Message of 2-23-09
Published: Sun, 02/22/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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LENT 2009: Resources for Spiritual Growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Gratitude takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is
constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of
God.
- Thomas Merton, "Thoughts in Solitude"
(As Lent approaches and you consider possible disciplines, how
about making a daily list of gratitudes?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Sir 1:1-10; Ps 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5; Mk 9:14-29
R. (1a) The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.
The LORD is king, in splendor robed;
robed is the LORD and girt about with strength.
And he has made the world firm,
not to be moved.
Your throne stands firm from of old;
from everlasting you are, O LORD.
Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed:
holiness befits your house,
O LORD, for length of days.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"I do believe; help my unbelief!"
Like the father of the possessed boy, we recognize faith as an
extraordinary gift and a driving force in our ability to act in
accord with God's will for us: We do believe. At the same time, we
relate to the man's impassioned plea, for we know that we fail to
use this gift fully: We need help with our unbelief. We make the
most of faith and grow in it when we couple it with a discipline of
prayer. We should not lose heart if the demons that trouble us seem
stubborn. Rather, we should lift our hearts and minds to God and
there find the confidence and courage we need to face them.
"For the grace to rely on God in all things, we pray."
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LECTIO DIVINA PROCESS
- http://heartlandspirituality.org/vocations/prayer.html
First, you choose a passage of Scripture that you will pray with.
It might be the Gospel reading used in the liturgy of the day, or
anything else you want. The process then follows these steps:
* Reading (lectio) After settling in and quieting yourself,
read the passage slowly, prayerfully. Just let it sink in for a
minute or two, then read it a second time, paying closer attention
to the words or phrases that speak to you.
* Reflecting (meditatio) What do you hear God saying to you in
this passage? What words or phrases caught your attention?
* Responding (oratio) What do you want to say to God in
response to what you've heard? Here you can also voice your prayers
of petition, remorse, thanksgiving, praise, and so forth. If you
sense God speaking to you in your thoughts, feelings or
imagination, you respond as you would in any conversation.
* Resting (contemplatio) If, at any time, you feel drawn to
simply rest in the awareness of God's loving presence, you let
yourself do so. Remain in loving silence as long as you feel
comfortable, perhaps using a simple word or phrase from the
Scripture passage to help deepen your openness to rest in God.
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THEOLOGICAL GEMS FROM EMIL MERCH'S "THEOLOGY OF THE MYSTICAL BODY"
from http://www.innerexplorations.com/chtheomortext/theolgems.htm
554. The sacraments are signs and causes of grace.
561. By uniting us to Christ, baptism unites us to the Son, to God,
to the Trinity.
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