video – Our Lady of Angels Association

Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.

I Corinthians 9:24-27

Truly we are consumed by your anger, filled with terror by your wrath. You have kept our faults before you, our hidden sins exposed to your sight. Our life ebbs away under your wrath; our years end like a sigh. Seventy is the sum of our years, or eighty, if we are strong; Most of them are sorrow and toil; they pass quickly, we are all but gone. Who comprehends your terrible anger? Your wrath matches the fear it inspires.

Psalm 90 continued – verses 7-11

If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4

Rescue me from my enemies, my God; lift me out of reach of my foes. Deliver me from evildoers; from the bloodthirsty save me. They have set an ambush for my life; the powerful conspire against me. For no offense or misdeed of mine, Lord, for no fault they hurry to take up arms. Come near and see my plight! But I shall sing of your strength (Lord), extol your love at dawn, for you are my fortress, my refuge in time of trouble. My strength, your praise I will sing; you, God, are my fortress, my loving God.

Psalm 59:2-5; 17-18

Grant me justice, Lord! I have walked without blame. In the Lord I have trusted; I have not faltered. Test me, Lord, and try me; search my heart and mind. Your love is before my eyes; I walk guided by your faithfulness. Do not take me away with sinners, nor my life with the violent. Their hands carry out their schemes; their right hands are full of bribes. But I walk without blame; redeem me, be gracious to me! My foot stands on level ground; in assemblies I will bless the Lord.

Psalm 26:1-3, 9-12

Hear my voice, Lord, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me. “Come,” says my heart, “seek God’s face;” your face, Lord, do I seek. Do not hide your face from me; do not repel your servant in anger. You are my help; do not cast me off; do not forsake me, God my Savior! Even if my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me in.

Psalm 27 continued – verses 7-10

Lord, how long will you look on? save me from roaring beasts, my precious life from lions! Then I will thank you in the great assembly; I will praise you before the mighty throng. Do not let lying foes smirk at me, my undeserved enemies wink knowingly. You see this, Lord; do not be silent; Lord, do not withdraw from me. Awake, be vigilant in my defense, in my cause, my God and my Lord. Defend me because you are just, Lord; my God, do not let them gloat over me. Put to shame and confound all who relish my misfortune. Cloth with shame and disgrace those who lord it over me.

Psalm 35 continued – verses 17-19, 22-24, 26

Now this is the message that we have heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

I John: 1:5-7

Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name give glory because of your faithfulness and love. Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; whatever God wills is done. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths but do not speak, eyes but do not see. They have ears but do not hear, noses but do not smell. They have hands but do not feel, feet but do not walk, and no sound rises from their throats. Their makers shall be like them, all who trust in them.

Psalm 115:1-8

Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind.

James 1:2-6