Message of 12-3-09
Published: Fri, 11/27/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
The natural gift of wonder God gave us as children was meant to be
kept alive....Instead we let wonder go to sleep. We entered the
typical dream state of most humans.
Why else does Jesus tell us today, 'Stay awake!'...Advent says, 'Wake
up and realize the gifts of love you have received.'
- Rev. Alfred McBride
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27
R. (26a) Blessed are they who comes in the name of the Lord.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This gate is the LORD's;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
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SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Is. 26: 1 - 6
"Thou shalt keep in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on
Thee."
This passage from today's reading was given to my wife and I in a
nicely framed poster when we got married 23 years ago. We liked it
so much that we hung it in our living room next to the front door
so that whenever we'd leave the house, we'd have a chance to be
reminded of its message.
Down through the years, I've been impressed again and again with
this truth: God's peace surpasses all understanding, but worldly
peace is always tinged with anxiety.
* How can you keep your mind fixed on God this day?
* "Let us trust in you for ever, for you, Our God, are an
everlasting Rock."
In what part of your life do you need to trust more in God this
day? Pray for the grace to do so.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
The Disciple
Thanks to You that You have not spared me evils but have bruised
me
with bitter blows, inflicting sorrows, sending distress without
and
within. Under heaven there is none to console me except You, my
Lord
God, the heavenly Physician of souls, Who wound and heal, Who
cast
down to hell and raise up again. Your discipline is upon me and
Your
very rod shall instruct me.
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 50
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Carmelite Method)
A. Introduction: settling in, relaxing in awareness of God's
presence.
B. Reading the text slowly, prayerfully.
C. Meditation: imaginative representation of the material;
reflection
on the meaning of the material and its application to one's life.
D. Affective prayer: conversation with God, attentive to sharing
feelings awakened in meditation. Prayer of petition, thanksgiving,
remorse.
E. Resting in God in silent loving awareness, if moved to do so.
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