From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   “COVETOUSNESS”   
      
   And he said to them, “Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a   
   man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”   
   Luke 12:15  RSVCE   
      
    for we brought nothing into the world, and[a] we cannot take anything   
   out of the world; 8 but if we have food and clothing, with these we   
   shall be content.  (1 Tim. 6:7-8)  RSVCE   
      
   But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare,   
   into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and   
   destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is   
   through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and   
   pierced their hearts with many pangs. (1 Tim. 6:9-10)  RSVCE   
      
   =============   
   September 23rd - Saint Thecla, 1st Virgin Martyr   
   (d.  First Century)   
      
   Saint Thecla is one of the most ancient, as she is one of the most   
   illustrious Saints in the calendar of the Church. It was at Iconium   
   that Saint Thecla heard the preaching of Saint Paul, who kindled the   
   love of virginity in her heart. She had been promised in marriage to a   
   young man who was rich and generous, but after hearing the discourses   
   of the Apostle’s word she died to all thought of earthly espousals.   
   She forgot her beauty; she was deaf to her parent’s threats, and at   
   the first opportunity fled from a luxurious home and followed the   
   Apostle.   
      
   The rage of her parents and of her suitor followed hard after her, and   
   the Roman power did its worst against the virgin whom Christ had   
   chosen for Himself. She was stripped and placed in the public theater,   
   but her innocence shrouded her like a garment. Then the lions were let   
   loose against her; they fell crouching at her feet and licked them   
   like a house pet. Even fire could not harm her. Torment after torment   
   was inflicted upon her without effect, until finally the divine Spouse   
   of virgins spoke the word of deliverance and called her to Himself,   
   with the double crown of martyrdom and virginity on her head.   
      
   Reflection: It is purity in soul and body which will make you strong   
   in pain, in temptation, and in the hour of death. “I can do all in the   
   One who fortifies me”, said Saint Paul. Imitate the purity of this   
   glorious virgin, and take her for your special patroness in your last   
   agony.   
      
   Source: Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, a compilation based on   
   Butler’s Lives of the Saints and other sources by John Gilmary Shea   
   (Benziger Brothers: New York, 1894).   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   To love God as He ought to be loved, we must be detached from all   
   temporal love. We must love nothing but Him, or if we love anything   
   else, we must love it only for His sake.   
   --St. Peter Claver   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous   
   and his ears toward their cry. Ps 34:15   
   When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears   
   and delivers them out of all their troubles. Ps 34:17  RSVCE   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Imitate Christ   
      
   Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live   
   a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a   
   fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.   
      
   But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,   
   or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for   
   God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse   
   joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you   
   can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person - such a man is an   
   idolater - has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no   
   one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath   
   comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with   
   them.   
      
   For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.   
   Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all   
   goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.   
   Have nothing to do with fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose   
   them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in   
   secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is   
   light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:   
      
   "Wake up, O sleeper,   
   rise from the dead,   
   and Christ will shine on you.”   
      
   Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise,   
   making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.   
   Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do   
   not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with   
   the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.   
   Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to   
   God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.   
   Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)