Message of 7-14-11
Published: Mon, 07/11/11
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
What then are we afraid of? Can we have too much of God? ... Is it
a misfortune to be freed from the heavy yoke of the world, and to
bear the light burden of Jesus Christ? Do we fear to be too happy,
too much delivered from ourselves, from the caprices of our pride,
the violence of our passions, and the tyranny of a deceitful world?
- François Fénelon (1651-1715), "Pious Reflections for Every Day
in the Month"
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LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Ex 3:13-20; Ps. 105:1 and 5, 8-9, 24-25, 26-27; Mt 11:28-30
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generationsB
Which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
He greatly increased his people
and made them stronger than their foes,
Whose hearts he changed, so that they hated his people,
and dealt deceitfully with his servants.
He sent Moses his servant;
Aaron, whom he had chosen.
They wrought his signs among them,
and wonders in the land of Ham.
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MEDITATION ON THE GOSPEL
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"How can anyone enter a strong man's house and steal his property,
unless he first ties up the strong man?"
With a brief parable, Jesus dispels the notion that he drives out
evil with evil. The parable imparts a useful image, too: Satan (the
strong man) bound, gagged, incapacitated. But this strong man, we
know, doesn't just stay in his house. He roams the world, gets into
our hearts and minds, leads us astray and keeps us from
accomplishing good works. Perhaps when we go to Jesus in prayer, we
might employ this image. Let us rely on Jesus to bind Satan, to get
the old deceiver off of our backs, that we might carry out God's
will unencumbered.
"For the grace to send the devil packing, we pray."
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SPIRITUAL READING
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
The Disciple
I offer to You also all the good I have, small and imperfect though
it be, that You may make it more pure and more holy, that You may
be pleased with it, render it acceptable to Yourself, and perfect
it more and more, and finally that You may lead me, an indolent and
worthless creature, to a good and happy end.
- Book 4, Chapter 9
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