Today’s thought is by Augustine
Passion is the evil in adultery. If a man has no opportunity of living with another man’s wife, but if it is obvious for some reason that he would like to do so, and would do so if he could, he is no less guilty than if he was caught in the act. – Augustine
Praying for myself
There are times, dear Lord, as you well know, when I wonder about my faith.
How can I believe in a God who allows so many evil things to happen in the world. Floods which sweep away all before them. Earthquakes which kill thousands. Countries which war against each other. Those who abduct children for their own perverted ends.
Then I realise that the fault isn’t yours – it’s ours. We remove the forests which hold the land together. We build in earthquake zones. It is our greed and desire for land and natural resources that drive us to war. It is a few individuals in our society which cannot control themselves and their desires.
O Lord help me in my unbelief! Amen
Praying for others
Compassionate God,
Be with those who need you. The unloved, the friendless, the oppressed, the sick, the dying, the bereaved.
Take your love where we can’t, or won’t, reach.
Make your Spirit known in the worst places and times, so that all may benefit from the sacrifice that Jesus made for humankind.
It is in his name we pray. Amen