Message of 5-25-09
Published: Sat, 05/23/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"Faith then is not a conclusion from premises, but the result of an
act of the will, following upon a conviction that to believe is a
duty."
- Cardinal Newman [19th C], "Letter to Mrs. Froude")
(How does this compare with your own understanding of faith?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Acts 19:1-8; Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab; Jn 16:29-33
R. (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
God arises; his enemies are scattered,
and those who hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so are they driven;
as wax melts before the fire.
But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have
conquered the world."
The early disciples faced difficulties just as we do. We are
tempted to believe that we are seriously outnumbered in a hostile
world, and that surely this time the opposition will win. But when
we carry the gospel of love and peace into the arena of ignorance,
greed and injustice, we can take comfort and courage from the fact
that Jesus is always with us, nourishing and strengthening us for
the battle, and that no matter the cost, the Lord's victory will be
ours if we persevere. On this Memorial Day, let us gratefully
remember all those who defended peace, freedom and justice with
their lives.
"Lord, give me only your love and your grace; these are enough."
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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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THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
But if this shoot of God's grace is to be grafted into our souls,
there must be of necessity three things: the prevenient grace of
God, the conversion of one's own free will, and the purification of
conscience. The prevenient grace touches all men, God bestowing it
upon all men. But not all men give on their part the conversion of
the will and the purification of conscience; and that is why so
many lack the grace of God, through which they should merit eternal
life.
- Chapter 1, Of the Active Life
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