The perfect wife
10 The woman of character, where is she to be found? She is more precious than any jewel.
11 Her husband has complete confidence in her; she will be of great benefit to him.
12 She brings him only good and not evil, all the days of her life.
13 She has obtained wool and flax, and works them with skillful hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships which bring provisions from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark, feeds her household and allots tasks to the servants.
16 If she sets her heart on a field, she buys it and plants a vineyard with her own hands.
17 She is full of energy and her arms show her strength.
18 She knows her work is successful and, at night, her light remains unextinguished.
19 She puts her hand to the distaff and her fingers hold the spindle.
20 She reaches out her hand to the helpless and gives to the poor.
21 When snow comes, she has no fears for her household since they are all doubly clothed.
22 She makes her own quilts and her clothes are purple and fine linen.
23 Her husband is well-respected; he sits in council with the elders of the people.
24 She weaves linen cloth and sells it; she supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is strong and dignified and looks with confidence to the future.
26 She speaks wisely and her words are kind.
27 She keeps an eye on the conduct of her household and is never idle.
28 Her sons rise up and call her blessed, her husband sings her praises:
29 “Many women have done wonders but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive and beauty useless; the woman who is wise is the one to praise.
31 May she enjoy the fruits of her labor and may all praise her for her works.
Beloved, I asked You to speak to me through Scripture and You responded through this beautiful hymn in praise of to the perfect wife. Here is the ideal my Lord and I must use her as my model - for she is the perfect image of Mary, my Mother, my Mistress, my Queen.
1 PETER 2:1-5, 9-10, 12
1 So, give up all evil and deceit, hypocrisy, envy and every kind of gossip. 2 Like newborn children, seek eagerly for the pure milk of the Word that will help you grow and reach sal¬vation. 3 Did you not taste the goodness of the Lord? 4 He is the living stone rejected by people but chosen by God and precious to him; set yourselves close to him 5 so that you, too, become living stones built into a spiritual temple, a holy community of priests offering spiritual sacrifices that please God through Jesus Christ. 9 You are a chosen race, a community of priest-kings, a consecrated nation, a people God has made his own to proclaim his wonders. For he called you from your darkness to his own wonderful light. 10 At one stage you were no people, but now you are God’s people, you had not received his mercy, but now you have been given mercy. 12 Live a blameless life among the pagans.
St. Peter advises us to be nourished by Your Word so that we become a holy dwelling place for You. You have made us into a people who are chosen and sanctified. You bathe us in Your light and fill us with Your life and goodness and we are called to shine this light brightly where ever we are by living upright, godly and holy lives.
Mark 10:46-52
• 46 They came to Jericho. As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth passing by, he began to call out, “Son of David, Jesus, have mercy on me!” 48 Many people scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man saying, “Take heart. Get up, he is calling you.” 50 He immediately threw aside his cloak, jumped up and went to Jesus. 51 Then Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Master, let me see again!” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way, your faith has made you well.” And immediately he could see, and he followed Jesus along the road.
This is the true story of every sinner who is truly repentant. What You did for Bartimaeus You did for me. You called me from darkness into Your own marvellous light.
This is a truly dramatic incident full of sound and feelings - so much like Your Church today. You have Your disciples and You have the large crowds. You are the Hero, the main character and Bartimaeus is represents sinners everywhere and in every time who live in darkness and solitude. Sins are burdensome, they weigh us down, often crippling us. We long to change but don't know how or are too weak and then suddenly hope dawns. You come into our lives and grace is ours for the asking. All that we are required to do Beloved, is to cry out to You, and You meet our needs so brilliantly. You give us everything and more than we ever dreamed of. Deep seated joy and peace that nothing and no one can take away. Once we cast aside the old way of living, You give us all we need to become Your true disciples and we can follow You along the Way that leads to eternal salvation.
PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!
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