Weekend Edition - A Daily Spiritual Seed
Published: Thu, 06/02/11
- readings, teachings, references and reviews -
Contents:
- Ads of the week
- Spiritual Growth Resources for the Easter Season
- Weekend Readings
- Theology Note of the Week
- Saint of the Week
- Book of the Week
- Shalom Place Discussion Board
- Personal Spiritual Guidance
- Affiliate Web Sites
- Website of the Week
- Joke of the Week
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Amazon.com gift cards
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu
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SPIRITUAL GROWTH RESOURCES FOR THE EASTER SEASON
"Jesus is Risen!"
- https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/33561 (various ebook
formats)
Free download.
The foundational conviction for a Christian's attitude is belief in
the resurrection of Jesus. We examine the evidence for the
resurrection and show how we can encounter the risen Christ
today--how we can make sense of pain and problems, and learn to
live the risen life.
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"Jesus Alive in Our Lives"
-
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/jesus-alive-in-our-lives/11780728
(paperback)
- https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/41961 (various ebook
formats)
This work bundles together three related works previously published
for different purposes.
Part One - "The Meaning of the Resurrection," examines the evidence
of the Resurrection and then treats its implications for the life
of the believer.
Part Two - "Encountering the Risen Christ," reflects on meeting
the risen Christ in his four modes of present to us:
personal/historical, communal, sacramental and cosmic. Part Three -
"The Gift of the Spirit," notes the decisive role of the Holy
Spirit in the lives of early Christian believers, and in our own as
well. The theme running through these three parts is that Jesus of
Nazareth is risen, and that we can come to know him and give
evidence of his life and love in our own as well.
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WEEKEND READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Saturday: Acts 18:23-28; Ps. 47:2-3, 8-9, 10; Jn 16:23b-28
Sunday: Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Eph 1:17-23;
Mt 28:16-20
R. (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets
for the Lord.
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.
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.
For king of all the earth is God;
sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne.
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THEOLOGY NOTE OF THE WEEK
- Kenosis
This is a teaching concerning Jesus' incarnation. The Kenosis
attempts to solve some paradoxes between the nature of God and of
man as united in Jesus. For example, how could an all knowing God
become a baby, or how could God be tempted? The Kenosis maintains
that God, when becoming a man, divested Himself of some qualities
of being a man. In a sense, the Kenosis is God minus something; God
subtracting some qualities of deity to become a man. The Hypostatic
Union is God plus something; God adding human nature to Himself.
- http://www.carm.org/k
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SAINT OF THE WEEK
- St. Ephrem (306?-373): June 9
Poet, teacher, orator and defender of the faith, Ephrem is the only
Syrian recognized as a doctor of the Church. He took upon himself
the special task of opposing the many false doctrines rampant at
his time, always remaining a true and forceful defender of the
Catholic Church.
Born in Nisibis, Mesopotamia, he was baptized as a young man and
became famous as a teacher in his native city. When the Christian
emperor had to cede Nisibis to the Persians, Ephrem, along with
many Christians, fled as a refugee to Edessa. He is credited with
attracting great glory to the biblical school there. He was
ordained a deacon but declined becoming a priest (and was said to
have avoided episcopal consecration by feigning madness!).
He had a prolific pen and his writings best illumine his holiness.
Although he was not a man of great scholarship, his works reflect
deep insight and knowledge of the Scriptures. In writing about the
mysteries of humanity's redemption, Ephrem reveals a realistic and
humanly sympathetic spirit and a great devotion to the humanity of
Jesus. It is said that his poetic account of the Last Judgment
inspired Dante.
It is surprising to read that he wrote hymns against the heretics
of his day. He would take the popular songs of the heretical groups
and, using their melodies, compose beautiful hymns embodying
orthodox doctrine. Ephrem became one of the first to introduce song
into the Church's public worship as a means of instruction for the
faithful. His many hymns have earned him the title "Harp of the
Holy Spirit."
He preferred a simple, austere life, living in a small cave
overlooking the city of Edessa. It was here he died around 373.
- http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1409
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BOOK OF THE WEEK
"The Healing Power of Affirmation: Accepting God and Goodness in
Your Life," by Fr. Ralph A. Diorio. Image Books, 1986.
-
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385235925/ref=noism/christianspiritu/
"When we look and focus on the Divine Power, then every happening
in our lives suddenly makes sense."
Diorio presents a series of reflective essays for persons searching
for meaning, purpose, and love in life. Even as readers search for
clarity in difficult times, the author makes it clear that the
power of God and goodness is within reach of every person. Even in
times that seem to be beyond comprehension, God's inherent goodness
is closeby. The author hopes readers will recognize that attaining
spiritual joy and self-acceptance is possible with the help of an
everloving God.
The author aims to bring messages of hope and comfort and the
realization that God is ever near. "As long as we are on this side
of eternity, hope is always available to us." He tells his readers
that no one ever makes the journey alone; God's presence is
guaranteed at all times and in all circumstances.
In the epilogue, Diorio asks the reader to let one's human weakness
be God's call to strive:
- To restore Christian values in our materialistic world
- To help the family to become truly Christian
- To help each human being to find God and to love, help, and
respect others
- To make every Christian a witness to the Kingdom of God
- To make your nation upright and holy.
"Take the pattern of your life and follow it to its fullest. You
will find immeasurable rewards! Look up. Always look up. Only then
will your soul find rest."
(Thanks to Sr. Irene Hartman OP for this review.)
- - -
Make the Christian Spirituality Bookstore your starting point for
online shopping at Amazon.com. You can buy books, cds, videotapes,
software, appliances and many other products at discount prices.
As Amazon.com affiliate, we are paid a small fee for purchases
originating from our web site. Every little bit helps!
http://shalomplace.com/books/index.html
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- PERSONAL SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE -
Need a companion for the spiritual journey? We have several
wonderful people ready to help, using email and telephone
conferences to bridge the miles.
- Now providing -
Consultations: this option is best for short-term guidance
pertaining to a specific issue.
Spiritual Direction: ongoing relationship with a spiritual director
to become more attuned to God's presence in all of life.
See http://shalomplace.com/direction/
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SHALOM PLACE DISCUSSION BOARDS
A variety of topics are under discussion.
Hilarious youtube videos - Jokes and Stories forum.
Is homosexuality psychopathological? - Christian Morality and
Theology forum.
White magic - Christian Spirituality Issues forum.
PIIGS in a sty - Religion and Culture forum.
- see http://shalomplace.org/eve/forums for this and hundreds of
other discussions.
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AFFILIATE WEB SITES (please give them a visit)
Temenos Catholic Worker: support for homeless youth in Polk Street
neighborhood, San Francisco
http://www.temenos.org/
Contemplative Ministries of the Pacific Northwest: teaching and
support on contemplative practice
http://www.prayeroftheheart.com
Heartland Center for Spirituality: retreat center in central
Kansas..
http://heartlandspirituality.org/index.html
Emanuella House of Prayer: a place for prayer and silence in
British Columbia
http://emmanuellahouse.shawwebspace.ca/
Serenity of the Mind: supporting those who served and who suffer
from PTSD.
http://serenityofthemind.com/default.html
The Ark: Providing a variety of scripture and lectionary study
resources.
http://www.theark1.com
Kyrie Places of Pilgrimmage and Renewal.
http://www.kyrie.com/places/index.htm
Contemplative Rudder: "In the midst of Consecrated Silence
atmospherics ... a Rudder!
http://www.contemplativerudder.com/
Inner Explorations: a vast array of spirituality resources for the
mature Christian.
http://innerexplorations.com
The Sanctuary Foundation for Prayer: resources for spiritual growth.
http://fromholyground.org/index.htm
Institute for Women's Spiritual Dynamics: holistic, flexible,
sensible Christian spirituality for women.
http://www.womensspiritualdynamics.com/
SeeScapes. Picturing the deeper dimensions of our spirituality.
http://www.seescapes.com
(Reach other people who have a similar interest in Christian
spirituality. Simply publish a link to Daily Spiritual Seed--
http://shalomplace.com/seed --on a prominent place on your web site
and we will reciprocate with a weekly link to your site in the
newsletter. Contact the Editor when you're ready to begin.)
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WEB SITE OF THE WEEK
The Meaning of the Ascension
- http://www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/ascension/
A great collection of articles reflecting on the meaning of this
feast day. What follows is a quote from the article, "The Grand
Farewell."
"In all these biblical accounts, Jesus is physically separated from
the disciples. Then they begin their ministries of witnessing to
Jesus as the Christ after the Holy Spirit is given to them. The
Ascension was the prerequisite for the outpouring of the Spirit
(John 7:39; 16:7). Jesus left so the Spirit could come. Now the new
people of God receive the Spirit's power to proclaim Jesus as
Messiah and carry out their ministries in the church."
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JOKE OF THE WEEK
- Delayed Gratification
An elderly couple were killed in an accident and found themselves
being given a tour of heaven by Saint Peter. "Here is your
oceanside condo, over there are the tennis courts, swimming pool,
and two golf courses. If you need any refreshments, just stop by
any of the many bars located throughout the area."
"Heck, Gloria," the old man hissed when Saint Peter walked off, "we
could have been here ten years ago if you hadn't heard about all
that stupid oat bran, wheat germ, and low-fat diets!"
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- For more info on tax-deductible donations, see
http://shalomplace.com/seed/donations.html.
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