Message of 2-5-10
Published: Thu, 01/28/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- - -
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
The widest thing in the universe is not space, it is the potential
capacity of the human heart. Being made in the image of God, it is
capable of almost unlimited extension in all directions...
[Christians] should seek for inner enlargement till their outward
dimension gives no hint of the vastness within.
... A. W. Tozer (1897-1963)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Sir 47:2-11; Ps. 18:31, 47 and 50, 51; Mk 6:14-29
R. (see 47b) Blessed be God my salvation!
God's way is unerring,
the promise of the LORD is fire-tried;
he is a shield to all who take refuge in him.
The LORD live! And blessed be my Rock!
Extolled be God my savior.
Therefore will I proclaim you, O LORD, among the nations,
and I will sing praise to your name.
You who gave great victories to your king
and showed kindness to your anointed,
to David and his posterity forever.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
- from
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
The two readings for today bring forth two examples, John the
Baptist's of faith upheld, and David's of betrayal with a later
turning back to God.
Today's invitation may be to a truthful pondering: What is our
treasure? What's so precious that I cannot imagine being without
it? Where do our lives demonstrate our commitments? And if we
don't like the answer, what am I willing to do about it?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SPIRITUAL READING
- "Enjoying One Moment at a Time"
from: "Reflecting on the Serenity Prayer," by Philip St.
Romain, D. Min.
see http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6735
Attentive Living (pt. 3)
Some will object that being here now in love sounds imprudent or
irresponsible. After all, should we not plan our lives more
carefully and take the time to remember lessons learned? If the
present moment calls for planning and remembering, then that is
what we must do. There is no conflict between planning or
remembering and being here now in love. Even time management does
not conflict with living fully in the present moment. The point is
to bring our full attention to whatever it is we are doing, rather
than being scattered all over the place:
I say: "What are you doing at this moment, Zorba?" "I'm sleeping."
"Well, steep well...." "What are you doing at this moment, Zorba?"
"I'm kissing a woman." "Well, kiss her well, Zorba! And forget all
the rest while you're doing it; there's nothing else on earth, only
you and her!"'
Zorba has the right spirit! Whatever it is you're doing, try to do
it as attentively and lovingly as possible. Attention is the
spiritual muscle of the soul, and it must grow stronger if the soul
is to know eternal life. When attention is scattered, the moment is
missed and eternal life is lost.
(Part 9 of 10-part series)
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Amazon.com gift cards - good for any occasion
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Benedictine Approach)
1. Relax. Settle in. Be aware that God is here, now, loving you.
2. Read a short passage of Scripture as though God were speaking
directly to you in it.
3. Choose a phrase from the passage that strikes you and repeat it
slowly, prayerfully, non-analytically.
4. When your heart is full, express to God the needs and sentiments
awakened by your meditation. When you're done, read another passage
and repeat steps 3 and 4.
5. If, at any time, you feel moved to simply be present to God in
loving silence, put the Scripture aside and rest in God.
______________________________
* Web Archive: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?dailyseed
* RSS: http://www.aweber.com/z/rss/?dailyseed