Father Mike Schmitz

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need."

for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.

Indeed, he was ill, near to death.

But God had mercy on him, and not only on him, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again and that I may be less anxious.

So receive him in the Lord with all joy and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete your service to me.

The fear of man lays a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord is safe.

Many seek the favor of a ruler, but from the Lord a man gets justice.

An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but he whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.

Oh Lord, for 349 days, you have fed us with your word.

You have shaped our minds and you've filled our hearts with who you are and with your love.

God, we ask you, please receive our praise, receive our thanks.

Thank you so much for every one of these days.

Thank you so much for St.

Paul and for St.

Peter and for Epaphroditus and for Timothy and for these Philippian Christians who,

today we get introduced to, we thank you so much.

Help us to be like them.

Help us to be like you.

Lord God, help us to be imitators of your son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who emptied himself humbly, humbly emptied himself out of love for us, for your glory and for our salvation.