October 25

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. — Matt 20:28

Wav’ring as winds the breath of fortune blows,
No power can turn it, and no prayers compose.
Deep in some hermit’s solitary cell,
Repose, and ease, and contemplation dwell.
Let conscience guide thee in the days of need,
Judge well thy own, and then thy neighbor’s deed.
— Geoffrey Chaucer.

To every man upon this earth
Death cometh soon or late;
And how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers
And the temples of his gods.
— Thomas B. Macaulay.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to remember that I am to cover life's journey, even though I may go the way carelessly and aimlessly. May I make an estimate of what I am losing, by waiting so long at the resting places, "For the road winds up hill all the way to the end, and the journey takes the whole day long, from morn to night." Amen.