Message of 5-6-10
Published: Mon, 05/03/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
One great remedy against all manner of temptation, great or small,
is to open the heart and lay bare its suggestions, likings, and
dislikings before some spiritual adviser; for, ... the first
condition which the Evil One makes with a soul, when he wants to
entrap it, is silence.
- François de Sales (1567-1622), "Introduction to the Devout Life"
(At least to acknowledge our desires to Christ, if no adviser or
spiritual director is available.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Acts 15:7-21; Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 10; Jn 15:9-11
R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
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SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
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- John 15:9-11 (Jesus completes our joy)
In today's reading John explains the reason why Jesus came: he
invites us to share in God's own joy. There is always something a
bit hollow and transient in even our most intense experiences of
human pleasure and happiness. Living in love as Christ invites us
to live will increase our human joys and complete them.
- Spend some time with the verse 'As the Father loves me, so I also
love you."
- Would you describe yourself as a joyful person? Do you know any
joyful people? Why are they joyful?
- Pray for the grace to be open to joy.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
The Voice of Christ
Nature likes to have some external comfort in which it can take
sensual delight, but grace seeks consolation only in God, to
find her
delight in the highest Good, above all visible things.
Nature does everything for its own gain and interest. It can do
nothing without pay and hopes for its good deeds to receive their
equal or better, or else praise and favor. It is very desirous of
having its deeds and gifts highly regarded. Grace, however, seeks
nothing temporal, nor does she ask any recompense but God alone.
Of
temporal necessities she asks no more than will serve to obtain
eternity.
- chapter 54
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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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