Message of 12-22-09
Published: Sat, 12/19/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- - -
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Cease to pray and thou will begin to sin. Prayer is not only a
means to prevail for mercy but also to prevent sin.
- William Gurnall
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8; Lk 1:46-56
R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
"My heart exults in the LORD,
my horn is exalted in my God.
I have swallowed up my enemies;
I rejoice in my victory."
"The bows of the mighty are broken,
while the tottering gird on strength.
The well-fed hire themselves out for bread,
while the hungry batten on spoil.
The barren wife bears seven sons,
while the mother of many languishes."
"The LORD puts to death and gives life;
he casts down to the nether world;
he raises up again.
The LORD makes poor and makes rich,
he humbles, he also exalts."
"He raises the needy from the dust;
from the dung heap he lifts up the poor,
To seat them with nobles
and make a glorious throne their heritage.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
Mary accepted her mission with uncompromising faith and obedience.
She acted with unwavering trust and faith because she believed that
God would fulfill the word he had spoken. Her great hymn of praise
echoes the song of Hannah (see 1 Samuel 2:1-10) and proclaims the
favor of the Lord: God exalts the lowly and he fills the hungry
with good things. Hannah like Mary had been without child and God
in a marvelous way gave her a son, named Samuel, whom she dedicated
at an early age to the service of the Lord (1 Sam. 1:24ff.) Mary,
too, would lose her son to a servant ministry that would take him
to the cross. Christmas is a time for renewing our faith and hope
in God and in his promises and for deepening our love for God and
for neighbor. Do you seek the Lord Jesus and the power of his Holy
Spirit so that you may be renewed in faith, hope, and love?
"Lord Jesus, help me to earnestly seek you with humility and
confidence. Increase my faith in your promises, strengthen within
me the hope of heaven and eternal life, and set my heart on fire
with burning love for you and for your kingdom. May I always praise
and magnify your great mercy and glory."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Ignatian Method)
A. Preparation: acts of faith and reverence in the presence of God;
asking grace of a good meditation; petition for specific graces
sought in meditation.
B. Reading the Scriptures slowly, prayerfully.
C. Exercise of the memory, imagination, and intellect:
consideration of the material.. What practical applications are
suggested?
D. Expression of feelings and sentiments awakened in meditation.
Conversation with God.
E. Exercise of will and imagination in making resolutions. Prayer
for grace to fulfill resolutions.
F. Vocal prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, other prayers).
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Amazon.com gift cards - good for any occasion
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
"Sayings of Light and Love," by St. John of the Cross (jottings
from his notebooks)
152. Do not refuse anything you possess, even though you may need
it.
153. Be silent concerning what God may have given you and recall
that saying of the bride: My secret for myself [Is. 24:16].
_________________________________________
* Web Archive: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?dailyseed
* RSS: http://www.aweber.com/z/rss/?dailyseed