Message of 8-6-09
Published: Sat, 07/25/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
O Holy Power who forged the Way for us!
You penetrate all in heaven and earth and even down below . . .
Holy Power, blow wisdom in my soul
and -- with your wisdom -- Joy!
- Julian of Norwich
(God's Holy Power penetrating all things . . . even your own life .
. . Can you feel it?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Dn 7:9-10, 13-14; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 9; 2 Pt 1:16-19; Mk
9:2-10
R. (1a and 9a) The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from http://dailyscripture.net/
Luke's gospel tells us that while Jesus was transfigured, Peter,
James, and John were asleep (Luke 9:32)! Upon awakening they
discovered Jesus in glory along with Moses and Elijah. How much do
we miss of God's glory and action because we are asleep
spiritually? There are many things which can keep our minds asleep
to the things of God: Mental lethargy and the "unexamined life" can
keep us from thinking things through and facing our doubts and
questions. The life of ease can also hinder us from considering the
challenging or disturbing demands of Christ. Prejudice can make us
blind to something new the Lord may have for us. Even sorrow can be
a block until we can see past it to the glory of God. Are you
spiritually awake? Peter, James, and John were privileged witnesses
of the glory of Christ. We, too, as disciples of Christ are called
to be witnesses of his glory. "We all, with unveiled face,
beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his
likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from
the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18)." The Lord wants to
reveal his glory to us, his beloved disciples. Do you seek his
presence with faith and reverence?
"Lord Jesus, keep me always alert and awake to you, to your word,
your action, and your daily presence in my life. Let me see your
glory."
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Carmelite Method)
A. Introduction: settling in, relaxing in awareness of God's
presence.
B. Reading the text slowly, prayerfully.
C. Meditation: imaginative representation of the material;
reflection
on the meaning of the material and its application to one's life.
D. Affective prayer: conversation with God, attentive to sharing
feelings awakened in meditation. Prayer of petition, thanksgiving,
remorse.
E. Resting in God in silent loving awareness, if moved to do so.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
I am left poor and exiled in a hostile land, where every day
sees wars
and very great misfortunes. Console my banishment, assuage my
sorrow.
My whole desire is for You. Whatever solace this world offers is
a
burden to me. I desire to enjoy You intimately, but I cannot
attain to
it. I wish to cling fast to heavenly things, but temporal
affairs and
unmortified passions bear me down. I wish in mind to be above all
things, but I am forced by the flesh to be unwillingly subject to
them. Thus, I fight with myself, unhappy that I am, and am
become a
burden to myself, while my spirit seeks to rise upward and my
flesh to
sink downward. Oh, what inward suffering I undergo when I
consider
heavenly things; when I pray, a multitude of carnal thoughts
rush upon
me!
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 48
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