WISDOM AS A TEACHER

Wisdom takes care of those who look for her, she raises
them to greatness.  Loving her is loving life itself; rising
early to look for her is pure joy.  Anyone who obtains
Wisdom will be greatly honoured. Wherever he goes,
the Lord will bless him.  Wisdom's servants are the
servants of the Holy One, and the Lord loves every-
one who loves her.  Those who obey her will give
sound judgments; those who pay attention to her
have true security..... But if you go astray, she will
abandon you and let you go to your own ruin.  4:11-19
Readings

SERVING GOD

My child, if you are going to serve the Lord,

be prepared for times when you will be put to the test.
Be sincere and determined. Keep calm when trouble comes.
Stay with the Lord; never abandon him, and you will be
prosperous at the end of your days.  Accept whatever
happens to you.  Even if you suffer humiliation, be
patient.
Gold is tested by fire, and human character is tested
in the furnace of humiliation.  Trust the Lord, and he
will help you. Walk straight in his ways, and put your
hope in him...... The Lord is kind and merciful; he
forgives our sins and keeps us safe in time of trouble.  Sir 2:1-11

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WISDOM COMES FROM GOD

All wisdom comes from the Lord and with him it remains forever, and is before all time. The sand of the seashore, the drops of the rain, the days
of eternity: who can number these?

Heaven's height, earth's breath, the depths of the abyss:
who can explore these? Before all things else wisdom was
 created; prudent and understanding, from eternity.
The word of God on high is the fountain of wisdom, and
her ways are everlasting....... Sir. 1:1-10


Readings

LORD HOW SHOULD I TREAT MY ENEMY

Saul set off and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, accompanied by three

thousand men chosen from Israel to search for David in the wilderness of Ziph.
So in the dark David and Abishai made their way towards the force,
where they found Saul asleep inside the camp, his spear stuck in the ground
beside his head, with Abner and the troops lying round him.

Then Abishai said to David, "Today God has put your enemy in your
power; so now let me pin him to the ground with his own spear. Just
one stroke! I will not need to strike him twice." 

David answered Abishai, "Do not kill him, for who can lift his
hand against the Lord's anointed and be without guilt?....
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FAITH

Brothers and sisters: Faith is the realization of what is hoped for

Saint Polycarp

and evidence of things not seen.   Because of it the ancients were
well attested.  By faith we understand that the universe was ordered
by the word of God, so that what is visible came into being through
invisible. By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice greater than Cain's.
Through this, he was attested to be righteous, God bearing witness
to his gifts, and through this, through dead, he still speaks.....

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THE CHAIR OF SAINT PETER

THE CHAIR OF ST PETER

We pray for Pope Francis. May God's spirit remain
with him to guide and direct him.

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MAY GOD ANSWER YOU

May the LORD answer you in a day of trouble;

may the name of Jacob's God protect you.
May He send you help from the sanctuary,
and sustain you in Zion.
May He remember all your offerings
and accept all your burn offering.... Psalm 20
Readings

Psalm 27