Message of 12-29-09
Published: Thu, 12/24/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- - -
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Christmas turns things tail end foremost. The day and the spirit of
Christmas rearrange the world parade. As the world arranges it,
usually there come first in importance--leading the parade with a
big blare of a band--the Big Shots. Frequently they are also the
Stuffed Shirts. That's the first of the parade. Then at the tail
end, as of little importance, trudge the weary, the poor, the lame,
the halt, and the blind. But in the Christmas spirit, the
procession is turned around. Those at the tail end are put first in
the arrangement of the Child of Christmas.
- Halford E. Luccock (1885-1960), "Whoops! It's Christmas"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps. 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:22-35
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
The LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty go before him;
praise and grandeur are in his sanctuary.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph and he prophesied to Mary about the
destiny of this child and the suffering she would undergo for his
sake. There is a certain paradox for those blessed by the Lord.
Mary was given the blessedness of being the mother of the Son of
God. That blessedness also would become a sword which pierced her
heart as her Son died upon the cross. She received both a crown of
joy and a cross of sorrow. But her joy was not diminished by her
sorrow because it was fueled by her faith, hope, and trust in God
and his promises. Jesus promised his disciples that "no one will
take your joy from you" (John 16:22). The Lord gives us a
supernatural joy which enables us to bear any sorrow or pain and
which neither life nor death can take way. Do you know the joy of a
life fully surrendered to God with faith and trust?
"Lord Jesus, may I recognize your visitation and be prepared for
your action in my life today, just as Simeon Anna were prepared and
ready to respond to your visitation and action in their day."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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)
154. Strive to preserve your heart in peace; let no event of this
world disturb it; reflect that all must come to an end.
_________________________________________
* Web Archive: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?dailyseed
* RSS: http://www.aweber.com/z/rss/?dailyseed