Universal Utterings®
for December 11, 2023

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12-11-2023 Sirach 3 V1013 His glory is yours too

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The Book of Sirach Ch Three v- 10 thru 13

10 Do not glory in your father’s disgrace, for that is no glory to you! 11 A father’s glory is glory also for oneself; they multiply sin who demean their mother. 12 My son, be steadfast in honoring your father; do not grieve him as long as he lives. 13 Even if his mind fails, be considerate of him; do not revile him because you are in your prime.

“Do not glory in your father’s disgrace, for that is no glory to you!” This phrase emphasizes that finding satisfaction or pride in someone else's disgrace, even if it is one's own father, does not reflect positively on oneself. It implies that true brilliance comes from integrity, empathy, forgiveness, and virtuous actions, rather than deriving pleasure from the misfortune of others, specifically if they are family members. It encourages individuals to focus on their own character and behaviors rather than taking pleasure in the downfall of others especially your own father and mother.

Honoring your father even after experiencing his bad behavior speaks of a person who is mature, forgiving, and respectful. It demonstrates their ability to separate the negative actions from the person as a whole and understand that everyone is flawed. This type of person is likely to value family bonds and prioritize maintaining a positive relationship with their father, regardless of past mistakes. They may also possess empathy and compassion, understanding that people can change and grow over time.

My dad was no different. He was a drunk through and through but a dad who loved his kids too. He worked hard and ran a successful transmission business six days a week coming home smelling like transmission fluid mixed with beer or liquor anew. He would come into our rooms in the middle of the night after arriving so drunk he could barely stand and would drag us out of our beds by our hair many times swinging a belt across our bodies yelling, “Get up and clean this f$%&ing room!” Once I questioned him on something I knew was correct about and he back handed me so hard in the back seat of his car as he drove that I swear a lady on the sidewalk could here the sound of me being slapped from the side walk in downtown Gainesville. But I never gave up on him and told him so countless times as he grew older. “I love you and forgive you.” I had to forgive him for beating my mother as well as what he did to me and my brother and sister too. I had to forgive him as much as I would forgive my perpetrator who stole my innocence at 19 where it took me more than 25 years to process what happened to me and seek help and healing in Christ. We have to forgive and honor Redemption as the healing way to find peace over being plagued with selfish actions of spitefulness.

Countless medical studies prove this. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, research shows that the act of forgiving establishing a genuine internalized action reduces the risk of heart attack, lowers cholesterol, improves sleep quality and dials down blood pressure, pain and anxiety levels. It counters depression and stress leaving one filled with peace. Listen to this brief story Everett L. Worthington, Jr. wrote about Chris Carrier who was 10 years old when he was abducted near his Florida home, taken into the swamps, stabbed repeatedly in the chest and abdomen with an ice pick, and then shot through the temple with a handgun. Remarkably, hours after being shot, he awoke with a headache, unable to see out of one eye. He stumbled to the highway and stopped a car, which took him to the hospital.

Years later, a police officer told Chris that the man suspected of his abduction lay close to death. “Confront him,” suggested the officer. Chris did more than that. He comforted his attacker during the man’s final weeks of life and ultimately forgave him, bringing peace to them both. Chris Carrier’s story is such a clear example of forgiveness. Although he never forgot or condoned what his attacker did to him, he did replace his negative emotions and desire for retribution with feelings of care and compassion and a drive toward conciliation. To forgive offers peace especially in children. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for a little boy named David Alexander. Praise God thank You Jesus. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

Practice. Pray. Proclaim. ®
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20

12-11-2023 Sirach 3 v-1013

**His glory is yours too**

Disgrace of your father do not subdue

Glory none for you

His glory is yours too

Mother demean sin multiplied true

Father honor steadfast and kind

Grieve him not lifelong as proof

Him considerate be even in his failing mind

Him revile not in prime yours aloof

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

December 11, 2023 @ 04:44 AM EST

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