Message of 10-19-09
Published: Thu, 10/15/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
There is within me a me which is both greater than me and at the
same time authentically myself. One way of approaching this
mysterious fact would be by what is called the paradox of grace.
The more God gives me his grace (i.e. himself), the more I am
myself.
- "Tensions, by H. A. Williams
(The True Self!)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Rom 4:20-25; Luke 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75; Lk 12:13-21
R. (see 68) Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to
his people.
He has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"But it was not for him alone that it was written that 'it was
credited to him ...'"
Faith is a dynamic force that motivates us, opening the door to
inspiration and creativity, welcoming revelation. Revelation, in
turn, deepens our faith. Moreover, as we share and compare our
experience of God in the community of believers, we are drawn
deeper yet into divine mystery. Jesus told his disciples that faith
can move mountains. He also told people repeatedly that their faith
had saved them. As we ponder the value and power of this remarkable
gift, may we learn to cultivate and use it with diligence and
wisdom. May faith impel us, as it did Abraham, toward God's promise
to us -- fullness of life in Christ.
"For vibrant faith, we pray."
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THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
The third coming, which is yet to be, will take place at the
Judgment, or in the hour of death. The wherefore of this coming is
the fitting time, the due cause, and the righteousness of the Judge.
The time which is fitting for this coming is the hour of death, and
the Last Judgment of all men. When God created the soul out of
nothing and united it with the body, He set a fixed day and a fixed
hour known only of Him, when it should have to give up temporal
things and to appear in His presence.
The due cause: for the soul must then account for every word spoken
and for every deed done, before the Eternal Truth.
- 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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