Message of 10-26-09
Published: Sat, 10/24/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to
construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the
foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the
deeper must be its foundations.
- St. Augustine
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Rom 8:12-17; Ps 68:2 and 4, 6-7ab, 20-21; Lk 13:10-17
R. (21a) Our God is the God of salvation.
God arises; his enemies are scattered,
and those who hate him flee before him.
But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
Blessed day by day be the Lord,
who bears our burdens; God, who is our salvation.
God is a saving God for us;
the LORD, my Lord, controls the passageways of death.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are
children of God."
Paul warns us, as daughters and sons of God, against allowing
ourselves to become slaves to the flesh. This goes beyond
inappropriate behaviors involving eating, drinking and sexual
activity. We live in such a consumer-driven culture that it might
not occur to us that we are also being warned against the pitfalls
of materialism or perhaps just plain selfishness. In these times,
when so many are experiencing economic hardship and global disaster
threatens, let us thank God for what we have, actively seek ways to
help those whose need is greater than ours, and explore a simpler,
more neighborly, more earth-friendly lifestyle.
"Lord, teach us that being your children calls for simplicity,
sharing and stewardship."
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THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
The righteousness of the Judge, for it is to Christ that this
Judgment and this Verdict belong; for He is the Son of Man and the
Wisdom of the Father, and to this Wisdom all judgment is given,
since all hearts, in heaven, and on earth, and in hell, are clear
and open to It. And therefore these three points are the occasions
of the general coming in the Day of Doom, and of the particular
coming to each man in the hour of his death.
- Chapter 8, Of the Third Coming of Christ
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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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