I Was Naked and You Clothed Me .

[Paulus]

Volunteers at Helping Hands dedicate their time and efforts to clothe many struck by hard times

In the neatly organized aisles of the old St. Louis church in East Toledo, clients look through long racks of clothes sorted by size, gender and category.

"We are a free store," says Joan Schroeder, Helping Hands of St. Louis Clothing Center volunteer. "The concept of a free store is everyone gives and everyone gets."

"People when they come in here, they are treat with respect ," says Anita Plantz, volunteer and founder of the Clothing Center.

Clients looking at items in Clothing CenterWhen the doors open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, there are greeters, personal shoppers and sorters to help customers browse with ease and peace of mind.

All items are donated by community members and are closely inspected by volunteers before put on the racks. The Clothing Center helps an average of 400 people each month.

http://catholiccharitiesnwo.org/i-was-naked-and-you-clothed-me/

[mclees8]

Paulus I hope you know that Catholics are not the only ones who do charity.  The scripture in complete reads  (   When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.)
. Mt 25:31-37

I have seen many ministries doing these things.  These things are never a brag or some merit badge but is to be the spirit of Jesus in us that compels us to love our neighbor as our selves. It is not about good people doing good things but Christ is exalted in the mist.

[Paulus]

Mclees you say : " Paulus I hope you know that Catholics are not the only ones who do charity."

Of course I know that .

[chosenone]

THere are countless Christian charities and churches who help to feed and clothe poor people. 

[Paulus]

Chosenone says : " THere are countless Christian charities and churches who help to feed and clothe poor people. "

And I say : " More power to their elbow . "

The Salvation Army is one of the biggest providers of services to homeless people in the UK and Ireland , and it believes everyone is valuable and no-one should be stigmatised because of their past or where they live.

http://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/homeless

[Catholica]

It seems we can't even talk about doing good without someone getting in a tizzy.

[skeeter]

It seems we can't even talk about doing good without someone getting in a tizzy.

maybe you boast about it too much... 'look at me, look at me'

Look at Who?

[Paulus]

Jesus said : " Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. "

That's biblical.......

[Paulus]

An incident in the life of Saint Martin of Tours recalls Christ's teaching to clothe the naked .

Born in 316 in Hungary, St Martin was one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages. His father was a pagan officer in the army and, as a young man, Martin joined up as a conscript. However, he had already come under the influence of Christianity, and realised that the military life was not compatible with his faith.

St Martin was probably one of the earliest conscientious objectors. He made a protest, refused to fight and lived through one war in prison. At the end of hostilities in 357 he was released and, at Amiens, cut his cloak in half - giving it to a poor beggar. After that he was baptised and travelled to Pannonia, Milan and Illyricum.

In 360 he became a monk and was one of the pioneers of western monasticism. In 372 he was made bishop but continued to live in his monk's cell first at the cathedral in Tours and then at the monastery of Marmoutier. During his long life he established many religious communities and travelled around his diocese by donkey, boat and on foot, preaching and healing. He developed a reputation for being a wonder worker. After his death on this day in 397. the cathedral became a centre for pilgrimage. Five hundred village churches and 4,000 parish churches were dedicated to him.

[DaveW]

It seems we can't even talk about doing good without someone getting in a tizzy.

Yeah.  THere are those who claim that "doing good" in any form is placing faith in "works;" and are therefore rejected by God.

They seem to think that "we must continue in sin that grace may abound...." which Paul resoundly condemns.  I remember as a highschool student hearing all the anti-works rhetoric that the ONLY way to really follow that teaching was to intentionally sin at least occasionally.

And it just did not sit right with me; I knew somewhere deep down that was the wrong way to look at it.

[DaveW]

It seems we can't even talk about doing good without someone getting in a tizzy.

maybe you boast about it too much... 'look at me, look at me'

Look at Who?

Jesus said : " Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. "

That's biblical.......

Absolutely.  If they do not look at the person doing the good works (which Paul said the Lord has ordained for us) then they will not see the hand of the Lord in those works.

[Paulus]

As you say , Andre , "It seems we can't even talk about doing good without someone getting in a tizzy."

Does one laugh or cry ? 

Perhaps I will just stay with the Divine Praises .

" Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints . " 

[Paulus]

A great example of one who performed works of mercy is Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini  .

A nun , Frances Xavier Cabrini was the first American citizen to be canonized.

Born in 1850, in Lodi in Italy, she was the thirteenth child of her family. As a young woman she worked as a teacher in a parish orphanage at Codogno, In 1874 she founded the Mother House of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart there. She dreamed of sending her sisters to China but instead her bishop advised her to concentrate on supporting the Italian immigrants who were going to the United States in large numbers. She went to New York with her first group of sisters in 1889.

From that time year after year she sent more sisters. She ended up founding 67 institutions, including schools, hospitals and orphanages - both in the USA and in Europe. Frances eventually became an American citizen and died of malaria in one of her own hospitals in 1921 in Chicago. She was canonised in 1946.

Benedictus Deus in Angelis suis, et in Sanctis suis .

Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints.

[Catholica]

As you say , Andre , "It seems we can't even talk about doing good without someone getting in a tizzy."

Does one laugh or cry ? 

Perhaps I will just stay with the Divine Praises .

" Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints . " 

This passage came to mind, from Galatians.

Galatians 5
Life by the Spirit

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

[winsome]

A great example of one who performed works of mercy is Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini  .

A nun , Frances Xavier Cabrini was the first American citizen to be canonized.

Born in 1850, in Lodi in Italy, she was the thirteenth child of her family. As a young woman she worked as a teacher in a parish orphanage at Codogno, In 1874 she founded the Mother House of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart there. She dreamed of sending her sisters to China but instead her bishop advised her to concentrate on supporting the Italian immigrants who were going to the United States in large numbers. She went to New York with her first group of sisters in 1889.

From that time year after year she sent more sisters. She ended up founding 67 institutions, including schools, hospitals and orphanages - both in the USA and in Europe. Frances eventually became an American citizen and died of malaria in one of her own hospitals in 1921 in Chicago. She was canonised in 1946.

Benedictus Deus in Angelis suis, et in Sanctis suis .

Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints.

Many orders of nuns were started by one woman with a burning desire to serve God by serving the poor. The convent where I go to Mass in the weekdays are part of an order founded by a French woman -  Emilie de Vialar. She was born into a well off family in 1797. During a missionon her parish she had a deep spiritual experience.

From this moment she felt within her, like a fire burning, an urge to make known the One whose infinite love for humanity she had discovered. At the same time she became aware and was drawn towards the poor, the sick and the abandoned in her town. Inspired by God she drew other young women to her and they began to minister to all who were in need.

With the death of her grandfather she inherited the means to purchase a house  and on Christmas night 1832, she left her paternal home and with her companions she founder her first convent. Together they got to work, caring for the sick, visiting the poor, and tending to the needs of those around them. That was the nucleus of the future Congregation to which she would give the name the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition, to honour the mystery of the Incarnation revealed to St. Joseph (Mt 1:18-24)

Her mission continued to grow reaching Europe, the Near-East, far off Burma and even Australia. Nothing could stop her making the God of Love known.

In 1852, under the patronage of Archbishop de Mazenod, the young Congregation moved its central house to Marseille. It was there that Emilie died on 24th August 1856 as a result of a hernia acquired many years earlier dragging a sack of flour to feed the poor. At her untimely death she had established 42 houses across the world.

[Paulus]

As you say , Andre , "It seems we can't even talk about doing good without someone getting in a tizzy."

Does one laugh or cry ? 

Perhaps I will just stay with the Divine Praises .

" Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints . " 

This passage came to mind, from Galatians.

Galatians 5
Life by the Spirit

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Reading of the fruit of the Spirit recalls to mind such as Queen Margaret of Scotland .

Queen and patron of Scotland , she was born in 1046 . St Margaret was educated mainly in Hungary, where her family were exiled during the rule of the Viking kings in England. As one of the last members of the Anglo Saxon royal family, she was in danger after the Norman Conquest and took refuge at the court of Malcolm II of Scotland.

Intelligent, beautiful and devout, she married Malcolm in 1069 and the union was exceptionally happy and fruitful for Scotland. The present royal family can trace their descent to Margaret and her daughter Matilda.

Margaret took a keen interest in the country. Through her, the Scottish courts were reformed and the church was revitalised. She founded many monasteries, hostels and churches.

Her private life was devoted to prayer, reading, embroidery and lavish almsgiving (including the liberation of slaves). She is said to have had a very civilising effect on her husband who was initially considered a rather rough character. Her biographer wrote: "He saw that Christ truly dwelt in her heart. What she rejected he rejected. What she loved, he for love of her loved too."

Malcolm could not read but liked to see the books she used at prayer and would have them embellished with gold and silver binding. One of her books survives in the Bodleian library.

Margaret had eight children. Alexander and David became kings of Scotland her daughter Matilda married Henry I of England. She lived just long enough to learn of the tragic death of Malcolm and one of her sons on a military expedition against William Rufus who had confiscated Edgar Atheling's estates. She died at just 47 in 1093.

Margaret was buried beside her husband in Dunfermline. Following many miracles, she was canonised in 1250. At the Reformation, both bodies were taken to the Escorial in Madrid. She was named patron of Scotland in 1673.

[mclees8]

As you say , Andre , "It seems we can't even talk about doing good without someone getting in a tizzy."

Does one laugh or cry ? 

Perhaps I will just stay with the Divine Praises .

" Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints . " 

This passage came to mind, from Galatians.

Galatians 5
Life by the Spirit

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Reading of the fruit of the Spirit recalls to mind such as Queen Margaret of Scotland .

Queen and patron of Scotland , she was born in 1046 . St Margaret was educated mainly in Hungary, where her family were exiled during the rule of the Viking kings in England. As one of the last members of the Anglo Saxon royal family, she was in danger after the Norman Conquest and took refuge at the court of Malcolm II of Scotland.

Intelligent, beautiful and devout, she married Malcolm in 1069 and the union was exceptionally happy and fruitful for Scotland. The present royal family can trace their descent to Margaret and her daughter Matilda.

Margaret took a keen interest in the country. Through her, the Scottish courts were reformed and the church was revitalised. She founded many monasteries, hostels and churches.

Her private life was devoted to prayer, reading, embroidery and lavish almsgiving (including the liberation of slaves). She is said to have had a very civilising effect on her husband who was initially considered a rather rough character. Her biographer wrote: "He saw that Christ truly dwelt in her heart. What she rejected he rejected. What she loved, he for love of her loved too."

Malcolm could not read but liked to see the books she used at prayer and would have them embellished with gold and silver binding. One of her books survives in the Bodleian library.

Margaret had eight children. Alexander and David became kings of Scotland her daughter Matilda married Henry I of England. She lived just long enough to learn of the tragic death of Malcolm and one of her sons on a military expedition against William Rufus who had confiscated Edgar Atheling's estates. She died at just 47 in 1093.

Margaret was buried beside her husband in Dunfermline. Following many miracles, she was canonised in 1250. At the Reformation, both bodies were taken to the Escorial in Madrid. She was named patron of Scotland in 1673.

Nice reflection Paulus.   Blessed are those  who walk not after the flesh but of the spirit. What we have here is debate but it does not always live up to the spirit of respect of persons or faith. For this we should examine ourselves.  Yet there are some things that anger the spirit in us and that is when Christ is misrepresented. When these tings are addressed we often sound like attackers. I hate what the Lord hates. but I never have hated any individual, we are brothers in Christ no matter how mislead because denominational practice. Yet there are those on both sides who just want to joust.   

[Paulus]

As you say , Andre , "It seems we can't even talk about doing good without someone getting in a tizzy."

Does one laugh or cry ? 

Perhaps I will just stay with the Divine Praises .

" Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints . " 

This passage came to mind, from Galatians.

Galatians 5
Life by the Spirit

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Reading of the fruit of the Spirit recalls to mind such as Queen Margaret of Scotland .

Queen and patron of Scotland , she was born in 1046 . St Margaret was educated mainly in Hungary, where her family were exiled during the rule of the Viking kings in England. As one of the last members of the Anglo Saxon royal family, she was in danger after the Norman Conquest and took refuge at the court of Malcolm II of Scotland.

Intelligent, beautiful and devout, she married Malcolm in 1069 and the union was exceptionally happy and fruitful for Scotland. The present royal family can trace their descent to Margaret and her daughter Matilda.

Margaret took a keen interest in the country. Through her, the Scottish courts were reformed and the church was revitalised. She founded many monasteries, hostels and churches.

Her private life was devoted to prayer, reading, embroidery and lavish almsgiving (including the liberation of slaves). She is said to have had a very civilising effect on her husband who was initially considered a rather rough character. Her biographer wrote: "He saw that Christ truly dwelt in her heart. What she rejected he rejected. What she loved, he for love of her loved too."

Malcolm could not read but liked to see the books she used at prayer and would have them embellished with gold and silver binding. One of her books survives in the Bodleian library.

Margaret had eight children. Alexander and David became kings of Scotland her daughter Matilda married Henry I of England. She lived just long enough to learn of the tragic death of Malcolm and one of her sons on a military expedition against William Rufus who had confiscated Edgar Atheling's estates. She died at just 47 in 1093.

Margaret was buried beside her husband in Dunfermline. Following many miracles, she was canonised in 1250. At the Reformation, both bodies were taken to the Escorial in Madrid. She was named patron of Scotland in 1673.

Nice reflection Paulus.   Blessed are those  who walk not after the flesh but of the spirit. What we have here is debate but it does not always live up to the spirit of respect of persons or faith. For this we should examine ourselves.  Yet there are some things that anger the spirit in us and that is when Christ is misrepresented. When these tings are addressed we often sound like attackers. I hate what the Lord hates. but I never have hated any individual, we are brothers in Christ no matter how mislead because denominational practice. Yet there are those on both sides who just want to joust.   

Thanks , mclees . 

May those who just want to joust fall off their horses . 

[mclees8]

As you say , Andre , "It seems we can't even talk about doing good without someone getting in a tizzy."

Does one laugh or cry ? 

Perhaps I will just stay with the Divine Praises .

" Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints . " 

This passage came to mind, from Galatians.

Galatians 5
Life by the Spirit

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Reading of the fruit of the Spirit recalls to mind such as Queen Margaret of Scotland .

Queen and patron of Scotland , she was born in 1046 . St Margaret was educated mainly in Hungary, where her family were exiled during the rule of the Viking kings in England. As one of the last members of the Anglo Saxon royal family, she was in danger after the Norman Conquest and took refuge at the court of Malcolm II of Scotland.

Intelligent, beautiful and devout, she married Malcolm in 1069 and the union was exceptionally happy and fruitful for Scotland. The present royal family can trace their descent to Margaret and her daughter Matilda.

Margaret took a keen interest in the country. Through her, the Scottish courts were reformed and the church was revitalised. She founded many monasteries, hostels and churches.

Her private life was devoted to prayer, reading, embroidery and lavish almsgiving (including the liberation of slaves). She is said to have had a very civilising effect on her husband who was initially considered a rather rough character. Her biographer wrote: "He saw that Christ truly dwelt in her heart. What she rejected he rejected. What she loved, he for love of her loved too."

Malcolm could not read but liked to see the books she used at prayer and would have them embellished with gold and silver binding. One of her books survives in the Bodleian library.

Margaret had eight children. Alexander and David became kings of Scotland her daughter Matilda married Henry I of England. She lived just long enough to learn of the tragic death of Malcolm and one of her sons on a military expedition against William Rufus who had confiscated Edgar Atheling's estates. She died at just 47 in 1093.

Margaret was buried beside her husband in Dunfermline. Following many miracles, she was canonised in 1250. At the Reformation, both bodies were taken to the Escorial in Madrid. She was named patron of Scotland in 1673.

Nice reflection Paulus.   Blessed are those  who walk not after the flesh but of the spirit. What we have here is debate but it does not always live up to the spirit of respect of persons or faith. For this we should examine ourselves.  Yet there are some things that anger the spirit in us and that is when Christ is misrepresented. When these tings are addressed we often sound like attackers. I hate what the Lord hates. but I never have hated any individual, we are brothers in Christ no matter how mislead because denominational practice. Yet there are those on both sides who just want to joust.   

Thanks , mclees . 

May those who just want to joust fall off their horses . 

Now that's funny   

[Paulus]

As you say , Andre , "It seems we can't even talk about doing good without someone getting in a tizzy."

Does one laugh or cry ? 

Perhaps I will just stay with the Divine Praises .

" Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints . " 

This passage came to mind, from Galatians.

Galatians 5
Life by the Spirit

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Reading of the fruit of the Spirit recalls to mind such as Queen Margaret of Scotland .

Queen and patron of Scotland , she was born in 1046 . St Margaret was educated mainly in Hungary, where her family were exiled during the rule of the Viking kings in England. As one of the last members of the Anglo Saxon royal family, she was in danger after the Norman Conquest and took refuge at the court of Malcolm II of Scotland.

Intelligent, beautiful and devout, she married Malcolm in 1069 and the union was exceptionally happy and fruitful for Scotland. The present royal family can trace their descent to Margaret and her daughter Matilda.

Margaret took a keen interest in the country. Through her, the Scottish courts were reformed and the church was revitalised. She founded many monasteries, hostels and churches.

Her private life was devoted to prayer, reading, embroidery and lavish almsgiving (including the liberation of slaves). She is said to have had a very civilising effect on her husband who was initially considered a rather rough character. Her biographer wrote: "He saw that Christ truly dwelt in her heart. What she rejected he rejected. What she loved, he for love of her loved too."

Malcolm could not read but liked to see the books she used at prayer and would have them embellished with gold and silver binding. One of her books survives in the Bodleian library.

Margaret had eight children. Alexander and David became kings of Scotland her daughter Matilda married Henry I of England. She lived just long enough to learn of the tragic death of Malcolm and one of her sons on a military expedition against William Rufus who had confiscated Edgar Atheling's estates. She died at just 47 in 1093.

Margaret was buried beside her husband in Dunfermline. Following many miracles, she was canonised in 1250. At the Reformation, both bodies were taken to the Escorial in Madrid. She was named patron of Scotland in 1673.

Nice reflection Paulus.   Blessed are those  who walk not after the flesh but of the spirit. What we have here is debate but it does not always live up to the spirit of respect of persons or faith. For this we should examine ourselves.  Yet there are some things that anger the spirit in us and that is when Christ is misrepresented. When these tings are addressed we often sound like attackers. I hate what the Lord hates. but I never have hated any individual, we are brothers in Christ no matter how mislead because denominational practice. Yet there are those on both sides who just want to joust.   

Thanks , mclees . 

May those who just want to joust fall off their horses . 

Now that's funny   

Well , mclees , we need some humour on this Catholic forum to stay sane . 

As an American journalist once said : " Holding on to anger, resentment and hurt only gives you tense muscles, a headache and a sore jaw from clenching your teeth. Forgiveness gives you back the laughter and the lightness in your life. "

You see , some Americans speak sense .