Message of 12-15-09
Published: Sat, 12/12/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- - -
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
He who cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he
himself must pass.
- Edward Herbert of Cherbury (1583-1648)
(Where do you need to practice forgiveness in your life at this
time?)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Zep 3:1-2, 9-13; Ps. 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19 and 23; Mt
21:28-32
R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
God offers each of us the greatest treasure possible - unending
peace, joy, happiness, and life with him in his kingdom. We can
lose that treasure if we refuse the grace God offers us to follow
in his way of truth, love, and righteousness. Jesus encourages us
to think - to think about the consequences of our choices,
especially the choices and decisions that will count not just for
now but for eternity as well. The choices we make now will affect
and shape our future, both our future on earth as well as in the
life of the age to come. Are you ready to obey your heavenly Father
and to choose for his kingdom of righteousness and peace?
"Lord Jesus, change my heart that I may desire to do whatever is
pleasing to you. Help me to respect your will and give me the
strength, joy, and perseverance to carry it out wholeheartedly."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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)
150. Do not contradict; by no means speak words that are not pure.
151. Let your speech be such that no one may be offended, and let
it concern things that would not cause you regret were all to know
of them.
_________________________________________
* Web Archive: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?dailyseed
* RSS: http://www.aweber.com/z/rss/?dailyseed