Message of 5-29-07

Published: Tue, 05/29/07


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MESSAGE OF THE DAY

Peace of heart lies in perfect resignation to the will of God. What you need is true simplicity, a certain calmness of spirit which comes from entire surrender to all that God wills, patience and toleration for your neighbour's faults, and a certain candor and childlike docility in acknowledging your own faults. The trouble you feel about so many things comes from your not accepting everything which may happen to you, with sufficient resignation to God. Put all things, then, in His hands, and offer them beforehand to Him in your heart, as a sacrifice. From the moment when you cease to want things to be according to your own judgment, and accept unconditionally whatever He sends, you will be free from all your uneasy retrospects and anxieties about your own concerns.
    - Francois Fenelon

(Put all things, then, in His hands . . . )

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SCRIPTURE READINGS
     http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/

Sir 17:20-24;   Ps 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7;   Mk 10:17-27

R.    (11a) Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.

Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, "I confess my faults to the LORD,"
and you took away the guilt of my sin.

For this shall every faithful man pray to you
in time of stress.
Though deep waters overflow,
they shall not reach him.

You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.

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Praying the Daily Gospels
 - by Philip St. Romain:
 - http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614

- Mark 10:17-27 (The danger of riches)

It is noteworthy that Jesus never condemned material goods--not even money and alcohol. His confrontation with the rich young man warns us, however, that the love of material goods can keep us from growing spiritually.

  • Let your imagination re-create this encounter between Jesus and the rich young man. See Jesus looking at him with love; hear him challenge the young man to live a life of poverty and freedom; observe how the young man's face grows sad.

  • Why did Jesus challenge the rich young man to give away his goods? Do you believe everyone is called to do this? Are you?

  • Pray for the grace to be less attached to material goods.

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    - Are you looking for an at-home summer retreat?

    Silence, Solitude and Sabbath will be a four-week online series presented by Kathy Bence, M.Div., D. Min., beginning June 13, 2007. Retreat conferences will be sent to your email address and a private discussion forum will be created for participants to share experiences and interact with Kathy and one another.
    - see http://shalomplace. org/silence for more information and registration information.

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    THEOLOGICAL GEMS FROM EMIL MERCH'S THEOLOGY OF THE MYSTICAL BODY
       from http://www.innerexplorations.com/chtheomortext/theolgems.htm

    Humanity is in opposition to the infinite, divine love with which God continues to love it. The privation of grace which is their sin is but the negative expression of an interior orientation toward the grace that God is keeping for them, and this orientation itself is but the effect corresponding in them to the eternal offer that refuses to be withdrawn.
       - p. 163

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    LECTIO DIVINA METHOD (Benedictine Approach)

    1. Relax. Settle in. Be aware that God is here, now, loving you.
    2. Read a short passage of Scripture as though God were speaking directly to you in it.
    3. Choose a phrase from the passage that strikes you and repeat it slowly, prayerfully, non-analytically.
    4. When your heart is full, express to God the needs and sentiments awakened by your meditation. When you're done, read another passage and repeat steps 3 and 4.
    5. If, at any time, you feel moved to simply be present to God in loving silence, put the Scripture aside and rest in God.

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