A Good Complexion

A dear old lady was asked what she used to make her complexion so beautiful and her whole being so bright and attractive. She answered:

I use for my lips ~~ truth;

I use for my voice ~~ kindness;

I use for my ears ~~ compassion;

I use for my hands ~~ charity;

I use for my figure ~~ uprightness;

I use for my heart ~~ love;

I use for anyone who doesn't like me ~~ prayer.

Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.

~~~Philippians 4:8

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

~~~Galatians 5:22-23

Let all that you do be done with love.

~~~ I Corinthians 16:14

Give...

Jesus said to his disciples: "Be compassionate, as your Father is compassionate....For the measure you measure with will be measured back to you" (Lk 6:36-38).

God of unconditional love,

of freedom

beyond-all-measure...

how do we fathom

within our own hearts

a depth of self-giving

so much more

than our experience?

How do we enter your boundless generosity,

for we measure not beyond-all-measure?

Help us, O God...

Help us to exchange the weight of judgment

for the freedom of forgiveness.

To clothe our brothers and sisters

with the garment of compassion.

To let mercy make a home in our hearts,

and truth the door through which we pass...

And there so enter upon the way of Jesus

who is life beyond-all-measure.

Amen

PRAYER FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT

Mother or a child: From the words of St. Paul [2 Cor. 6:1-2]. Dearly beloved, we entreat you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says: "In an acceptable time I have beard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

Father: This time of fasting has opened to us the gates of paradise. Let us accept it, praying and beseeching.

Family: That on the day of resurrection we may be glorified in the Lord.

Father: Let us pray. Through the observance of Lent, O Lord, You purify Your Church every year. See to it that Your children lead a better life and so obtain the graces they are striving to acquire by doing penance. This we ask of You through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.

Family: Amen. Favor this dwelling, Lord, with Your presence. Far from it repulse all the wiles of Satan. Your holy angels, let them live here, to keep us in peace. And may your blessing remain always upon us. This we ask of you through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.

Father: Let us bless the Lord.

Family: Thanks be to God.

Father: May the almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless and keep us.

Family: Amen.

Note: This prayer should be prayed before a Crucifix

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