"There are some things money can't buy, for everything else there's MasterCard." I'm sure you've all seen those commercials on TV. Well, I'm not unlike those agencies promoting their favorite credit card. However, I'm here to advertise a different card.

You see, my life is a commercial for others to see. I'm a card carrying representative for the Master's Card. That's right, the MASTER'S CARD. Let me tell you about it. There are no finance charges, no payments due. My bill has already been covered ... it's a prepaid deal. I couldn't afford the price, so Jesus stepped in and paid it for me.

My name is written on the card for all to see. It is accessible twenty-four hours a day from anywhere in the world. The MASTER'S CARD has so many benefits it's hard to list them all. Let me share some of them with you ...you might want to apply for a personal card yourself. Just for starters there is UNLIMITED GRACE. That's right, there is no preset limit to the amount of grace you receive from the MASTER'S CARD.

Have you been looking for love in all the wrong places? Then, look no farther than the MASTER'S CARD. It offers the greatest rate on love that has ever been offered. The MASTER'S CARD gives you access to many "members only" benefits. Want real joy despite the difficulties of life? Apply for the MASTER'S CARD. Want a lasting peace? Apply for the MASTER'S CARD. Looking for something you can always rely on in a jam? The MASTER'S CARD is perfect for you.

Another great thing about the MASTER'S CARD is that it never expires. Once you're a member, you're a member for life...eternal life, that is. Membership has its privileges, you know. How do you receive the MASTER'S CARD? Dial 1-800 - John - 6:47 "Most assuredly, I say to you, He who believes in me has eternal life."

Jesus is standing by right now to take your call. Don't delay. This great offer won't last forever, only until you die or Jesus returns. Peace, joy and hope: Invaluable. Faith,contentment and assurance: Inestimable. Salvation: Priceless.

Christian, yes, there are some things money can buy. But for those other jewels of life there's the MASTER'S CARD. Why not be an advertisement for the MASTER'S CARD? Let your life be a commercial today for Jesus Christ.

ST PAUL THE FIRST HERMIT

Today is the feast of St Paul the First Hermit.

St Paul was born to a wealthy family in Alexandria in the year 228 AD. After his fathers death, St Paul and his brother disagreed over their shares of the inheriance, St Paul left everything to his brother after watching the funeral prossesion of a wealthy man and retreated to an empty tomb outside of Alexandria.

He fasted and prayed for 3 days for guidance from God. An angel appeared and led him to the eatern desert. St Paul lived alone with God in a mountain cave near the red sea for 90 years. Near th ecav, St Paul found a spring. He ate dates from the palm trees, and everyday a raven brought him half a loaf of bread. St Paul clothed himself in a garment of woven palm leaves.

When Gd wanted to reveal the holiness of St Pul, He sent him St Anthony. When they met the raven appeared with a whole loaf of bread. St Paul asked St Anthony to bring him the liturgical vestment of St Athanasius the Apostolic. On his way back, St Anthony saw a throng of singing angels lifting the spirit of St Paul up to heaven in the year 343 AD. When St Anthony returned to the cave he found St Paul dead, kneeling in prayer.

Two lions approached the cave; St Anthony instructed them to dig a grave for the body of St Paul. St Anthony buried the body of St Paul using the papal vestment as a coffin. He took the palm leaf garment of the saint and gave it to Pope Athanasius, who wore it on feast days. Many miracles were attributed to the garment of St Paul.

The only saying we know of St Paul, the first hermit is:- "WHO ESCAPES FROM HARD TIMES, ESCAPES FROM GOD."

May the blessings of this blessed saint be with us all. Amen.