{"id":51270,"date":"2024-10-17T14:42:01","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T18:42:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/?p=51270"},"modified":"2024-10-18T10:34:19","modified_gmt":"2024-10-18T14:34:19","slug":"the-itty-bitty-path","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/the-itty-bitty-path\/","title":{"rendered":"The Itty Bitty Path","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools\" style=\"display: none;\">\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools--container\">\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-copy\" title=\"Copy\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-change-color\" title=\"Change Color\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-delete\" title=\"Delete\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-51178 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/yevhenii-dubrovskyi-7JfABsEYAk4-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"498\" height=\"747\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/yevhenii-dubrovskyi-7JfABsEYAk4-unsplash-scaled.jpg 1707w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/yevhenii-dubrovskyi-7JfABsEYAk4-unsplash-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/yevhenii-dubrovskyi-7JfABsEYAk4-unsplash-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/yevhenii-dubrovskyi-7JfABsEYAk4-unsplash-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/yevhenii-dubrovskyi-7JfABsEYAk4-unsplash-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/yevhenii-dubrovskyi-7JfABsEYAk4-unsplash-1365x2048.jpg 1365w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 498px) 100vw, 498px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\" style=\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>The gate is narrow<br \/>\r\nand the way is hard<br \/>\r\nthat leads to life, <br \/>\r\nand those who find it are few.<\/strong> <br \/>\r\n(Matt 7:14)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div id=\"drop-cap-45706548-aa1e-48ab-944c-00fded73d1e0\" class=\"paragraph-drop-cap\">\r\n<style><\/style>\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-pack-drop-cap\">It seems to me that this path has become narrower, rockier, and more treacherous than ever before. Now, the teardrops and sweat of the saints begin to emerge beneath one&#8217;s feet; the true test of one&#8217;s faith becomes a steeper incline; the bloody footprints of the martyrs, still damp with their sacrifice, glisten in the fading twilight of our times. For the Christian today, it is a path that either fills one with terror&#8230;. or calls one deeper. As such, the path is less trampled, evidenced by fewer and fewer souls willing to take this journey that, ultimately, follows in the footsteps of our Master. <br \/>\r\n<!--more--><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\nThe path is even more difficult at this hour precisely because there is a <em>mass apostasy<\/em> unfolding in which vast portions of the Church have embarked on a much wider and easier road&#8230;<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>\u2026in vast areas of the world the faith is in danger of dying out like a flame which no longer has fuel.<\/strong> \u2014Letter of His Holiness POPE BENEDICT XVI to All the Bishops of the World, March 12, 2009<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>As such, there is less and light to see \u2014 the light of truth \u2014 and fewer souls to journey with. The path is not only narrower, but more lonely. More than ever, <em>&#8220;we walk by faith, not by sight&#8221;<\/em> (2 Corinthians 5:7).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Way of Love<\/h5>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>I believe this path is nothing other than <em>authentic <\/em>love. Today, there are so many counterfeit paths feigning love; they appear under the titles of &#8220;tolerance&#8221;, &#8220;inclusivity&#8221;, &#8220;equity&#8221;, &#8220;sustainable development&#8221;, etc. They wear the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/our-lady-prepare-part-iii\/\">mask of love<\/a>, but are devoid of truth, of moral demands, of selfless love.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>&#8230;for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.<\/strong> (Matt 6:13)<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>It is the path of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/political-correctness-and-the-great-apostasy\/\"><em>political correctness<\/em><\/a> that earns the applause of the worldly. But it is a dead-end.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.<\/strong> (Luke 6:26)<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft  wp-image-51163\" style=\"margin: 2px 5px 2px 5px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Itty-Bitty-Road.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"286\" height=\"292\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Itty-Bitty-Road.jpg 978w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Itty-Bitty-Road-293x300.jpg 293w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Itty-Bitty-Road-768x785.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 286px) 100vw, 286px\" \/>As such, the true prophets of this Way are those who follow the narrow and difficult path of self-renunciation. And here is how&#8230;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.<\/strong> (Luke 6:28)<br \/>\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>Do to others as you would have them do to you.<\/strong> (v. 31)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\">\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>&#8230;love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back&#8230; Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful.<\/strong> (v. 35-36)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.<\/strong> (6:37)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>Bless those who persecute [you], bless and do not curse them.<\/strong> (Romans 12:14)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all.<\/strong> (12:17)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>Rather, \u201cif your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.\u201d Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.<\/strong> (v. 20-21)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h5>The Greatest Obstacles<\/h5>\r\n<p>Even for those who have found this narrow road, there remains the dangerous obstructions of <em>pride<\/em>. One day it takes the form of a large stone, a boulder of self-<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-51276\" style=\"margin: 1px 2px 1px 2px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Selfsatisfaction.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"314\" height=\"473\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Selfsatisfaction.jpg 928w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Selfsatisfaction-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Selfsatisfaction-679x1024.jpg 679w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Selfsatisfaction-768x1159.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 314px) 100vw, 314px\" \/>satisfaction. &#8220;I am not like so-so, and thus, I have it all together&#8221;:<\/p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>Let us always be on the alert and not let this very formidable enemy [of self-satisfaction] penetrate our minds and hearts, because, once it enters, it ravages every virtue, mars every holiness, and corrupts everything that is good and beautiful.<\/b> \u2014from <i>Padre Pio\u2019s Spiritual Direction for Every Day, <\/i>edited by Gianluigi Pasquale, Servant Books;<i> <\/i>Feb. 25th<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n<p>Or pride may take the form of a deep, dark self-righteous pit into which we stumble, yet thinking we see clearly. &#8220;I do this, I worship this way, etc. therefore, I am better, wiser, and more righteous than my neighbor.&#8221; But such a soul takes on the sterility, coldness, and darkness of this pit of pride:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>For you say, \u2018I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything,\u2019 and yet do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.<\/strong> (Revelation 3:17)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>Or pride may be like a tree, fallen upon the narrow path. Rather than let it challenge one&#8217;s false assumptions and paradigms, they refuse to budge, even for their neighbor so as to help them along the path. For example, those who reject elements of our Sacred Tradition, like the charismatic gifts, prophecy, and mysticism because they don&#8217;t understand them. Such people, Jesus warned, become like the Pharisees:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.<\/strong> (Luke 11:52)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>On the other hand, St. Paul warns that those who possess great gifts, and yet remain without (authentic) love, are just as misguided.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>If I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing&#8230; Not everyone who says to me, \u2018Lord, Lord,\u2019 will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.<\/strong> (1 Cor 13:2, Matthew 7:21)<br \/>\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h5>Authentic Love<\/h5>\r\n<p>So what, then, is authentic love? In a word, <em>Jesus<\/em>. He said, &#8220;I am the way,&#8221;<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_51270_1('footnote_plugin_reference_51270_1_1');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_51270_1('footnote_plugin_reference_51270_1_1');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_51270_1_1\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_51270_1_1\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">John 14:6<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_51270_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_51270_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> and then paved the path with His blood all the way to Calvary. There, <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft  wp-image-51275\" style=\"margin: 2px 5px 2px 5px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Crucifix-Path.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"289\" height=\"441\" \/>the Cross stands as the perpetual icon of authentic love. It is a constant pouring out of oneself for the other \u2014 for one&#8217;s wife or husband, children, roomate, schoolmate, neighbor, and stranger. It is a giving, in each moment that demands it, of my entire self, withholding nothing, not counting the cost.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.<\/strong> (John 15:13)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>But practically speaking, how?<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.<\/strong> (1 Cor 13:4-7)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>It means bearing one another&#8217;s faults in a spirit of gentlelness and patience, putting up with their weaknesses and shortcomings, that is, their <em>lack of authentic love for you <\/em><span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_51270_1('footnote_plugin_reference_51270_1_2');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_51270_1('footnote_plugin_reference_51270_1_2');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_51270_1_2\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[2]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_51270_1_2\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">&#8220;Brothers, even if a person is caught in some transgression, you who are spiritual should correct that one in a gentle spirit, looking to yourself, so that you also may not be tempted. Bear one another\u2019s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.&#8221; \u2014Gal 6:1-2<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_51270_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_51270_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> \u2014 and to do so without limits.<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_51270_1('footnote_plugin_reference_51270_1_3');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_51270_1('footnote_plugin_reference_51270_1_3');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_51270_1_3\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[3]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_51270_1_3\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">&#8220;Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?\u201d Jesus answered, \u201cI say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.&#8221; \u2014Matt 18:21-22<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_51270_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_51270_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script><\/p>\r\n<p>Today, witnessing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/love-grown-cold\/\"><em>Love Grown Cold <\/em><\/a>throughout the world, the temptation to either lash out or simply withdraw from others has perhaps never been greater. <em>Dear Christian, do not be overcome.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.<\/strong> (Matt 5:14-15)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>But here is the truth: to shine in this night, to be a beacon in the darkness, to bear <em>love in truth<\/em> in a world grown cold is to invite both successes and persecution.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>\u2018No slave is greater than his master.\u2019 If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours&#8230;. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man.<\/strong> (John 15:20,<\/span> Luke 6:22)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>That is why we are entering the most glorious hour of the Church \u2014 the hour of her final witness in this era as she follows her Lord through her own passion, death, and resurrection. It has become an itty bitty path indeed, but what a glorious crown awaits us.<\/p>\r\n<p>Where is authentic love? Where can I find it? I pray, the next time I meet you&#8230;<br \/>\r\n<br \/>\r\n<br \/>\r\n<\/p>\r\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\">Pray: Love Live in Me<\/h5>\r\n<p><iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" title=\"Love Live in Me\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/82661020?badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\r\n<p><script src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/api\/player.js\"><\/script><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h5>Related Reading<\/h5>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/political-correctness-and-the-great-apostasy\/\">Political Correctness and the Great Apostasy<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/the-smoldering-candle\/\">The Smoldering Candle<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/love-grown-cold\/\">Love Grown Cold<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/all-the-difference\/\">All the Difference<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools\" style=\"display: none;\">\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools--container\">\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-copy\" title=\"Copy\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-change-color\" title=\"Change Color\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-delete\" title=\"Delete\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p align=\"center\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">Support Mark&#8217;s full-time ministry:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/donations\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/Donateovalbtnonbeige.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"112\" height=\"48\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/the-final-confrontation-the-book\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-12567\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/TheFinalConfrontationBook-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"244\u201d height=\u201c324\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/TheFinalConfrontationBook-1.png 400w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/TheFinalConfrontationBook-1-226x300.png 226w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">with <em>Nihil Obstat<\/em><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">To journey with Mark in\u00a0<strong><em>The <\/em><\/strong><em><strong>Now Word<\/strong><\/em>,<em><br \/>\r\n<\/em>click on the banner below to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/subscribe\/\">subscribe<\/a>. <br \/>\r\nYour email will not be shared with anyone.<br \/>\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/subscribe\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-25916\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/now-word-banner.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"469\" height=\"153\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/now-word-banner.jpeg 850w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/now-word-banner-300x98.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/now-word-banner-768x250.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 469px) 100vw, 469px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">Now on Telegram. Click:<br \/>\r\n<br \/>\r\n<\/span><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/thenowword\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-46727\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Telegram-.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"55\" height=\"56\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Telegram-.png 500w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Telegram--300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Telegram--150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 55px) 100vw, 55px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Follow Mark and the daily &#8220;signs of the times&#8221; on MeWe:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mewe.com\/group\/6001b664d73c61322e27a39c\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-44298\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22-300x124.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22-1024x424.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22-768x318.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22-1536x636.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22-640x265.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\r\nFollow Mark\u2019s writings here:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mewe.com\/p\/thenowword\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-48548\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MeWe-Pages-Banner-Update.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MeWe-Pages-Banner-Update.jpg 1880w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MeWe-Pages-Banner-Update-300x101.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MeWe-Pages-Banner-Update-1024x345.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MeWe-Pages-Banner-Update-768x259.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MeWe-Pages-Banner-Update-1536x518.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Listen on the following:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thenoword.buzzsprout.com\"><br \/>\r\n<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/thenoword.buzzsprout.com\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/buzzsprout3-cutout.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"165\" height=\"43\" \/><\/a>\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/the-now-word\/id1519573192?uo=4\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/apple-podcasts2-cutout.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"162\" height=\"42\" \/><\/a><br \/>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/6sXnpNwaMtd5ja4MyA1YgX\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-43899\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/spotifyPodcasts.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"164\" height=\"42\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/spotifyPodcasts.png 740w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/spotifyPodcasts-300x77.png 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/spotifyPodcasts-640x163.png 640w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/spotifyPodcasts-720x189.png 720w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 164px) 100vw, 164px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<div class=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"f6hij\" data-offset-key=\"7ormq-0-0\">\r\n<div class=\"_1mf _1mj\" data-offset-key=\"7ormq-0-0\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools\" style=\"display: none;\">\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools--container\">\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-copy\" title=\"Copy\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-change-color\" title=\"Change Color\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon 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title=\"Copy\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-change-color\" title=\"Change Color\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-delete\" title=\"Delete\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools\" style=\"display: none;\">\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools--container\">\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-copy\" title=\"Copy\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-change-color\" title=\"Change Color\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-delete\" title=\"Delete\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools\" style=\"display: none;\">\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools--container\">\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-copy\" title=\"Copy\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-change-color\" title=\"Change Color\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-delete\" title=\"Delete\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools\" style=\"display: none;\">\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools--container\">\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-copy\" title=\"Copy\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-change-color\" title=\"Change Color\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-delete\" title=\"Delete\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools\" style=\"display: none;\">\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools--container\">\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-copy\" title=\"Copy\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-change-color\" title=\"Change Color\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-delete\" title=\"Delete\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools\" style=\"display: none;\">\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools--container\">\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-copy\" title=\"Copy\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-change-color\" title=\"Change Color\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-delete\" title=\"Delete\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools\" style=\"display: none;\">\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools--container\">\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-copy\" title=\"Copy\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-change-color\" title=\"Change Color\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-delete\" title=\"Delete\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools\" style=\"display: none;\">\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools--container\">\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-copy\" title=\"Copy\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-change-color\" title=\"Change Color\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-delete\" title=\"Delete\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools\" style=\"display: none;\">\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools--container\">\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-copy\" title=\"Copy\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-change-color\" title=\"Change Color\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-delete\" title=\"Delete\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools\" style=\"display: none;\">\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools--container\">\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-copy\" title=\"Copy\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-change-color\" title=\"Change Color\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-delete\" title=\"Delete\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools\" style=\"display: none;\">\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools--container\">\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-copy\" title=\"Copy\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-change-color\" title=\"Change Color\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-delete\" title=\"Delete\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools\" style=\"display: none;\">\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools--container\">\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-copy\" title=\"Copy\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-change-color\" title=\"Change Color\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-delete\" title=\"Delete\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools\" style=\"display: none;\">\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools--container\">\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-copy\" title=\"Copy\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-change-color\" title=\"Change Color\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-delete\" title=\"Delete\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools\" style=\"display: none;\">\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools--container\">\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-copy\" title=\"Copy\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-change-color\" title=\"Change Color\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-delete\" title=\"Delete\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools\" style=\"display: none;\">\r\n<div id=\"highlighter--hover-tools--container\">\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-copy\" title=\"Copy\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-change-color\" title=\"Change Color\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"highlighter--icon highlighter--icon-delete\" title=\"Delete\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><div class=\"speaker-mute footnotes_reference_container\"> <div class=\"footnote_container_prepare\"><p><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_label pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_51270_1();\"><h5>Footnotes<\/h5><\/span><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button\" style=\"display: none;\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_51270_1();\">[<a id=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_51270_1\">+<\/a>]<\/span><\/p><\/div> <div id=\"footnote_references_container_51270_1\" style=\"\"><table class=\"footnotes_table footnote-reference-container\"><caption class=\"accessibility\"><h5>Footnotes<\/h5><\/caption> <tbody> \r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_51270_1_1\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_51270_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_51270_1_1');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>1<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">John 14:6<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_51270_1_2\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_51270_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_51270_1_2');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>2<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">&#8220;Brothers, even if a person is caught in some transgression, you who are spiritual should correct that one in a gentle spirit, looking to yourself, so that you also may not be tempted. Bear one another\u2019s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.&#8221; \u2014Gal 6:1-2<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_51270_1_3\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_51270_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_51270_1_3');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>3<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">&#8220;Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? 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