Message of 1-19-10
Published: Thu, 01/14/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Bad situations don't have to make us bitter--they can make us
better! God can use the good, the bad, the happy, the sad to mold
us into the people He wants us to be. Our goal should be to focus
not on what others do to us but what God will do through us. Rest
assured, what others may intend for evil, God will use for good.
- Skip Heitzig
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
1 Sm 16:1-13; Ps. 89:20, 21-22, 27-28; Mk 2:23-28
R. (21a) I have found David, my servant.
Once you spoke in a vision,
and to your faithful ones you said:
"On a champion I have placed a crown;
over the people I have set a youth."
"I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him,
That my hand may be always with him,
and that my arm may make him strong."
"He shall say of me, 'You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.'
And I will make him the first-born,
highest of the kings of the earth."
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
When David and his men were fleeing for their lives, they sought
food from Ahim'elech the priest (1 Samuel 21:1-6). The only bread
he had was the holy bread offered in the Temple. None but the
priests were allowed to eat it. In their hunger, David and his men
ate of this bread. Jesus reminds the Pharisees that the Sabbath was
given for our benefit, to refresh and renew us in living for God.
It was intended for good and not for evil. Withholding mercy and
kindness in response to human need was not part of God's intention
that we rest from unnecessary labor. Do you honor the Lord in the
way you treat your neighbor and celebrate the Lord's Day?
"Lord Jesus, may I give you fitting honor in the way I live my life
and in the way I treat my neighbor. May I honor the Lord's Day as a
day holy to you. And may I always treat others with the same mercy
and kindness which you have shown to me. Free me from a critical
and intolerant spirit that I may always seek the good of my
neighbor."
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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).
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
"Sayings of Light and Love," by St. John of the Cross (jottings
from his notebooks)
157. Never take others for your example in the tasks you have to
perform, however holy they may be, for the devil will set their
imperfections before you. But imitate Christ, who is supremely
perfect and supremely holy, and you will never err.
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