Message of 8-19-09
Published: Mon, 08/17/09
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Nothing so hinders us in what we are doing as to be longing after
something else; in so doing, we leave off tilling our own field, to
drive the plough through our neighbour's land, where we must not
look to reap a harvest; and this is mere waste of time. If our
thoughts and hopes are elsewhere, it is impossible for us to set
our faces steadily towards the work required of us.
- Francis de Sales
(Do what you're doing and let the rest fall away.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Jgs 9:6-15; Ps 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; Mt 20:1-16
R. (2a) Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
O LORD, in your strength the king is glad;
in your victory how greatly he rejoices!
You have granted him his heart's desire;
you refused not the wish of his lips.
For you welcomed him with goodly blessings,
you placed on his head a crown of pure gold.
He asked life of you: you gave him
length of days forever and ever.
Great is his glory in your victory;
majesty and splendor you conferred upon him.
You made him a blessing forever,
you gladdened him with the joy of your face.
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SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
From "Daily Bread"
- http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?"
Our immediate reaction to the story is: "It's not fair! The people
who worked all day deserve more." The whole point is that in this
vineyard no worker, early or late, deserves anything, not even to
be called to the vineyard in the first place. God, the owner, is
infinitely rich in saving grace and gives of this largesse
unstintingly. Deep in our hearts, do we find ourselves actually
resentful when we hear of the 11th-hour conversion of one who has
long lived in apparent disregard of God's laws? We must guard
against feelings of entitlement where God's call is concerned and
thank God for the gift of grace.
"Lord, I am not worthy; speak but the word and I shall be healed."
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GOD, SELF AND EGO: Meanings and Discernments
by Philip St. Romain© (doctoral project manuscript)
- see http://shalomplace.com/view/godselfego.html
- On the different possible combinations of God, Self and Ego:
* Ego-Self union. This is a good and natural relationship, which
Jungian psychology has investigated extensively. The development
of this union is the project Jung called individuation. It can
also be developed through a variety of other disciplines which
emphasize authenticity in speech, thought, and behavior.
- Part 9 of 15
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REVIEW OF DAY
- from, "Handbook for Spiritual Directees"
http://shalomplace.com/view/hndbk-lite.pdf
Here is a practice used by many at the end of the day to see what
lessons can be learned and how God was present and active through
the day. Set aside fifteen to twenty minutes at the end of the
day for prayer and review of your day. A suggested format is
described below:.
1. Take a few moments of quiet. Breathe deeply. Ask God to help you
see yourself as you truly were during the day.
2. Look back over your day - not to see what you did wrong but to
honestly acknowledge what was going on with you and others.
* What happened? What did I do today?
* How did I feel? Why did I feel that way?
* Were my expectations and beliefs reasonable?
3. Affirm the healthy things you recognize.
4. Admit to yourself and God the unhealthy things. Ask God's
forgiveness, believe it is yours, then decide if you need to
apologize or make amends.
5. Use creative visualization to grow stronger. Honestly
acknowledge the troubling situations of the day. See and feel
yourself acting honestly and lovingly in these situations. Ask God
for the grace to help you act in this new way.
6. Close with simple awareness of the sights and sounds around you,
grateful for the good things in your life.
This process can be undertaken as a daily journal exercise or by
prayerfully reviewing your day in your own mind. I like to take a
walk before bedtime for examen. The important thing is to do it. It
is a discipline, to be sure, but a very important one.
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SHALOM PLACE PREMIUM GROUPS
- Life-long learning and formation in Christian spirituality.
Groups now open include the following:
A. Psychological Types and Spirituality
B. The Way of Christian Spirituality
C. Freedom from Codependency
D. Christian Spirituality Resources
E. Wonderfully Made (Christian Metaphysics)
F. Growing in Christ
G. Spiral Dynamics®
H. Discerning God's Will
I. Dark Night of the Soul
J. Silence, Solitude and Sabbath
K. Alpha Group -- includes all the above and all to come.
- see http://shalomplace.org/groups.html
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