Weekend Edition - A Daily Spiritual Seed
Published: Mon, 05/10/10
- readings, teachings, references and reviews -
Contents:
- Ad - Amazon.com gift cards
- Spiritual Growth Resource of the Month
- Weekend Readings
- Theology Note of the Week
- Saint of the Week
- Book of the Week
- Shalom Place Discussion Board
- Personal Spiritual Guidance
- Affiliate Web Sites
- Website of the Week
- Joke of the Week
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Amazon.com gift cards
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu
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SPIRITUAL GROWTH RESOURCE OF THE MONTH
"Twelve Steps to Spiritual Wholeness: A Christian Pathway"
- by Philip St. Romain
This book presents the Twelve Steps of recovery groups as a way to
grow, to move toward a spiritual awakening, an awareness of our
true self in God. Every page bears gentle reassurance that
fulfillment of the Twelve Steps inspires a cleansing sense of
wholeness -- a renewed spirit that helps readers break free from
negative and sinful influences in their lives.
- Now available in paperback or eBook format from lulu.com
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/twelve-steps-to-spiritual-wholeness/10892425
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WEEKEND READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Saturday: Acts 18:23-28; Ps 47:2-3, 8-9, 10; Jn 16:23b-28
Sunday: Acts 7:55-60; Ps 97:1-2, 6-7, 9; Rev 22:12-14,
16-17, 20; Jn 17:20-26
R. (1a and 9a) The Lord is king, the most high over all the earth.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
All gods are prostrate before him.
You, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods.
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THEOLOGY NOTE OF THE WEEK
- Gaia
Gaia is the Greek goddess representing the Earth and is an
equivalent of Mother Nature. The word is derived from the Greek
gaiva, gaia. Gaia is often worshipped in New Age philosophies and
is seen as the earth goddess with whom people need to fellowship as
they seek harmony with creation.
- http://www.carm.org/g
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SAINT OF THE WEEK
- St. Bernadine of Siena (1380-1444)
Most of the saints suffer great personal opposition, even
persecution. Bernardine, by contrast, seems more like a human
dynamo who simply took on the needs of the world.
He was the greatest preacher of his time, journeying across Italy,
calming strife-torn cities, attacking the paganism he found
rampant, attracting crowds of 30,000, following St. Francis's
admonition to preach about "vice and virtue, punishment and glory."
Compared with St. Paul by the pope, Bernardine had a keen intuition
of the needs of the time, along with solid holiness and boundless
energy and joy. He accomplished all this despite having a very weak
and hoarse voice, miraculously improved later because of his
devotion to Mary.
When he was 20, the plague was at its height in his hometown,
Siena. Sometimes as many as 20 people died in one day at the
hospital. Bernardine offered to run the hospital and, with the help
of other young men, nursed patients there for four months. He
escaped the plague but was so exhausted that a fever confined him
for several months. He spent another year caring for a beloved aunt
(her parents had died when he was a child) and at her death began
to fast and pray to know God's will for him.
At 22, he entered the Franciscan Order and was ordained two years
later. For almost a dozen years he lived in solitude and prayer,
but his gifts ultimately caused him to be sent to preach. He always
traveled on foot, sometimes speaking for hours in one place, then
doing the same in another town.
Especially known for his devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus,
Bernardine devised a symbol--IHS, the first three letters of the
name of Jesus in Greek, in Gothic letters on a blazing sun. This
was to displace the superstitious symbols of the day, as well as
the insignia of factions (for example, Guelphs and Ghibellines).
The devotion spread, and the symbol began to appear in churches,
homes and public buildings. Opposition arose from those who thought
it a dangerous innovation. Three attempts were made to have the
pope take action against him, but Bernardine's holiness, orthodoxy
and intelligence were evidence of his faithfulness.
General of a branch of the Franciscan Order, the Friars of the
Strict Observance, he strongly emphasized scholarship and further
study of theology and canon law. When he started there were 300
friars in the community; when he died there were 4,000. He returned
to preaching the last two years of his life, dying while traveling.
- http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1389
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BOOK OF THE WEEK
"Hope in an Age of Despair," by Albert Nolan OP. Orbis Books, 2009.
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http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1570758352/ref=noism/christianspiritu/
Nolan introduces himself as a South African of European descent, a
Christian, and a Dominican priest who felt compelled to denounce in
no uncertain terms the system of apartheid. He begins his book with
a short history of the African nation and his involvement in the
Kairos Document which sought freedom for the enslaved. This
document brought on torture, imprisonment, and killings. With the
election of Nelson Mandela, there was some glimmer of hope, but
this was shortly followed by crime, corruption, nepotism, greed,
conflicts for power, and an age of despair. This book is compiled
from his many writings and conferences on the evils of the day. The
book comes from a man who refused the highest office in the
Dominican Order so that he might continue to fight for the poor and
oppressed in South Africa.
This book not only gives the basis of a theology and spirituality
that sides with the poor and oppressed and the cause of justice.
His work transcends the South African situation but it speaks to
all Christians living in a world marked by inequality, violence,
and exploitation. His theme goes beyond resistance. He offers
challenges for the readers to embrace the spirituality of Christ.
He shows how the saving power of God may empower the readers to
achieve personal liberation and contribute to the creation of a
life lived with grace.
Nolan shows how the power of the Gospel can be adapted to the
present historical situation. He presents Jesus as the man who will
not allow humankind to despair.
(Thanks to Sr. Irene Hartman OP for this review.)
Make the Christian Spirituality Bookstore your starting point for
online shopping at Amazon.com. You can buy books, cds, videotapes,
software, appliances and many other products at discount prices.
As Amazon.com affiliate, we are paid a small fee for purchases
originating from our web site. Every little bit helps!
http://shalomplace.com/books/index.html
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- PERSONAL SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE -
Need a companion for the spiritual journey? We have several
wonderful people ready to help, using email and telephone
conferences to bridge the miles.
- Now providing -
Consultations: this option is best for short-term guidance
pertaining to a specific issue.
Spiritual Direction: ongoing relationship with a spiritual director
to become more attuned to God's presence in all of life.
See http://shalomplace.com/direction/
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SHALOM PLACE DISCUSSION BOARDS
A variety of topics are under discussion. Also, you can use the
Find tab to search the forum, or scroll through forum topics to
find one that interests you.
PIIGS in a sty - Religion and Culture forum.
Wear your seatbelt - Shalom Place Lounge
- http://shalomplace.org/eve/forums
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AFFILIATE WEB SITES (please give them a visit)
Emanuella House of Prayer: a place for prayer and silence in
British Columbia
http://members.axion.net/~massf/
Serenity of the Mind: supportint those who served and who suffer
from PTSD.
http://serenityofthemind.com/default.html
The Ark: Providing a variety of scripture and lectionary study
resources.
http://www.theark1.com
Kyrie Places of Pilgrimmage and Renewal.
http://www.kyrie.com/places/index.htm
Contemplative Rudder: "In the midst of Consecrated Silence'
atmospherics ... a Rudder!
http://www.contemplativerudder.com/
Inner Explorations: a vast array of spirituality resources for the
mature Christian.
http://innerexplorations.com
The Sanctuary Foundation for Prayer: resources for spiritual growth.
http://fromholyground.org/index.htm
SeeScapes. Picturing the deeper dimensions of our spirituality.
http://www.seescapes.com
Temenos Catholic Worker: support for homeless youth in Polk Street
neighborhood, San Francisco
http://www.temenos.org/
Contemplative Ministries of the Pacific Northwest: teaching and
support on contemplative practice
http://www.prayeroftheheart.com
Heartland Center for Spirituality (retreat center in central
Kansas).
http://heartlandspirituality.org/index.html
(Reach other people who have a similar interest in Christian
spirituality. Simply publish a link to Daily Spiritual Seed--
http://shalomplace.com/seed --on a prominent place on your web site
and we will reciprocate with a weekly link to your site in the
newsletter. Contact the Editor when you're ready to begin.)
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WEB SITE OF THE WEEK
Youtube meditations by Brother David Steindl-Rast
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http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=brother+david+steindl-rast&aq=0
Begin with "A Good Day," which reminds us to be grateful for the
simple gifts of life, using images and meditative music to augment
Br. David's narration. Others meditations are listed on this
search result page as well, including an extensive interview with
Br. David. Enjoy, and be blessed.
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JOKE OF THE WEEK
- Amen Brother
Two elderly, excited women were sitting together in the front pew
of church listening to a fiery preacher. When this preacher
condemned the sin of lust, these two ladies cried out at the tops
of their lungs..."AMEN, BROTHER!"
When the preacher condemned the sin of stealing, they yelled
again..."PREACH IT, REVEREND!"
And when the preacher condemned the sin of lying...they jumped to
their feet and screamed, "RIGHT ON, BROTHER...TELL IT LIKE IT
IS...AMEN!"
But when the preacher condemned the sin of gossip, the two got very
quiet, and one turned to the other and said, "He's done quit
preaching and now he's meddlin'."
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Please help support Heartland Center's Internet ministries:
- For more info on tax-deductible donations, see
http://shalomplace.com/seed/donations.html.
Thanks for your consideration!
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