Message of 7-6-09
Published: Sat, 07/04/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- - -
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
It is a glorious thing to know that your Father God makes no
mistakes in directing or permitting that which crosses the path of
your life. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter. It is our
glory to trust him, no matter what.
- Joni Eareckson Tada
(What cross do you need to trust God with at this time in your
life?)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Gn 28:10-22a; Ps 91:1-2, 3-4, 14-15ab; Mt 9:18-26
R. (see 2b) In you, my God, I place my trust.
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
Say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
For he will rescue you from the snare of the fowler,
from the destroying pestilence.
With his pinions he will cover you,
and under his wings you shall take refuge.
Because he clings to me, I will deliver him;
I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in distress.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"Truly, the LORD is in this spot, although I did not know it!"
Jacob awakes from his dream, aware that God is very near. He
creates a shrine and calls it Beth-El ("House of God"). This place
becomes the center of the universe for Jacob and his many
descendants. At times this "spot" seems more important than the God
who appeared there. In the Gospel, Jesus risks impurity as he
speaks to a woman who has touched him -- a woman presumed "unclean"
because of her infirmity -- and he also grasps the hand of a little
girl presumed dead. Our holy places, laws and traditions -- our
religion -- lead us to God. The danger is turning our religion into
a god and thus turning our holy places into battlegrounds.
"O God, you who created everyone and are present everywhere,
inspire us to hold in regard all people from all places."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
Yet here we must take heed to the order of Divine and creaturely
things as they are here shown. For God gives His light, and by this
light man gives his willing and perfect conversion: and of these
two is born a perfect love towards God. And from this love there
come forth perfect contrition and purification of conscience. And
these arise from the consideration of misdeeds and all that may
defile the soul: for when a man loves God he despises himself and
all his works. This is the order of every conversion. From it there
come true repentance, a perfect sorrow for every evil thing which
one has done, and an ardent desire never to sin again and evermore
to serve God in humble obedience. Hence too an open confession,
without reserve, ambiguity, or excuse; a perfect satisfaction
according to the counsel of a prudent priest; and the beginning of
virtue and of all good works.
- Chapter 1, Of the Active Life
_________________________________________________
* Web Archive: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?dailyseed
* RSS: http://www.aweber.com/z/rss/?dailyseed