Message of 7-14-09
Published: Sun, 07/12/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
God is doing a greater work in us, and that can only come as we
learn to trust him no matter how dark the days and sleepless the
nights. And it is only as we have been through the darkness with
him that what we know with our heads slides down into our hearts,
and our hearts no longer demand answers. The Why? becomes
unimportant when we believe that God can and will redeem the pain
for our good and his glory.... When I put the sovereignty of God
beside his unfailing love, my heart can rest.
- Verdell Davis
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Ex 2:1-15a; Ps 69:3, 14, 30-31, 33-34; Mt 11:20-24
R. (see 33) Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
I am sunk in the abysmal swamp
where there is no foothold;
I have reached the watery depths;
the flood overwhelms me.
But I pray to you, O LORD,
for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
with your constant help.
But I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me;
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
"See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not."
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
Why does Jesus lament and issue a stern warning? The people who
heard the gospel here very likely responded with indifference.
Jesus upbraids them for doing nothing! Repentance demands change -
a change of heart and way of life. God's word is life-giving and it
saves us from destruction - the destruction of heart, mind, and
soul as well as body. Jesus' anger is directed toward sin and
everything which hinders us from doing the will of God. In love he
calls us to walk in his way of truth and freedom, grace and
loving-kindness, justice and holiness. Do you receive his word with
faith and obedience or with doubt and indifference?
"Most High and glorious God, enlighten the darkness of our hearts
and give us a true faith, a certain hope and a perfect love. Give
us a sense of the divine and knowledge of yourself, so that we may
do everything in fulfilment of your holy will; through Jesus Christ
our Lord." (Prayer of Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226)
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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)
125. Detached from exterior things, dispossessed of interior
things, disappropriated of the things of God -- neither will
prosperity detain you nor adversity hinder you.
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