Message of 2-13-09
Published: Thu, 02/05/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"For my part, the only perfection I know of is a hearty love of
God, and to love one's neighbour as oneself. Charity is the only
virtue which rightly unites us to God and other people. Such union
is our final aim and end, and all the rest is mere delusion."
- Jean Pierre Camus -
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Gn 3:1-8; Ps 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7; Mk 7:31-37
R. (1a) Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, "I confess my faults to the LORD,"
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
For this shall every faithful man pray to you
in time of stress.
Though deep waters overflow,
they shall not reach him.
You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
What is the significance of Jesus putting his fingers into the
man's ears? Gregory the Great, a church father from the 6th
century, comments on this miracle: "The Spirit is called the finger
of God. When the Lord puts his fingers into the ears of the deaf
mute, he was opening the soul of man to faith through the gifts of
the Holy Spirit."
The people's response to this miracle testifies to Jesus' great
care for others: He has done all things well. No problem or burden
was too much for Jesus' careful consideration. The Lord treats each
of us with kindness and compassion and he calls us to treat one
another in like kind. The Holy Spirit who dwells within us enables
us to love as Jesus loves. Do you show kindness and compassion to
your neighbors and do you treat them with considerateness as Jesus
did?
"Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and inflame my heart
with love and compassion. Make me attentive to the needs of others
that I may show them kindness and care. Make me an instrument of
your mercy and peace that I may help others find healing and
wholeness in you."
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Benedictine Approach)
1. Relax. Settle in. Be aware that God is here, now, loving you.
2. Read a short passage of Scripture as though God were speaking
directly to you in it.
3. Choose a phrase from the passage that strikes you and repeat it
slowly, prayerfully, non-analytically.
4. When your heart is full, express to God the needs and sentiments
awakened by your meditation. When you're done, read another passage
and repeat steps 3 and 4.
5. If, at any time, you feel moved to simply be present to God in
loving silence, put the Scripture aside and rest in God.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "The Practice of the Presence of God," by Brother Lawrence
Let him then think of GOD the most he can; let him accustom
himself, by degrees, to this small but holy exercise; nobody
perceives it, and nothing is easier than to repeat often in the day
these little internal adorations. Recommend to him, if you please,
that he think of GOD the most he can, in the manner here directed;
it is very fit and most necessary for a soldier, who is daily
exposed to dangers of life, and often of his salvation. I hope that
GOD will assist him and all the family, to whom I present my
service, being theirs and yours.
- Letter to a soldier friend.
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