Message of 8-18-09
Published: Mon, 08/17/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
It is common for homeowners to have many locks in their houses,
each with different keys, but to have one master key which opens
all. So the Lord has many treasuries and secrets all shut up from
carnal minds with locks which they cannot open; but he who walks in
fellowship with Jesus possesses the master key which will admit him
to all the blessings of the covenant; yea, to the very heart of
God. Through the Well-beloved we have access to God, to heaven, to
every secret of the Lord.
- Anonymous
(How would you like Christ to use His "master key" in your life
this day?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Jgs 6:11-24a; Ps 85:9, 11-12, 13-14; Mt 19:23-30
R. (see 9b) The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD-for he proclaims peace
To his people, and to his faithful ones,
and to those who put in him their hope.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
Why is Jesus so cautious about wealth? Wealth can make us falsely
independent. The church at Laodicea was warned about their attitude
towards wealth and a false sense of security: "For you say, I am
rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing" (Revelations 3:17).
Wealth can also lead us into hurtful desires and selfishness (see 1
Timothy 6:9-10). Look at the lesson Jesus gave about the rich man
and his sons who refused to aid the poor man Lazarus (see Luke
16:19ff). They also neglected to serve God. The scriptures give us
a paradox: we lose what we keep and we gain what we give away.
Generosity will be amply repaid, both in this life and in eternity
(Proverbs 3:9-10, Luke 6:38). Jesus offers us an incomparable
treasure which no money can buy and no thief can steal. The thing
we most set our heart on is our highest treasure. Material wealth
will shackle us to this earth unless we guard our hearts and set
our treasure in God and his everlasting kingdom. Where is your
treasure?
"Lord Jesus, you have captured our hearts and opened to us the
treasures of heaven. May you always be my treasure and delight and
may nothing else keep me from giving you my all."
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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)
130. Old friends of God scarcely ever fail him, for they stand
above all that can make them fail.
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