Message of 7-27-09
Published: Mon, 07/20/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
I am born for God only. Christ is nearer to me than father, or
mother, or sister - a near relation, a more affectionate Friend;
and I rejoice to follow Him, and to love Him. Blessed Jesus! Thou
art all I want - a forerunner to me in all I ever shall go through
. . .
- Henry Martyn
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Ex 32:15-24, 30-34; Ps 106:19-20, 21-22, 23; Mt 13:31-35
R. (1a) Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
Our fathers made a calf in Horeb
and adored a molten image;
They exchanged their glory
for the image of a grass-eating bullock.
They forgot the God who had saved them,
who had done great deeds in Egypt,
Wondrous deeds in the land of Ham,
terrible things at the Red Sea.
Then he spoke of exterminating them,
but Moses, his chosen one,
Withstood him in the breach
to turn back his destructive wrath
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed ... like yeast."
When we think of the kingdom, we are often impatient. We want Jesus
to come back leading an army of warrior-angels, putting all to
rights. Apparently, it doesn't work that way. The coming kingdom,
like the secret seed or silent yeast, advances within us without
fanfare. If it's not coming fast enough for us, we need to remember
two things: the kingdom comes in God's time, not ours, and it
usually comes through human cooperation, starting with me. I must
repent. I must convert. I must reorganize my goals and priorities
so that I am one through whom the Lord can act.
"Lord, by your grace, make me a fitting partner in building your
kingdom."
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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 reason why God became man was His incomprehensible love, and
the need of all men; for man had been corrupted by the Fall, and
could not amend himself.
But the reason why Christ, according to His Godhead and according
to His manhood, wrought all His works on earth, this reason is
fourfold: His Divine love which is without measure; the created
love, called charity, which He had in His soul through union with
the Eternal Word and through the perfect gift of His Father; the
great need of man; and the glory of His Father. These are the
reasons for the coming of Christ our Bridegroom, and for all His
works, both outward and inward.
- Chapter 2
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