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(Mal.1:14b-2:2b,8-10;\xa0\xa0 Ps.131:1-3;\xa0\xa0 1Thes.2:7b-9,13;\xa0\xa0 Mt.23:1-12) \xa0 \u201cHave we not all the one Father? Has not the one God created us?\u201d \xa0 And should not those who serve in His stead, bringing the word of God to waiting hearts, be as He is, loving all as He does and thus giving \u201cglory to [His] name\u201d? \u201cI have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child.\xa0 Like a weaned child on its mother\u2019s lap, so is my soul within me,\u201d King David declares, thus revealing the blessed relationship of the faithful, humble disciple and His Lord.\xa0 We are indeed as little children before God, and He loves us as a tender Father, as the One who has made us with great care.\xa0 And so we should take our peace upon His lap. And when the sheep of the flock come to the shepherds the Lord has appointed to teach in His Name, they should find a reflection of the Father\u2019s presence \u2013 in these one should discover His love.\xa0 Yes, they must instruct according to the Word placed upon their souls by their ordination, but they should not merit the words Jesus speaks of the Pharisees: \u201cThey preach but they do not practice.\u201d\xa0 For if \u201call their works are performed to be seen,\u201d if they teach and preach without love, without living the word of God themselves, soon the flock will be led astray by their vanity and turn from the word they speak itself.\xa0 Malachi prophesies to the priests of his day: \u201cYou have turned aside from the way, and have caused many to falter by your instruction.\u201d\xa0 If these leaders show no reverence of God themselves, who will be led to reverence by their instruction? Yes, still our duty is to God Himself and our worship is of Him alone \u2013 and so Jesus teaches the people, \u201cDo and observe whatsoever [the scribes and Pharisees] tell you, but do not follow their example\u201d \u2013 but He also demands of His followers that they not possess the vanity of these proud leaders.\xa0 Oh if all approached the service of Paul, how blessed our Church would be!\xa0 Listen to his words to the Thessalonians: \u201cBrothers and sisters: we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children,\u201d for he and his fellow workers \u201cwere determined to share with [them] not only the Gospel of God, but [their] very selves as well,\u201d so much did they love their flock with the love of God. And this is as all pastors are called to be, \u201cworking night and day\u201d for the little ones in their care.\xa0 \u201cFeed my sheep,\u201d the Lord commanded His Rock; and all our priests are called to feed the members of the Church not only with the Word of God, but also with His love, that they might learn to take refuge in Him who is Father of all.\xa0 I ask you, has the Lord not become incarnate in our midst? \xa0And should that Incarnation not be known in all our flesh and in all our bone?\xa0 Then let us serve one another in love. \xa0 Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. \xa0 Music: "Everyone's A Baby, Everyone's A Child" from All One, sixth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. \xa0 ******* O LORD, let us humble ourselves before you, our Father. \xa0 \xa0 \xa0YHWH, let us all be humble before you, as children on their mother\u2019s lap; then we shall know your blessing \u2013 then we shall live in your love. But if we should become proud and seek the praise of others, our souls will be thus corrupted and we will know you no more. \xa0 \xa0 \xa0O LORD, please send us holy priests to guide us in your ways. May they always preach your Word in truth that our hearts might not go astray; and may they live according to the Gospel they impart, that an example of your self-giving love will be ever with us. \xa0 \xa0 \xa0What is a family without a father, and how can we be your children without your image revealed among us, without the instruction and sacrifice of your Son made real in our midst? You have created us, dear LORD, and you desire to share your blessings with us all. In genuine humility let us come before you and others, serving ever your saving Word.