Message of 6-16-09
Published: Sat, 06/06/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"I have now concentrated all my prayers into one, and that one prayer
is this: that I may die to self, and live wholly to him."
- Charles H. Spurgeon
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
2 Cor 8:1-9; Ps 146:2, 5-6ab, 6c- 7, 8-9a; Mt 5:43-48
R. (1b) Praise the Lord, my soul!
Praise the LORD, my soul!
I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God while I live.
Blessed he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD, his God,
Who made heaven and earth,
the sea and all that is in them.
Who keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
The LORD gives sight to the blind.
The LORD raises up those who were bowed down;
the LORD loves the just.
The LORD protects strangers.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
Was Jesus exaggerating when he said we must be perfect as our
heavenly Father is perfect? The original meaning of "perfect" in
Aramaic is "completeness" or "wholeness - not lacking in what is
essential." God gives us every good gift in Jesus Christ so that we
may not lack anything we need to do his will and to live as his
sons and daughters. He knows our weakness and sinfulness better
than we do. And he assures us of his love, mercy, and grace to
follow in his ways. Do you want to grow in your love for God and
for your neighbor? Ask the Holy Spirit to change and transform you
in the image of the Father that you may walk in the joy and freedom
of the gospel.
"Lord Jesus, your love brings freedom and pardon. Fill me with your
Holy Spirit and set my heart ablaze with your love that nothing may
make me lose my temper, ruffle my peace, take away my joy, nor make
me bitter towards anyone."
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Ignatian Method)
A. Preparation: acts of faith and reverence in the presence of God;
asking grace of a good meditation; petition for specific graces
sought in meditation.
B. Reading the Scriptures slowly, prayerfully.
C. Exercise of the memory, imagination, and intellect:
consideration of the material.. What practical applications are
suggested?
D. Expression of feelings and sentiments awakened in meditation.
Conversation with God.
E. Exercise of will and imagination in making resolutions. Prayer
for grace to fulfill resolutions.
F. Vocal prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, other prayers).
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
"Sayings of Light and Love," by St. John of the Cross (jottings
from his notebooks)
121. The traits of the solitary bird are five: first, it seeks the
highest place; second, it withstands no company; third, it holds
its beak in the air; fourth, it has no definite color; fifth, it
sings sweetly. These traits must be possessed by the contemplative
soul. It must rise above passing things, paying no more heed to
them than if they did not exist. It must likewise be so fond of
silence and solitude that it does not tolerate the company of
another creature. It must hold its beak in the air of the Holy
Spirit, responding to his inspirations, that by so doing it may
become worthy of his company. It must have no definite color,
desiring to do nothing definite other than the will of God. It must
sing sweetly in the contemplation and love of its Bridegroom.
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