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But how shall we rest in God? By giving ourselves wholly to Him. If you give yourself by halves, you cannot find full rest—there will ever be a lurking disquiet in that half which is withheld... All peace and happiness in this world depend upon unreserved self-oblation to God. If this be hearty and
entire, the result will be an unfailing, ever-increasing happiness, which nothing can disturb. There is no real happiness in this life save that which is the result of a peaceful heart.
... Jean N. Grou (1731-1803), The Hidden Life of the Soul
(Cast all your cares upon God, who is
looking after you. 1 Pt. 5:7)
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1 COR 1:17-25; PS 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11
MT 25:1-13
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
"The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps,
brought no oil with them,
but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.
Since the bridegroom was long delayed,
they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At
midnight, there was a cry,
'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'
Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish ones said to the wise,
'Give us some of your oil,
for our lamps are going out.'
But the wise ones replied,
'No, for there may not be enough for us and you.
Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.'
While they went off to buy it,
the bridegroom came
and those who were ready went into
the wedding feast with him.
Then the door was locked.
Afterwards the other virgins came and said,
'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!'
But he said in reply,
'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.'
Therefore, stay awake,
for you know neither the day nor the hour."
USCCB Lectionary
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Praying the Daily Gospels: A Guide to Meditation, by Philip St. Romain,
2018 (3rd ed.) ____________
Matthew 25:1-13 (Preparedness pays)
Today's parable is based upon traditions that seem strange to many of us
in the West. After a couple married, they went to their home and were treated like royalty by friends and relatives for several days. Late-comers were barred from this ceremony. Because no one was allowed outside at night without a light of some kind, people waiting for a nocturnal arrival of the couple needed plenty of oil if they were to gain admittance to the ceremony. In the same way, Jesus tells us, we are to be vigilant for his return.
* How do you feel when you reflect upon the fact that you will die?
* "Those who weep loudest at funerals are those who never said, 'I love you' when they had the
chance," Leo Buscaglia said. How can you tell the people you care for that you love them today?
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
Prayer of Union and Beyond
The Prayer of Union and Ecstatic Union are not common, being observed more in people who have a contemplative vocation. Though all are called to prayer, very few, it seems, are called to abide with God so deeply in contemplative
prayer. To say it is a vocation means that those who are called thus need to make room in their lives for this prayer. Sometimes they join a contemplative religious order, or if that is not possible, they choose to live more quietly and simply. For them, prayer is not simply a preparation for the active part of the day, but a means of serving God and the human family with their lives. It is a hidden ministry, however, as they might not ever come to know the difference their prayer is making.
They do know that, in some mysterious manner, the human race and all of creation are connected and related at a very deep level, and they trust that their prayer is a ministry in those depths. Hardback, paperback, eBook and free preview versions.
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