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roman-catholic-mass-readings · 7 months

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28th September >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Wenceslaus, Martyr

Saints Laurence Ruiz and his Companions, Martyrs.

Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Green: A (1))

First Reading Haggai 1:1-8 'Rebuild the House'.

In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord was addressed through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, high commissioner of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, as follows, ‘The Lord of Hosts says this, “This people says: The time has not yet come to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. (And the word of the Lord was addressed through the prophet Haggai, as follows:) Is this a time for you to live in your panelled houses, when this House lies in ruins? So now, the Lord of Hosts says this: Reflect carefully how things have gone for you. You have sown much and harvested little; you eat but never have enough, drink but never have your fill, put on clothes but do not feel warm. The wage earner gets his wages only to put them in a purse riddled with holes. So go to the hill country, fetch wood, and rebuild the House: I shall then take pleasure in it, and be glorified there, says the Lord.”’

The Word of the Lord,

Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 149:1-6,9

R/ The Lord takes delight in his people. or R/ Alleluia!

Sing a new song to the Lord, his praise in the assembly of the faithful. Let Israel rejoice in its Maker, let Zion’s sons exult in their king.

R/ The Lord takes delight in his people. or R/ Alleluia!

Let them praise his name with dancing and make music with timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes delight in his people. He crowns the poor with salvation.

R/ The Lord takes delight in his people. or R/ Alleluia!

Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, shout for joy and take their rest. Let the praise of God be on their lips: this honour is for all his faithful.

R/ The Lord takes delight in his people. or R/ Alleluia!

Gospel Acclamation Psalm 118:18

Alleluia, alleluia! Open my eyes, O Lord, that I may consider the wonders of your law. Alleluia!

Or: John 14:6

Alleluia, alleluia! I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord; No one can come to the Father except through me. Alleluia!

Gospel Luke 9:7-9 'John? I beheaded him; so who is this?'

Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was being done by Jesus; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. But Herod said, ‘John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?’ And he was anxious to see Jesus.

The Gospel of the Lord,

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Saint Wenceslaus, Martyr

(Liturgical Colour: Red: A (1))

(Readings for the memorial)

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

First Reading 1 Peter 3:14-17 If it is the will of God that you should suffer, it is better to suffer for doing right.

If you have to suffer for being good, you will count it a blessing. There is no need to be afraid or to worry about persecutors. Simply reverence the Lord Christ in your hearts, and always have your answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you all have. But give it with courtesy and respect and with a clear conscience, so that those who slander you when you are living a good life in Christ may be proved wrong in the accusations that they bring. And if it is the will of God that you should suffer, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.

The Word of the Lord,

Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 125(126):1-6

R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, on our lips there were songs.

R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

The heathens themselves said: ‘What marvels the Lord worked for them!’ What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.

R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage as streams in dry land. Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

They go out, they go out, full of tears, carrying seed for the sowing: they come back, they come back, full of song, carrying their sheaves.

R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 5:10

Alleluia, alleluia! Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 10:34-39 It is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword.

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies will be those of his own household. ‘Anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who prefers son or daughter to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.’

The Gospel of the Lord,

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Saints Laurence Ruiz and his Companions, Martyrs

(Liturgical Colour: Red: A (1))

(Readings for the memorial)

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

Either:

First Reading 2 Chronicles 24:18-22 'You have deserted the Lord: now he deserts you'.

The Judaeans abandoned the Temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, for the worship of sacred poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God’s anger fell on Judah and Jerusalem. He sent them prophets to bring them back to the Lord, but when these gave their message, they would not listen. The spirit of God took possession of Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood up before the people and said, ‘God says this, “Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord to no good purpose? You have deserted the Lord, now he deserts you.”’ They then plotted against him and by order of the king stoned him in the court of the Temple of the Lord. King Joash, forgetful of the kindness that Jehoiada, the father of Zechariah, had shown him, killed Jehoiada’s son who cried out as he died, ‘The Lord sees and he will avenge!’

The Word of the Lord,

Thanks be to God.

OR: --------

First reading 2 Maccabees 6:18,21,24-31 I am glad to suffer because of the awe which he inspires in me

Eleazar, one of the foremost teachers of the Law, a man already advanced in years and of most noble appearance, was being forced to open his mouth wide to swallow pig’s flesh. Those in charge of the impious banquet, because of their long-standing friendship with him, took him aside and privately urged him to have meat brought of a kind he could properly use, prepared by himself, and only pretend to eat the portions of sacrificial meat as prescribed by the king. ‘Such pretence’ he said ‘does not square with our time of life; many young people would suppose that Eleazar at the age of ninety had conformed to the foreigners’ way of life, and because I had played this part for the sake of a paltry brief spell of life might themselves be led astray on my account; I should only bring defilement and disgrace on my old age. Even though for the moment I avoid execution by man, I can never, living or dead, elude the grasp of the Almighty. Therefore if I am man enough to quit this life here and now I shall prove myself worthy of my old age, and I shall have left the young a noble example of how to make a good death, eagerly and generously, for the venerable and holy laws.’ With these words he went straight to the block. His escorts, so recently well disposed towards him, turned against him after this declaration, which they regarded as sheer madness. Just before he died under the blows, he groaned aloud and said, ‘The Lord whose knowledge is holy sees clearly that, though I might have escaped death, whatever agonies of body I now endure under this bludgeoning, in my soul I am glad to suffer, because of the awe which he inspires in me.’ This was how he died, leaving his death as an example of nobility and a record of virtue not only for the young but for the great majority of the nation.

OR: --------

First reading 2 Maccabees 7:1-2,9-14 'The King of the world will raise us up to live for ever'

There were seven brothers who were arrested with their mother. The king tried to force them to taste pig’s flesh, which the Law forbids, by torturing them with whips and scourges. One of them, acting as spokesman for the others, said, ‘What are you trying to find out from us? We are prepared to die rather than break the laws of our ancestors.’ With his last breath the second brother exclaimed, ‘Inhuman fiend, you may discharge us from this present life, but the King of the world will raise us up, since it is for his laws that we die, to live again for ever.’ After him, they amused themselves with the third, who on being asked for his tongue promptly thrust it out and boldly held out his hands, with these honourable words, ‘It was heaven that gave me these limbs; for the sake of his laws I disdain them; from him I hope to receive them again.’ The king and his attendants were astounded at the young man’s courage and his utter indifference to suffering. When this one was dead they subjected the fourth to the same savage torture. When he neared his end he cried, ‘Ours is the better choice, to meet death at men’s hands, yet relying on God’s promise that we shall be raised up by him; whereas for you there can be no resurrection, no new life.’

OR: --------

First reading 2 Maccabees 7:1,20-23,27-29 Make death welcome, so that in the day of mercy I may receive you back

There were seven brothers who were arrested with their mother. The king tried to force them to taste pig’s flesh, which the Law forbids, by torturing them with whips and scourges. But the mother was especially admirable and worthy of honourable remembrance, for she watched the death of seven sons in the course of a single day, and endured it resolutely because of her hopes in the Lord. Indeed she encouraged each of them in the language of their ancestors; filled with noble conviction, she reinforced her womanly argument with manly courage, saying to them, ‘I do not know how you appeared in my womb; it was not I who endowed you with breath and life, I had not the shaping of your every part. It is the creator of the world, ordaining the process of man’s birth and presiding over the origin of all things, who in his mercy will most surely give you back both breath and life, seeing that you now despise your own existence for the sake of his laws.’ She said to her youngest son, ‘My son, have pity on me; I carried you nine months in my womb and suckled you three years, fed you and reared you to the age you are now (and cherished you). I implore you, my child, observe heaven and earth, consider all that is in them, and acknowledge that God made them out of what did not exist, and that mankind comes into being in the same way. Do not fear this executioner, but prove yourself worthy of your brothers, and make death welcome, so that in the day of mercy I may receive you back in your brothers’ company.’

OR: --------

First reading Wisdom 3:1-9 The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God

The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them. In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die, their going looked like a disaster, their leaving us, like annihilation; but they are in peace. If they experienced punishment as men see it, their hope was rich with immortality; slight was their affliction, great will their blessings be. God has put them to the test and proved them worthy to be with him; he has tested them like gold in a furnace, and accepted them as a holocaust. When the time comes for his visitation they will shine out; as sparks run through the stubble, so will they. They shall judge nations, rule over peoples, and the Lord will be their king for ever. They who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love; for grace and mercy await those he has chosen.

OR: --------

First reading Ecclesiasticus 51:1-8 Thanks to God the saviour

I will give thanks to you, Lord and King, and praise you, God my saviour, I give thanks to your name; for you have been protector and support to me, and redeemed my body from destruction, from the snare of the lying tongue, from lips that fabricate falsehood; and in the presence of those around me you have been my support, you have redeemed me, true to the greatness of your mercy and of your name, from the fangs of those who would devour me, from the hands of those seeking my life, from the many ordeals which I have endured, from the stifling heat which hemmed me in, from the heart of a fire which I had not kindled, from deep in the belly of Sheol, from the unclean tongue and the lying word – the perjured tongue slandering me to the king. My soul has been close to death, my life had gone down to the brink of Sheol. They were surrounding me on every side, there was no-one to support me; I looked for someone to help – in vain. Then I remembered your mercy, Lord, and your deeds from earliest times, how you deliver those who wait for you patiently, and save them from the clutches of their enemies.

EITHER: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 30(31):3-4,6,8,16-17

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Be a rock of refuge for me, a mighty stronghold to save me, for you are my rock, my stronghold. For your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Into your hands I commend my spirit. It is you who will redeem me, Lord. As for me, I trust in the Lord: let me be glad and rejoice in your love.

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

My life is in your hands, deliver me from the hands of those who hate me. Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your love.

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 33(34):2-9

From all my terrors the Lord set me free.

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.

From all my terrors the Lord set me free.

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.

From all my terrors the Lord set me free.

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.

From all my terrors the Lord set me free.

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.

From all my terrors the Lord set me free.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 123(124):2-5,7-8

Our life, like a bird, has escaped from the snare of the fowler.

If the Lord had not been on our side when men rose up against us, then would they have swallowed us alive when their anger was kindled.

Our life, like a bird, has escaped from the snare of the fowler.

Then would the waters have engulfed us, the torrent gone over us; over our head would have swept the raging waters.

Our life, like a bird, has escaped from the snare of the fowler.

Indeed the snare has been broken and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Our life, like a bird, has escaped from the snare of the fowler.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 125(126):1-6

Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, on our lips there were songs.

Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

The heathens themselves said: ‘What marvels the Lord worked for them!’ What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.

Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage as streams in dry land. Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

They go out, they go out, full of tears, carrying seed for the sowing: they come back, they come back, full of song, carrying their sheaves.

Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

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):1-3a,5-6

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.

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

Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit. He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name.

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 39(40):2,4,7-10

Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

I waited, I waited for the Lord and he stooped down to me; he heard my cry. He put a new song into my mouth, praise of our God.

Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings, but an open ear. You do not ask for holocaust and victim. Instead, here am I.

Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

In the scroll of the book it stands written that I should do your will. My God, I delight in your law in the depth of my heart.

Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

Your justice I have proclaimed in the great assembly. My lips I have not sealed; you know it, O Lord.

Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 88(89):2-5,21-22,25,27

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord; through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth. Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever, that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: I will establish your dynasty for ever and set up your throne through all ages.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘I have found David my servant and with my holy oil anointed him. My hand shall always be with him and my arm shall make him strong.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘My truth and my love shall be with him; by my name his might shall be exalted. He will say to me: “You are my father, my God, the rock who saves me.”’

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 95(96):1-3,7-8,10

Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth. O sing to the Lord, bless his name.

Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

Proclaim his help day by day, tell among the nations his glory and his wonders among all the peoples.

Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

Give the Lord, you families of peoples, give the Lord glory and power; give the Lord the glory of his name.

Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

Proclaim to the nations: ‘God is king.’ The world he made firm in its place; he will judge the peoples in fairness.

Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 105(106):19-23

O Lord, remember me out of the love you have for your people.

They fashioned a calf at Horeb and worshipped an image of metal, exchanging the God who was their glory for the image of a bull that eats grass.

O Lord, remember me out of the love you have for your people.

They forgot the God who was their saviour, who had done such great things in Egypt, such portents in the land of Ham, such marvels at the Red Sea.

O Lord, remember me out of the love you have for your people.

For this he said he would destroy them, but Moses, the man he had chosen, stood in the breach before him, to turn back his anger from destruction.

O Lord, remember me out of the love you have for your people.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 109(110):1-4

You are a priest for ever, a priest like Melchizedek of old.

The Lord’s revelation to my Master: ‘Sit on my right: your foes I will put beneath your feet.’

You are a priest for ever, a priest like Melchizedek of old.

The Lord will wield from Zion your sceptre of power: rule in the midst of all your foes.

You are a priest for ever, a priest like Melchizedek of old.

A prince from the day of your birth on the holy mountains; from the womb before the dawn I begot you.

You are a priest for ever, a priest like Melchizedek of old.

The Lord has sworn an oath he will not change. ‘You are a priest for ever, a priest like Melchizedek of old.’

You are a priest for ever, a priest like Melchizedek of old.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 116(117):1-2

Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News. or Alleluia!

O praise the Lord, all you nations, acclaim him all you peoples!

Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News. or Alleluia!

Strong is his love for us; he is faithful for ever.

Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News. or Alleluia!

Gospel Acclamation Mt5:10

Alleluia, alleluia! Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia!

Or: Jn17:19

Alleluia, alleluia! For their sake I consecrate myself, so that they too may be consecrated in the truth. Alleluia!

Or: 2Co1:3-4

Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed be God, a gentle Father and the God of all consolation, who comforts us in all our sorrows. Alleluia!

Or: Jm1:12

Alleluia, alleluia! Happy the man who stands firm, for he has proved himself, and will win the crown of life. Alleluia!

Or: 1P4:14

Alleluia, alleluia! It is a blessing for you when they insult you for bearing the name of Christ, for the Spirit of God rests on you. Alleluia!

Or: cf.Te Deum

Alleluia, alleluia! We praise you, O God, we acknowledge you to be the Lord; the noble army of martyrs praise you, O Lord. Alleluia!

EITHER: --------

Gospel Matthew 10:17-22 The Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Beware of men: they will hand you over to sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the pagans. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes; because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you. ‘Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name; but the man who stands firm to the end will be saved.’

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 10:28-33 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body

Jesus said to his apostles: ‘Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny? And yet not one falls to the ground without your Father knowing. Why, every hair on your head has been counted. So there is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows. ‘So if anyone declares himself for me in the presence of men, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father in heaven. But the one who disowns me in the presence of men, I will disown in the presence of my Father in heaven.’

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 10:34-39 It is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword

OR: --------

Gospel Luke 9:23-26 The Son of Man is destined to suffer grievously

Jesus said: ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, that man will save it. What gain, then, is it for a man to have won the whole world and to have lost or ruined his very self? For if anyone is ashamed of me and of my words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his own glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.’

OR: --------

Gospel John 12:24-26 If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I tell you, most solemnly, unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for the eternal life. If a man serves me, he must follow me, wherever I am, my servant will be there too. If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.’

OR: --------

Gospel John 15:18-21 The world hated me before it hated you

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘If the world hates you, remember that it hated me before you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you do not belong to the world, because my choice withdrew you from the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the words I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too; if they kept my word, they will keep yours as well. But it will be on my account that they will do all this, because they do not know the one who sent me.’

Or:

Gospel John 17:11-19 Father, keep those you have given me true to your name.

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:

‘Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they may be one like us. While I was with them, I kept those you had given me true to your name. I have watched over them and not one is lost except the one who chose to be lost, and this was to fulfil the scriptures. But now I am coming to you and while still in the world I say these things to share my joy with them to the full. I passed your word on to them, and the world hated them, because they belong to the world no more than I belong to the world. I am not asking you to remove them from the world, but to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world, and for their sake I consecrate myself so that they too may be consecrated in truth.’

The Gospel of the Lord,

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

3 notes · View notes

wisdomfish · 7 months

Text

God is always sufficient

In this world believers are slandered (Psalm 120), catastrophe looms (Psalm 124), saints are scorned (Psalm 123), injustice threatens to reign (Psalm 125), tears flow (Psalm 126), and sin engulfs (Psalm 130). But God is always sufficient, and the hope of home is always present. ~ Mark Loughridge

Psalm 120

A Song of Ascents. In my distress I cry to the Lord, that he may answer me: ‘Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.’

What shall be given to you? And what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree!

Woe is me, that I am an alien in Meshech, that I must live among the tents of Kedar. Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.

Psalm 123

A Song of Ascents. To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until he has mercy upon us.

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. Our soul has had more than its fill of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.

Psalm 124

A Song of Ascents. Of David. If it had not been the Lord who was on our side —let Israel now say— if it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters.

Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 125

A Song of Ascents. Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides for ever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time on and for evermore. For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, so that the righteous may not stretch out their hands to do wrong. Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts. But those who turn aside to their own crooked ways the Lord will lead away with evildoers. Peace be upon Israel!

Psalm 126

A Song of Ascents. When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb. May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.

Psalm 130

A Song of Ascents. Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem. It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

#psalms #slander #catastrophe #injustice #tears

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shammah8 · 3 months

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Prayer Intimidator #3 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

I confess that this was a major prayer intimidator to me. You see, I am a fairly unemotional person. Therefore, except when the Lord moves mightily on me, it is difficult for me to pray fervently.

And what does James 5:17-18, say? It says that it’s fervent prayer that counts! Right? Wrong!

In fact, the New International Version says, “The prayer of a righteous man (or woman) is powerful and effective.” My favorite treatment of this verse is the International Children’s Version of the New Testament, which says, “When a good man (or woman) prays, great things happen!”

Also, 1 Peter 3:12 says, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers . . .” Christian, it’s really not that complicated. I repeat: it is not so much the fervency of our praying, but the righteousness of our living that catches the ear of God and provokes Him to answer. And it is God who makes us righteous! (2 Corinthians 5:21) Now God loves fervent people. There are many fervent people in the Body of Christ. I’ve noticed that intercessors, those whose primary ministry is prayer, tend to be rather fervent. In fact, many people refer to the intercessor-prophet Jeremiah as “the weeping prophet.” He’s the one who said, “Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people” (Jeremiah 9:1). Now that is fervent!

However as a side note, Jeremiah’s concern wasn’t that he was weeping, but that he wasn’t weeping. In fact, although he may have wept many times, we don’t find any reference to Jeremiahactually shedding a tear. Nevertheless, he was fervent.

Don’t get me wrong. God loves tears! Most of us are familiar with Psalm 126:5, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”

Amazingly, according to Psalm 56:8 God puts our tears into a bottle and records them in a book! In 2 Kings 20:5, Isaiah told King Hezekiah who was sick, “Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee.” Yes, as the late songwriter Dottie Rambo wrote, Tears Are A Language God Understands.

Life is not a rose garden. There certainly are pressing times and issues that we will all face that will bring us to tears. The writer of Hebrews describes Jesus’ praying in the garden when facing the cross. “While Jesus lived on earth, he prayed to God and asked God for help. He prayed with loud cries and tears to the One who could save him from death. And his prayer was heard because he left it all up to God” (Hebrews 5:7, ICB). Notice, Jesus was heard because He left it all up to God.

Yes, tears communicate our soul’s sincerity to God. But they aren’t to be a bargaining chip we use to wrestle things from a reluctant God. He is more than willing to keep His promises to us.

So, the Father is not only looking for fervent men and women, He is looking for faithful men and women! (Ezekiel 22:30) The Bible confirms that He’s not as moved by our tears as by our faith.

(Matthew 9:2, 22, 29; 15:28; 17:20) Look at this Scripture. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).☕️Eddie Smith

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gatekeeper-watchman · 6 months

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Daily Devotionals for October 23, 2023 Proverbs: God's Wisdom for the Day

Devotional Scripture: Proverbs 26:27 (KJV): 27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. Proverbs 26:27 (AMP): 27 Whoever digs a pit (for another man's feet) shall fall into it himself, and he who rolls a stone (up a height to do mischief), it will return upon him.

Thought for the Day

Those who try to trap or hurt others will find themselves entrapped and hurt by their own devices. This is based on the spiritual law of sowing and reaping. As we have seen in previous studies, the Bible teaches that we reap the same kinds of things that we sow (Galatians 6:7-8). In the natural, if we plant a tomato seed, we will have a tomato plant, not a thistle. Good seed produces beneficial plants; bad seed produces harmful plants. This particular principle appears in different forms throughout the Bible, starting in Genesis, where we find the law that everything produces fruit after its kind (Genesis 1:11,29).

In the beginning, everything God created for man was blessed and good. However, when Adam and Eve sinned, the earth came under a curse, and now the ground would also produce things that brought pain to mankind. "And unto Adam, he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field" (Genesis 3:17-18).

After God evicted Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, man was given the responsibility to choose good or evil. He still holds this responsibility in the natural and spiritual realm. As Adam was given the choice between life through obedience and death through disobedience, so are we. We now choose which law we submit to - the law of life in Christ, or the law of sin and death. We are freed from the law of sin and death when we accept Jesus as our Savior (Romans 8:1-2). When we submit to Him and resist the devil, he must flee. He can no longer enforce his case against us; nor has he any authority over us, as Jesus stripped him of his power. However, we must by faith stand in this position of authority.

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you " (James 4:7-10). We humble ourselves by confessing our sin with godly sorrow; by turning from it in our actions; by honoring the Lord in obeying His Word. If we sow His Word in prayer, we will in time rejoice, for our prayers will produce a harvest of blessings. "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:5-6).

Prayer Devotional for the Day

Dear heavenly Father, I praise You for the opportunity to sow good things in the kingdom. Lord, deliver me from any fear that would keep me from turning loose of things I need to sow into Your work. Grant me the grace to give freely of all You have given me, knowing that I will reap in like kind. If I need finances, may I obediently give support to Your works? If I need encouragement, may I take the time to sow it into the lives of those around me? May I be known, as You were known -- a person who went about doing good. Cleanse my thoughts, so that I will not even sow a bad thought in my mind toward others. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

From: Steven P. Miller @ParkermillerQ, gatekeeperwatchman.org Founder of Gatekeeper-Watchman International Groups Monday, October 23, 2023, Jacksonville, Florida., Duval County, USA. X ... @ParkermillerQ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Sparkermiller.JAX.FL.USA, Instagram: steven_parker_miller_1956, #GWIG, #GWIN, #GWINGO, #Ephraim1, #IAM, #Sparkermiller, #Eldermiller1981

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madewithonerib · 8 months

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Don't Waste Your Sorrows | Timothy J. Keller [Psalm 126:1-6]

Series: Trusting GOD in Difficult Times

Welcome to Gospel in life! Thank you for joining as we go thru this special series of meditation by Timothy Keller trusting GOD & difficult times.

This series is meant to encourage you to trust GOD more deeply & to meditate on HIS Word & what it promises to give you strength and hope in difficult times & now here's today's meditation.

1.] Tears Are Seeds For Joy

The title of this reflection is do not waste your sorrows I want to read just verses five & six of Psalm 126 those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.

Those who go out 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 carrying seed to sow will 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗷𝗼𝘆 carrying sheaves with them now.

This is a remarkable metaphor in which your sorrows your tears are like seed—which when sown properly 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗷𝗼𝘆.

——————————————————————— The implications of the metaphor are at least these two—the first implication is that it is possible to waste your sorrows. ———————————————————————

Imagine a farmer going out with a sack of seed and he is supposed to be sowing it all over, but instead what if he just dumped it in one spot?

That would be a waste of seed.

There wouldn't be a harvest.

There might be a few fruit that grew up right there, or maybe nothing. It would be a total waste & it's possible.

Therefore to grieve in such a way that doesn't produce any fruit in your life at all & although it's possible to just dump especially when you are grieving.

That's actually a very good metaphor.

It's possible just cry, yell & scream—and basically not see any real fruit in your life from it. So it's possible to waste your sorrows.

From: 2020-05-07

youtube

2.] Don't Waste Your Sorrow

But secondly the most intriguing part of this idea here is this metaphor is that the joy is produced by the sorrow.

You see we all hope & believe that joy will follow sorrow & there are passages of the Bible where it says Psalm 30:5 weeping may tarry for the night,

but joy comes in the morning.

And most of us think yes! We were very sad, but we're hoping GOD brings joy in our sadness.

Time is over, but this is going beyond that.

Revelation 21:4 | ⁴ HE will wipe away every tear from their eyes—& there will be no more death or 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴/𝗰𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴/pain, for the former things have passed away.”

It's not just saying that a joy follows sorrow; it is saying that joy is actually produced by the sorrow!

2.1] What can that possibly mean?

What it can mean is that sowing seed the sadness & the grief actually makes you, can make you a happier person in the long run!

And if you sorrow in the proper way now: How could that possibly be?

The answer is I mean I don't know what the Psalmist knew, but what we know because we're Christians is this if you look to JESUS this can come true.

[a] First of all JESUS is the ultimate example of someone WHO brought joy out of sorrow; JESUS CHRIST literally brought joy, brought us joy out of HIS weeping, HIS pain and HIS mourning was substitutionary.

HE stood in our place & therefore when HE took our punishment, HIS weeping was the ultimate sowing in tears and it brought the ultimate harvest of joy.

Now when I see HIM dying, so that I could live when I see HIM going through all this incredible grief & sorrow..

……………………………………………………………………………… So HE could bring joy to the world that enables me to sorrow in a far better way. ………………………………………………………………………………

[b] Why? Well first of all when I think of HIM suffering for me, I won't suffering guilt I won't sit there and say well maybe I am suffering because GOD is punishing me.

No JESUS took my punishment.

[c] Secondly I won't when I'm suffering I won't suffer in self-pity & anger, I won't say how dare GOD let this happen to me!

I said wait a minute GOD suffered more than I did, so I can someday live with HIM forever & that gets over yourself pity & your anger &

[d] Of course thirdly, when I see HIM suffering for me, I can suffer in patience because I say look HIS Disciples did not understand what was going on when HE went to the cross...

……………………………………………………………………………… HE said whatever it is, HE could look at GOD to bring good out of this & GOD did of course so when I see HIM suffering for me, it makes me patient. ………………………………………………………………………………

It gets rid of my anger & self-pity. it also gets rid of any sense that I might have of guilt and you know what happens then?

I become reliant, leaning on HIM, humbling myself & when it's over, the sorrow creates a new Christlikeness [1 Peter 4:1]..

An ability to depend on GOD and not on my circumstances. [who hopes in what is seen?]

Romans 8:24 | Future Glory [2 Cor 5:1-10] ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see?

JESUS CHRIST was the ultimate example of sowing tears that reap joy & if you watch HIM suffering for you.

If you keep your eye on HIM when you suffer your sorrows will not be wasted. But they'll bring long- term great joy.

3.] JESUS Prime Example for Persevering

And now here's Tim & Kathy Keller for a short time of Q&A on today's meditation going thru difficulty.

And even tragic times and coming out on the other side with nothing to show for it seems to me to be the ultimate waste.

I mean you talked about people who try to just put their mind somewhere else. I find in myself, other people, there's a tendency to just put your head down & grit your teeth.

And wait for it to be over, rather than using it as a learning opportunity. Come up with some things that people can do to make a tragic time—or bad time into a learning experience.

The reason I ask this is because we're told in Scripture we are supposed to comfort other people with a comfort that we received so if we didn't receive any comfort..

If we haven't done anything to amass comfort —then we can not share out to other people; then we've just wasted the whole thing & it's doubly tragic.

So how do you amass those things that you're going to be able to share with other people?

———————————————————————— I actually think that the main way you do that is you should be doing as a Christian anyway. ————————————————————————

But under the suffering—so it's a little bit like the, what you'll often see before a batter gets up into the batting box, he won't be just have a metal bat or some other bat..

It's something heavier, so that when he finally sheds all the heaviness & he goes back to just having the bat, will feel very light in his hands

The practice bat is weighted that's right & then the real one is light; you see how he has a real bat, the one he's really gonna use along with the practice bats

……………………………………………………………………………… And so when you've just read the Bible, pray, go to Church, take the sacrament, reach out, & help people under your suffering.. ………………………………………………………………………………

It just feels awful & yet Paul says our slight and momentary affliction is achieving us an eternal weight of glory—which far outweighs them all and right before he says that though our outer body is wasting away.

Or inwardly we're being renewed every day and what that simply means, I think is that when you just do the normal things..

Use the means of grace to obey GOD, to be kind to other people—especially reading Scripture & especially the Psalms & praying when you have that practice bat on you.

……………………………………………………………………………… Then when it goes away, you're gonna find and I have grown—I have become more patient I have become more caring, I've become more loving.. ………………………………………………………………………………

Because what's happening is your inner spiritual person's being developed, is like lifting weights in the gym.

Exactly like that, you feel weaker, you feel worse, you feel terrible. Exactly like I don't like this & yet you're actually getting stronger.

……………………………………………………………………………… Psalm 126:1-6 | ¹ A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers. ………………………………………………………………………………

² Then our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with shouts of joy. Then it was said among nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

³ The LORD has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. ⁴ Restore our captives, O LORD, like streams in the Negev. ⁵ Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. ⁶ He who goes out weeping, bearing a 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗷𝗼𝘆, carrying sheaves of grain.

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Okay if you found today's meditation encouraging please subscribe below & be sure to share it with a friend to encourage them as well & if you'd like to hear more teachings by Timothy Keller you can listen to new sermons every week at Gospel & life.com slash podcast

Thanks again for watching Gospel & life

#joy #joy in sorrow #Revelation 21:4 #Psalm 126 #Don't Waste Your Sorrows #Psalm 126:1-6 #Timothy J. Keller #Seeds For Joy #good grief #sorrow #mourning was substitutionary #joy to the world #Christlikeness #1 Peter 4:1 #tears that reap joy

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catboyaesthetic · 10 months

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Garden

Perhaps I must conceive myself a garden, where I can grow some things for me alone. Where hedges grow far taller than the mountain from which I have come down to learn and grow.

A place I sow my love and reap my kindness. Where rivers gently brush against the stones. As lovely as the heavens everlasting. A temple where no sins need be atoned.

No gods are here, no demons, only I am, who plants the flowers with my tears and joys, who grew the trees which shade I often lie in, of every thought and worry now devoid.

The whole of self I cultivate within it, where none may tread without my leave or say. Perhaps where none will ever leave a footprint, but by which many pass along their way.

Though I am not opposed to visitation, some parts of me are not for you to share. So may we all conceive ourselves a garden, and grow ourselves a sanctuary there.

#Poetry #Poem #Self Love #Healing

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wordsfromjesus4u · 11 months

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Today now Jesus is saying to me, “Let the people come to me.” Jesus is love, meekness, humbleness, & kindness. He has the power to cure any disease or and unfortunate event or situation.

As I was reading on Vampires the topic was on the devil and how the devil kills, deceives, thirsts for power. a master of lies. Satan will devour you. Power is a lie. You can only have love with the meekness and humility of the love of Jesus. Love is all there is.

I mention over and again that Jesus came riding on a mule. A donkey… Jesus is not about putting on a show to impress. He loves and heals. He wants nothing but belief in His death on the cross for it. He wants your love and for you to love. May we emanate and be like Jesus.

Jeremiah 29:11 ~ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jesus has plans of welfare for you if you follow him. If you do not follow Jesus the devil of the world will devour you. You will go to hell. The devil is out to destroy and make you suffer. If you turn your eyes upon Jesus you will have a happy life. Jesus told me to give you hope. Believe in Jesus and Satan will flee.

Romans 15:13 ~ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

All you need is the hope of the Holy Spirit. Attend church, read the Bible, listen to Christian radio, and watch Christian tv. Surround yourself with Jesus. Pray…. Pray in the name of Jesus. Sacrifice and Jesus will bless you. Jesus is the ever so abundant supply of waters running over.

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Do goodness to others and goodness will come to you. Be kind even to your enemy and love. Bridle your tongue and speak of goodness and the Lord.

1 Peter 3:10 “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.”

Speak truth and goodness. Do not spread deceitful lies or rumors about people or speak negatively about others. Be the positive white light of Christ and goodness will overcome you.

James 1:26 “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.”

Do not have your religion worthless. Tame your tongue and let only words of love and positivity out.

Proverbs 3:27 ESV

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.

Do good unto others and do not stop good from coming to others. Speak of Jesus’ love and riches of heaven will abound

Ephesians 4:29 ESV

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Praise and uplift others. Make this a practice. Compliment others regularly and do not tear them down. This will come to you too. For the Bible says you will reap the harvest you sow.

In knowing this let go of sin and be with Jesus. Jesus has great things in store for you. Store up treasures in heaven where moth and rust cannot destroy it. For heaven is where you want you eternal life to be. Go to church or turn on the Christian radio and accept the Lord Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and live for him. Pray….

- [ ]

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adedots · 1 year

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#DailyDevotional #OpenHeavenDailyDevotional #OpenHeavensDevotional #PastorEAAdeboye #RCCG

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punishedalexandar · 3 years

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fwiw i will allow myself a parting moment of undignified whining

clearly the mistake i made was believing others are as invested or interested as i am, i don’t know. i’ve made some truly remarkable connections here that have since obviously moved beyond this website but also i’ve formed what are very obviously unrequited relationships.

i’ve always taken great pride in being the person to check in and message first and keep writing because i remember being on the receiving end of that very many years ago and it’s who i want to be but i simply cannot do it any longer, i can no longer tolerate people who forget to reply for a week and then don’t.

to reiterate again, this is also clearly my fault for getting too invested. sorry i find you all really interesting, sorry i find your thoughts worth reading, sorry i thought u were worth starting a conversation with, sorry i thought i was supposed to be involved. wish i could reblog some pictures and not care, but i guess im not on enough behavioral medication for that

this truly all started when i recognized a decade ago that i had to be better and then just ??? did ??? through discipline and learning from people i looked up to both in real life and on here, because ultimately we do all overshare and it is sincere and intimate cringe as that may be.

“sorry everything doesn’t revolve around you !! i have a life” yeah well literally everyone does as well and they’re managing.

some of you have truly been exceptional and have raised the bar higher than i could have hoped and i’m very glad you did and we will under no circumstances fall out of touch because i know neither of us will let that happen.

parasocial relationships ended with mutuals i once called besties. now swimming and reading are my best friends

#uh oh you posted something serious you are going to lose subscriber #the real reason one mustn't do those ''well I'll stop messaging first and see what happens'' is because in some cases that rly is the end #sowing in tears so by god i may reap in joy #i should not have gone to that concentration camp this weekend look where it's put me

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cassianus · 2 years

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I will tell you what is my own great help. I once read or heard that an interior life means but the continuation of our Saviour’s life in us; that the great object of all his mysteries is to merit for us the grace of his interior life and communicate it to us, it being the end of his mission to lead us into the sweet land of promise, a life of constant union with himself. And what was the first rule of our dear Saviour’s life? You know it was to do his Father’s will. Well, then, the first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner he wills; and thirdly, to do it because it is his will.

I know what his will is by those who direct me; whatever they bid me do, if it is ever so small in itself, is the will of God for me. Then do it in the manner he wills it, not sewing an old thing as if it were new, or a new thing as if it were old; not fretting because the oven is too hot, or in a fuss because it is too cold. You understand – not flying and driving because you are hurried, not creeping like a snail because no one pushes you. Our dear Saviour was never in extremes. The third object is to do his will because God wills it, that is, to be ready to quit at any moment and to do anything else to which you may be called....

You think it very hard to lead a life of such restraint unless you keep your eye of faith always open. Perseverance is a great grace. To go on gaining and advancing every day, we must be resolute, and bear and suffer as our blessed forerunners did. Which of them gained heaven without a struggle?...

What are our real trials? By what name shall we call them? One cuts herself out a cross of pride; another, one of causeless discontent; another, one of restless impatience or peevish fretfulness. But is the whole any better than children’s play if looked at with the common eye of faith? Yet we know certainly that our God calls us to a holy life, that he gives us every grace, every abundant grace; and though we are so weak of ourselves, this grace is able to carry us through every obstacle and difficulty.

But we lack courage to keep a continual watch over nature, and therefore, year after year, with our thousand graces, multiplied resolutions, and fair promises, we run around in a circle of misery and imperfections. After a long time in the service of God, we come nearly to the point from whence we set out, and perhaps with even less ardour for penance and mortification than when we began our consecration to him.

You are now in your first setout. Be above the vain fears of nature and efforts of your enemy. You are children of eternity. Your immortal crown awaits you, and the best of Fathers waits there to reward your duty and love. You may indeed sow here in tears, but you may be sure there to reap in joy.

St Elizabeth Ann Seton

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roman-catholic-mass-readings · 7 months

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28th September >> Mass Readings (USA)

Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Wenceslaus, Martyr

Saints Laurence Ruiz and his Companions, Martyrs.

Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Green: A (1))

First Reading Haggai 1:1-8 Build the house that I may take pleasure in it.

On the first day of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius, The word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and to the high priest Joshua, son of Jehozadak:

Thus says the LORD of hosts: This people says: “The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.” (Then this word of the LORD came through Haggai, the prophet:) Is it time for you to dwell in your own paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?

Now thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways! You have sown much, but have brought in little; you have eaten, but have not been satisfied; You have drunk, but have not been exhilarated; have clothed yourselves, but not been warmed; And whoever earned wages earned them for a bag with holes in it.Thus says the LORD of hosts:

Consider your ways! Go up into the hill country; bring timber, and build the house That I may take pleasure in it and receive my glory, says the LORD.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b

R/ The Lord takes delight in his people.

Sing to the LORD a new song of praise in the assembly of the faithful. Let Israel be glad in their maker, let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.

R/ The Lord takes delight in his people.

Let them praise his name in the festive dance, let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp. For the LORD loves his people, and he adorns the lowly with victory.

R/ The Lord takes delight in his people.

Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy upon their couches; Let the high praises of God be in their throats. This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.

R/ The Lord takes delight in his people.

Gospel Acclamation John 14:6

Alleluia, alleluia. I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 9:7-9 John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Saint Wenceslaus, Martyr

(Liturgical Colour: Red: A (1))

(Readings for the memorial)

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

First Reading 1 Peter 3:14-17 Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them.

Beloved: Even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 126:1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6

R/ Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing.

R/ Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad indeed.

R/ Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the torrents in the southern desert. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

R/ Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, They shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves.

R/ Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 5:10

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 10:34-39 I have come to bring not peace, but the sword.

Jesus said to his Apostles: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set

a man ‘against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s enemies will be those of his household.’

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Saints Laurence Ruiz and his Companions, Martyrs

(Liturgical Colour: Red: A (1))

(Readings for the memorial)

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

Either:

First Reading 2 Chronicles 24:18-22 Zechariah was stoned to death in the court of the Lord’s temple.

The princes of Judah forsook the temple of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and began to serve the sacred poles and the idols; and because of this crime of theirs, wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem. Although prophets were sent to them to convert them to the LORD, the people would not listen to their warnings. Then the spirit of God possessed Zechariah, son of Jehoiada the priest. He took his stand above the people and said to them: “God says, ‘Why are you transgressing the LORD’s commands, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have abandoned the LORD, he has abandoned you.’” But the people conspired against him, and at the king’s order they stoned him to death in the court of the LORD’s temple. Thus King Joash was unmindful of the devotion shown him by Jehoiada, Zechariah’s father, and slew his son. And as he was dying, he said, “May the LORD see and avenge.”

The Word of the Lord R/ Thanks be to God.

OR: --------

First reading 2 Maccabees 6:18, 21, 24-31 I am suffering it with joy in my soul because of my devotion to him.

Eleazar, one of the foremost scribes, a man of advanced age and noble appearance, was being forced to open his mouth to eat pork. Those in charge of that unlawful ritual meal took the man aside privately, because of their long acquaintance with him, and urged him to bring meat of his own providing, such as he could legitimately eat, and to pretend to be eating some of the meat of the sacrifice prescribed by the king. He told them: “At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense; many young men would think the ninety-year-old Eleazar had gone over to an alien religion. Should I thus pretend for the sake of a brief moment of life, they would be led astray by me, while I would bring shame and dishonor on my old age. Even if, for the time being, I avoid the punishment of men, I shall never, whether alive or dead, escape the hands of the Almighty. Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now, I will prove myself worthy of my old age, and I will leave to the young a noble example of how to die willingly and generously for the revered and holy laws.” He spoke thus, and went immediately to the instrument of torture. Those who shortly before had been kindly disposed now became hostile toward him because what he had said seemed to them utter madness. When he was about to die under the blows, he groaned and said: “The LORD in his holy knowledge knows full well that, although I could have escaped death, I am not only enduring terrible pain in my body from this scourging, but also suffering it with joy in my soul because of my devotion to him.” This is how he died, leaving in his death a model of courage and an unforgettable example of virtue not only for the young but for the whole nation.

OR: --------

First reading 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14 We are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors.

It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king, to force them to eat pork in violation of God’s law. One of the brothers, speaking for the others, said: “What do you expect to achieve by questioning us? We are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors.” At the point of death, the second brother said: “You accursed fiend, you are depriving us of this present life, but the King of the world will raise us up to live again forever. It is for his laws that we are dying.” After him the third suffered their cruel sport. He put out his tongue at once when told to do so, and bravely held out his hands, as he spoke these noble words: “It was from Heaven that I received these; for the sake of his laws I disdain them; from him I hope to receive them again.” Even the king and his attendants marveled at the young man’s courage, because he regarded his sufferings as nothing. After he had died, they tortured and maltreated the fourth brother in the same way. When he was near death, he said, “It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the hope God gives of being raised up by him; but for you, there will be no resurrection to life.”

OR: --------

First reading 2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-23, 27b-29 This most admirable mother bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord.

It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king, to force them to eat pork in violation of God’s law. Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother, who saw her seven sons perish in a single day, yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the LORD. Filled with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage she exhorted each of them in the language of their forefathers with these words: “I do not know how you came into existence in my womb; it was not I who gave you the breath of life, nor was it I who set in order the elements of which each of you is composed. Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe who shapes each man’s beginning, as he brings about the origin of everything, he, in his mercy, will give you back both breath and life, because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law.” “Son, have pity on me, who carried you in my womb for nine months, nursed you for three years, brought you up, educated and supported you to your present age. I beg you, child, to look at the heavens and the earth and see all that is in them; then you will know that God did not make them out of existing things; and in the same way the human race came into existence. Do not be afraid of this executioner, but be worthy of your brothers and accept death, so that in the time of mercy I may receive you again with them.”

OR: --------

First reading Wisdom 3:1-9 As sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.

The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.

OR: --------

First reading Sirach 51:1-8 You redeemed me, true to the greatness of your mercy and of your name.

I give you thanks, O Lord and King; I praise you, O God my savior! I will make known your name, for you have been a helper and a protector to me. You have kept back my body from the pit, and from the scourge of a slanderous tongue, from lips that went over to falsehood. And in the sight of those who stood by, you have delivered me, According to the multitude of the mercy of your name, and from them that did roar, prepared to devour me, And from the power of those who sought my life; from many a danger you have saved me, from flames that hemmed me in on every side; From the midst of unremitting fire when I was not burnt from the deep belly of the nether world; From deceiving lips and painters of lies, from the arrows of dishonest tongues. My soul was at the point of death, my life was nearing the depths of the nether world; They encompassed me on every side, but there was no one to help me, I looked for one to sustain me, but could find no one. But then I remembered the mercies of the LORD, his kindness through ages past; For he saves those who take refuge in him, and rescues them from every evil.

EITHER: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety. You are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me.

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God. I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy.

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors, Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your kindness.

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

The Lord delivered me from all my fears.

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. Let my soul glory in the LORD; the lowly will hear me and be glad.

The Lord delivered me from all my fears.

Glorify the LORD with me, let us together extol his name. I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

The Lord delivered me from all my fears.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. When the afflicted man called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him.

The Lord delivered me from all my fears.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Taste and see how good the LORD is; blessed the man who takes refuge in him.

The Lord delivered me from all my fears.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8

Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

Had not the LORD been with us– When men rose up against us, then would they have swallowed us alive When their fury was inflamed against us.

Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

Then would the waters have overwhelmed us; The torrent would have swept over us; over us then would have swept the raging waters.

Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

Broken was the snare, and we were freed. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 126:1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6

Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing.

Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad indeed.

Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the torrents in the southern desert. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, They shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves.

Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 5:10

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: John 17:19

Alleluia, alleluia. I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in the truth. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: 2 Corinthians 1:3b-4a

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed be the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: James 1:12

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: 1 Peter 4:14

Alleluia, alleluia. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of God rests upon you. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: see Te Deum

Alleluia, alleluia. We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Alleluia, alleluia.

EITHER: --------

Gospel Matthew 10:17-22 You will be led before governors and kings for my sake, as a witness before them and the pagans.

Jesus said to his Apostles: “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 10:28-33 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body.

Jesus said to his Apostles: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 10:34-39 I have come to bring not peace but the sword.

Jesus said to his Apostles: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set

a man ‘against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s enemies will be those of one’s household.’

OR: --------

Gospel Luke 9:23-26 Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.

Jesus said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

OR: --------

Gospel John 12:24-26 If a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it produces much fruit.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.”

OR: --------

Gospel John 15:18-21 If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.

Jesus said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.”

Or:

Gospel John 17:11b-19 The world hated them.

Lifting his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil One. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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albertfinch · 3 years

Text

Seeking Communion - May 22, 2021

"Jesus said, '...You will see greater things than that.' He then added, 'Very truly I tell you, you will see "Heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on" the Son of Man.'" (John 1:50-51 NIV)

Ask the Lord to open your eyes to see greater things, to open the heavens and install Jacobs' Ladder (open Heaven) over you.

Just as there was a literal shaking and wind at the original Pentecost, so the Lord is bringing you a fresh, new wave of Holy Spirit power that will lead the way to a new apprehension of His glory.

"'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the Lord Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the Lord Almighty." (Haggai 2:9 NIV)

The scrolls and books of your tears and suffering are being reconciled. The Lord has not forgotten you. Every moment of your suffering, pain, and tears have been recorded.

There is a mass exodus out of the wilderness and the dark night of the soul. The Lord is breaking the spirit of depression. "Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy." (Psalm 126:5 NIV)

"You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give You thanks forever!" (Psalm 30:11-12 NLT)

There is power here to break off isolation and feeling alone or forgotten. Joy is returning to the house! You might need to take it by force and do things opposite to the attack coming against you. Get up and dance, go for walks, and laugh. Making small changes will bring big results in this area.

PLANS OF RESTORATION

"...Now here I am, alive and well, fully restored." (Psalm 30:3 TPT)

The Lord is saying, "You have made it through the testing and preparation for what is just ahead."

Ask the Lord to bring you revelation and an understanding of His purpose for your life!

Stand up right now and proclaim, "I am alive and well and fully restored!"

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com/

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tearsofgrace · 3 years

Text

turns out i’m not done with this !!

@wanderingcas i love you but i do blame you for this

the seven sonnets of michelangelo, written by benjamin britten for his long-time partner peter pears (who later described them as the best thing britten had ever given him) are a song cycle written for piano and tenor. besides like the real world implications of this making me go feral because GOD (for context, britten died in 1976) they FIT DESTIEL REALLY DAMN WELL OKAY????

so here’s the link

the lyrics come from translations (done by pears) of michelangelo’s sonnets if that wasn’t clear

im not gonna do a musical analysis, even though like god that also fits destiel perfectly, but ima look at individual prose (coming from the translations of michelangelo’s original work) below the cut, feel free to scroll darlings

sonetto xvi

Just as there is a high, a low, and a middle style in pen and ink, and as within the marble are images rich and poor, according as our fancy knows how to draw them forth:

so within your heart, dear love, there are perhaps, as well as pride, some humble feelings: but I draw thence only what is my desert and like to what I show outside on my face.

Whoever sows sighs, tears and lamentations (Heaven’s moisture on earth, simple and pure, adapts itself differently to different seeds) reaps and gathers grief and sadness:

whoever looks on high beauty with so great a grief reaps doubtful hopes and sure and bitter pain.

okay so the best part of equating all this to destiel is that for the most part, the sonnets they chose to translate deal with the bad parts of love, the unfulfilled rejection and Despair (sorry) if you will

the last line in this one really REALLY kills me. “high beauty” being cas and dean being the one looking and reaping only pain.

also just the heaven imagery in general and the bitterness of it all... kill me now?

sonetto xxxi

Why must I go on venting my ardent desire in tears and melancholy words, if Heaven that dresses the soul in grief, never, soon or late, allows relief?

Why should my weary heart long for death since all must die? So to these eyes my last hours will be less painful, all my grief being greater than any joy.

If, therefore, I cannot avoid these blows, nay, even seek them, since it is my fate, who is the one that stands always between joy and grief?

If to be happy I must be conquered and held captive, no wonder then that I, unarmed and alone, remain the prisoner of a Cavalier in arms.

the complete hopelessness in this one gives me all kinds of feels. the idea that maybe the reason cas couldn’t have dean is because all the hurt and pain and grief that fills the small space between them overwhelms the happiness they could have in being together

and then of course the last line.. is SO cas. “if to be happy i must be conquered” hahahahahhaa this is fine

sonetto xxx

With your lovely eyes I see a sweet light that yet with my blind ones I cannot see; with your feet I carry a weight on my back which with my lame ones I cannot; with your wings I, wingless, fly; with your spirit I move forever heavenward; at your wish I blush or turn pale, cold in the sunshine, or hot in the coldest midwinter.

My will is in your will alone, my thoughts are born in your heart, my words are on your breath.

Alone, I am like the moon in the sky which our eyes cannot see save that part which the sun illumines.

finally a happy one !

“with your wings I, wingless, fly” ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME???

plus PLUS the whole “with your BLANK i BLANK” is just soooo reminiscent of cas learning how to feel from dean. i’m. going. to. scream.

“my will is in your will alone” ................. “i always come when you call”

AND! THEN! THE! MOON! AND! SUN! THING! THAT! WE! ALL! TALK! ABOUT! WITH! DEAN AND CAS! (looking at marlo) @heller-jensen

sonetto lv

Though know’st, beloved, that I know thou know’st that I am come nearer to enjoy thee more; and thou know’st that I know thou know’st that I am still the same. Why, then, do I hesitate to greet thee?

If the hope thou givest me is true, if true the strong desire that is granted me, the wall between us crumbles, for secret griefs have double force.

If I love in thee, beloved, only what thou lovest most, do not be angry; for so one spirit is enamoured of another.

That which in thy lovely face I yearn for and seek to grasp, is but ill understood by human kind, and he that would see it, first must die.

the hesitation in this is key. the whole, if we know we’re in love why then are we waiting that just perfectly encapsulates dean and cas

and then. and THEN. the whole ethereal-ness of the second half. the whole next-to-godliness of those lines. the whole he’s AN ANGEL I DON’T KNOW IF HE CAN FEEL THAT WAY HE’S UNTOUCHABLE. kinda thing.

sonetto xxxviii

Give back to my eyes, you fountains and rivers, the waves of those strong currents that are not yours, which make you swell and grow with greater power than is your natural way.

And thou, heavy air, that dims the heavenly light to my sad eyes, so full of my sighs art thou, give them back to my weary heart and lighten thy dark face to my eye’s keen sight.

Earth, give me back my footsteps that the grass may sprout again where it was trod; and Echo, yet deaf to my laments, give back thy sound; and you blest pupils give back to my eyes their glances;

that I another time may love another beauty, since with me you are not satisfied.

this one isn’t actually destiel per se... this one is cas. this one is a broken afraid cas who’s just turned human and doesn’t know how to live and who is realizing he is in love with dean.

and he knows (thinks) dean could never love him back. everything, everything has changed for him since falling in love with dean. but he still thinks that dean will never be satisfied with him

sonetto xxxii

If love be chaste, if pity heavenly, if fortune equal between two lovers; if a bitter fate is shared by both, and if one spirit, one will rules two hearts;

if in two bodies one soul is made eternal, raising both to heaven on the same wings; if at one stroke and with a gilded arrow love burns and pierces two hearts to the core;

if in loving one another, forgetting one’s self, with one pleasure and one delight there is such reward that both wills strive for the same end;

if thousands and thousands do not make one hundredth part to such a bond of love, to such constancy, can, then, mere anger break and dissolve it?

hehe this one makes me cry. like. fulllllll on cry.

highlights

“bitter fate is shared by both” “one will rules two hearts” i mean... i MEAN. don’t think i need to explain that

and then the next part. “in two bodies one soul is made eternal” with only dean having a soul and him drawing them together but then the VERY next part “raising both to heaven on the same wings” with only cas having wings i’m literally going feral someone take my keyboard away from me before i ASLDJFHA

“can, then, mere anger break and dissolve it?”

“i don’t know why i get so angry. i just know it’s always been there. ... and i forgive you. of course i forgive you.”

because no matter how angry dean gets at cas, no matter how much he batters and abuses him, the bond between them will always live through it.

sonetto xxiv

Noble soul, in whose chaste and dear limbs are reflected all that nature and heaven can achieve with us, the paragon of their works:

graceful soul, within whom one hopes and believes Love, Pity and Mercy are dwelling, as they appear in your face; things so rare and never found in beauty so truly:

Love takes me captive, and Beauty binds me; Pity and Mercy with sweet glances fill my heart with a strong hope.

What law or earthly government, what cruelty now or to come, could forbid Death to spare such a lovely face?

so the last one is happy again (yay!!) and also basically just described the righteous man like i am not kidding.

like this is literally just cas telling dean how much he deserves and how everything he’s ever done he’s done because of love and i’m screaming.

and then. the SECOND half. is the second half of cas’ confession. really fitting that this is the last sonnet, huh? the end of their love story at least as we see it on screen.

this is just cas saying he loves dean. before he’s ripped away from him.

#this wasn't supposed to become a full meta !#but it has !#spn meta #my writing #classical music #oops #didn't mean to write 1.5k #...

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mod3rnmartha · 3 years

Text

The Christian Harvest

B. Thomas

John 4:35-38

Say not you, There are yet four months, and then comes harvest? behold, I say to you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields…

Notice -

I. ITS NATURE. It is spiritual. "Lift up your eyes," etc. To see the temporal harvest you look down and around, but to see this you must look up; it is in the spiritual region, and concerns the spiritual nature and interest of man. It is the harvest of souls - the harvest of Jesus' soul. It is spiritual in its processes, its sphere, its aim, and its results. It means the spiritual quickening, the germination, the growth, the cultivation and ripening of human souls. Think not that this world is only for material and physical purposes. Its chief end is the production of holy and perfect souls. And as the system of nature is adapted to produce different grains in perfection, so there is a spiritual system of Divine grace adapted to produce perfect souls.

II. THE OPERATIONS OF THE HARVEST.

1. There are preparatory operations. As in the material, so in the spiritual harvest, the soil of the soul is ploughed, cultivated, by warnings, by judgment and mercy, by Divine threatenings and promises; and the seed. of the Divine Word is sown with much prayerfulness and tears, and then left in hope and anxiety.

2. There are the secret, Divine operations. Once the seed is deposited carefully in the soil, the husbandman can do nothing more but hope, watch, and trust. It is now in the custody of God; he alone can make it grow. The Christian husbandman can only commit the Divine seed to the soil; he must there leave it to the secret and quickening operations of the Holy Spirit.

3. There are the subsequent Divine and human operations. As soon as the seed begins to bud, it is partially given back to human care. As soon as the Divine Word begins to bud in repentance and faith, and grow in grace, it is at grace, to some extent, under human discipline and supervision. The Divine and human operations join in its development and progress.

4. These operations are very great and various. There is infinite thought, sacrifice, and life, and there is much toil and labour, and there are various agencies. "One soweth, and another reapeth."

III. THE VASTNESS OF THE HARVEST.

1. Vast in relation to space. The space of the harvest is the whole earth. The field is the world. But there are fields. Human geography is recognized. "Look on the fields." Judaea, Galilee, and especially Samaria, were in the eye of Jesus now. Human geography fits in well with the Divine purposes. The whole earth is the Lord's farm, and the harvest covers it all; but it is well for the purpose of spiritual cultivation that it is divided into fields. Thus labour and vastness are distributed so as to suit finite comprehension and energy. Through the parts the whole will be reached. Field after field will be cultivated till the whole earth he covered with waving corn fit for harvest.

2. Vast in relation to time. It reaches from the first moment of the "day of grace" to the last, and in results stretch forward to the endless eternity. Men have a series of harvests, but Jesus has only one great harvest, embracing all time and all ages.

3. Vast in relation to the labour and agencies employed. These embrace all Divine, human, and angelic agencies from the first sower to the last reaper. Abel, Paul, and Luther worked in the same harvest. All the spiritual energy brought to bear upon this world belongs to the same. The spiritual harvest is infinitely vast, its labour infinitely great, and agencies infinitely various.

IV. THE RIPENESS OF THE HARVEST. "Look on the fields; for they are white," etc.

1. Whiteness is the colour of ripeness, the colour of the ripe corn. It is the colour of heaven. All is white there, for all is ripe and perfect. Ripeness, when applied to souls here, is used relatively. Its full meaning must be realized hereafter.

2. Souls are ripe to harvest when they begin to manifest a genuine concern for their spiritual welfare. Then they begin to blush with the first colour of ripeness, and naturally call for harvesting.

3. As in the natural harvest, so in the spiritual, some fields ripen more quickly than others. As in soils, so in souls, some bring forth fruit sooner than others. This was the case now in Samaria as compared with Judaea and even Gahlee, and it is ever so.

4. There is a difference between the natural harvest and the spiritual indicated here.

(1) In the natural there is ever a certain stated period between the sowing and the reaping. In the East there was generally four months. But it is not invariably the case in the spiritual harvest. There may be more than four months, and there may be less than so many hours. "The fields are white already." No sooner is the seed sown than it begins to germinate and grow. So it was in the Samaritan woman now, and others.

(2) Men are entirely dependent on the appointed season of harvest. They cannot by any effort make it come a day sooner. It comes according to fixed laws. Not so the spiritual harvest. The servants of God, under him, may bring about a harvest of souls at any time. The Divine Spirit quickens and causes souls to grow and ripen through our earnest and faithful efforts. He blesses our earnest labour, so that the spiritual harvest is not limited by seasons and climates, but is carried on continually as we labour. There are fields ever white to harvest.

V. THE REWARD OF THE HARVEST. "Receiveth wages," etc.

1. The reward is partly present. Especially with regard to the reaper - in the fruit gathered, which is very precious; in the holy pleasure of doing the will of God, and saving souls.

2. The reward will be chiefly in the future. At the great harvest home. For the fruit is gathered unto life eternal. Every effort can only be fully rewarded at its final issues. The final issue of spiritual harvesting is "eternal life," which can only be fully enjoyed in the future.

3. The reward of the future will consist of the highest and greatest happiness. Like the joy of the harvest.

(1) The happiness of a perfect life. Spiritual life, "life eternal." Can a man be happier than in the full enjoyment of all he can desire, and of all he is capable of? This will be reached in eternal life - the perfect ripeness of the soul, and the climax of being, the fulfilment of our sublimest hopes, and the reward of our best efforts with Divine interest.

(2) The happiness of abundance. The thought of famine will be forever buried in the consciousness of plenty. All the labourers in the harvest will be more than satisfied, and their satisfaction will leap into joy.

(3) The happiness of safety. Like the joy of the harvest, when all the produce of the fields is secured, there will be the joy of personal salvation, and the salvation of all. Let the storm rage, and the rain descend in torrents, - all will be safe and infinitely happy in consequence.

(4) The happiness of gratitude. Gratitude to the great Lord of the harvest, for all his defence and loving kindness. After the "harvest home" there will be the great thanksgiving service. And it will be quivering with happiness and singing with joy.

4. All will be rewarded. "He that soweth and he that reapeth." Every one that bestowed any labour on the harvest will be remembered. Even the most insignificant labourer will not be overlooked.

5. All will be rewarded simultaneously. "He that soweth and he that reapeth shall rejoice together" - together in time, in place, in mutual benefit and reciprocity. There will be no partiality, no disadvantage, but as in the labour so in the joy of the harvest, every one shall help himself to the full The lonely sower who ages ago sowed in tears without reaping scarcely any will suffer no disadvantage, but will be fully compensated - his joy will be all the more. Every one will be happy in himself and in others. All will be happy in the Lord of the harvest, the chief Sower and Reaper, and all will be happy in him. The joy of the redeemed throng will be really personal, but intensely mutual, so as to make one anthem of leaping joy.

6. The reward will be everlasting. The fruit is gathered unto life eternal; and. the happiness will be as eternal as the life, as lasting as the fruit. The fear of its coming to an end, even at the remotest period, shall never pass as a cloud over its bright disc, nor cause a discord in its ever-harmonious and thrilling music.

LESSONS.

1. Let us realize our relationship to all past and future agencies, that we may feel our indebtedness to the former, and our responsibilities to the latter. We reap much which others have sown. Let us not be elated with pride, but with gratitude remember the tearful sowers. Let us sow faithfully, even if we reap not; and remember the reward and joy of the harvest. Let us leave the same legacy of fruitful labour to our successors as our predecessors left to us.

2. Let us be very diligent in spiritual service. It is harvest. And in relation to us is very short - it will be soon over.

3. Let us be punctual and prompt. "The fields are white." It will be too late soon. There is danger that some corn will spoil for want of timely harvesting. Procrastination is a besetting sin. We cannot say, "There are yet four months," etc. No; "the fields are white already." They call us now to work.

4. Let us be very earnest and watchful "Lift up your eyes, and look," etc. Spiritual cultivation demands earnest and continual watchfulness. The spiritual eye should be keen, and ever on the look out on the old fields and new ones. Let us watch lest we lose an opportunity, lest the fields be riper than the husbandman - he green and they white. The harvest of souls - the harvest of Jesus - is infinitely great, important, valuable, and promising. - B.T.

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