Message of 6-15-07
Published: Fri, 06/15/07
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
The work of spirituality is to recognize where we are - the particular circumstances of our lives - to recognize grace and say, "Do you suppose God wants to be with me in a way that does not involve changing my spouse or getting rid of my spouse or my kids, but in changing me, and doing something in my life that maybe I could never experience without this pain and this suffering?
- Edmund Clowney
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Ez 34:11-16; Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6; Rom 5:5b-11; Mt. 5: 27-32
R.
(1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is
nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
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Praying the Daily Gospels
- by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Matthew 5:27-32 (Sexual responsibility.)
The reproductive instinct is one of the strongest of human passions and one of the most difficult to control. Jesus tells us that the key to responsible sexual expression lies in the way we think about people of the opposite gender. Do we allow ourselves to fantasize adulterous thoughts? If so, we are violating God’s law which holds that responsible sexual expression should take place in the context of a committed relationship.
• How do you view
people of the opposite gender? Is it difficult for you to be friends
with them? Are many of them friends with you?
• How do you feel about Jesus’ teaching on adultery?
• How do you feel about Jesus’ teaching on adultery?
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- Anyone want a gmail address?
I have numerous invitations I can send out. This would give you a permanent lifetime POP email and webmail address.
See http://mail.google.com/mail/help/about.html for more info, and, if interested, send me an email with your request and I'll invite you. Google will send instructions on what to do after that.
- mailto:phil@shalomplace.com
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ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE
- by Jean Pierre de Caussade, S.J.
The active practice of fidelity consists in accomplishing the duties which
devolve upon us whether imposed by the general laws of God and of the
Church, or by the particular state that we may have embraced. Its passive
exercise consists in the loving acceptance of all that God sends us at each
moment.
-- Book 1, Chapter 1, Section 3
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Contemplative Method)
- adapted by Philip St. Romain from a variety of sources -
A. Select a short passage that you will use for prayer.
B. Settle in by sitting straight (on tailbone, spine erect). Notice sensations in your body, sounds around you, the manner of your breathing. Call to mind that God is present in and amidst all of this.
C. Read the passage aloud slowly, prayerfully. Let the words make their own impact, and voice whatever they awaken in your mind and heart to God.
- proceed to Step E if you already feel yourself coming to contemplative silence -
D. Read the passage a second time silently. Again, voice whatever is awakened to God, or acknowledge before God in your heart. Let this be a spontaneous conversation which includes your questions, intellectual reflections, petitions, resolutions, and so forth.
E. Read the passage a third time. If there is a word or phrase that sums up this passage, or that speaks to you in a special way, repeat it in your mind prayerfully. Let it express your willingness to allow God to be God in your life.
F. Allow yourself to simply be present to God in loving silence, aware of God's unfailing Presence to you in love. When distractions come which capture your attention, re-introduce the sacred word from Step E. Continue with this resting until your prayer time is over.
G. Close your prayer time with a sincere vocal recitation of the Lord's prayer, putting your whole being into the words.
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