Message of 5-31-10
Published: Sat, 05/29/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
I believe that God both wills and is able to bring good out of
everything, even the worst. For this He needs people who are
prepared to allow everything to be served for the best. I believe
that in every crisis God wants to provide us with as much power of
resistance as we need. But God never gives it in advance so that we
will entrust ourselves. I believe that even our mistakes and
wrongdoing are not fruitless and that it is no more difficult for
God to cope with them than with our presumed good deeds. I believe
that God is no "timeless fate" but, rather, that he waits upon and
responds to our sincere prayer and responsible deeds.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Zep 3:14-18a; Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6; Lk 1:39-56
R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent
away empty."
As Mary and Elizabeth greet each other, we hear more from the
soon-to-be Mother of God than anywhere else in scripture. In her
beautiful Magnificat, Mary revels in God's justice. The Mighty One
has looked upon her lowliness and has called her to greatness. Mary
envisions God extending mercy through the ages to those who fear
him, lifting up the lowly, filling the hungry with good things,
deflating the puffed-up and powerful, sending the rich away empty.
The ancient promise of salvation is fulfilled in Jesus, right down
to our time. Let us join Mary and Elizabeth in joyful praise of our
God.
"For hearts that exult in God's goodness, we pray."
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THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
A man should keep his senses in sobriety and should restrain the
animal powers by means of the reason; so that the lusts of the
flesh do not enter too far into the savoring of food and of drink;
but he should eat and drink as the sick take their physic, because
it is needful to support his strength, that he may serve God
therewith. This is sobriety of body. He should also observe method
and moderation in doing and in leaving undone, in words and in
works, in silence and in speaking, in food and in drink, according
to the custom of Holy Church, and after the example of the saints.
- Chapter 21: Of Temperance and Sobriety
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LECTIO DIVINA PROCESS
- http://heartlandspirituality.org/vocations/prayer.html
First, you choose a passage of Scripture that you will pray with.
It might be the Gospel reading used in the liturgy of the day, or
anything else you want. The process then follows these steps:
* Reading (lectio) After settling in and quieting yourself,
read the passage slowly, prayerfully. Just let it sink in for a
minute or two, then read it a second time, paying closer attention
to the words or phrases that speak to you.
* Reflecting (meditatio) What do you hear God saying to you in
this passage? What words or phrases caught your attention?
* Responding (oratio) What do you want to say to God in
response to what you've heard? Here you can also voice your prayers
of petition, remorse, thanksgiving, praise, and so forth. If you
sense God speaking to you in your thoughts, feelings or
imagination, you respond as you would in any conversation.
* Resting (contemplatio) If, at any time, you feel drawn to
simply rest in the awareness of God's loving presence, you let
yourself do so. Remain in loving silence as long as you feel
comfortable, perhaps using a simple word or phrase from the
Scripture passage to help deepen your openness to rest in God.
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