Message of 11-23-09
Published: Fri, 11/20/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, ashes. But we live in a
world crushed and broken and torn, a world God Himself visited to
redeem. We receive his poured-out life, and being allowed the high
privilege of suffering with Him, may then pour ourselves out for
others.
- Elisabeth Elliot
(How might you pour out your life for others this day?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Dn 1:1-6, 8-20; Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56; Lk 21:1-4
R. (52b) Glory and praise for ever!
"Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages."
"Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and glorious above all forever."
"Blessed are you on the throne of your Kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever."
"Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever."
"Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven,
praiseworthy and glorious forever."
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"... And he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins."
As we enter into the holiday season, despite our best efforts it's
easy to get carried away in consumerism. When our mood is light, a
little splurging here and there seems reasonable and deserved. It's
important for us to remember that some people, like the widow, are
so poor that splurging isn't an option. We must come to know
dependence on what will truly lighten our mood and our burden --
dependence on the Lord and complete trust in his ability to provide
what we truly need. Few of us need more things, but we could all
rely more on God to understand how truly blessed we are.
"That we may forego the temptation of the fleeting excesses of this
life, we pray."
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Amazon.com gift cards - good for any occasion
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu
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THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
The second kind are the unbelievers, Pagans and Jews. These must
all appear before Christ, though they were damned already during
their lives; for, in their time, they possessed neither Divine
grace nor Divine love, and for this reason they have always dwelt
in the eternal death of damnation. But these shall have less pain
than the evil Christians; for, since they received fewer gifts of
God, they owed Him less loyalty.
- Chapter X: The Five Kinds of People Who Will Appear Before Christ
on Judgment Day
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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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