Daily Devotional for January 8 – 14

Sunday
This week: Ecclesiasticus 8:1Strive not with a mighty man’ lest thou fall into his hands.

2Be not at variance with a rich man, lest he overweigh thee: for gold hath destroyed many, and perverted the hearts of kings.

3Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire.

4Jest not with a rude man, lest thy ancestors be disgraced.

5Reproach not a man that turneth from sin, but remember that we are all worthy of punishment.

6Dishonour not a man in his old age: for even some of us wax old.

7Rejoice not over thy greatest enemy being dead, but remember that we die all.

8Despise not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs: for of them thou shalt learn instruction, and how to serve great men with ease.

9Miss not the discourse of the elders: for they also learned of their fathers, and of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give answer as need requireth.

10Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest thou be burnt with the flame of his fire.

11Rise not up [in anger] at the presence of an injurious person, lest he lie in wait to entrap thee in thy words

Prayer: O Lord, our God, in Thy goodness and love for men forgive me all the sins I have committed today in word, deed or thought. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed sleep. Send Thy Guardian Angel to guard and protect me from all evil. For Thou art the guardian of our souls and bodies, and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
*(Evening Prayer and Confession of Sins)

Monday
Ecclesiasticus 8:

12Lend not unto him that is mightier than thyself; for if thou lendest him, count it but lost.

13Be not surety above thy power: for if thou be surety, take care to pay it.

14Go not to law with a judge; for they will judge for him according to his honour.

15Travel not by the way with a bold fellow, lest he become grievous unto thee: for he will do according to his own will, and thou shalt perish with him through his folly.

16Strive not with an angry man, and go not with him into a solitary place: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help, he will overthrow thee.

17Consult not with a fool; for he cannot keep counsel.

18Do no secret thing before a stranger; for thou knowest not what he will bring forth.

19Open not thine heart to every man, lest he requite thee with a shrewd turn.

Prayer: O come, let us worship God our King.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God.

Tuesday
Ecclesiasticus 9: Be not jealous over the wife of thy bosom, and teach her not an evil lesson against thyself.

2Give not thy soul unto a woman to set her foot upon thy substance.

3Meet not with an harlot, lest thou fall into her snares.

4Use not much the company of a woman that is a singer, lest thou be taken with her attempts.

5Gaze not on a maid, that thou fall not by those things that are precious in her.

6Give not thy soul unto harlots, that thou lose not thine inheritance.

7Look not round about thee in the streets of the city, neither wander thou in the solitary place thereof.

8Turn away thine eye from a beautiful woman, and look not upon another’s beauty; for many have been deceived by the beauty of a woman; for herewith love is kindled as a fire.

9Sit not at all with another man’s wife, nor sit down with her in thine arms, and spend not thy money with her at the wine; lest thine heart incline unto her, and so through thy desire thou fall into destruction.

Prayer: Soul of Christ, sanctify me, Body of Christ, save me Blood of Christ, inebriate me, Water from Christ’s side, wash me, Passion of Christ, strengthen me, O good Jesus, hear me, Within Thy wounds hide me, Suffer me not to be separated from Thee, From the malicious enemy defend me, In the hour of my death call me, And bid me come unto Thee, That I may praise Thee with Thy saints, and with Thy angels, Forever and ever, Amen.

Wednesday
Ecclesiasticus 9:

1A wise judge will instruct his people; and the government of a prudent man is well ordered.2As the judge of the people is himself, so are his officers; and what manner of man the ruler of the city is, such are all they that dwell therein.

3An unwise king destroyeth his people; but through the prudence of them which are in authority the city shall be inhabited.

4The power of the earth is in the hand of the Lord, and in due time he will set over it one that is profitable.

5In the hand of God is the prosperity of man: and upon the person of the scribe shall he lay his honour.

6Bear not hatred to thy neighbour for every wrong; and do nothing at all by injurious practices.

7Pride is hateful before God and man: and by both doth one commit iniquity.

8Because of unrighteous dealings, injuries, and riches got by deceit, the kingdom is translated from one people to another.

9Why is earth and ashes proud? There is not a more wicked thing than a covetous man: for such an one setteth his own soul to sale; because while he liveth he casteth away his bowels.

10The physician cutteth off a long disease; and he that is to day a king to morrow shall die.

Prayer: Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.Z
*Memorare

Thursday
Ecclesiasticus 9:

11Envy not the glory of a sinner: for thou knowest not what shall be his end.

12Delight not in the thing that the ungodly have pleasure in; but remember they shall not go unpunished unto their grave.

13Keep thee far from the man that hath power to kill; so shalt thou not doubt the fear of death: and if thou come unto him, make no fault, lest he take away thy life presently: remember that thou goest in the midst of snares, and that thou walkest upon the battlements of the city.

14As near as thou canst, guess at thy neighbour, and consult with the wise.

15Let thy talk be with the wise, and all thy communication in the law of the most High.

16And let just men eat and drink with thee; and let thy glorying be in the fear of the Lord.

17For the hand of the artificer the work shall be commended: and the wise ruler of the people for his speech.

18A man of an ill tongue is dangerous in his city; and he that is rash in his talk shall be hated.

Prayer: Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

Friday
Ecclesiasticus 10:A wise judge will instruct his people; and the government of a prudent man is well ordered.

2As the judge of the people is himself, so are his officers; and what manner of man the ruler of the city is, such are all they that dwell therein.