Message of 4-2-09
Published: Thu, 03/26/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Should we feel at times disheartened and discouraged, a simple
movement of heart toward God will renew our powers. Whatever he may
demand of us, he will give us at the moment the strength and
courage that we need.
- Francois Fenelon
(So simple, but so true. Try it; it works.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Gn 17:3-9; Ps 105:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Jn 8:51-59
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations -
Which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- John 8: 51-59 (The eternal origin of the Christ)
The meeting of the human and divine in Jesus will be forever a
mystery, an inexhaustible truth. Certainly the human Jesus was
born of Mary in space and time. John, however, reminds us today
that the great I AM (Yahweh), whose knowledge is of eternity,
also lives in Jesus. The Jews consider such a belief blasphemous
and attempt to stone Jesus.
- What does today's reading say to those who consider Jesus only a
great man or one of several incarnations of God, along with Buddha
and Mohammed, for example?
- Spend some time with the passage "If I glorify myself, my glory
is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me." Write your
impressions.
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Carmelite Method)
A. Introduction: settling in, relaxing in awareness of God's
presence.
B. Reading the text slowly, prayerfully.
C. Meditation: imaginative representation of the material; reflection
on the meaning of the material and its application to one's life.
D. Affective prayer: conversation with God, attentive to sharing
feelings awakened in meditation. Prayer of petition, thanksgiving,
remorse.
E. Resting in God in silent loving awareness, if moved to do so.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
I have been taught to my own cost, and I hope it has given me
greater
caution, not greater folly. "Beware," they say, "beware and keep
to
yourself what I tell you!" Then while I keep silent, believing
that
the matter is secret, he who asks me to be silent cannot remain
silent
himself, but immediately betrays both me and himself, and goes his
way. From tales of this kind and from such careless men protect
me, O
Lord, lest I fall into their hands and into their ways. Put in my
mouth words that are true and steadfast and keep far from me the
crafty tongue, because what I am not willing to suffer I ought
by all
means to shun.
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 45
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