Message of 3-2-10
Published: Thu, 02/25/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
I choose love. No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants
bitterness, I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.
- Max Lucado, "Upwords"
("I choose love." Repeat this affirmation, and ask God to empower
you to put it into practice this day.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Is 1:10, 16-20; Ps. 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23; Mt 23:1-12
R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold."
"Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?"
"When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of
God."
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
Humility is the queen or foundation of all the other virtues
because it enables us to see and judge correctly, the way God sees.
Humility helps us to be teachable so we can acquire true knowledge,
wisdom, and an honest view of reality. It directs our energy, zeal,
and ambition to give ourselves to something greater than ourselves.
Humility frees us to love and serve others selflessly, for their
sake, rather than our own. Paul the Apostle gives us the greatest
example and model of humility in the person of Jesus Christ, who
emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and ...who humbled
himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross
(Philippians 2:7-8). Do you want to be a servant as Jesus served
and loved others? The Lord gives grace to those who humbly seek him.
"Lord Jesus, you became a servant for my sake to set me free from
the tyranny of selfish pride and self-concern. Teach me to be
humble as you are humble and to love others generously with
selfless service and kindness."
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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)
163. The humble are those who hide in their own nothingness and
know how to abandon themselves to God.
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