September 19, Lectionary

Charm and beauty don't have much compared to the powers of a woman who fears the Lord. Proverbs 31:10-31

Scoffing at those with whom we disagree is not the happy way. Instead we can take joy in thinking of God's law for ourselves. Psalm 1

James made his own vice and virtue lists. They include everything in the Catholic Church's cardinal/deadly sins list, and as well as in its list of the heavenly virtues. James' solution is to Draw near to God. James 3:13-4:8

He wanted private time with his disciples. He used it to tell them he would be killed and rise again. The disciples used it to fight among themselves over who was the greatest. Perhaps this is still the greatest of not-understandings. Mark 9:30-37

Thoughts about Listening

Think of the person who taught you kind listening. Proverbs 31:10-31

A scoffing kind of communication will not encourage gift listening. Psalm 1

Generous listening will help a long ways toward treating others as you want to be treated. James 3:13-4:8

Too often I have my own agenda going in my mind when, otherwise, I would have the opportunity to really give the gift of listening. Mark 9:30-37