Message of 6-7-07

Published: Thu, 06/07/07

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MESSAGE OF THE DAY

There are many things to be grateful "for" but, as I ripen with the seasons of life, the many reasons blend into a sacred mystery. And, most deeply, I realize that living gratefully is its own blessing.
- Michael Mahoney

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

Tb 6:10-11; 7:1bcde, 9-17; 8:4-9a; Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5; Mk 12:28-34

R. (see 1a) Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
Blessed shall you be, and favored.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.

Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.

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

- Mark 12:28-34 (The two great commandments)

The two great religious questions are: What kind of God is God? and What does God expect of human beings? Jesus answers these questions in today’s reading by emphasizing the importance of love.

• Write a short statement about what it means to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Do these reflections describe your love of God?

• Augustine maintained that loving and praising God is the greatest joy a human being can experience. Do you agree?

• Pray for the grace to love God more deeply

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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
    - by Thomas a Kempis -

The Disciple

   ABOVE all things and in all things, O my soul, rest always in God, for
   He is the everlasting rest of the saints.

   Grant, most sweet and loving Jesus, that I may seek my repose in You
   above every creature; above all health and beauty; above every honor
   and glory; every power and dignity; above all knowledge and
   cleverness, all riches and arts, all joy and gladness; above all fame
   and praise, all sweetness and consolation; above every hope and
   promise, every merit and desire; above all the gifts and favors that
   You can give or pour down upon me; above all the joy and exultation
   that the mind can receive and feel; and finally, above the angels and
   archangels and all the heavenly host; above all things visible and
   invisible; and may I seek my repose in You above everything that is
   not You, my God.
--- Bk. 3, Chapter 21

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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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