Our Lady of Angels Association

by Michael January 7, 2013

My eager expectation and hope is that I shall not be put to shame in any way, but that with all boldness, now as always, Christ will be magnified in my body whether by life or by death. For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.

If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose. I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better. Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit. And this I know with confidence, that I shall remain and continue in the service of all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound on account of me when I come to you again.

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

I call upon you; answer me, O God. Turn your ear to me; hear my prayer. Show your wonderful love, you who deliver with your right arm those who seek refuge from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the violence of the wicked.

Psalm 17 continued – verses 6-9

All of you clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for “God opposes the proud but bestows favor on the humble.” So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.

I Peter 5:5-7

Oppose, Lord, those who oppose me; war upon those who make war upon me. Take up the shield and buckler; rise up in my defense. Brandish lance and battle-ax against my pursuers. Say to my heart, “I am your salvation.” Let those who seek my life be put to shame and disgrace. Let those who plot against me be turned back and confounded. Make them like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them on. Make their way slippery and dark, with the angel of the Lord pursing them.

Psalm 35:1-6

The Lord acknowledged my righteousness, rewarded my clean hands. For I kept the ways of the Lord; I was not disloyal to my God. His laws were all before me, his decrees I did not cast aside. I was honest toward him; I was on guard against sin. So the Lord rewarded my righteousness, the cleanness of my hands in his sight. Toward the faithful you are faithful; to the honest you are honest. Toward the sincere, sincere; but to the perverse you are devious. Humble people you save; haughty eyes you bring low.

Psalm 18 continued – verses 21-28

Be still before the Lord; wait for God Do not be provoked by the prosperous, nor by malicious schemers. Give up your anger, abandon your wrath; Do not be provoked; it brings only harm. Those who do evil will be cut off, But those who wait for the Lord will possess the land.

Psalm 37 continued – verses 7-9

Lord, teach me the way of your laws; I shall observe them with care. Give me insight to observe your teaching, to keep it with all my heart. Lead me in the path of your commands, for that is my delight. Direct my heart toward your decrees and away from unjust gain. Avert my eyes from what is worthless; by your way give me life. For your servant fulfill your promise made to those who fear you. Turn away from me the taunts I dread, for your edicts bring good. See how I long for your precepts; in your justice give me life.

Psalm 119 continued – verses 33-40

I wait for you, O Lord; I lift up my soul to my God. In you I trust; do not let me be disgraced; do not let my enemies gloat over me. No one is disgraced who waits for you, but only those who lightly break faith. Make known to me your ways, Lord; teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. Remember your compassion and love, O Lord; for they are ages old. Remember no more the sins of my youth; remember me only in light of your love.

Psalm 25:1-7

You have treated your servant well, according to your word, O Lord. Teach me wisdom and knowledge, for in your commands I trust. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I hold to your promise. You are good and do what is good; teach me your laws. The arrogant smear me with lies, but I observe your precepts with all my heart. Their hearts are gross and fat; as for me, your teaching is my delight. It was good for me to be afflicted, in order to learn your laws. Teaching from your lips is more precious to me than heaps of silver and gold.

Psalm 119 continued – verses 65-72

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.

I John 4:7-12