Message of 10-12-09
Published: Mon, 09/28/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
God is thrust onward by his love, not attracted by our beauty. He
comes even in moments when we have done everything wrong, when we
have done nothing . . . even when we have sinned.
- Carlo Carretto, "The God Who Comes"
(God comes . . . NOW! What is your response?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Rom 1:1-7; Ps 98:1bcde, 2-3ab, 3cd-4; Lk 11:29-32
R. (2a) The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"You are called to belong to Jesus Christ."
Today we begin Paul's letter to the Romans -- his longest letter and
most systematic presentation of the Gospel. Paul's passion comes
through, so much so that one wants to shout, "Take a breath!"
Lectors would do well to prepare carefully and mark where to
breathe because much of this letter is one long run-on sentence.
Paul is driven to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to lead
everyone to Jesus because he believes -- knows! -- that all are
called. He has no patience for the cautious, much as in today's
Gospel passage we witness Jesus' impatience with those who seek yet
one more sign of his Sonship.
"Jesus, send your Spirit to penetrate our weak-willed, lukewarm,
wary and weary ways and set us on fire for your word."
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THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
There is still another coming of Christ our Bridegroom, taking
place every day, with growth of grace and renewal of gifts. That
is, when one receives some sacrament with a humble heart void of
anything contrary thereto. In this way he receives new gifts and
more ample grace, because of his humility and through the
mysterious working of Christ in the sacraments. Those things which
are contrary to the sacraments are unbelief in Baptism, a lack of
repentance in Confession, and approaching the Sacrament of the
Altar in the state of mortal sin or with an evil intention; and so
on as regards the other sacraments. Those who act thus receive no
new grace; rather does their sinfulness increase.
This is the other coming of Christ our Bridegroom, which is present
with us every day. We should consider it with a desiring heart,
lest it should not take place within us; for it is needful, if we
are to remain steadfast and to go forward in eternal life.
- Chapter 7, Of the Sacraments
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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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