Message of 6-9-11
Published: Mon, 06/06/11
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Prayer and action, therefore, can never be seen as contradictory or
mutually exclusive. Prayer without action grows in powerless
pietism, and action without prayer degenerates into questionable
manipulation. If prayer leads us into a deeper unity with the
compassionate Christ, it will always give rise to concrete acts of
service. And if concrete acts of service do indeed lead us to a
deeper solidarity with the poor, the hungry, the sick, the dying,
and the oppressed, they will always give rise to prayer. In prayer
we meet Christ, and in him all human suffering. In service we meet
people, and in them the suffering Christ.
- Henri J. M. Nouwen (1932-1996), "Compassion"
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LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; Ps. 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11; Jn
17:20-26
R. (1) Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, "My Lord are you."
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence;
Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
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MEDITATION ON THE GOSPEL
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"... that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in
you, that they also may be in us ... "
More than anywhere else, in our celebration of Eucharist, we
realize the unity Jesus prayed for. Or do we? We rightly view the
consecrated elements of bread and wine transformed, the sacred body
and blood, as Jesus really present among us. But do we also see
Jesus truly present in the brothers and sisters with whom we
worship in this celebration? Do we give the flesh-and-blood body of
Christ with whom we have gathered the same reverence? Imagine how a
broader view of the sacrament might expand our experience of it,
how through the Spirit we might approach the unity Jesus desires.
"For unity in the Spirit, we pray."
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SPIRITUAL READING
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
The Voice of Christ
But if you rely upon self, and do not offer your free will to Mine,
your offering will be incomplete and the union between us
imperfect. Hence, if you desire to attain grace and freedom of
heart, let the free offering of yourself into the hands of God
precede your every action. This is why so few are inwardly free and
enlightened -- they know not how to renounce themselves entirely.
My word stands: "Everyone of you that doth not renounce all that he
possesseth, cannot be My disciple."[53]53
If, therefore, you wish to be My disciple, offer yourself to Me
with all your heart.
- Book 4, Chapter 8
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