Message of 9-25-09
Published: Fri, 09/18/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- - -
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
One of the marks of spiritual maturity is the quiet confidence that
God is in control - without the need to understand why He does what
He does.
- Anonymous
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Hg 2:1-9; Ps 43:1, 2, 3, 4; Lk 9:18-22
R. (5) Hope in God; I will praise him, my savior and my God.
Do me justice, O God, and fight my fight
against a faithless people;
from the deceitful and impious man rescue me.
For you, O God, are my strength.
Why do you keep me so far away?
Why must I go about in mourning,
with the enemy oppressing me?
Send forth your light and your fidelity;
they shall lead me on
And bring me to your holy mountain,
to your dwelling place.
Then will I go in to the altar of God,
the God of my gladness and joy;
Then will I give you thanks upon the harp,
O God, my God!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
- from
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
Next time you are feeling down, try this experiment. Think of
someone who would benefit from a random act of kindness and do it.
It can be the smallest thing. Think of someone you love who needs
to hear that and send an email or make a call. Take your kids to
the library or a park and let the dishes in the sink wait. Invite
your elderly neighbor who doesn't get out much for a cup of coffee.
The possibilities are endless.
I'll almost guarantee that once you're focusing on bringing joy to
someone else, the sun will come out on your own day. What St.
Francis says in the Peace Prayer is so true. In giving, we receive
and what we receive is the gift of joy.
Enjoy those random acts of kindness!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "The Practice of the Presence of God," by Brother Lawrence
I must, in a little time, go to GOD. What comforts me in this life
is, that I now see Him by faith; and I see Him in such a manner as
might make me say sometimes, I believe no more, but I see. I feel
what faith teaches us, and, in that assurance and that practice of
faith, I will live and die with Him.
Continue then always with GOD: tis the only support and comfort for
your affliction. I shall beseech Him to be with you. I present my
service.
- 11th Letter - to one who is in great pain.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Amazon.com gift cards - good for any occasion
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
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.
______________________________
* Web Archive: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?dailyseed
* RSS: http://www.aweber.com/z/rss/?dailyseed