Message of 9-24-09
Published: Fri, 09/18/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
In recent times it has become fashionable in Christian spirituality
to put great emphasis on service to our neighbour and to equate
service with prayer. There is much truth in this idea, but it is a
half-truth. There can be no substitute in the spiritual life for
being alone with God. There must be that part of spirituality which
is private and individual - secret between me and my God. It is
that daily attempt to become increasingly aware of the presence and
the action of God in our lives and to know the growing desire
within us for some kind of closeness to him.
- Basil Hume
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Hg 1:1-8; Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b; Lk 9:7-9
R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Luke 9: 7-9 (Herod's paranoia)
If modern psychology has taught us anything, it is that we cannot
escape the problems of life by burying our feelings. Herod the
Great illustrates this truth. Guilt-ridden because he ordered the
execution of John the Baptist, he begins to believe that John has
risen in the person of Jesus.
- Are there crises and tragedies in your past with which you have
not yet finished dealing? If so, are you willing to seek help to
work your way through them?
- When was the last time you became angry at someone? How did you
resolve the conflict? What did you do with your feelings of anger?
(If you did nothing with them, know that conflicts with this person
will probably return.)
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
The Voice of Christ
I know your longings and I have heard your frequent sighs.
Already you
wish to be in the liberty of the glory of the sons of God.
Already you
desire the delights of the eternal home, the heavenly land that
is
full of joy. But that hour is not yet come. There remains yet
another
hour, a time of war, of labor, and of trial. You long to be
filled
with the highest good, but you cannot attain it now. I am that
sovereign Good. Await Me, until the kingdom of God shall come.
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 49
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Carmelite Method)
A. Introduction: settling in, relaxing in awareness of God's
presence.
B. Reading the text slowly, prayerfully.
C. Meditation: imaginative representation of the material;
reflection
on the meaning of the material and its application to one's life.
D. Affective prayer: conversation with God, attentive to sharing
feelings awakened in meditation. Prayer of petition, thanksgiving,
remorse.
E. Resting in God in silent loving awareness, if moved to do so.
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