Our Lady of Angels Association

by Michael January 7, 2013

Who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good? But 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.

Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts. But I will show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.

I Corinthians 12:31, 13:1-3

Since you have purified yourselves by obedience to the truth for sincere mutual love, love one another intensely from a pure heart. You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and abiding word of God, for: “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of the field; the grass withers, and the flower wilts; but the word of the Lord remains forever.” This is the word that has been proclaimed to you.

I Peter 1:22-25

Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” There deeds are loathsome and corrupt; not one does what is right. God looks down from heaven upon the human race, to see if even one is wise, if even one seeks God. All have gone astray; all alike are perverse. Not one does what is right, not even one. Will these evildoers never learn? They devour my people as they devour bread; they do not call upon God. They have good reason to fear, though now they do not fear. For God will certainly scatter the bones of the godless. They will surely be put to shame, for God has rejected them.

Psalm 53:2-7

In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth. In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ.

Ephesians 1:7-12

Lord, show me your way; lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Do not abandon me to the will of my foes; malicious and lying witnesses have risen against me. But I believe I shall enjoy the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!

Psalm 27 continued – verses 11-14

God, who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, God’s love endures forever; And led Israel from their midst, God’s love endures forever; With mighty hand and outstretched arm, God’s love endures forever; Who split in two the Red Sea, God’s love endures forever; And led Israel through, God’s love endures forever; But swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea, God’s love endures forever; Who led the people through the desert, God’s love endures forever.

Psalm 136: 10-16

O God, a new song I will sing to you; on a ten-stringed lyre I will play for you. You give victory to kings; you delivered David your servant. From the menacing sword deliver me; rescue me from the hands of foreign foes. Their mouths speak untruth; their right hands are raised in lying oaths. May our sons be like plants well nurtured from their youth, our daughters, like carved columns, shapely as those of the temple. May our barns be full with every kind of store. May our sheep increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields; may our oxen be well fattened. May there be no breach in the walls, no exile, no outcry in our streets. Happy the people so blessed; happy the people whose God is the Lord.

Psalm 144: 9-15

Graciously rescue me, God! Come quickly to help me, Lord! Confound and put to shame those who seek my life. Turn back in disgrace those who desire my ruin. Let those who say “Aha!” turn back in their shame. But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. May those who long for your help always say, “God be glorified!” Here I am, afflicted and poor. God, come quickly! You are my help and deliverer. Lord, do not delay!

Psalm 70:2-6

But if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then neither has Christ been raised. And if Christ has not been raised then empty too is our preaching; empty, too, your faith. Then we are also false witnesses to God, because we testified against God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all.

I Corinthians 15:12-19

I cry aloud to God, cry to God to hear me. On the day of my distress I seek the Lord; by night my hands are raised unceasingly; I refuse to be consoled. When I think of God, I groan; as I ponder, my spirit grows faint. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, your wonders of old I will remember. I will recite all your works; your exploits I will tell. Your way, O God, is holy; what god is as great as our God? You alone are the God who did wonders; among the peoples you revealed your might.

Psalm 77:2-4; 12-15