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Sometimes, when the soul least thinks of it, and when it least desires it, God touches it divinely causing certain recollections of Himself.
... St. John of the Cross (1542-1591)
(Be alert for these special touches today.)
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JER 3:14-17; JEREMIAH 31:10, 11-12ABCD, 13
MT 13:18-23
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Hear the parable of the sower.
The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom
without understanding it,
and the Evil One comes and steals away
what was sown in his heart.
The seed sown on rocky ground
is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.
But he has no root and lasts only for a time.
When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,
he immediately
falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,
but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word
and it bears no fruit.
But the seed sown on rich soil
is the one who hears the word and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold."
USCCB Lectionary
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Praying the Daily Gospels: A Guide to Meditation, by Philip St. Romain,
2018 (3rd ed.) ____________
Matthew 13: 18-23 (A parable explained)
Jesus taught his disciples many things
that he did not explain to the crowds. He wanted to be certain that his disciples understood his words because he knew that they would one day need to expound on them. In today’s reading he explains the meaning of the parable of the sower, leaving its symbolism intact while developing its meaning.
• What
kinds of seeds have you sowed at work recently? Choose a few people with whom you work and examine how you have related to them during the past two days. How often were you critical of them, at least silently? Resolve to be more affirming.
• What is growing in the good soil of your heart? In the briers? In the
rocky ground? Along the path?
Paperback, Kindle and eBook
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God and I: Exploring the Connections between God, Self and Ego, by Philip St. Romain, 2016 (2nd
ed.) ____________ Chapter 8: Mystical Union: Self and God
The Prayer of Quiet
The experience I shared with Sr. Mary Luke Tobin came often in those days during the course of my prayer. Typically, I would begin my prayer with reading Scripture, reflection, then petitions, but would eventually be drawn to attend to God with a very simplified prayer -- a word or phrase from the Scripture, or just breathing in God’s presence.
Sometimes there were thoughts, but they were of little interest to me. This state is called recollection, and it is sustained by a simple prayer word or gesture, such as is encouraged in the practice of centering prayer. It is still an active form of prayer in that one is “doing something” (but not much) to direct one’s attention to God. Hardback, paperback, eBook and free preview versions.
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