Nine Ladies Dancing

The Ninth Month of Christmas

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

— Galatians 5:22–23

You have turned my wailing into dancing.

— Psalm 30

The Work of Our Hands

Labor Day, Part One

Without them no city can be inhabited, and wherever they live, they will not go hungry.

— Sirach 38

He put their feet on a straight path to go to a city where they might dwell.

— Psalm 107

Prosper the work of our hands; prosper our handiwork.

— Psalm 90

Listen

The Goal of a Difficult Conversation

...and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church...

— Matthew 18

The Edges of Love

When Love Requires a No

Let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy.

— Romans 13

Joyful on Their Beds

What We Carry Into the Night

Let the faithful rejoice in triumph; let them be joyful on their beds.

Turn away the reproach which I dread, because your judgments are good.

— Psalms 149 and 119

The Closest Neighbor

God's Economy Begins Nearby

If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one.

Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.

— Exodus 12; Ezekiel 33

Human Things

When the Reasonable Answer Is Still Wrong

You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.

— Matthew 16