Message of 2-13-17

Published: Mon, 02/13/17

A Daily Spiritual Seed
Monday: February 13, 2017
LENTEN WEBINAR SERIES
Consciousness, Conversion and Grace
A 5-week webinar series presented by Carla Mae Streeter, OP

- Feb. 21, 28; March 7, 14, 21.  6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Central
- Free-will donation


See http://shalomplace.com/inetmin/lent2017.html for more information and registration links.
Message of the Day
The present moment always reveals the presence and the power of God.
 ... Jean Pierre de Caussade, Abandonment to Divine Providence

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Readings of the Day
GN 4:1-15, 25;   PS 50:1 AND 8, 16BC-17, 20-21

MK 8:11-13

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus,
seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.
He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said,
"Why does this generation seek a sign?
Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation."
Then he left them, got into the boat again,
and went off to the other shore.
Reflection on the Scripture
"With a sigh from the depths of His spirit He said..." –Mark 8:12

After Jesus had twice multiplied loaves and fish, had healed countless people of many different ailments, and had delivered many from demons, the Pharisees wanted Jesus to give them a sign (Mk 8:11). The Pharisees were obviously not sincere. They were testing Jesus (Mk 8:11). Jesus refused to play their game. "He left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore" (Mk 8:13).

"The chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him and said: 'On what authority are You doing these things?' " (Mt 21:23) Jesus would have answered their question if they would have answered His. However, they were more concerned with public relations than with truth (see Mt 21:25-26). As a result, Jesus refused to answer their question.

"Herod was extremely pleased to see Jesus. From the reports about Him he had wanted for a long time to see Him, and he was hoping to see Him work some miracle. He questioned Jesus at considerable length, but Jesus made no answer" (Lk 23:8-9).

Pontius Pilate knew that Jesus was a king (Jn 18:37), but he refused to testify to the truth. Pilate said: "Truth!" "What does that mean?" (Jn 18:38) Pilate "said to Jesus, 'Where do You come from?' Jesus would not give him any answer" (Jn 19:9).

Jesus is very merciful to those who seek the truth. Jesus has little to say to those who do not. Seek the truth. Seek Jesus.

PRAYER:     Father, may I make any sacrifice to be a "truth-seeker."

PROMISE:     "If you do well, you can hold up your head; but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door: his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master." –Gn 4:7
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Spiritual Reading
Theological Gems from Emile Merch's Theology of the Mystical Body
- selected by Jim and Tyra Arraj

Book III: Christ
 
Chapter 13: Revelation and the Trinity

400. He is the unity of mankind and pure divine light. He is in His person the expression of God and the Trinity for all mankind.

-- He awakens in men the consciousness of being members.