• 6 Do not give what is holy to the dogs, or throw your pearls to the pigs: they might trample on them and even turn on you and tear you to pieces.
Beloved, why have You given me this word of caution? Is it because some things are too sacred to be shared with those who may not understand and they may belittle it? This is good advice my Lord. I had already begun to learn from Sandy that sometimes it is necessary to hold ones peace - especially if such speech would be unprofitable to the hearer. Thank You Lord for this timely little gem of wisdom. I shall keep it in mind and in the coming days as I mull it over it, will speak more and more to me.
Proverbs 7:27-34
27 Do not hold back from those who ask your help, when it is in your power to do it. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come another time; tomorrow I will give it to you!” when you can help him now.
29 Do not plot evil against your neighbor who lives trustingly beside you, 30 nor fight a man without cause when he has done you no wrong. 31 Do not envy the man of violence or follow his example. For Yahweh hates the wicked but guides the honest. 33 He curses the house of the evildoer but blesses the home of the upright. 34 If there are mockers, he mocks them in turn but he shows his favor to the humble.
Beloved, the Book of Proverbs is a storehouse of practical and noble advice. Anyone who is guided by it will walk in Your light with head held high, and will be pleasing in Your sight.
Luke 8:16-18
16 No one, after lighting a lamp covers it with a bowl or puts it under the bed; rather he puts it on a lampstand so that people coming in may see the light. 17 In the same way, there is nothing hidden that shall not be uncovered; nothing kept secret that shall not be known clearly. 18 Now, take care how well you listen, for whoever produces will be given more, but from those who do not produce, even what they seem to have will be taken away from them.”
Today's daily readings have been full of timely advice. You have called us to to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. People who walk with us should not stumble for the light we shed must dispel the darkness. Every deed whether good or shameful done in secret, is seen by You and will become known to all to our credit or to our shame.
Nobody cares to listen these days - everyone seems to think they know it all. Each one embraces their own version of truth. We must listen to Your Word both written and proclaimed by Your Church and allow it to guide and shape our lives. To those who are receptive and responsive, You are mind blowingly generous.
Psalm 15:1-5
1 O Lord, who will dwell in your tent
and reside on your holy mount?
2 Those who walk blamelessly
and do what is right,
who speak truth from their heart
3 and control their words,
who do no harm to their neighbors
and cast no discredit on their companions,
4 who look down on evildoers
but highly esteem God’s servants;
who at all cost stand by a pledged word,
5 who do not lend money at interest
and refuse a bribe against the innocent.
Do this, and you will soon be shaken.
Beloved, all that You have said to me today is rich in wisdom. You speak clearly about what is pleasing to You. The Psalm for today is no exception. The Psalmist poses the question, O LORD, WHO WILL LIVE IN YOUR TENT AND RESIDE ON YOUR HOLY MOUNT? and then he goes on to list all that one must do in order to live with You.
1. Avoid sin.
2. Do what is right.
3. Speak the truth that must first have its home in your heart. Do not babble words.
4. Self control in speech.
5. No useless gossip about anyone neighbors, friends, acquaintances, strangers.
6. Honor all those who work zealously for God's Kingdom beginning with our
Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI all the way down to our Parish - Priests and all in
positions of leadership.
7. Have nothing to do with those who live Godless lives and perpetrate evil.
8. Be trustworthy - our word must be our bond.
9. Lend to anyone in need.
10. Do nothing that would give the unscrupulous unfair advantage over someone
who is innocent.
TEN RULES I MUST LIVE BY IF I WISH TO NESTLE CLOSE TO THE HEART OF MY LORD.
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