In 1774, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe published “The Sorrows of Young Werther,” a novel about a young man, Werther, hopelessly in love with a woman, Charlotte, engaged to another man, Albert. Obsession, self-destruction and the are a constant of human society. European society, especially the young, dressed like Young Werther, romanced like him and in some cases took their own lives. How to avoid obsessing about something? The Gospel of Matthew provides a path.

Music today recorded by Gina McCann and Russ Ronnebaum by permission under One License # A-726294