Message of 12-7-09
Published: Thu, 12/03/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Those who denounce the doctrine of the second advent as
speculative, fanciful and unpractical, would do well to reconsider
the subject. The doctrine was not so regarded in the days of the
apostles. In their eyes, patience, hope, diligence, moderation,
personal holiness, were inseparably connected with an expectation
of the Lord's return. Happy is the Christian who has learned to
think with them! To be ever looking for the Lord's appearing is one
of the best helps to a close walk with God.
- J. C. Ryle
(In God we hope . . . )
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14; Lk 5:17-26
R. (Isaiah 35:4f) Our God will come to save us!
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD -for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
Mon., Dec. 7: Isa 35:1-10; Luke 5:17-26
"We have seen incredible things today."
Sometimes it's helpful to imagine oneself as different characters
in a Gospel story. In the healing of the paralyzed man we might be
Jesus the healer, the afflicted man himself, his resourceful
friends who let him down through the roof, the homeowner who is
anxious about folks tearing up the roof, the person in the crowd
who is finally about to have a long-awaited audience with Jesus
when these guys butt in line, the religious leaders who wonder at
this itinerant rabbi's power and audacity. Try telling the story
from each character's point of view and see what lessons emerge.
"Jesus, healer and teacher, show us your way that we may be your
presence in the world."
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THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
The fourth kind consists of those people who have kept God's
commandments; or, when they broke them, they have returned to God
with contrition and with penance, and with works of charity and
mercy and so have made satisfaction; so that their souls coming
forth from their mouths go straight to heaven, without passing
through purgatory.
- 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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