Message of 9-21-09
Published: Fri, 09/18/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
There is nothing that pleases the Lord so much as praise. There is
no test of faith so true as the grace of thanksgiving. Are you
praising God enough? Are you thanking Him for your actual blessings
that are more than can be numbered, and are you daring to praise
Him even for those trials which are but blessings in disguise? Have
you learned to praise Him in advance for the things that have not
yet come?
- Anonymous
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Eph 4:1-7, 11-13; Ps 19:2-3, 4-5; Mt 9:9-13
R. (5) Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
arth.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting
at the customs post."
As we hear about the call of Matthew, we should not miss this most
salient point: Jesus calls us, too. To understand that we are
called is to be transformed, as was Matthew. Jesus' call should
fill us with wonder and delight. We may not spontaneously walk away
from our occupation, but realization that Jesus calls us should
renew and inspire us to turn away from bad attitudes and habits.
Each day Jesus offers us the simple invitation that fills our lives
with meaning and purpose: "Follow me." Through the intercession of
St. Matthew, let us respond with zeal and with love.
"For joy in the call of the Lord, we pray."
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THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
These then were Christ's inward virtues: humility, charity, and
patient endurance. These three virtues Christ our Bridegroom
practised during all His life, and He died with them, and paid our
debt according to justice. And of His generosity He has opened His
side. Thence flow forth the rivers of well-being and the sacraments
of bliss. And He has ascended in power, and sits at the right hand
of the Father, and reigns in eternity.
This is the first coming of our Bridegroom, and it is wholly past.
- Chapter 5, Of Patient Endurance
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LECTIO DIVINA PROCESS
- http://heartlandspirituality.org/vocations/prayer.html
First, you choose a passage of Scripture that you will pray with.
It might be the Gospel reading used in the liturgy of the day, or
anything else you want. The process then follows these steps:
* Reading (lectio) After settling in and quieting yourself,
read the passage slowly, prayerfully. Just let it sink in for a
minute or two, then read it a second time, paying closer attention
to the words or phrases that speak to you.
* Reflecting (meditatio) What do you hear God saying to you in
this passage? What words or phrases caught your attention?
* Responding (oratio) What do you want to say to God in
response to what you've heard? Here you can also voice your prayers
of petition, remorse, thanksgiving, praise, and so forth. If you
sense God speaking to you in your thoughts, feelings or
imagination, you respond as you would in any conversation.
* Resting (contemplatio) If, at any time, you feel drawn to
simply rest in the awareness of God's loving presence, you let
yourself do so. Remain in loving silence as long as you feel
comfortable, perhaps using a simple word or phrase from the
Scripture passage to help deepen your openness to rest in God.
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