Message of 10-22-09
Published: Thu, 10/15/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Our progress in holiness depends on God and ourselves -- on God's
grace and on our will to be holy. We must have a real living
determination to reach holiness.
- Mother Theresa, "A Gift for God"
(What does holiness mean to you? How strong is your determination
to become more holy?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Rom 6:19-23; Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6; Lk 12:49-53
R. (Ps 40:5) Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Luke 12: 49-53 (The fire of Christ)
"Peace at any price" is not a slogan a Christian should adopt as a
guiding principle. Although it is true that Jesus is often called
the Prince of Peace, we must realize that the peace he brings
cannot exist outside of the context of truth and love. Some people
will not recognize truth, others will reject love; therefore,
Christians ought to expect persecutions.
- 'If you want peace, work for justice" is a slogan adopted
by the U.S. Catholic bishops. Do you agree with this slogan? Why?
Why not?
- Has your Christian faith brought divisions in your family?
If so, what can you do to remain related to family members without
compromising your beliefs?
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
The Voice of Christ
But consider, my child, the fruit of these labors, how soon they
will
end and how greatly they will be rewarded, and you will not be
saddened by them, but your patience will receive the strongest
consolation. For instead of the little will that you now readily
give
up, you shall always have your will in heaven. There, indeed, you
shall find all that you could desire. There you shall have
possession
of every good without fear of losing it. There shall your will be
forever one with Mine. It shall desire nothing outside of Me and
nothing for itself. There no one shall oppose you, no one shall
complain of you, no one hinder you, and nothing stand in your
way. All
that you desire will be present there, replenishing your
affection and
satisfying it to the full. There I shall render you glory for the
reproach you have suffered here; for your sorrow I shall give
you a
garment of praise, and for the lowest place a seat of power
forever.
There the fruit of glory will appear, the labor of penance
rejoice,
and humble subjection be gloriously crowned.
-------- 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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