Message of 11-9-09
Published: Thu, 11/05/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- - -
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
We are half-hearted creatures like an ignorant child who wants to
go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is
meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily
pleased.
- C. S. Lewis
("But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither
have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has
prepared for them that love him." 1 Cor. 2, 9)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; 1 Cor 3:9c-11,
16-17; Jn 2:13-22
R. (5) The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy
dwelling of the Most High!
God is our refuge and our strength,
an ever-present help in distress.
Therefore, we fear not, though the earth be shaken
and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea.
There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God,
the holy dwelling of the Most High.
God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed;
God will help it at the break of dawn.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
our stronghold is the God of Jacob.
Come! behold the deeds of the LORD,
the astounding things he has wrought on earth.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the
Spirit of God dwells in you?"
The Basilica of St. John Lateran was once the papal residence and
is still the official parish church of the pope (not St. Peter's
Basilica). Although sacred spaces like this are very important, God
likes best to dwell in us. St. Paul reminds us that we are being
formed into a dwelling place for God on earth. Is it time for me to
clean house for my divine guest? Are my values, priorities and
behaviors such that the Lord will feel comfortable?
"Lord, make me a welcoming home for you, where all can come and
experience peace in your merciful and loving presence."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Amazon.com gift cards - good for any occasion
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
In this Judgment Christ, our Bridegroom and our Judge, will reward
and punish, according to justice; for He will give every man that
which he has earned. He will give to the good, for every good work
done in God, a wage without measure, that is to say, God's very
Self, Whom no creature of itself can earn. But when God works these
works with and through the creature, then by His power the creature
gains His very Self as wage. And with due justice He will give
eternal woe and eternal sorrow to the damned; for these despised
and rejected the Eternal Good for a good that cannot endure. And of
their own free will they have turned away from God, and have set
themselves against His glory and His will, and have sought after
creatures; and so shall they be justly condemned.
Those who bear witness at the Judgment are the angels and the
conscience of men. And the adversary is the hellish fiend; and the
Judge is Christ, Whom none can deceive.
- Chapter 9, Showing What Christ Will Do in the Day of Doom
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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.
_________________________________________________
* Web Archive: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?dailyseed
* RSS: http://www.aweber.com/z/rss/?dailyseed