Weekend Edition - A Daily Spiritual Seed
Published: Thu, 06/03/10
- 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
"Jesus on the Cross: WHY?"
- by Philip St. Romain
- Free shipping on orders of two or more books!
What exactly do we mean when we say that Jesus died for our sins?
What are the implications of his death for our lives today? In this
book, author Philip St. Romain elaborates an understanding of the
crucifixion that makes sense today, and shows how this
understanding and appreciation can make a difference in people's
lives. St. Romain's reflections focus on several themes, including
the crucifixion as a fulfillment of the Jewish traditions of a
suffering servant; as a new covenant between God and the human
race; as an expiatory sacrifice; as a means of breaking the power
of sin. His discussions are carried on in pastoral terms derived
from scripture and his experience of living and working in the
world. Most chapters include a section on catechetical
considerations of a renewed understanding of the crucifixion, as
well as questions for personal reflection and discussion.
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WEEKEND READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Saturday: 2 Tm 4:1-8; Ps 71:8-9, 14-15ab, 16-17, 22; Mk
12: 38-44
Sunday: Gn 14:18-20; Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4; 1 Cor 11:23-26;
Lk 9:11b-17
R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.
The LORD said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand
till I make your enemies your footstool."
The scepter of your power the LORD will stretch forth from Zion:
"Rule in the midst of your enemies."
"Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;
before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you."
The LORD has sworn, and he will not repent:
"You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek."
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THEOLOGY NOTE OF THE WEEK
- General Revelation
General Revelation is that revelation of God and right and wrong
that is revealed from nature. It is known by all.
* Rom. 1:18-20, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress
the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about
God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For
since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His
eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being
understood through what has been made, so that they are without
excuse."
* Rom. 2:14-15, "For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do
instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are
a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law
written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and
their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them."
General Revelation does not provide enough information for
salvation because it is obscured by the sinfulness of mankind.
This is why Special Revelation is needed.
- http://www.carm.org/g
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SAINT OF THE WEEK
- St. Ephrem (306? - 373)
Poet, teacher, orator and defender of the faith, Ephrem is the only
Syrian recognized as a doctor of the Church. He took upon himself
the special task of opposing the many false doctrines rampant at
his time, always remaining a true and forceful defender of the
Catholic Church.
Born in Nisibis, Mesopotamia, he was baptized as a young man and
became famous as a teacher in his native city. When the Christian
emperor had to cede Nisibis to the Persians, Ephrem, along with
many Christians, fled as a refugee to Edessa. He is credited with
attracting great glory to the biblical school there. He was
ordained a deacon but declined becoming a priest (and was said to
have avoided episcopal consecration by feigning madness!).
He had a prolific pen and his writings best illumine his holiness.
Although he was not a man of great scholarship, his works reflect
deep insight and knowledge of the Scriptures. In writing about the
mysteries of humanity's redemption, Ephrem reveals a realistic and
humanly sympathetic spirit and a great devotion to the humanity of
Jesus. It is said that his poetic account of the Last Judgment
inspired Dante.
It is surprising to read that he wrote hymns against the heretics
of his day. He would take the popular songs of the heretical groups
and, using their melodies, compose beautiful hymns embodying
orthodox doctrine. Ephrem became one of the first to introduce song
into the Church's public worship as a means of instruction for the
faithful. His many hymns have earned him the title "Harp of the
Holy Spirit."
He preferred a simple, austere life, living in a small cave
overlooking the city of Edessa. It was here he died around 373.
- http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1409
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BOOK OF THE WEEK
"Son of Hamas: a gripping account of terror, betrayal, political
intrigue, and unthinkable choices," by Mosab Hassan Yousef.
Saltriver, 2010.
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http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1414333072/ref=noism/christianspiritu/
As a small boy Mosab was witness to an inside view of the deadly
group Hamas. In this book, he reveals many events and processes
that are known to only a few individuals. His family were devout
Muslims and his father was an important person in many areas of the
community in which the family lived. The father became involved in
political activities, and Mosab who saw his father as a just man,
learned from his devout father that resistance must be peaceful.
The community experienced much bloodshed and terrorist activities
and tried to respond with peaceful measures. These did not work and
so Mosab's friends and associates armed themselves and resorted
also to cruelty and killings. Mosab tried to make peaceful
responses but these were not practical so he too was involved in
killings, which he came to regret in a short time.
When Mosab was invited to a Christian Bible study, he hesitated
but eventually began to attend and to become interested in the Son
of God, Jesus. This was the cause of a serious rupture in his
relationship with his family, and the family was saddened by
Mosab's separation from their religious beliefs. He was looked on
as a traitor. Mosab came to know that murder is not the answer or
way to peace; only by following the Man of Peace, Jesus, could
peace ever hope to be attained. He came to know that "to love your
enemies" is the only way to peace in the Middle East.
(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.
Apophatic Christian spirituality - Christian Spirituality Issues
forum.
Jokes and Stories forum.
Also, you can use the Find tab to search the forum, or scroll
through forum topics to find one that interests you.
- http://shalomplace.org/eve/forums
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AFFILIATE WEB SITES (please give them a visit)
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
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/
(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
Smart Kit
- http://www.smart-kit.com/
Online puzzles, brain games, jigsaw puzzles and more.
Every now and then it's good to have a little fun and wake up your
brain, a bit. This site provides a wide range of opportunities to
do just that. Give them a visit and you'll see what I mean. Oh,
and it's all free, too!
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JOKE OF THE WEEK
- Taxi driver in Heaven
A priest and a taxi driver both died and went to heaven. St. Peter
was at the Pearly gates waiting for them.
'Come with me', said St. Peter to the taxi driver.
The taxi driver did as he was told and followed St. Peter to a
mansion. It had anything you could imagine from a bowling alley to
an olympic size pool.
'Wow, thank you', said the taxi driver.
Next, St. Peter led the priest to a rugged old shack with a bunk
bed and a little old television set.
'Wait, I think you are a little mixed up', said the priest.
'Shouldn't I be the one who gets the mansion? After all I was a
priest, went to church every day, and preached God's word.'
'Yes, that's true. But during your sermons people slept. When the
taxi driver drove, everyone prayed.'
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