Message of 2-1-10
Published: Thu, 01/28/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Amazon.com gift cards - good for any occasion
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu
- - -
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
We must try to keep the mind in tranquility. For just as the eye
which constantly shifts its gaze, now turning to the right or to
the left, now incessantly peering up or down, cannot see distinctly
what lies before it, but the sight must be fixed firmly on the
object in view if one would make his vision of it clear; so too
man's mind when distracted by his countless worldly cares cannot
focus itself distinctly on the truth.
... St. Basil the Great (330?-379)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
2 Sm 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13; Ps. 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; Mk 5:1-20
R. (8a) Lord, rise up and save me.
O LORD, how many are my adversaries!
Many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
"There is no salvation for him in God."
But you, O LORD, are my shield;
my glory, you lift up my head!
When I call out to the LORD,
he answers me from his holy mountain.
When I lie down in sleep,
I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.
I fear not the myriads of people
arrayed against me on every side.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in
his pity has done for you."
Mental illness, depression, addiction and compulsive behaviors all
keep us wandering in an inner wilderness, like the poor man in
today's Gospel. So does sin, but usually it's less dramatically
apparent. Sin isolates us from God, our loved ones, the whole human
community and even our true selves. Blessedly, although sin keeps
us from God, it does not keep God from us. No matter what we've
done, God always loves us and never gives up. With tender pity, God
forgives and heals us if we sincerely repent, then sends us back to
our families and to everyone we encounter so we may witness to this
great mercy and love by extending it to others.
"Lord, teach me to forgive others, knowing how much you've forgiven
me."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
And it (humility) casts out disobedience, that daughter of pride,
more to be abhorred than venom or poison. To be obedient in will
and deed adorns and enlarges and reveals the humility of a man. It
makes peace in the cloister. If it is in the prelate, as it ought
to be, it will draw to him all those whom he rules. It makes for
peace and unanimity between equals; and he who has it is loved by
his superiors and by those who are set over him; whilst by God he
is advanced, and enriched with His gifts, which are eternal.
Chapter 13: Of Obedience
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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.
_________________________________________________
* Web Archive: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?dailyseed
* RSS: http://www.aweber.com/z/rss/?dailyseed