Monday Morning

I am my beloved’s; he pastures his flock among the lilies. As an apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among young men. With great delight I sit in his shadow, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.

And blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. For love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs; it does not rejoice in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

God is our refuge and strength, a well proved help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect harmony. Let all you do be done in love.