Message of 6-1-09
Published: Sat, 05/30/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
There is a certain kind of so-called conversion which separates a
man from his fellow men. It may fill him with a self-righteousness
which rejoices in its own superiority to those who have had no like
experience. It may move a man to a Pharisaic self-isolation. There
have in fact been not a few so-called conversions as a result of
which a man has left the Church to belong to some smaller and
holier body. The plain truth is that such a one should very
seriously examine himself, if he finds what he regards as his
Christian experience separating him from his fellow-men, or his
fellow-Christians.
... William Barclay, "In the Hands of God"
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Tb 1:3; 2:1a-8; Ps 112:1b-2, 3b-4, 5-6; Mk 12:1-12
R. (1b) Blessed are they who fear the Lord
Blessed the one who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
His generosity shall endure forever.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
Well for the one who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just man shall be in everlasting remembrance.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"He had addressed the parable to them."
I'm a wimp. I cannot imagine choosing torture over denying the
faith or professing false doctrine. St. Justin was moved by both
the consistency of Christian teaching (he was a philosopher by
training) and the faithful dedication of the disciples he met,
particularly their willingness to suffer and die for Jesus. They
took to heart the teachings of Jesus and did not compromise to save
their lives, much less their place in society. They understood
that the parables and all of Jesus' teachings were meant for them.
For anyone who will listen, they are lessons to live by.
"Lord Jesus, open my ears and my heart to your teaching today."
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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)
The prevenient grace of God touches a person from without and from
within. From without through sickness; or through the loss of
external goods, of kinsmen, and of friends; or through public
disgrace. Or he may be stirred by a sermon, or by the examples of
the saints or of good men, their words, or their deeds; so that he
learns to recognize himself as he is. This is how God touches a man
from without.
- Chapter 1, Of the Active Life
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