Message of 7-28-09
Published: Mon, 07/20/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- - -
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"If you're faithful to Me, your faith can't be lessened by the
unfaithfulness of those who want to do evil to you, nor can these
same people lessen your hope once you've created it through love of
Me. Your hope will be strengthened then, and your love will be
proven in your affectionate kindnesses towards your neighbors."
- Catherine of Siena, "Dialogue"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Ex 33:7-11; 34:5b-9, 28; Ps 103:6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13; Mt
13:36-43
R. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.
The LORD secures justice
and the rights of all the oppressed.
He has made known his ways to Moses,
and his deeds to the children of Israel.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
Are you quick to judge the faults of others? Jesus' parable teaches
us patience lest we judge before the time is right. Jesus also
warns that there is an enemy who seeks to destroy the good seed of
his word before it can bear fruit. Both good and evil can be sown
in our hearts like tiny seeds which germinate, and in due time
yield a harvest of good or bad fruit. We must stand guard lest evil
take root in our hearts and corrupt us. Charles Read said: "Sow an
act and you reap a habit. Sow a habit and you reap a character.
Sow a character and you reap a destiny." In the day of judgment
each will reap what he or she has sown in this life. Those who sow
good will shine in the kingdom of their Father. They will radiate
with the beauty, joy, and fulness of God's love. Do you allow the
love of Christ to rule in your heart and in your actions?
"Lord Jesus, may your all-consuming love rule in my heart and
transform my life that I may sow what is good, worthy, and pleasing
to you."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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).
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
"Sayings of Light and Love," by St. John of the Cross (jottings
from his notebooks)
127. The purest suffering produces the purest understanding.
_________________________________________
* Web Archive: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?dailyseed
* RSS: http://www.aweber.com/z/rss/?dailyseed