Message of 4-6-09
Published: Sun, 04/05/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Prayer is the human response to the perpetual outpouring of love by
which God lays siege to every soul. When our reply to God is most
direct of all, it is called adoration. Adoration is the spontaneous
yearning of the heart to worship, honour, magnify, and bless God.We
ask nothing but to cherish him. We seek nothing but his exaltation.
We focus on nothing but his goodness.
- Richard J. Foster
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Is 42:1-7; Ps 27:1, 2, 3, 13-14; Jn 12:1-11
R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
When evildoers come at me
to devour my flesh,
My foes and my enemies
themselves stumble and fall.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart will not fear;
Though war be waged upon me,
even then will I trust.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"Why was this oil not sold for 300 days' wages and given to the
poor?"
The thief and betrayer Judas cares little for the poor. His words
are a distraction and an excuse. They betray his greedy and
grudging nature. He thinks only of himself and his gain. It's easy
to regard Holy Week like any other -- to focus on our wants. Jesus
encourages us not to let this moment pass in routine. We see that
Martha prepares a dinner and serves Jesus, Lazarus relaxes with
him, and Mary anoints his feet with the aforementioned costly oil.
Each, according to his or her gifts, centers the celebration on the
Lord. Holy Week beckons us to step aside from our concerns and
focus on Jesus. We're to be in the presence of the Lord while he's
with us. What holds us back from fully joining in this time of
penitence and grace?
"To be in the presence of the Lord, 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
293. All men are sinners and as such they are incapable of doing
anything whatever for their spiritual welfare. Christ's death alone
sanctifies all mankind.
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295. In ransoming His creatures, the Redeemer makes them His
members. Men receive this redemption, not as a gift coming from
another, but as the grace incorporating them into that other.
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