June 30th
St Paul (5-67), Apostle, Martyr; Tarsus, Asia Minor; Feast day June 30th

"Brethren:  Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus, Who though He was by nature God, did not consider being equal to God a thing to be clung to, but emptied Himself, taking the nature of a slave and being made like unto men.  And appearing in the form of man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death, even to death on a cross.  Therefore God also has exalted Him and has bestowed upon Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father."

"Brethren:  If you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Mind the things that are above, not the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, your life, shall appear, then you too will appear with Him in glory."

"Brethren:  I reckon that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that will be revealed in us.  For the eager longing of creation awaits the revelation of the sons of God.  For creation was made subject to vanity -- not by its own will but by reason of Him Who made it subject -- in hope, because creation itself also will be delivered from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the sons of God.  For we know that all creation groans and travails in pain until now.  And not only it, but we ourselves also who have the first-fruits of the Spirit -- we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption as sons of God, the redemption of our body, in Christ Jesus our Lord."

"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.  May no temptation take hold of you but such as man is equal to.  God is faithful and will not permit you to be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also give you a way out that you may be able to bear it."

"Be not deceived, God is not mocked.  For what a man sows, that he will also reap.  For he who sows in the flesh, from the flesh also will reap corruption.  But he who sows in the spirit, from the spirit will reap life everlasting.  And in doing good let us not grow tired; for in due time we shall reap if we do not relax.  Therefore, while we have time, let us do good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of faith."

"Brethren:  I pray you not to be disheartened at my tribulations for you, for they are your glory.  For this reason I bend my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from Whom all fatherhood in heaven and on earth receives its name, that He may grant you from His glorious riches to be strengthened with power through His Spirit unto the progress of the inner man; and to have Christ dwelling through faith in your hearts: so that, being rooted and grounded in love, you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know Christ's love which surpasses knowledge, in order that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God.  Now, to Him Who is able to accomplish all things in a measure far beyond what we ask or conceive, in keeping with thepower that is at work in us -- to Him be glory in the Chruscch and in Crhrist Jesus ddown through all the ages of time without end.  Amern."