Message of 3-18-10
Published: Sat, 03/13/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
The childish idea that prayer is a handle by which we can take hold
of God and obtain whatever we desire, leads to easy disillusionment
with both what we had thought to be God and what we had thought to
be prayer.
... Robert L. Short (1932-2009), "The Parables of Peanuts" [1968]
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Ex 32:7-14; Ps. 106:19-20, 21-22, 23; Jn 5:31-47
R. (4a) Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.
Our fathers made a calf in Horeb
and adored a molten image;
They exchanged their glory
for the image of a grass-eating bullock.
They forgot the God who had saved them,
who had done great deeds in Egypt,
Wondrous deeds in the land of Ham,
terrible things at the Red Sea.
Then he spoke of exterminating them,
but Moses, his chosen one,
Withstood him in the breach
to turn back his destructive wrath.
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SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- John 5: 31-47 (More on Jesus' credentials)
When Jesus claimed to be doing God's work, it was only natural
that the Jews should ask him for proof that this was actually true.
Crackpots and false messiahs abounded then, as now. Jesus points
to the testimony of Moses and of John the Baptist, the Scriptures,
and the works that he has done as evidence that his claims are not
unfounded.
- What reasoning supports your faith in Jesus? How can you deepen
your understanding of who Jesus is?
- What does human approval mean to you? How important is it in
your involvement in the Church?
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
The Voice of Christ
Now, if you wish to climb to this high position you must begin
like a
man, and lay the ax to the root, in order to tear out and
destroy any
hidden unruly love of self or of earthly goods. From this vice
of too
much self-love comes almost every other vice that must be
uprooted.
And when this evil is vanquished, and brought under control,
great
peace and quiet will follow at once.
- chapter 53
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Carmelite Method)
A. Introduction: settling in, relaxing in awareness of God's
presence.
B. Reading the text slowly, prayerfully.
C. Meditation: imaginative representation of the material;
reflection
on the meaning of the material and its application to one's life.
D. Affective prayer: conversation with God, attentive to sharing
feelings awakened in meditation. Prayer of petition, thanksgiving,
remorse.
E. Resting in God in silent loving awareness, if moved to do so.
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