Message of 3-9-09
Published: Thu, 03/05/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
If we would only give, just once, the same amount of reflection to
what we want to get out of life, that we give to the question of
what to do with two weeks' vacation, we would be startled at our
false standards and the aimless procession of our busy days.
... Dorothy Canfield Fisher
(She suggests a good reflection exercise.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Dn 9:4b-10; Ps 79:8, 9, 11 and 13; Lk 6:36-38
R. (see 103:10a) Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.
Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name's sake.
Let the prisoners' sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"The measure with which you measure will in return be measured out
to you."
There is nothing prudent or miserly about our God. Why do we live
so safe? Sticking to our safe routines: eating the same safe food;
saying the same safe things to the same safe people; offering a few
small coins when we could be generous. We are promised that if we
give, God will "pour into our laps" all that we need. This is how
we are invited to live. We can swallow big heaping gulps of life
and share it all with everyone we meet. Or we can live in prison,
never noticing that the key to our cell is in our pocket.
"God of abundance, help me abandon myself to your care and live
fully the life you have given me."
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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
600. Grace has an essential relationship with the Trinity.
The Blessed Trinity is the ultimate transcendent source of all
grace, and the humanity of the Word is its first interior principle.
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