Message of 1-25-10
Published: Sun, 01/24/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Both sin and sickness came into the world through the fall of the
human race. Therefore, we must look for the healing of both in the
savior of the human race. God is as willing to heal believers as He
is to forgive unbelievers. Know this, if He was merciful enough to
forgive you when you were unconverted, He is merciful enough to
heal you now that you are in His family!
- T. L. Osborn
(What healing do you ask of God at this time in life? Present your
petition to God, confident in God's goodness and care for you.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Acts 9:1-22; Ps. 117:1bc, 2; Mk 16:15-18
R. (Mark 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
Praise the Lord, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
For steadfast is his kindness toward us,
and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"I persecuted this Way to death, binding both men and women and
delivering them to prison."
We're never beyond the power of the Lord's healing touch. No matter
how far we stray or what wrongs we've committed, the Lord seeks to
bring us home. Regardless of the darkness of our sin, the Lord's
light can shine in our lives. Even if we've been deaf to the cries
of those we harm, the Lord will continue to call until we no longer
can ignore his voice. We simply need to recognize our failings and,
like St. Paul, ask the Lord to guide us in our blindness. O
Righteous One, speak to us.
"Help us regain our sight, we pray."
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THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
From this humility there springs obedience, for none can be
inwardly obedient save the humble man.
Obedience means an unassuming, submissive, and pliable humour, and
a will in readiness for all that is good. Obedience makes a man
submit to the biddings, the forbiddings, and the will of God; it
subjects the senses and the animal powers to the higher reason, so
that a man may live decently and reasonably. And it makes men
submissive and obedient to Holy Church, to the sacraments, to the
prelates and their teaching, to their commandments and their
counsels, and to all the good customs practised by Holy
Christendom. It also makes a man ready and supple in his
intercourse with other men, in deed and counsel, in ghostly and
bodily business, with prudent discretion, according to the needs of
each.
Chapter 13: Of Obedience
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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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