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Let’s be good shepherds of the flock that God has entrusted to us —Extracted from the 1st letter of St. Peter, Chapter 5:1-4
I have something to tell you elders: I am an elder myself, and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, and with you I have a share in the glory that is to be revealed.
Be the shepherds of the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, because God wants it; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it.
Never be a dictator over any group that is put in your charge, but be an example that the whole flock can follow.
When the chief shepherd (referred to “Jesus Christ”) appears, you will be given the crown of unfading glory. 8-)
I will betroth you to Myself for ever - Extracted from Hosea, Chapter 2: 16-17, 21-22
The Lord says this:
I am going to lead her out into the wilderness and speak to her heart.
There she will respond to Me as she did when she was young, as she did when she came out of the land of Egypt.
I will betroth you to Myself for ever, betroth you with integrity and justice, with tenderness and love; I will betroth you to Myself with faithfulness, and you will come to know the Lord. |
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Fatherly Advice- The Proverbs of Solomon – Extracted from Proverbs, Chapter 14:
1 Wisdom builds herself a house; with her own hands Folly pulls it down.
2 Whoever keeps to an honest course fears Yahweh, whoever deserts his paths shows contempt for him.
3 Pride sprouts in the mouth of the fool, the lips of the wise keep them safe.
4 No oxen, empty manger; strong bull, much cash.
5 The truthful witness tells no lies, the false witness lies with every breath.
6 In vain the mocker looks for wisdom, knowledge comes easy to the discerning man.
7 Keep well clear of the fool, you will not find wise lips there.
8 With people of discretion, wisdom keeps a watch over their conduct, but the folly of fools leads them astray.
9 Fools mock at the sacrifice for sin, but favour resides among the honest.
10 The heart knows its own grief best, nor can a stranger share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, the tent of the honest will prosper.
12 There are ways that some think straight, but they lead in the end to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart finds sadness, and joy makes way for sorrow.
14 The miscreant will reap the reward of his conduct, and the good the reward of his deeds.
15 The simpleton believes any message, a person of discretion treads a careful path.
16 The wise fears evil and avoids it, the fool is insolent and conceited.
17 A quick-tempered person commits rash acts, the prudent man will be long suffering.
18 Simpletons have folly for their portion, people of discretion knowledge for their crown.
19 The evil bow down before the good, the wicked, at the gates of the upright.
20 The poor is detestable even to a friend, but many are they who love someone rich.
21 One who despises the needy is at fault, one who takes pity on the poor is blessed.
22 Plan evil - isn't this to go astray? Those who plan for good can earn faithful love and constancy.
23 Hard work always yields its profit, idle talk brings only want.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches; the folly of fools is folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, whoever utters lies is a deceiver.
26 In the fear of Yahweh is powerful security; in him his children find a refuge.
27 The fear of Yahweh is a life-giving spring, for eluding the snares of death.
28 Large population, monarch's glory; dwindling population, ruler's ruin.
29 Mastery of temper is high proof of intelligence, a quick temper makes folly worse than ever.
30 The life of the body is a tranquil heart, but envy is a cancer in the bones.
31 To oppress the weak insults the Creator, kindness to the needy honours the Creator.
32 For evil-doing, the wicked will be flung headlong, but in integrity the upright will find refuge.
33 Wisdom resides in an understanding heart; she is not to be found in the hearts of fools.
34 Uprightness makes a nation great, by sin whole races are disgraced.
35 A king shows favour to a wise minister, but anger to one who shames him. 3 December 2011
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Fatherly Advice - The Proverbs of Solomon – Extracted from Proverbs, Chapter 13:
1 A wise child listens to a father's discipline, a cynic will not listen to reproof.
2 When a man has good things to eat, it is the fruit of his own words, but the soul of the treacherous feeds on violence.
3 A guard on the mouth makes life secure, whoever talks too much is lost.
4 The idler hungers but has no food; hard workers get their fill.
5 The upright hates a lying word, but the wicked slanders and defames.
6 Uprightness stands guard over one whose way is honest, sin causes the ruin of the wicked.
7 There are some who, on nothing, pretend to be rich, some, with great wealth, pretend to be poor.
8 A man’s wealth may ransom his life, but the poor man sees no threat.
9 The light of the upright is joyful, the lamp of the wicked goes out.
10 Insolence breeds only disputes, wisdom lies with those who take advice.
11 A sudden fortune will dwindle away, accumulation little by little is the way to riches.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 Contempt for the word is self-destructive, respect for the commandment wins salvation.
14 The teaching of the wise is a life-giving fountain for eluding the snares of death.
15 Good sense wins favour, but the way of the treacherous is hard.
16 Anyone of discretion acts by the light of knowledge, the fool parades his folly.
17 A bad messenger falls into misfortune, a trusty messenger brings healing.
18 Whoever rejects discipline wins poverty and scorn; for anyone who accepts correction: honour.
19 Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul; fools are loth to turn from evil.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, whoever mixes with fools will be ruined.
21 Evil will pursue the sinner, but good will reward the upright.
22 The good bequeaths a heritage to children's children, the wealth of the sinner is stored away for the upright.
23 Though the farms of the poor yield much food, some perish for lack of justice.
24 Whoever fails to use the stick hates his child; whoever is free with correction loves him.
25 The upright eats to the full, the belly of the wicked goes empty. |
