Message of 6-22-07

Published: Fri, 06/22/07



MESSAGE OF THE DAY

Understanding is the reward of faith.  Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.
   - St. Augustine

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

2 Cor 11:18, 21-30;   Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7;   Mt 6:19-23

R.    (see 18b) From all their distress God rescues the just.

I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.

Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.

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

- Matthew 6: 19-23 (Heavenly treasure)

Again we return to the issue of motives. The philosopher Durant wrote that we do not desire that which we find reasonable, but we find reasons for that which we desire. Ignatius of Loyola stated that our motives are directed toward either love or selfishness. We should check our motives often.

• What do you treasure most in this world? How does your heart serve this treasure?

• Look back over the key events of the past day. What were your motives for saying and doing what you did?

• Pray for the grace to be motivated by love.

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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.

    If the state of your health does
   not permit you to go to Mass you are not obliged to go. The same rule holds
   good for all the precepts laid down; that is to say for all those which
   prescribe certain duties. Only those which forbid things evil in themselves
   are absolute, because it is never allowable to commit sin.

          -- 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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