Message of 3-10-09
Published: Thu, 03/05/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
The vice I am talking about is Pride or Self-Conceit: and the
virtue opposite to it, in Christian morals, is called Humility. You
may remember, when I was talking about sexual morality, I warned
you that the centre of Christian morals did not lie there. Well,
now we have come to the centre. According to Christian teachers,
the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, greed,
drunkenness, and all that, are mere flea-bites in comparison: it
was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to
every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.
... C. S. Lewis, "The Problem of Pain"
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Is 1:10, 16-20; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23; Mt 23:1-12
R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold."
"Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?"
"When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God."
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
The name Lazarus means God is my help. Despite a life of misfortune
and suffering, Lazarus did not lose hope in God. His eyes were set
on a treasure stored up for him in heaven. The rich man, however,
could not see beyond his material wealth and possessions. He not
only had every thing he needed, he selfishly spent all he had on
himself. He was too absorbed in what he possessed to notice the
needs of those around him. He lost sight of God and the treasure
of heaven because he was preoccupied with seeking happiness in
material things. He served wealth rather than God. In the end the
rich man became a beggar! Do you know the joy and freedom of
possessing God as your true and lasting treasure? Those who put
their hope and security in heaven will not be disappointed (see
Hebrews 6:19)?
"Lord Jesus, you are my joy and my treasure. Make me rich in the
things of heaven and give me a generous heart that I may freely
share with others the spiritual and material treasures you have
given to me."
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Ignatian Method)
A. Preparation: acts of faith and reverence in the presence of God;
asking grace of a good meditation; petition for specific graces
sought in meditation.
B. Reading the Scriptures slowly, prayerfully.
C. Exercise of the memory, imagination, and intellect:
consideration of the material.. What practical applications are
suggested?
D. Expression of feelings and sentiments awakened in meditation.
Conversation with God.
E. Exercise of will and imagination in making resolutions. Prayer
for grace to fulfill resolutions.
F. Vocal prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, other prayers).
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
"Sayings of Light and Love," by St. John of the Cross (jottings
from his notebooks)
103. To be taken with love for a soul, God does not look on its
greatness, but on the greatness of its humility.
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