Message of 12-4-09
Published: Fri, 11/27/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes... and is completely
dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened
from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31
R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
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SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
- from
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
At this start of Advent as I think about the impending birth of our
Lord, I remember the importance of the Star of Bethlehem in leading
both the shepherds and the Magi to the baby Jesus. So, "our light
and salvation" leads us to Him through providing the light and the
way to salvation. Our star at the top of our Christmas tree
symbolizes that Star of Bethlehem and shines brightly throughout
the season for us to remember the reason we put up a tree at all.
So, as we enjoy the Christmas lights may we look beyond their
beauty to their meaning of hope and salvation. Let every twinkle
touch your heart and soul and keep them open to the real magic of
Christmas.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "The Practice of the Presence of God," by Brother Lawrence
Let us not amuse ourselves to seek or to love GOD for any sensible
favours (how elevated soever) which He has or may do us. Such
favours, though never so great, cannot bring us so near to GOD as
faith does in one simple act. Let us seek Him often by faith: He is
within us; seek Him not elsewhere. Are we not rude and deserve
blame, if we leave Him alone, to busy ourselves about trifles,
which do not please Him and perhaps offend Him? Tis to be feared
these trifles will one day cost us dear.
- 15th Letter - from his death bed
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Benedictine Approach)
1. Relax. Settle in. Be aware that God is here, now, loving you.
2. Read a short passage of Scripture as though God were speaking
directly to you in it.
3. Choose a phrase from the passage that strikes you and repeat it
slowly, prayerfully, non-analytically.
4. When your heart is full, express to God the needs and sentiments
awakened by your meditation. When you're done, read another passage
and repeat steps 3 and 4.
5. If, at any time, you feel moved to simply be present to God in
loving silence, put the Scripture aside and rest in God.
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