Message of 5-29-09
Published: Sat, 05/23/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
The only way to dispel the darkness of the present age and liberate
it from the prison within which it has become bound is to restore
the proper relationship of nature to supernature and of time to
eternity as an essential feature of external reality. Until this
can be accomplished, there is really very little that the Church or
Christianity in general has to offer to this age.
... W. G. Pollard
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Acts 25:13b-21; Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab; Jn 21:15-19
R. (19a) The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the LORD, all you his angels,
you mighty in strength, who do his bidding.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.ht
ml
Jesus tells Peter that someday he will be taken "where you do not
want to go." Sometimes, I think, this is the "bottom line" of our
faith. It is easy to have a relationship with Jesus, if it still
leaves me the room to do things my way and go where I want to go. I
really become a follower and a disciple when I let him take me
where I don't want to go. It is a good day to offer him that kind
of surrender, and ask for the grace and freedom to live it when it
comes our time to say "yes" in a most unexpected way.
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Benedictine Approach)
1. Relax. Settle in. Be aware that God is here, now, loving you.
2. Read a short passage of Scripture as though God were speaking
directly to you in it.
3. Choose a phrase from the passage that strikes you and repeat it
slowly, prayerfully, non-analytically.
4. When your heart is full, express to God the needs and sentiments
awakened by your meditation. When you're done, read another passage
and repeat steps 3 and 4.
5. If, at any time, you feel moved to simply be present to God in
loving silence, put the Scripture aside and rest in God.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "The Practice of the Presence of God," by Brother Lawrence
It is, however, necessary to put our whole trust in GOD, laying
aside all other cares, and even some particular forms of devotion,
though very good in themselves, yet such as one often engages in
unreasonably: because those devotions are only means to attain to
the end; so when by this exercise of the presence of GOD we are
with Him who is our end, it is then useless to return to the means;
but we may continue with Him our commerce of love, persevering in
His holy presence: one while by an act of praise, of adoration, or
of desire; one while by an act of resignation, or thanksgiving; and
in all the manner which our spirit can invent.
- Sixth Letter
To a member of the order who had received from him a book, and
to
whom he again enlarges on his favourite topic. * Encouragement
to
persevere.
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