Self-control

After Genesis 39:6-12 

She saw, she desired,

he evaded, he refused,

to maintain his commitment

to God, to honor his position

with his master, to be true

to his own integrity. It would

cost him his freedom.

 

It doesn’t have to be only

the temptation of adultery;

any desire will suffice.

We cannot maintain

self-control on our own,

it’s that simple and

simply that. If not dultery,

then food, or acquisitiveness,

or greed, or position, 

or reputation, or anything

that is always there, ready

to be worshipped,

or self-worshipped.

 

Photograph by Jack Sharp via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Friday Readings

 

Discovery – poem by Toyohiko Kagawa at Kingdom Poets (D.S. Martin). 

 

The Shepherd’s Voice – sermon by Mark Daniels.

 

Where Death Is No an Is – poem by Katie Manning at Rabbit Room Poetry.

 

At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing – Anthony Esolen at Word & Song.

 

St. Genevieve and 2,000 Sheep – poem by Megan Willome at Poetry for Life.