Message of 6-29-07
Published: Fri, 06/29/07
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Sometimes we don't need another chance to express how we feel or to ask someone to understand our situation. Sometimes we just need a firm kick in the pants. An unsmiling expectation that if we mean all these wonderful things we talk about and sing about, then lets see something to prove it.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
(What "something" would you like to do to express your faith today?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Acts 12:1-11; Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; 2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18; Mt 16:13-19
R.
(5) The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
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.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him
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.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him
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Praying the Daily Gospels
- by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Ordinary Time reading: Matthew 8: 1-4 (Jesus heals a leper)
In many accounts of Jesus’ healings, we hear him cautioning those he cured to tell no one. The leper in today’s reading is instructed to go to the priests so he may be released from his banishment from society. The injunction to tell no one else reveals Jesus’ concern for the proper interpretation of his miracles.
• Do you accept
your body, its strengths, and its limitations?
• How do you think other people view your physical appearance? How much does it matter to you what they think?
• Pray for the grace to be able to accept yourself as you are now.
• How do you think other people view your physical appearance? How much does it matter to you what they think?
• Pray for the grace to be able to accept yourself as you are now.
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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, over and above the
Commandments, He shows us the counsels as a more perfect aim, He always
takes care to suit the practice of them to our position and character. He
bestows on us, as the principal sign of our vocation to follow them, the
attractions of grace which make them easy. He never impels anyone beyond his
strength, nor in any way beyond his aptitude. Again, what could be more
just?
-- 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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