God has created me to do him some definite service; he has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission - I never may know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next.
- John Henry "Cardinal"
Newman (What is your sense of your “life’s work” at this time? How will you pursue this work today?) |
Christianity and Spirituality monthly forum
August 3, 2023: 7:30 - 8:30 CDT
"God, Creation, and Spirituality"
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Ex 3:13-20; Ps 105:1 and 5, 8-9, 24-25, 26-27 Mt 11:28-30
Jesus said:
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden
light."
Reflection on the Scriptures
Jesus offers us a new kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy. In his kingdom
sins are not only forgiven but removed, and eternal life is poured out for all its citizens. This is not a political kingdom, but a spiritual one. The yoke of Christ's kingdom, his kingly rule and way of life, liberates us from the burden of guilt and from the oppression of sinful habits and hurtful desires. Only Jesus can lift the burden of sin and the weight of hopelessness from us. Jesus used the analogy of a yoke to explain how we can exchange the burden of sin and despair for a weight of
glory and victory with him. The yoke which Jesus invites us to embrace is his way of love, grace, and freedom from the power of sin. Do you trust in God's love and submit to his will and plan for your life? Lord Jesus, inflame
my heart with love for you and for your ways and help me to exchange the yoke of rebellion for the yoke of submission to your holy and loving word. Set me free from the folly of my own sinful ignorance and rebellious pride that I may wholly desire what is good and in accord with your will. -by
dailyscripture.net
Proverbs for Perspective and Spiritual Living by Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. From Pathways to Serenity, 1989, Liguori Publications; reprinted by Contemplative Ministries, Inc., 2013 (Minor editing applied.)
- https://shalomplace.com/view/pathview.html Included in Light for the Christian Journey, 2020: Contemplative Ministries, Inc.
https://shalomplace.com/view/light-journey.html
VI.Prayer
1. Theology is the recipe; prayer, the eating of the cake. It is much better to eat cake than it is to read recipes about how to make it
(although there can be no cake without a recipe).
2. If you ever want to lose interest in ministry, all you have to do is stop praying.
3.
Solitude, silence, and surrender: these constitute the essentials of contemplative prayer. Without all three, prayer will be shallow.
4. Prayer that does not change you is merely a resting in your own spirit. Beware the feeling of self-satisfaction because you have “prayed.”
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