Message of 6-17-09
Published: Sat, 06/06/09
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
God is not like a earthly parent. His 'not yet' means just that,
'not yet' and not 'no'. Earthly parents sometimes lie with the
words 'not yet', when they mean 'no', thinking they are being kind.
God's 'yes' is always 'yes' and His 'no' is always 'no'. He does
not forget His promises and makes no promises He will not keep.
- Katherine Walden
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
2 Cor 9:6-11; Ps 112:1bc-2, 3-4, 9; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
R. (1b) Blessed the one who fears 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.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house;
his generosity shall endure forever.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
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SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
From "Daily Bread"
- http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the
hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the
praise of others."
Hypocrites: scribes, Pharisees and ... us? Ouch. Despite the common
admonition against doing good in order to gain rewards, we cannot
deny the satisfaction that often comes from charitable acts. We
should not feel bad about feeling good. Nor should we feel superior
or entitled to recognition. True disciples, in contrast to the
hypocrites, see that our generosity toward each other is not an
obligation. It is an act of love, not duty; it's done in glory and
thanks to God, not to gain honor and credit for us. We can never
repay what God has given us. We can simply model that love and
kindness.
"Generous Lord, let us give without asking cost or seeking
repayment, we pray"
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Meister Eckhart's Sermons"
Whoso does not suffer from love, for him sorrow is sorrow and
grievous to bear; but whoso suffers from love he sorrows not, and
his suffering is fruitful in God. Therefore is sorrow so noble; he
who sorrows most is the noblest. Now no mortal's sorrow was like
the sorrow which Christ bore; therefore he is far nobler than any
man. Verily were there anything nobler than sorrow, God would have
redeemed man thereby. Sorrow is the root of all virtue.
- #7. Outward and Inward Morality
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REVIEW OF DAY
- from, "Handbook for Spiritual Directees"
http://shalomplace.com/view/hndbk-lite.pdf
Here is a practice used by many at the end of the day to see what
lessons can be learned and how God was present and active through
the day. Set aside fifteen to twenty minutes at the end of the
day for prayer and review of your day. A suggested format is
described below:.
1. Take a few moments of quiet. Breathe deeply. Ask God to help you
see yourself as you truly were during the day.
2. Look back over your day - not to see what you did wrong but to
honestly acknowledge what was going on with you and others.
* What happened? What did I do today?
* How did I feel? Why did I feel that way?
* Were my expectations and beliefs reasonable?
3. Affirm the healthy things you recognize.
4. Admit to yourself and God the unhealthy things. Ask God's
forgiveness, believe it is yours, then decide if you need to
apologize or make amends.
5. Use creative visualization to grow stronger. Honestly
acknowledge the troubling situations of the day. See and feel
yourself acting honestly and lovingly in these situations. Ask God
for the grace to help you act in this new way.
6. Close with simple awareness of the sights and sounds around you,
grateful for the good things in your life.
This process can be undertaken as a daily journal exercise or by
prayerfully reviewing your day in your own mind. I like to take a
walk before bedtime for examen. The important thing is to do it. It
is a discipline, to be sure, but a very important one.
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SHALOM PLACE PREMIUM GROUPS
- Life-long learning and formation in Christian spirituality.
Groups now open include the following:
A. Psychological Types and Spirituality
B. The Way of Christian Spirituality
C. Freedom from Codependency
D. Christian Spirituality Resources
E. Wonderfully Made (Christian Metaphysics)
F. Growing in Christ
G. Spiral Dynamics®
H. Discerning God's Will
I. Dark Night of the Soul
J. Silence, Solitude and Sabbath
K. Alpha Group -- includes all the above and all to come.
- see http://shalomplace.org/groups.html
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