Message of 12-21-09
Published: Sat, 12/19/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Selfishness makes Christmas a burden, love makes it a delight.
- Anonymous
(How's it going?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Ps. 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lk
1:39-45
R. (1a; 3a) Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
Sing to him a new song;
pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield,
For in him our hearts rejoice;
in his holy name we trust.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should
come to me?"
This week as we look toward Bethlehem, we stand in awe like
Elizabeth that we're worthy to participate in such a miracle.
Indeed, who are we that our Lord should come to us? At least
Elizabeth understood her kinship to Mary and the familial ties they
shared. Most of us merely stand dumbstruck at being among the
blessed. Instead of doubting our worth and questioning God's
motives, however, we will be much better served during this time of
grace if we look at ourselves and our loved ones gathered around us
and try to see each other as God sees us -- precious, beloved and
infinitely worthy of the best Christmas gift possible, our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. O Lord, we're grateful for the precious gift
of your Son. Thank you for considering us worthy.
"Help us to see in ourselves and others what you see and love in
us, we pray."
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THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
- On the three modes of Christ's coming.
The first coming, when God became man and lived in humility among
us, and died for the love of us, this coming we should imitate,
outwardly by fulfilling the perfect moral virtues, inwardly by the
practice of charity and true humility. In the second coming, which
happens in the present time, He comes with grace within each loving
heart; and this coming we should long for and pray for every day,
that we may remain steadfast and grow in new virtues. The third
coming, at the Judgment, or in the hour of death, we should expect
with longing, with trust, and with awe; that we may be set free
from this misery and enter into the house of glory.
This coming in its three ways is the second point of the four chief
points, wherein Christ says: Sponsus venit, The Bridegroom cometh.
- 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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