Proverbs 3

My son, forget not my teaching, keep in mind my commands;

For many days, and years of life, and peace, will they bring you.

Let not kindness and fidelity leave you; bind them around your neck;

Then will you win favor and good esteem before God and man.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not;

In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD and turn away from evil;

This will mean health for your flesh and vigor for your bones.

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with first fruits of all your produce;

Then will your barns be filled with grain, with new wine your vats will overflow.

The discipline of the LORD, my son, disdain not; spurn not his reproof;

For whom the LORD loves he reproves, and he chastises the son he favors.
Happy the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding!

For her profit is better than profit in silver, and better than gold is her revenue;

She is more precious than corals, and none of your choice possessions can compare with her.

Long life is in her right hand, in her left are riches and honor;

Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace;

She is a tree of life to those who grasp her, and he is happy who holds her fast.

The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, established the heavens by understanding;


By his knowledge the depths break open, and the clouds drop down dew.

My son, let not these slip out of your sight: keep advice and counsel in view;

So will they be life to your soul, and an adornment for your neck.

Then you may securely go your way; your foot will never stumble;

When you lie down, you need not be afraid, when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.

Honor is the possession of wise men, but fools inherit shame.

Be not afraid of sudden terror, of the ruin of the wicked when it comes;

For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from the snare.

Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him.

Say not to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give," when you can give at once.

Plot no evil against your neighbor, against him who lives at peace with you.

Quarrel not with a man without cause, with one who has done you no harm.

Envy not the lawless man and choose none of his ways:

To the LORD the perverse man is an abomination, but with the upright is his friendship.

The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but the dwelling of the just he blesses;

When he is dealing with the arrogant, he is stern, but to the humble he shows kindness.

Lady of Graces

Lady of graces, look upon this people
which for centuries has remained faithful to you and to your Son.
Look upon this nation,
which has always placed its hope in your maternal love.
Turn your eyes of mercy towards us,
obtain what your children most need.
Open the hearts of the prosperous to the needs of the poor and the suffering.
Enable the unemployed to find an employer.
Help those who are poverty-stricken to find a home.
Grant families the love which makes it possible to surmount all difficulties.
Show young people a way and a horizon for the future.
Cover children with the mantle of your protection,lest they be scandalized.
Confirm religious communities with the grace of faith, hope and love.
Grant that priests may follow in the footsteps of your Son by offering their lives each day for the sheep.
Obtain for Bishops the light of the Holy Spirit, so that they may guide this Church to the gates of your Son’s Kingdom by a single, straight path.
Most Holy Mother, Our Lady of Calvary,
obtain also for me strength in body and spirit,
that I may carry out to the end the mission given me by the Risen Lord.
To you I give back all the fruits of my life and my ministry;
to you I entrust the future of the Church;
to you I offer my nation;in you do I trust and once more to you I declare:
Totus Tuus, Maria!
Totus Tuus.

Amen

John Paul II, August 2002.

Isaiah 46

Bel bows down, Nebo stoops, their idols are upon beasts and cattle; They must be borne up on shoulders, carried as burdens by the weary.

They stoop and bow down together; unable to save those who bear them, they too go into captivity.

Hear me, O house of Jacob, all who remain of the house of Israel, My burden since your birth, whom I have carried from your infancy.

Even to your old age I am the same, even when your hair is gray I will bear you; It is I who have done this, I who will continue, and I who will carry you to safety.

Whom would you compare me with, as an equal, or match me against, as though we were alike?

There are those who pour out gold from a purse and weigh out silver on the scales; Then they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god before which they fall down in worship.

They lift it to their shoulders to carry; when they set it in place again, it stays, and does not move from the spot. Although they cry out to it, it cannot answer; it delivers no one from distress.


Remember this and be firm, bear it well in mind, you rebels; remember the former things, those long ago:

I am God, there is no other; I am God, there is none like me.

At the beginning I foretell the outcome; in advance, things not yet done. I say that my plan shall stand, I accomplish my every purpose.

I call from the east a bird of prey, from a distant land, one to carry out my plan. Yes, I have spoken, I will accomplish it; I have planned it, and I will do it.

Listen to me, you fainthearted, you who seem far from the victory of justice:

I am bringing on my justice, it is not far off, my salvation shall not tarry; I will put salvation within Zion, and give to Israel my glory.