When we center ourselves in our faith by putting God first, our priorities become reordered which then enables us to better serve others while at the same time bringing us closer to realizing the true meaning of life.

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Matthew 10:24-39 (NRSV & Inclusive Bible mash-up)

“A student is not above the teacher; the follower is not above the leader. The student should be glad simply to become like the teacher, the follower like the leader. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those who are of the household!

“So don’t let people intimidate you; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops.

“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell.

“Are not the sparrows sold for pennies? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without God’s knowledge. As for you, every hair of your head has been counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

“Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a son against his father, and a daughter against her mother, in-law against in-law, and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”