RELIGION AND ART

I wish that a guard could be placed at my mouth, that my lips could be wisely sealed. It would keep me from making mistakes and prevent me from destroying myself with my own tongue. O Lord, my Father and Master of my life, do not leave me at the mercy of my own  words, don't let them cause my downfall.  I wish I could be whipped for my thoughts, so that Wisdom could discipline my mind.  I would not want to be spared when I am wrong; I would not want a single sin overlooked. Then I would not keep on sinning, making one mistake after another.  I could not fall to my enemies and be humiliated by them. O Lord, my Father, God of my life, keep me from being arrogant, protect me from evil desires. Keep me from being overcome by greed or lust; do not leave me at the mercy of shameless passions.   Sir. 22:27, 23:1-4

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroy's God's temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.  1 Cor. 3:16-17 Liturgical readings 

I am going to gather the people from all the countries where I have scattered them in my anger, and fury, and I am going to bring them back to this place and let them live in safety, Then they will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them a single purpose in life to honour me for all time, for their own good and the good of their descendants. I will make an eternal covenant with them.  I will never stop doing good things for them, and I will make them fear me with all their heart,  so that they will never turn away from me. I will take pleasure in doing good things for them, and I will establish them permanently in this land. Jer. 32: 37-41 Amen. May this be your lot in most Holy name of Jesus Christ.

God's unfailing love and mercy still continue. Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. The Lord is all I have, and so I put my hope in him. The Lord is good to everyone who trusts in him. So it is best for us to wait in patience, to wait for him to save us, and it is best to learn this patience in our youth. When we suffer, we should sit alone in silent patience. We should bow in submission, for there may still be hope. Though beaten and insulted, we should accept all.  The Lord is merciful and will not reject us for ever. He may bring us sorrow, but his love for us is sure and strong. He takes no pleasure in causing us grief of pain. Lam. 3:22-33