Message of 3-30-09
Published: Thu, 03/26/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- - -
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring
repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without
confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is
grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without
Jesus Christ.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
(Lent is a time to give up "cheap grace" and embrace the "costly
grace" of sacrifice, discipline, and the cross.)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Dn 13:41c-62; Ps 23:1-6; Jn 8:1-11
R. (4ab) Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for
you are at my side.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a
stone at her."
We walk around with pockets full of stones. We may not actually
throw them, but we might as well. In fact, the sting may be less
than that of the vicious stares or the bitter invective that we
hurl. As much as our glances and words condemn, consider how much
more damning our silence is. We judge quietly and keep our
distance, assuming right conclusions and moral superiority. We
presume we take the high ground, but we only really do so when we
drop our stones and walk away, acknowledging our own sinfulness and
need for compassion. Who are we to be cruel when the Lord is so
forgiving?
"For mercy, we pray"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
THEOLOGICAL GEMS FROM EMIL MERCH'S "THEOLOGY OF THE MYSTICAL BODY"
from http://www.innerexplorations.com/chtheomortext/theolgems.htm
622. Actual grace is a divine influence added to natural energy.
-- as something passing and not permanent.
_________________________________________________
* Web Archive: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?dailyseed
* RSS: http://www.aweber.com/z/rss/?dailyseed