Message of 6-3-11
Published: Sat, 05/28/11
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
We are apt to overlook the hand and heart of God in our
afflictions, and to consider them as mere accidents, and
unavoidable evils. This view makes them absolute and positive
evils, which admit of no remedy or relief. If we view our troubles
and trials aside from the divine design and agency in them, we
cannot be comforted.
- Nathaniel Emmons (1745-1840)
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LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Acts 18:9-18; Ps. 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; Jn 16:20-23
R. (8a) God is king of all the earth.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
He brings people under us;
nations under our feet.
He chooses for us our inheritance,
the glory of Jacob, whom he loves.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
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MEDITATION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
Two things can help us today. One is to take the time to ask
ourselves to what degree we believe the promise Jesus makes us
(that we will see him again). Too often we walk around as people
who don't look like we believe the "Good News" that we will live
forever, if only we accept his love and share it with others.
Secondly, we need to ask for the grace to believe the comforting
words of Jesus more deeply each and every day. If our belief in and
longing for eternal life with him and with one another grows in our
hearts, then we will be transformed. Imagine how ordinary
anxieties, worries and fears would simply melt away. And the big
things we face - the loss of a loved one, financial challenges, and
a chronic or critical illness would not propose the same sense of
loss for us. So much of what troubles us would become a mere
scarecrow.
And, if our sense of joy and courage lead to a deep inner peace -
knowing and expecting eternal life - then we'd be a lot freer to
love the Gospel in our every day life and to proclaim it to the
world. We'd be less worried about our own "pocketbook issues" and
be more on fire with being advocates for the poor and marginal.
We'd probably threaten the status quo much more - for ourselves
first and then for others. But, we'd know that "whatever you ask
the Father in my name, I will give you."
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SPIRITUAL READING
- Fenelon's "Maxims of the Saints"
Strive after it (union with God); but do not too readily or easily
believe that you have attained to it. The traveler, after many
fatigues and dangers, arrives at the top of a mountain. As he
looks abroad from that high eminence, and in that clear atmosphere,
he sees his native city; and it seems to him to be very near.
Overjoyed at the sight, and perhaps deceived by his position, he
proclaims himself as already at the end of his journey. But he
soon finds that the distance was greater than he supposed. He is
obliged to descend into valleys, and to climb over hills, and to
surmount rugged rocks, and to wind his tired steps over many a mile
of weary way, before he reaches that home and city, which he once
thought so near.
- Article 45
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