Message of 2-12-09
Published: Thu, 02/05/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Amma Syncletica said, "Many live on the mountains and behave as if
they were living amidst the uproar of a city, and they are lost.
It is possible while living amongst a crowd to be inwardly
solitary, and while living alone to be inwardly beset by the crowd."
- "Sayings of the Desert Fathers," Syncletica -
(Authentic solitude is difficult! To live before God, knowing what
you know and feeling what you feel -- that is a start.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Gn 2:18-25; Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5; Mk 7:24-30
R. (see 1a) Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Mark 7: 24-30 (Daughter of a Gentile woman healed)
Jesus' seemingly harsh rebuke to the woman is softened somewhat
when we realize that the word he used for dog actually means house
pet. His confrontation with the woman draws a faith response from
her while teaching his disciples that God's grace is for all
people, not just Jews.
- What kind of demon is straining relationships in your family?
What does love require to exorcise this demon?
- Pray for the grace to be more loving to family members.
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Carmelite Method)
A. Introduction: settling in, relaxing in awareness of God's
presence.
B. Reading the text slowly, prayerfully.
C. Meditation: imaginative representation of the material; reflection
on the meaning of the material and its application to one's life.
D. Affective prayer: conversation with God, attentive to sharing
feelings awakened in meditation. Prayer of petition, thanksgiving,
remorse.
E. Resting in God in silent loving awareness, if moved to do so.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
The Voice of Christ
MY CHILD, there are many matters of which it is well for you to be
ignorant, and to consider yourself as one who is dead upon the
earth
and to whom the whole world is crucified. There are many things,
too,
which it is well to pass by with a deaf ear, thinking, instead, of
what is more to your peace. It is more profitable to turn away
from
things which displease you and to leave to every man his own
opinion
than to take part in quarrelsome talk. If you stand well with
God and
look to His judgment, you will more easily bear being worsted.
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 44
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