering her mouth as she looked over her little granddaughter. “Can..can I hold her?” Ren smiled and held out the little girl for Gemma. Jax walked around and sat on the bed next to Ren, wrapping his arms around her shoulder and pulling her close. “Just look at her! She’s beautiful, just like her momma!” Gemma held the little girl so the rest of the room could take a peek. Ren smiled as all the men cooed around the little girl. Not even a few hours old and she had the bikers wrapped around her tiny little fingers.

Jax cleared his throat bringing all the attention back to the couple on the bed. “I want to thank you all for being here for us. I know we’ve been through a lot this past year and Ren has endured all the bullshit we brought around while pregnant,” Jax stood and reached into the pocket of his jeans, pulling out a small box as he kneeled next to the bed. “Ren, I can’t imagine my life without you. You have been the best mom to Abel, the best friend and old lady to me. You’ve blessed me with a beautiful baby girl. And I’m hoping that you’ll make this day even better by agreeing to be my wife. Will you marry me?”

Ren stared at Jax, unable to say anything she just quickly nodded. “Why would you ask while I looked like this!” Ren stopped caring and let the tears spill over. Jax slid the ring onto her finger and pressed a deep kiss to her lips. The cheers from the room broke them from their little world. Little Sky didn’t approve of the noise and started squirming and crying.

[pope-francis-quotes]

2nd December >> Pope Francis in Bangladesh: ‘You are like the Mustard Seed’ ~ Meeting with 1,500 Religious at Holy Rosary Church, Chittagong (Full Address). Jim Fair © L'Osservatore Romano “The Catholic community in Bangladesh is small. But you are like the mustard seed that God brings to fruition in His own time.” These were the words of Pope Francis on December 2, 2017, to around 1,500 priests, men and women religious, consecrated persons, seminarians and novices in the Holy Rosary Church, the cathedral-Church of the archdiocese of Chittagong. “I rejoice to see how this seed is growing and to witness first-hand the deep faith which God has given you,” the Holy Father continued. “I think of the dedicated and faithful missionaries who planted and tended this seed of faith for almost five hundred years. “I will shortly visit the cemetery here and pray for these men and women who so generously served this local Church. As I look out among you, I see missionaries who continue this holy work. I also see many vocations born in this land; they are a sign of the graces with which God is blessing your land. I am particularly pleased by the presence, and the prayers, of the cloistered nuns among us.” Pope Francis noted that it was appropriate the gathering took place in the Holy Rosary Church, that “The rosary is a beautiful meditation on the mysteries of faith that are the lifeblood of the Church and a prayer that shapes our spiritual lives and our apostolic service.” At the end of the meeting, Francis visited the parish cemetery where many religious are buried, and paused in silent prayer before lighting a candle. Immediately afterwards the Pope entered the ancient Church of the Holy Rosary, founded by Portuguese missionaries in 1677, and now the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration. Address of the Holy Father Dear brothers and sisters, I am very happy to be with you! I thank Archbishop Moses [Costa] for his warm greeting in your name. I especially thank those who offered testimonies and shared with us their love for God. I also express my gratitude to Father Mintu [Palma] for composing the prayer that we will shortly recite to Our Lady. As the Successor of Peter, it is my task to confirm you in faith. But I want you to know that, through your words and presence here today, you also confirm me in faith and bring me great joy. The Catholic community in Bangladesh is small. But you are like the mustard seed that God brings to fruition in His own time. I rejoice to see how this seed is growing and to witness first-hand the deep faith which God has given you (cf. Mt 13:31-32). I think of the dedicated and faithful missionaries who planted and tended this seed of faith for almost five hundred years. I will shortly visit the cemetery here and pray for these men and women who so generously served this local Church. As I look out among you, I see missionaries who continue this holy work. I also see many vocations born in this land; they are a sign of the graces with which God is blessing your land. I am particularly pleased by the presence, and the prayers, of the cloistered nuns among us. It is good that our meeting takes place in this ancient Church of the Holy Rosary. The rosary is a beautiful meditation on the mysteries of faith that are the lifeblood of the Church and a prayer that shapes our spiritual lives and our apostolic service. Whether we are priests, religious, consecrated men or women, seminarians or novices, the prayer of the rosary inspires us, in union with Mary, to give our lives completely to Christ. It invites us to share in Mary’s attentiveness to God at the Annunciation, Christ’s compassion for all humanity as He hangs upon the cross, and the Church’s rejoicing as she receives the Risen Lord’s gift of the Holy Spirit. Mary’s attentiveness. In all of history, has there ever been anyone as attentive as Mary was at the Annunciation? God prepared her for that moment and she responded in love and trust. So too the Lord has prepared us and called each of us by name. Responding to that call is a lifelong process. Every day we have to learn to be more attentive to the Lord in prayer, meditating on His word and seeking to discern His will. I know that your pastoral work and your apostolates demand much of you and that your days are often long and leave you tired. But we cannot bear Christ’s name, or share in His mission, unless we remain first and foremost men and women rooted in love, fired by love, through a personal encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist and the words of sacred Scripture. Father Abel, you reminded us of this when you spoke of the importance of fostering an intimate relationship with Jesus, for there we experience His mercy and find renewed strength for our service to others. Attentiveness to the Lord allows us to see the world through His eyes and thus to become more sensitive to the needs of those whom we serve. We begin to understand their hopes and joys, fears and burdens, we see more clearly the many talents, charisms, and gifts they bring to the building up of the Church in faith and holiness. Brother Lawrence, when you spoke of your ashram, you helped us to see the importance of assisting people to satisfy their spiritual thirst. May all of you, in the great variety of your apostolates, be a source of spiritual refreshment and inspiration to those you serve and enable them to share their gifts ever more fully with one another in advancing the mission of the Church. Christ’s compassion. The rosary draws us into a meditation on the passion and death of Jesus. By entering more deeply into these sorrowful mysteries, we come to know their saving power and are confirmed in our call to share it by our lives of compassion and self-giving. Priesthood and religious life are not a career. They are not a vehicle for personal advancement. They are a service, a share in Christ’s own sacrificial love for His flock. By conforming ourselves daily to that we love, we come to appreciate that our lives are not our own. It is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us (cf. Gal 2:20). We embody this compassion by accompanying people, especially in their moments of suffering and trial, helping them to find Jesus. Father Franco, thank you for drawing this to the fore – each of us is called to be a missionary, bringing Christ’s mercy and love to all, especially those on the peripheries of our society. I am especially grateful for the many ways in which so many of you are engaged in the areas of social outreach, health care, and education, serving the needs of your local communities and of the many migrants and refugees coming to your country. Your service to the wider community, in particular to those most in need, is a precious service to the building of a culture of encounter and solidarity. The Church’s rejoicing. Lastly, the rosary fills us with joy in Christ’s triumph over death, His ascension to the right hand of the Father and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our world. The whole of our ministry is directed to proclaiming the joy of the Gospel. In our lives and apostolates, we are all too aware of the problems of the world and the sufferings of humanity, but we never lose confidence in the power of Christ’s love to prevail over evil and the Prince of Lies who tries to deceive us. Never be discouraged by your own failures or by the challenges of ministry. If you remain attentive to the Lord in prayer and persevere in offering Christ’s compassion to your brothers and sisters, then the Lord will surely fill your hearts with the comforting joy of His Holy Spirit. Sister Mary Chandra, you shared with us the joy that flows from your religious vocation and the charism of your religious congregation. Marcelius, you too spoke of the love you and your fellow seminarians have for your vocation to be priests. Both of you reminded us that we are all asked daily to renew and deepen our joy in the Lord by striving to imitate Him ever more fully. In the beginning, this may seem daunting, but it fills our hearts with spiritual joy. For each day becomes an opportunity to begin again, to respond anew to the Lord. Never lose heart, for the Lord’s patience is for our salvation (cf. 2 Pet 3:15)! Rejoice in the Lord always! Dear brothers and sisters, I thank you for your fidelity in serving Christ and His Church through the gift of your lives. I assure all of you of my prayers, as I ask you to pray for me. Let us now turn to Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, asking that she may obtain for all of us the grace to grow in holiness and to be ever more joyful witnesses of the power of the Gospel to bring healing, reconciliation, and peace to our world. © Libreria Editrice Vatican

[dfroza]

we as children of earth are each writing

the book of our lives with all that we think and write and speak and do. and there is significance in this, to understand the reality of it all.

(in Light of the eternal)

A point that is touched upon in Today’s reading from the book of Hebrews with the 12th chapter:

[The Great Cloud of Witnesses]

As for us, we have all of these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds. So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us.

We look away from the natural realm and we fasten our gaze onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God!

So consider carefully how Jesus faced such intense opposition from sinners who opposed their own souls, so that you won’t become worn down and cave in under life’s pressures. After all, you have not yet reached the point of sweating blood in your opposition to sin. And have you forgotten his encouraging words spoken to you as his children? He said,

“My child, don’t underestimate the value

of the discipline and training of the Lord God,

or get depressed when he has to correct you.

For the Lord’s training of your life

is the evidence of his faithful love.

And when he draws you to himself,

it proves you are his delightful child.”

Fully embrace God’s correction as part of your training, for he is doing what any loving father does for his children. For who has ever heard of a child who never had to be corrected? We all should welcome God’s discipline as the validation of authentic sonship. For if we have never once endured his correction it only proves we are strangers and not sons.

And isn’t it true that we respect our earthly fathers even though they corrected and disciplined us? Then we should demonstrate an even greater respect for God, our spiritual Father, as we submit to his life-giving discipline. Our parents corrected us for the short time of our childhood as it seemed good to them. But God corrects us throughout our lives for our own good, giving us an invitation to share his holiness. Now all discipline seems to be more pain than pleasure at the time, yet later it will produce a transformation of character, bringing a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who yield to it.

So be made strong even in your weakness by lifting up your tired hands in prayer and worship. And strengthen your weak knees, for as you keep walking forward on God’s paths all your stumbling ways will be divinely healed!

In every relationship be swift to choose peace over competition, and run swiftly toward holiness, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Watch over each other to make sure that no one misses the revelation of God’s grace. And make sure no one lives with a root of bitterness sprouting within them which will only cause trouble and poison the hearts of many.

Be careful that no one among you lives in immorality, becoming careless about God’s blessings, like Esau who traded away his rights as the firstborn for a simple meal. And we know that later on when he wanted to inherit his father’s blessing, he was turned away, even though he begged for it with bitter tears, for it was too late then to repent.

[Entering into God’s Presence]

For we are not coming, as Moses did, to a physical mountain with its burning fire, thick clouds of darkness and gloom, and with a raging whirlwind. We are not those who are being warned by the jarring blast of a trumpet and the thundering voice; the fearful voice that they begged to be silenced. They couldn’t handle God’s command that said,

“If so much as an animal approaches the mountain it is to be stoned to death!”

The astounding phenomena Moses witnessed caused him to shudder with fear and he could only say, “I am trembling in terror!”

By contrast, we have already come near to God in a totally different realm, the Zion-realm, for we have entered the city of the Living God, which is the New Jerusalem in heaven! We have joined the festal gathering of myriads of angels in their joyous celebration!

And as members of the church of the Firstborn all our names have been legally registered as citizens of heaven! And we have come before God who judges all, and who lives among the spirits of the righteous who have been made perfect in his eyes!

And we have come to Jesus who established a new covenant with his blood sprinkled upon the mercy seat; blood that continues to speak from heaven, “forgiveness,” a better message than Abel’s blood that cries from the earth, “justice.”

Make very sure that you never refuse to listen to God when he speaks! For the God who spoke on earth from Sinai is the same God who now speaks from heaven. Those who heard him speak his living Word on earth found nowhere to hide, so what chance is there for us to escape if we turn our backs on God and refuse to hear his warnings as he speaks from heaven?

The earth was rocked at the sound of his voice from the mountain, but now he has promised,

“Once and for all I will not only shake the systems of the world,

but also the unseen powers in the heavenly realm!”

Now this phrase “once and for all” clearly indicates the final removal of things that are shaking, that is, the old order, so only what is unshakeable will remain. Since we are receiving our rights to an unshakeable kingdom we should be extremely thankful and offer God the purest worship that delights his heart as we lay down our lives in absolute surrender, filled with awe. For our God is a holy, devouring fire!

The Book of Hebrews, Chapter 12 (The Passion Translation)

to include inspiration from Today’s reading in the Psalms that begins with a few lines from Psalm 78 which reflects upon people who think that their deceit goes unnoticed by God who sees and knows all:

After all they had endured, they remembered that God, the Most High,

was their Rock, their Redeemer,

But even then they tried to deceive Him with their words

and fool Him with a web of lies.

The Book of Psalms, Poem 78:35-36 (The Voice)

to be continued with lines from Psalm 57 and 16 that speak of God’s protection over the hearts of His children that is fully contained in the promise of rebirth (for the heart & body) that includes the sacred promise of “Home”

A David Psalm, When He Hid in a Cave from Saul

Be good to me, God—and now!

I’ve run to you for dear life.

I’m hiding out under your wings

until the hurricane blows over.

I call out to High God,

the God who holds me together.

He sends orders from heaven and saves me,

he humiliates those who kick me around.

God delivers generous love,

he makes good on his word.

The Book of Psalms, Poem 57:1-3 (The Message)

and the lines of a prayer by King David that have been written down and conserved for us to read:

[Psalm 16]

A prayer of David.

Protect me, God, for the only safety I know is found in the moments I seek You.

I told You, Eternal One, “You are my Lord,

for the only good I know in this world is found in You alone.”

The beauty of faith-filled people encompasses me.

They are true, and my heart is thrilled beyond measure.

All the while the despair of many,

who abandoned Your goodness for the empty promises of false gods, increases day by day.

I refuse to pour out blood offerings,

to utter their names from my lips.

You, Eternal One, are my sustenance and my life-giving cup.

In that cup, You hold my future and my eternal riches.

My home is surrounded in beauty;

You have gifted me with abundance and a rich legacy.

I will bless the Eternal, whose wise teaching orchestrates my days

and centers my mind at night.

He is ever present with me;

at all times He goes before me.

I will not live in fear or abandon my calling

because He stands at my right hand.

This is a good life—my heart is glad, my soul is full of joy,

and my body is at rest.

Who could want for more?

You will not abandon me to experience death and the grave

or leave me to rot alone.

Instead, You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life.

As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending,

and I know true joy and contentment.

The Book of Psalms, Prayer 16 (The Voice)

to be concluded by wisdom from the 16th chapter of Proverbs for August 16:

People go about making their plans,

but the Eternal has the final word.

Even when you think you have good intentions,

He knows your real motives.

Whatever you do, do it as service to Him,

and He will guarantee your success.

The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 16:1-3 (The Voice)

Go ahead and make all the plans you want,

but it’s the Lord who will ultimately direct your steps.

We are all in love with our own opinions,

convinced they’re correct.

But the Lord is in the midst of us,

testing and probing our every motive.

Before you do anything,

put your trust totally in God and not in yourself.

Then every plan you make will succeed.

The Lord works everything together to accomplish his purpose.

Even the wicked are included in his plans—

he sets them aside for the day of disaster.

Exalting yourself is disgusting to the Lord,

for pride attracts his punishment—

and you can count on that!

You can avoid evil through surrendered worship

and the fear of God,

for the power of his faithful love

removes sin’s guilt and grip over you.

When the Lord is pleased with the decisions you’ve made,

he activates grace to turn enemies into friends.

It is better to have little with a heart that loves justice

than to be rich and not have God on your side.

Within your heart you can make plans for your future,

but the Lord chooses the steps you take to get there.

[Living like a King]

A king speaks the revelation of truth,

so he must be extraordinarily careful in the decrees that he makes.

The Lord expects you to be fair in every business deal,

for he is the one who sets the standards for righteousness.

Kings and leaders despise wrongdoing,

for the true authority to rule and reign

is built on a foundation of righteousness.

Kings and leaders love to hear godly counsel,

and they love those who tell them the truth.

The anger of a king releases the messenger of death,

but a wise person will know how to pacify his wrath.

Life-giving light streams from the presence of a king,

and his favor is showered upon those who please him.

Everyone wants gold, but wisdom’s worth is far greater.

Silver is sought after,

but a heart of understanding yields a greater return.

Repenting from evil places you on the highway of holiness.

Protect purity and you protect your life.

Your boast becomes a prophecy of a future failure.

The higher you lift up yourself in pride,

the harder you’ll fall in disgrace.

It’s better to be meek and lowly and live among the poor

than to live high and mighty among the rich and famous.

One skilled in business discovers prosperity,

but the one who trusts in God is blessed beyond belief!

[Walking with Wisdom]

The one with a wise heart is called “discerning,”

and speaking sweetly to others

makes your teaching even more convincing.

Wisdom is a deep well of understanding

opened up within you as a fountain of life for others,

but it’s senseless to try to instruct a fool.

Winsome words pour from a heart of wisdom,

adding value to all you teach.

Nothing is more appealing

than speaking beautiful, life-giving words.

For they release sweetness to our souls

and inner healing to our spirits.

Before every person there is a path

that seems like the right one to take,

but it leads straight to hell!

Life motivation comes from the deep longings of the heart,

and the passion to see them fulfilled urges you onward.

A wicked scoundrel wants to dig up dirt on others,

only to spread slander and shred their reputation.

A twisted person spreads rumors;

a whispering gossip ruins good friendships.

A vicious criminal can be persuasive,

enticing others to join him as partners in crime,

but he leads them all down a despicable path.

It’s easy to tell when a wicked man

is hatching some crooked scheme—

it’s written all over his face.

His looks betray him as he gives birth to his sin.

Old age with wisdom will crown you with dignity and honor,

for it takes a lifetime of righteousness to acquire it.

Do you want to be a mighty warrior?

It’s better to be known as one who is patient and slow to anger.

Do you want to conquer a city?

Rule over your temper before you attempt to rule a city.

We may toss the coin and roll the dice,

but God’s will is greater than luck.

The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 16 (The Passion Translation)

my reading in the Heart of the Scriptures (the inspiration of the Spirit) for August 16, day 57 of Summer as a mirroring of the alphabetic number 57 of the word “rose” along with being day 228 of the year:

[dailychapel]

Hebrews 12:1–29 NLT - 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. 5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, "My child, don't make light of the LORD's discipline, and don't give up when he corrects you. 6 For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child." 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn't we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. 14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. 16 Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. 17 You know that afterward, when he wanted his father's blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears. 18 You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. 19 For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. 20 They staggered back under God's command: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death." 21 Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, "I am terrified and trembling." 22 No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. 23 You have come to the assembly of God's firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. 24 You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel. 25 Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! 26 When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: "Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also." 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. 28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire.

God of love, I know that you are the source of all that is good and graced in my life. Help me to move from the life of sin to which I so often cling, into the new life of grace you offer me. You know what I need to prepare for your kingdom. Bless me with those gifts.

[yourgodmoments]

Standing Upon Godly Shoulders - part 2

In part one, we were looking at some of the notable players in the ages-old battle between good and evil.

Those players on the side of evil, (devil followers), were categorized as the inhabitants of the ‘city of the earth-born, the city of man, or the earthly Jerusalem.’ The first so-called inhabitant was the murderous Cain, brother of Abel.

The players that followed God were described as the citizens of ‘heavenly Jerusalem, or the city of God’ – which has its ultimate manifestation on a heavenly plane. The first inhabitant of this city was Abel, who possessed the godly shoulders that was our first foundation to stand upon, to find the strength for walking the path to that same city.

Abel’s brother Seth was the next continuation of the heavenly citizenry; but by the time of the great flood many generations later, Noah was the only living representative of the city of God, who, along with his wife and his three sons and their wives, re-populated the earth after the flood wiped out the rest of sinful humankind.

A millennium would pass before we meet our next citizen of renown of the city of God…

Abraham was 75 years when God called him directly:

“Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation: I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing…and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Gn. 12:1: - 3. NKJV

What we see here, is that God promises Abraham that his seed shall inherit the land of Canaan; moreover, that the blessings of God would trickle down from him to spiritually nurture the rest of people of the world for all time. Consider too, that for God’s initial promise to be fulfilled, Abraham and his wife would have to bear children. Remember that they are in their 70s.

Yet Abraham has full-faith in God’s promises, which motivates his obedience; and he and his family leave all that they have ever known, and make a 1500-mile trek to Canaan, whereby God gives Abraham a second promise:

“To your descendants I will give this land.” Gn. 12:7 NKJV

After Abraham and his wife settled and thrived in Canaan, his nephew Lot and his family (who had accompanied Abraham on his journey) moved to the city of Sodom, (which turned out to be a dark, grievously sinful ‘city of the earth-born’). At that point, God gives Abraham yet a third compliment to His first two promises:

“Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward, eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the offspring of the earth, your offspring can be counted.” Gn. 13:14 – 16. ESV

Being that Canaan will become the future country of Israel, God is telling Abraham that the land will belong to the Israelites until the end of time.

Five years elapse. God visits Abraham again, and promises safety and great rewards. But this time, Abraham’s favor wavers a bit. He complains to God because he is still childless. God responds:

“…one from your own body shall become your heir...Look now toward heaven and count the stars if you are able to number them…so shall your descendants be.” Gn. 15:4, 5. NKJV

Abraham’s faith is renewed to such an extent, that God brings him into complete right-standing with Him:

And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. Gn. 15:6 NKJV

So, we have the ‘city of God’ increasing its citizenship once more.

Unfortunately, his wife Sarah’s faith is not as strong. She’s tired of waiting and has Abraham conceive with their Egyptian maid, Hagar, and Ishmael is born. Abraham is 86 years-old.

Thirteen more years pass. God visits Abraham, (who is 99 years-old), and tells him that his faith is being rewarded, as Sarah’s birth is imminent. In addition, He makes it crystal-clear to Abraham what the disposition of his children will be:

“…Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. As for Ishmael…I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly…and I will make him a great nation. But I will establish my covenant with Isaac…” Gn. 17:19 – 21. ESV

What we are seeing is that Ishmael will propagate the seed of the Arabic nations, increasing the population of the ‘city of the earth-born;’ but Isaac is God’s child of promise, Abraham’s heir apparent to the city of God.

Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 years old; yet God had one more thing in store for Abraham:

After these things, God tested Abraham… Gn. 22:1 ESV

God told Abraham to take his son, Isaac, and sacrifice him upon an altar as a burnt offering to Jehovah. (This was so that God could provide what the picture of ultimate faith looked like for future believers, not for Himself. He knew Abraham’s heart.

Abraham prepared an altar (on the same site that Jesus would be crucified), and placed Isaac upon it – all the while telling his son that God would provide a lamb to be sacrificed. (Gn. 22:8)

Abraham had faith in that at the very least, God would raise Isaac from the dead because of the previous promise that He made to him:

By faith Abraham, when he was tested [that is, as the testing of his faith was still in progress], offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises [of God] was ready to sacrifice his only son [of promise]; to whom it was said, “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED.” For he considered it reasonable to believe] that God was able to raise Isaac even from among the dead. [Indeed, in the sense that he was prepared to sacrifice Isaac in obedience to God] Abraham did receive him back [from the dead] figuratively speaking. Heb. 11:17 – 19. AMP

When Abraham drew his knife back to slay his son on the altar, the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and stopped him from harming Isaac and provided for them a ram for a sacrifice instead. And because of the depth of Abraham’s faith, God provides him with His last promise:

“…I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” Gn. 22:17, 18. ESV

Abraham remarried and had additional children, but they did not possess the covenantal promise that Isaac did. He was the chosen son for the lineage for the city of God:

After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac his son. Gn. 25:11 ESV

Abraham was a mountain of faith for us to stand upon, propagated by his son in the city of God. Isaac and his wife Rebekah conceived fraternal twins, but that’s another story…

Goodnight and God bless.

[dailychapel]

Renew my strength, Lord. Fill me with your supernatural power to overcome each obstacle in my path. With my eyes on you, Lord, with you walking beside me, working through me, I can make it. Thank you, Lord! In Jesus's name, Amen

Genesis 42:1-12, 14-17 NLT - "1 When Jacob heard that grain was available in Egypt, he said to his sons, "Why are you standing around looking at one another? 2 I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy enough grain to keep us alive. Otherwise we'll die." 3 So Joseph's ten older brothers went down to Egypt to buy grain. 4 But Jacob wouldn't let Joseph's younger brother, Benjamin, go with them, for fear some harm might come to him. 5 So Jacob's sons arrived in Egypt along with others to buy food, for the famine was in Canaan as well. 6 Since Joseph was governor of all Egypt and in charge of selling grain to all the people, it was to him that his brothers came. When they arrived, they bowed before him with their faces to the ground. 7 Joseph recognized his brothers instantly, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. "Where are you from?" he demanded. "From the land of Canaan," they replied. "We have come to buy food." 8 Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they didn't recognize him. 9 And he remembered the dreams he'd had about them many years before. He said to them, "You are spies! You have come to see how vulnerable our land has become." 10 "No, my lord!" they exclaimed. "Your servants have simply come to buy food. 11 We are all brothers--members of the same family. We are honest men, sir! We are not spies!" 12 "Yes, you are!" Joseph insisted. "You have come to see how vulnerable our land has become." ... 14 But Joseph insisted, "As I said, you are spies! 15 This is how I will test your story. I swear by the life of Pharaoh that you will never leave Egypt unless your youngest brother comes here! 16 One of you must go and get your brother. I'll keep the rest of you here in prison. Then we'll find out whether or not your story is true. By the life of Pharaoh, if it turns out that you don't have a younger brother, then I'll know you are spies." 17 So Joseph put them all in prison for three days."

Psalm 127:1-5 NLT - "1 A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. 2 It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. 3 Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. 4 Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands. 5 How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates."

Hebrews 12:12-29 NLT - "12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. 14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. 16 Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. 17 You know that afterward, when he wanted his father's blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears. 18 You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. 19 For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. 20 They staggered back under God's command: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death." 21 Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, "I am terrified and trembling." 22 No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. 23 You have come to the assembly of God's firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. 24 You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel. 25 Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! 26 When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: "Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also." 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. 28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire."

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, send us out with confidence in your word, to tell the world of your saving acts, and bring glory to your name. Amen.