Our Lady of Angels Association

by Michael January 7, 2013

If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests but for those of others.

To you we owe our hymn of praise, O God of Zion. To you our vows must be fulfilled, you who hear our prayers. To you all flesh must come with its burden of wicked deeds. We are overcome by our sins; only you can pardon them. Happy the chosen ones you bring to dwell in your courts. May they be filled with the good things of your house, the blessings of your holy temple! You answer us with awesome deeds of justice, O God our savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of far distant islands.

Psalm 65:2-6

… let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons: “My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges.”

Hebrews 12:1-6

He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the Church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

Colossians 1:15-20

Keep me safe, O God; in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, you are my Lord, you are my only good. Worthless are all the false gods of the land. Accursed are all who delight in them. They multiply their sorrows who court other gods. Blood libations to them I will not pour out, nor will I take their names upon my lips. Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you have made my destiny secure.

Psalm 16:1-5

I am amazed that you are so quickly forsaking the one who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel (not that there is another). But there are some who are disturbing you and wish to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed! Now I want you to know that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:6-8, 11-12

Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and oppressed. Preserve my life, for I am loyal; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; pity me, Lord; to you I call all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant; to you, Lord, I lift up my soul. Lord, you are kind and forgiving, most loving to all who call on you. Lord, hear my prayer; listen to my cry for help. In the time of trouble I call, for you will answer me.

Psalm 86: 1-7

Remember your word to your servant by which you give me hope. This is my comfort in affliction, your promise that gives me life. Though the arrogant utterly scorn me, I do not turn from your teaching. When I recite your edicts of old I am comforted, Lord. Rage seizes me because of the wicked; they forsake your teaching. Your laws become my songs wherever I make my home. Even at night I remember your name in observance of your teaching, Lord. This is my good fortune, for I have observed your precepts.

Psalm 119 continued – verses 49-56

Insult has broken my heart, and I am weak; I looked for compassion, but there was none. for comforters, but found none. Instead they put gall in my food; for my thirst they gave me vinegar. But I am afflicted and in pain; let your saving help protect me, God, that I may praise God’s name in song and glorify it with thanksgiving. My song will please the Lord more than oxen, more than bullocks with horns and hooves: “See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, take heart! for the Lord hears the poor, does not spurn those in bondage. Let the heavens and the earth sings praise, the seas and whatever moves in them.”

Psalm 69 continued – verses 21-22; 30-35

How I love your teaching, Lord! I study it all day long. Your command makes me wiser than my foes, for it is always with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, because I ponder your decrees. I have more insight than my elders, because I observe your precepts. I keep my steps from every evil path, that I may obey your word. From your edicts I do not turn, for you have taught them to me. How sweet to my tongue is your promise, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I gain insight; therefore I hate all false ways.

Psalm 119 continued – verses 97-104

“At the beginning, O Lord, you established the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; and they will all grow old like a garment. You will roll them up like a cloak, and like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.” But to which of the angels has he ever said: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool?” Are they not all ministering spirits sent to serve, for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Hebrews 1:10-14