Sunday, January 18, 2009

The Cliff Notes for a Perfect Life

The In-a-Nutshell Version of All that is Pertinent and Necessary to Live a Good Life, Save Our Souls, and Make the World a Better Place:

Epistle for the Second Sunday After the Epiphany
Romans 12: 6-16

Brethren,
Having different gifts, according to the grace that is given us:
either prophecy, to be used according to the rule of faith;
or ministry, in ministering;
or he that teacheth, in doctrine;
he that exhorteth, in exhorting;
he that giveth, with simplicity;
he that ruleth, with carefulness;
he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Let love be without dissimulation.
Hating that which is evil,
cleaving to that which is good:
loving one another with the charity of brotherhood:
with honor preventing one another:
in carefulness not slothful;
in spirit fervent:
serving the Lord:
rejoicing in hope:
patient in tribulation:
instant in prayer:
communicating to the necessities of the Saints:
pursuing hospitality.

Bless them that persecute you:
bless, and curse not.
Rejoice with them that rejoice,
weep with them that weep:
being of one mind one towards another:
not minding high things, but consenting to the humble.

St. Paul: Life Coach Extraordinaire!

4 comments:

MightyMom said...

love that one!

Marie said...

This is just so beautiful Thanks Lisa:).

Peace, JOY & Love to you:)

Marie xooxoxox

A Bit of the Blarney said...

No one has ever said that being a follower of Jesus was easy, but Saint Paul, never minces words. Thank you.! Cathy

Shosannah said...

Oh, just beautiful. God's light hovers over the words.
I have always loved this passage very much.
I love the way you set it out. Just turns it into pure poetry.
Thanks for sharing :)