Message of 8-28-09
Published: Fri, 08/21/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Without expectation, do something for love itself, not for what you
may receive. Love in action is what gives us grace. We have been
created for greater things - - to love and to be loved. Love is
love - - to love a person without any conditions, without any
expectations. Small things, done in great love, bring joy and
peace. To love, it is necessary to give. To give, it is necessary
to be free from selfishness.
- Mother Theresa
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
1 Thes 4:1-8; Ps 97:1 and 2b, 5-6, 10, 11-12; Mt 25:1-13
R. (12a) Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
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.
The LORD loves those who hate evil;
he guards the lives of his faithful ones;
from the hand of the wicked he delivers them.
Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just,
and give thanks to his holy name.
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SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
- from
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
"Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour."
At first, my reaction to this phrase from the Gospel is
apprehension. It sounds a little ominous. But the more I think
about it, the more I understand the challenge and what God is
asking of me. My relationship with God is not something to pull out
each Sunday like the nice jacket I wear to church. I need to strive
to live my life so that at any hour or any day, I am ready.
My apprehension lifts as I see how well this fits with the Ignatian
concept of finding God in all things. My vigilance can be one of
joy, of wonder in the sense of discovery of the good in others and
in me. Can I carry that off every hour of every day? I'd like to
say yes, but I know that I will fall short. I will procrastinate,
be rude, be unmindful of others, be impatient and cranky. I will
not do the right thing all the time.
Today is also the memorial of St. Augustine, known for his writings
and for his conversion, which came after a time in his life
characterized as loose living. Augustine awoke and then worked
throughout his life to stay awake to God.
I can pray for help in waking up to my shortcomings, to wake up to
the joy and wonder of God in all things.
(by Carol Zuegner)
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Benedictine Approach)
1. Relax. Settle in. Be aware that God is here, now, loving you.
2. Read a short passage of Scripture as though God were speaking
directly to you in it.
3. Choose a phrase from the passage that strikes you and repeat it
slowly, prayerfully, non-analytically.
4. When your heart is full, express to God the needs and sentiments
awakened by your meditation. When you're done, read another passage
and repeat steps 3 and 4.
5. If, at any time, you feel moved to simply be present to God in
loving silence, put the Scripture aside and rest in God.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "The Practice of the Presence of God," by Brother Lawrence
I wish you could convince yourself that GOD is often (in some
sense) nearer to us and more effectually present with us, in
sickness than in health. Rely upon no other Physician, for,
according to my apprehension, He reserves your cure to Himself. Put
then all your trust in Him, and you will soon find the effects of
it in your recovery, which we often retard, by putting greater
confidence in physic than in GOD.
- 11th Letter - to one who is in great pain.
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