See, upon the mountains there advances
the bearer of good news, 
announcing peace!
Celebrate your feasts, O Judah,
fulfill your vows!
For nevermore shall you be invaded
by the scoundrel; he is completely destroyed.
The LORD will restore the vine of Jacob,
the pride of Israel,
Though ravagers have ravaged them 
and ruined the tendrils.Woe to the bloody city, all lies,
full of plunder, whose looting never stops!
The crack of the whip, the rumbling sounds of wheels;
horses a-gallop, chariots bounding, 
Cavalry charging, the flame of the sword, the flash of the spear,
the many slain, the heaping corpses,
the endless bodies to stumble upon!
I will cast filth upon you,
disgrace you and put you to shame;
Till everyone who sees you runs from you, saying,
“Nineveh is destroyed; who can pity her?
Where can one find any to console her?”

Prophet Nahum

Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, But whoever loses his life for my sake will find it… –Gospel of Matthew

‘I am getting close. The battle has been horrible. My nature is extremely and habitually sinful.’

‘What are you getting close to?’

‘I’m getting close to understanding how much God loves me.’

Powerful Mass today at the Cathedral. 18 nuns in habits, white gowns and black head covering, attended Mass. Half of them sat behind me. For some reason it made me want to cry. I thought of Mary, how wonderful it must have been to be absolutely pure. These religious sisters striving for purity.