Saturday, February 24, 2024

What Does it Mean to Judge?

In today's world we hear a lot of people say things like: don't judge me, I feel so judged, only God can judge me, etc. It's almost like a deterrent with the person saying such things not wanting to own what they have done. However, such a person could have a good reason to feel this way due to the negative ways that people tend to pass judgment these days.


The Words of Jesus 

Consider Jesus' words from the Gospel of Matthew: Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you (Matthew 7:1-2). 

What is Jesus saying? Are we not to judge people at all or is it in the way that we judge people? As always, it is important to go back to the world in which Jesus lived in order to get a better understanding of what He was speaking about since He was in fact speaking to people who had a particular worldview at that time.

According to William Barclay, the idea of judging people favorably was an idea that was well known by the Jews in Jesus' time. Rabbis were known to remind the people that, He who judges his neighbor favorably will be judged favorably by God. Barclay even goes as far as stating that to judge a person in this way was not only thoughtful or considerate but also a sacred duty. Aside from these points Barclay also imparts the words of the famous Rabbi Hillel the Elder who said: Do not judge a man until you yourself have come into his circumstances or situation. Barclay also reminds us that we may never know the whole facts or the whole person so how can we possibly know the heart of the matter.

Such an idea is really important in the world that we live in today. So many people face big decisions that certainly challenge their morality. Further, what happens when that person is filled with fear or despair as they may face the possibility of rejection or in today's social media filled world, the possibility of public slander? We always quick to ask, what would Jesus do, but in this case I would ask, what would a person filled with brokenness do? And, how do we know that we wouldn't do the same thing if we were also in that position?

I am not condoning sin or dismissing a person's responsibility for their actions. Even the Lord, who showed love and mercy did not condone sinful behavior. This is why He would tell the sinner to: Go and sin no more (John 8:11). Yes, Jesus did accept everyone but He did not dismiss any form of bad behavior. However, He was able to show his love and mercy to each sinner because He could see the the cause of the sin, which usually comes from some form of suffering.

This is why Pope Francis reminds us that mercy is a verb because it is something we have to show the person. As I tell my students from my own guilty moments of dealing with those who have wronged me in the past: Many times we expect others to forgive us almost immediately but have no problem holding a grudge towards those who have wronged us. This is why Pope Francis' words hit me hard when he says: We cannot meditate on mercy without turning it into action. In honoring the words of our Holy Father we also put into action God's command to love our neighbor. Of course, that is not always easy to do and one of many reasons we need God's grace to get us through this life.


Judging Justly 

Good theology recognizes that a truthful teaching isn't just looking at the whole passage but also the whole chapter with particular attention being paid to the order of what Jesus says in the Gospels. This is why we need to speak also on the issue of privacy. Notice in the preceding chapter that Jesus talks about how personal prayer is to be done in private (Matthew 6:6-7). Aside from that, we also told not to babble with our words because our Father in heaven already knows what we need before we ask Him. Now, why is this so important?

The first thing that comes to mind is Eucharistic Adoration. Yes, there are prayers that we say and songs that we sing as a community and we already know the importance of community prayer (Matthew 18:20). Still, there are also prayers that we are encouraged to say in the silence of our own hearts. We are also encouraged with sit with the Lord; to simply be in His presence. If you look carefully, this form of prayer allows us to look to the Lord as Abba, our daddy, as such things that we would say at this point are very personal and certainly similar to the memories that many of us have doing the same thing with our loving fathers.

Those who have been devoted to this practice for an extended length of time speak of the graces they receive simply by being open to what they Lord has to share with them; or as Jesus already said, Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. How would any father know what their child needs? Due to the intimate time spent with his child as such time would allow the father to grow closer to their child. This is why I would recommend you look at these beautiful quotes given to us by many of the Church's greatest saints when it comes to Eucharistic Adoration as we not only get the chance to grow closer to our God but also to our Abba in heaven: 

10 Quotes on Eucharistic Adoration from the Saints


Keep in mind that our experience of being judged could also be during our prayer time. Yes, our Father in heaven already knows what we need but Jesus did not comment on when or how He would address those needs. With my own children, I speak to them during private conversations about things that they have done wrong but I make sure to speak to them carefully so they can continue to trust me and so that they know that my intention is to help them be better people and not just to scold them. To restate Luke 11:13: (If I with my sins know what do give my children) how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?  

We need to take that same attitude to those that have wronged us and Jesus has in fact showed us the way.

In Matthew 18:15 Jesus says: If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. This would be something that require a certain level of respect and maturity between the two people in conflict because the offending brother would have to both listen and then take responsibility for what they did. Of course this would not be a problem for two people who not only love their neighbor but strive to be perfect as their heavenly Father is perfect. In terms of the time period in which Jesus stated this, such an idea was not foreign to someone trying to live as a good Jew. 

Take these words from Leviticus 19:17-18. You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. Though you may have to reprove your fellow man, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. 

Again, mercy is a verb and in doing something that is difficult we show both love and mercy. It also discourages us from carrying the burden of resentment and hatred, which is not easy because our humanity will not prevent us from the fear, anger and distrust that comes from being wrong by another. That is why we must remind ourselves to be open to God's grace while knowing that our Heavenly Father will give us what we need so long as we are open to His grace.

This would certainly imply that the harboring of grudges and even gossip have been with us since the beginning of time. However, now we live in a day and age where people have access to even more ways of communicating. However it's done, consider this brilliant sermon from the movie Doubt: 

From the film "Doubt." A Homily on Gossip.

Now, what if we are dealing with someone who will not take that high road as the brother that we have won over? Consider Jesus' words from Matthew 18:16:  If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Of course the character and intent of these witnesses must be pleasing in the eyes of God so the offending brother does not feel attacked. Perhaps multiple witnesses will present a clearer picture of what occurred as everyone has their own way of seeing such events. With that being said, perhaps this more expanded vision of the events will help everyone have a clear understanding of what happened between everyone involved and not just the person who was offended.

Sadly, the conflict could go into further gridlock, which Jesus addresses in Matthew 18:17 with the following words: If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. 

For many this seems like a later insertion into the Gospel rather than something that Jesus actually said because the Church had yet to be established. However, this could still be reflective of what Jesus intended for the Church while also being something that both Jesus and the apostles were aware of in terms of what was practiced by the leaders of their time.

Take for example the Sanhedrin. Although their accusations against Jesus were said to have come from false witnesses (Mark 14:56) it doesn't mean that their method was totally flawed. The Sanhedrin was made up of 71 members including the High Priest at the time, as well as some priests and aristocrats. The religious leaders were very well versed in the law but the interesting thing about such leaders is that their differing backgrounds also meant that some of them had different ways of interpreting the law. In other words, it is almost impossible for anyone to be impartial in judging anyone, which is why it would be best to have the case reviewed by several individuals.

Hopefully in most cases the Sanhedrin or any respected body of people for that matter could offer a reasonable judgment on the case that would satisfy everyone involved. Of course in today's world people have opinions on so many things but it doesn't serve us well if we only interact with those who have a similar worldview. We need to be challenged in the way that we look at persons under suspicion because that is when we find out just how much we love our neighbor. In most cases, this can only be done if we welcome input from those who have a different worldview.

Of course there are those who think only of themselves who would refuse to resolve any conflict regardless of the circumstances. Jesus was also aware of this and did not tell His followers to avoid moments when they needed to distance themselves from such people, which in many cases could be for their own safety. Aside from the final part of Matthew 18:17 we also see the Lord speak of what His disciples should do if they encounter such hostilities from a place where they have been preaching (Matthew 10:13-14). The Lord Himself was rejected and had to leave where He was preaching (Luke 4:29-30) so, yes, there are times when we simply have to walk away and hope for the best.


Opportunity for True Change 

We often don't realize how many of our struggles and conflicts are in fact gifts because they are opportunities for us to grow in holiness. Sometimes this gift is a moment of self-realization that for many of us is very eye opening. Take for example the following: For years I have told my students that regardless of how one sees the issue of same sex marriage that the whole phenomenon has in fact been a gift to all of us in one specific way: it forced all of us to ask ourselves how we have treated homosexuals through the years. Of course it's easy to assume that those who changed for the better supported the legalization of same sex marriage but such a generalization is quite misleading. There are in fact many who support the idea of upholding traditional marriage but now treat their homosexual neighbors in ways that they had not prior to that moment of self-reflection. How is that a bad thing?

This is one of many issues that people face on a regular basis. From a young girl faced with the possibility of having an abortion to a teenager lying to a teacher at their school in order to avoid punishment. From an adult who is arrested and accused of a serious crime to a mother whose child has learned a deep secret from her past. We should always take the time to listen to the person's reasons for their struggle and not just their sins. Yes, sin is bad and we should not water down anything that is an offense to God. However, if Jesus Himself can come to earth as one of us in order to offer His mercy to those whose actions would be an offense to the Incarnate God then who are we to judge such people harshly rather than in ways to remind them that they are first loved by God as well as by the rest of us? On top of that, imagine the impact on any relationship if the person that the sinner offended was us and yet we still took the time to love them as God wants us to? That is something that would really change the world because we would be acting like our Savior when He forgave those who sent Him to his death (Luke 23:34).

I do not ignore the fact that such an idea would be a great challenge but nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37).




Carlos Solorzano
  • BA & MA in Religious Studies from Cal State Long Beach   
  • Certified through the Theology of the Body Institute  
  • Speakers with Catholic Speakers Organization 






 

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Monday, February 12, 2024

You Are the Temple of the Holy Spirit

Do you not know that your body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.                                                                                       
                                                                                                     - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
We live in a world where the exploitation of the human body is seen as a badge of honor. There are those who claim that we are at an all time low, but history shows that various levels of depravity have existed over the years in various parts of the world. Yet, many of these people were at times spared further consequences of their actions once they received the truth of God's plan that was intended for the human body.

Paul's quote from 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 was written to a community that he established in the city of Corinth. This city can be described as: a commercial crossroads...a melting pot full of devotees of various pagan cults and marked by a measure of moral depravity not unusual in a great seaport.  

Still, the apostle was able to establish a Christian community in such a place. Therefore, we must be reminded that while we continue to do the same work in our communities that we are also empowered by the same Spirit that guided the apostle Paul.


The Body is a Temple 

There are some Christians who have very negative views of the body and such an idea goes back to the early days of the Church. According to William Barclay: 

The Greeks always looked down on the body. There was a proverbial saying, "The body is a tomb." Epictetus said, "I am a poor soul shackled in a human corpse." The important thing was the soul, the spirit of a man; the body was a thing that did not matter. 

This led to two responses from those in the early Church. According to Barclay: That produced one of two attitudes: Either it issued in the most rigorous asceticism in which everything was done to subject and humiliate the desires and instincts of the body. Or--and in Corinth it was this second outlook which was prevalent-- it was taken to mean that, since the body was of no importance, you could do what you liked with it; you could let it sate its appetites. 

Thankfully, we had St. Paul as well as the Jewish philosopher Philo to teach something entirely different. As James D. G. Dunn tells us: Paul's reply to such thinking was very clear: "You are God's temple" (1 Corinthians 3:16-17); "your body is the temple of the living God" (2 Corinthians 6:16). The thought is not particularly new. Philo speaks of the body as "a sacred dwelling place or shrine for the reasonable soul." To further expand St. Paul's point about the body Barclay says: God's Spirit dwells in us (so) we have become a temple of God; and so our very bodies are sacred. And more-Christ died to save not a bit of a man, but the whole man, body and soul. Christ gave His life to give a man a redeemed soul and a pure body. 

If we take the time to reflect on these words we can see the echo of God's plan from the beginning when He declared that all that He had created was good (Genesis 1:31). That includes humanity and we need to reflect on what this really means for each of us. Yes, we live in a world distorted by sin but that does not take away the goodness of who we are as well as how we are seen in the eyes of God. That is why we need to recognize that God's commands are not an imposition but a guide for all of us. This is why good theology must give us more of the why rather than just the what. 


A Deeper Meaning

Following Saint Paul's teaching on the sacredness of the body, we will now discuss one of the whys from the Lord's commands.  In Exodus 20:14 the Lord states: You shall not commit adultery. Further, we know that Jesus expanded the definition of adultery when He stated: You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery,' but I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. This would be an example of Jesus fulfilling the law (Matthew 5:17), by giving us a greater understanding of the law. Further, we are also commanded by the Lord to: teach them to observe all that I have commanded you (Matthew 28:20) and in today's world, we need to convey the message of Jesus to others with the method that would work best for our audience. In that regard, it will always serve us best to use any other discipline to expand our understanding of the why behind Jesus' teaching. 

During the time of Moses the main purpose of not committing adultery was, as stated in the Harper's Bible Dictionary: (to guard) marriage and family against the intrusion of third parties and the socially disruptive questions of the legitimacy of children and the transfer of the family legacy. This is an important concept of a nation looking to establish its social order after being free from centuries of bondage in Egypt. Later, the nation of Israel was established and the people would go through their own challenges when it came to following the Law before Jesus comes to give a more personal understanding of the Commandment. Therefore, the Israelites went from knowing what not to do to understanding how they were called to see their neighbor. This fulfilled the words of the prophet Jeremiah in 31:33 when he said: I will place My law within them, and write it upon their hearts.

Today we have those who call the teachings of the Church outdated and unrealistic with many leaders offering answers lacking in depth. Take for example some biblical literalists who focus simply on what is commanded in scripture. In taking that approach they fail to recognize all that we have discovered about the body that God created and how this knowledge gives us a deeper understanding of why we shouldn't commit adultery.

Let's begin with the words of Jesus from Matthew 19:4-6: Have you not read from the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become on flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together no human being must separate. 

This is a very beautiful statement and seen by many as a nice metaphor for marriage. Yet, many fail to realize that this whole two becoming one flesh phrase also speaks a deep truth about what happens between two people who have been intimate with each other. Of course if this is done as God intended, within the context of a faithful marriage, then it is a beautiful and unitive experience. Still, that is not without the challenge of maintaining and chaste way of living. As Barclay says: The great fact of the Christian faith is, not that it makes a man free to sin, but that it makes a man free not to sin. It is so easy to allow habits to master us; but the Christian strength enables us to master them. 

Our bodies are not something that we have as it is also a part of who we are. So, when we go against God's design while also including someone else's body we can cause great harm to ourselves as well as the other person. Consider this comment from the Jerome Biblical Commentary on the human body: Although the body serves as the instrument of sin in other vices (IE, drunkenness and gluttony) it is not intimately united to another person, handed over to the power of another, as it is in fornication. The fornicator sins against his own body, his own person, because he tears it away from the Lord and deprives it from its glorious destiny. To add more from Barclay again: Because of that a man's body is not his own to do with as he likes; it is Christ's and he must use it, not for the satisfaction of his own lusts, but for the glory of Christ. 

With the sin of lust being one of the deadly sins we must also consider the words of Raymond Brown when he says: People do not live in a neutral environment. To indulge in loose behavior is not freedom but bondage to compulsions that enslave. Sexual permissiveness affects the Christian's body, which should be evaluated as a member of Christ's body. In other words, it does great harm to us whether we intend for that to be the end result or not. Consider this exchange from the movie Vanilla Sky:  

Vanilla Sky excerpt


We also have to remember that it is more than just the two people involved in the sexual act. Being a Christian also produces certain realities, such as the baptized person being united with Christ. If Christ is indeed united to us it will not only be ourselves when we are acting as the Body of Christ in this world. He is also united to us when we engage in sexual acts. As Brown says: One's body is a means of self-communication, and so intercourse produces a union between the partners. Union of one who is a member of Christ with an unworthy partner, such as a prostitute, disgraces Christ, just as marital union glorifies God. 

Practicing the Christian faith does not excuse us from sin. As Christ says in Matthew 5:27-28: You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery,' but I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Notice He does not say that such a woman would not include one's wife. If there was anyone to look at with the most chaste eyes it would be one's wife but we are still broken with sin and in need of forgiveness. Therefore, let us not allow the reality of marriage to lead us to believe that we are without the ability to sin against our spouse. 

That is why Hebrews 13:4 says: Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterers. It is most interesting that the author of Hebrews speaks of God judging the immoral and adulterers after he speaks of keeping the marital bed holy. Yes, married couples can behave in immoral ways. And, if adultery is as Jesus says, more than the act of simply having relations with someone other than one's spouse, then such a sin can also occur between two people who are also married and not living a chaste life with each other. 


Wired To Sin 

Today we see a movement to care for the human mind, which has thankfully led many people to speak with less hesitation about going to therapy. Aside from that we also have people who at times take days off from work or school in order to rest their minds. As a high school teacher I have also seen anxiety now become the one of the biggest problems for our young people so I am very happy to see our culture embracing the importance of caring for one's mental health along with their physical health.

Being a musician I know both the impact of this beautiful art both as a performer and as a fan. As a performer I have always appreciated every opportunity to express myself before an audience while also having the chance to work with so many great musicians. Deane Alban says it best in the following article: 

How Music Affects the Brain


While accepting the positive impact that music we cannot ignore the impact that a negative musical message or mood can have on our culture. I listen to all kinds of music because of the fact that my mood varies but I have also removed some music from my collection because of the negative impact it had on me. Mind you that I have never liked or purchased music that is filled with excessive profanity so I can only wonder the negative impact such songs would have on a listener who is accustomed to listening to such music. That and dialogue that we see in films today...and we wonder why we can't seem to go anywhere anymore without encountering people who are speaking in the same way. 

Speaking of film, we cannot ignore the frightening reality of addiction to pornography. There are some who not only deny such a claim but also question the moral dilemma behind viewing pornography due to the fact that such people are only viewing the sexual act. Still, the words of Jesus from Matthew 5:27-28 stand out even more because of the way such people, specially women, are being objectified in such films. Here are some of the serious consequences that come from viewing pornographic material on a regular basis: 

The scary effects of pornography: how the 21st century's acute addiction is rewiring our brains


Besides looking at Christ's words in Matthew 5:27-28 we also have to consider what He says in Matthew 5:29-30: If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.

Powerful words indeed and if we reflect deeply we can see that the sin of lust is indeed a great struggle as the fascination and excitement that comes with it runs deep into the core of our being to the point where it can actually rewire our minds. Therefore, to conquer this sin we need to accept that fact that it is going to take God's grace as well as the acceptance that it is not going to be without great struggle. The pain would probably rival the feeling one has when they lose a part of their body, especially if one's sin includes the participation of another person as the bodies will again do what they were designed to do while participating in the sexual act. Further, the main reason Jesus wants us to rid ourselves of the thing that is causing us to sin is because it has an impact on our whole body. This is most important because if we in fact are our bodies then it can be argued that the human body is a reflection of the human soul so it would not be incorrect to say that our sin actually has an impact on our entire being and not just our bodies.

Regardless of the challenge of lust, Christ can strengthen us if we accept His message and allow His grace to change us. The reason why chaste living helps us see through the media messages in terms of what our culture teaches us about sex is because a deeper understanding of the body gives us a greater insight on the reason for living a life of both modesty and moderation. We would know first, what we don't want to do to ourselves and second, what we would not want to do to another. Again, the Christian message is never just about us as we are always called to love our neighbor.

So many sinners give in to social expectations due to the fear of rejection. How different would our culture be if we really took the time to understand and accept the truth of the human body with a confidence that could only come from the Holy Spirit. In doing so we would truly be free.

If we are truly in Christ we would be as stated in Matthew Henry's Commentary: There is a liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, in which we must stand fast. But surely he would never carry this liberty so far as to put himself into the power of any bodily appetite. 


The Whole Person 

There are times when Christians tend to focus solely on sexual purity and not the well being of their whole body. For example, what is the point of living a chaste life if we ignore the importance of adhering to a good diet while also taking the time to exercise? Our bodies were also meant to work and for various forms of expression including how we worship the Lord so how are we to do that if we do not prepare for and/or maintain our ability to do such things?

What some people may not know about me is that aside from working full time as a high school theology teacher I am a also a professional drummer that works part time in the local music scene and occasionally in the recording studio. Most of my performances are 3-4 hours in length and that is no cakewalk for a drummer. I am not getting any younger and to do this while carrying a full work load during the week along with my family obligations takes a lot of strength and endurance. Therefore, I do some regular strength training and cardio activity while also doing what I can to take part in a healthy diet. That and the fact that my father passed away in his 60's after a long illness, which caused me to question my own mortality. Overall, it made me think of my desire to be there for my family as long as I can and while there are certain things I can't control I do not want to my passing to be because of the things I should have done to better myself.

We as Christians have to look beyond sexual purity, which in turn would show ourselves and the rest of the world how much we value the bodies that God gave us. As Cathi Douglas said: Paul warned against sexual immorality, but there are numerous other pitfalls we must avoid to honor our physical selves. Self-respect and respect for God means that as adults we need to refrain from destructive actions such as heavy drinking, overeating, unsafe driving and extreme risk-taking. As children, we need to be taught personal hygiene, including bathing, brushing our teeth and wearing clean clothing.  

This is in fact something that is part of our Church's legacy from the very beginning. As stated by Cheryl Dickow: The health of the body is so important that, even after Jesus’ ascension, the apostles are able to carry on His work of healing.  In Acts 3:1-10 Peter heals the Crippled Beggar.  We see in this passage that a healthy body, as well as the gift of healing, glorifies God. The apostles certainly also healed people for the same reasons that Jesus did, to be signs of God's Kingdom (Luke 11:20). 

However, Christians are also called to continue the work of Christ. As stated by Dickow: Oftentimes, we come to know illness as a cross to bear or as a part of our earthly journey.  But at other times we ought to look at illness as an impediment to our ability to do God’s work.  We also have to remind our children, who are not just the future of the Church but members of the Church right now that they need to care for themselves. Again, Dickow says: Helping our children become aware that they are spiritual entities connected to God, and yet live in physical bodies that require care, will help them learn to live a life of balance and good choices.  Teaching them to treat their bodies, and one another’s bodies, as temples to the Holy Spirit translates into a mind, body, soul, and spirit ready to be devoted to our Lord. 

Aside from our physical health we also need to ask ourselves if we are caring for our entire being. What type of relationships do we have with others? How do we care for ourselves in terms of getting enough rest? Then of course there are the other things that have already been cited in this discussion. Still, take a moment to see what JB Cachila has to say: 

What Does a Healthy Lifestyle Look like According to the Bible?


So we need to ask ourselves: how do we live? Do we eat a diet that glorifies the bodies that God gave us? Do we also not consider many of the natural delicacies that God has provided for us that were meant to nourish and sustain our bodies? Do we exercise as a way to strengthen our bodies in order to take care ourselves, our loved ones while also doing the will of the Lord? Do we also understand that our ability to do such movements is in fact a gift because we are still able use our bodies in this way? Finally, do we understand that a healthy body is a reflection of our attitude towards the body? Think of the evangelizing that can be done with this approach especially when we state that our healthy attitude towards our bodies come from Christ, who is not just the source of our joy but also the author of the human body?

Again, to paraphrase St. Paul: We are a Temple of the Holy Spirit. Temples are sacred therefore you are sacred. Therefore, glorify God with your bodies knowing that there are so many ways for us to express our holiness.




Carlos Solorzano
  • BA & MA in Religious Studies from Cal State Long Beach 
  • Certified Through the Theology of the Body Institute  
  • Speaker with Catholic Speakers Organization 


 


 

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Christian Love and...Rocky? Part Six

  A good woman is hard to find,  and worth far more than diamonds.  Her husband trusts her without reserve,  and never has reason to regret ...