Message of 2-15-10
Published: Sat, 02/13/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
This is the primary...affirmation within all of Scripture...
To believe that we and our world are good, very good;
to take delight in our lives and in each other;
and to live lives that radiate joy.
- Ronald Rolheiser
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Jas 1:1-11; Ps. 119:67, 68, 71, 72, 75, 76; Mk 8:11-13
R. (77a) Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I hold to your promise.
You are good and bountiful;
teach me your statutes.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
that I may learn your statutes.
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
I know, O LORD, that your ordinances are just,
and in your faithfulness you have afflicted me.
Let your kindness comfort me
according to your promise to your servants.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with him, seeking
from him a sign from heaven to test him."
Sure, it's easy to pick on the Pharisees. They're so selfrighteous
and argumentative. Yet their hypocrisy isn't much different from
our own. We might not call what we do "arguing with the Lord," but
we negotiate and try to make deals. We twist our demands to make it
look like we're yielding to God's will, but in essence we're merely
forming God into the image we desire him to be. Then we become
frustrated when the answer to our demand doesn't appear quickly
enough or if it doesn't match our specific expectations. Everyday
miracles of love, mercy, grace and forgiveness are seldom enough to
soothe our need for assurance; we constantly seek more and test the
Lord over and over again. No wonder we can't see the signs in front
of us.
"Lord, give us the grace to be content with your will in your time,
we pray."
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THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
By renouncing self-will in doing, in leaving undone, and in
suffering, the material and occasion of pride are wholly cast out,
and humility is made perfect in the highest degree. And God becomes
the Lord of the man's whole will; and the man's will is so united
with the will of God that he can neither will nor desire in any
other way. This man has put off the old man, and has put on the new
man, who is renewed and made according to the dearest will of God.
Of all such Christ says: Blessed are the poor in spirit--that is to
say, those who have renounced self-will--for theirs is the Kingdom
of Heaven.
- Chapter 14: Of the Renunciation of Self-Will
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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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