Message of 8-4-11
Published: Tue, 07/26/11
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
It is necessary to die, but nobody wants to; you don't want to, but
you are going to, willy-nilly. A hard necessity that is, not to
want something which cannot be avoided. If it could be managed, we
would much rather not die; we would like to become like the angels
by some other means than death. . . . We want to reach the kingdom
of God, but we don't want to travel by way of death. And yet there
stands Necessity saying: "This way, please." Do you hesitate, man,
to go this way, when this is the way that God came to you?
- St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430), "Exposition II, Sermon I on
Psalm 30"
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LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Nm 20:1-13; Ps. 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9; Mt16:13-23
R. (8) If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
"Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tested me;
they tested me though they had seen my works."
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MEDITATION ON THE GOSPEL
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me."
We naturally seek those who seem to understand us. We are attracted
to those who affirm us for who we are and support us in what we do.
Yet, as we go forward in response to God's call, sometimes the very
people we've relied on most for support become obstacles on our
path. They cannot see what has been revealed to us: the particular
mission we feel called to do, the purpose we must fulfill. Jesus
identifies Satan at work in Peter. Unfortunately, well-meaning
friends are especially useful to the evil one; we, too, must be
wary of Satan showing up in this guise.
"For wisdom in discerning God's call ... for steadfastness in
following our Lord, we pray."
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SPIRITUAL READING
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
The Disciple
Take away from our hearts, O Lord, all suspicion, anger, wrath,
contention, and whatever may injure charity and lessen brotherly
love. Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy on those who ask Your mercy,
give grace to those who need it, and make us such that we may be
worthy to enjoy Your favor and gain eternal life.
- Book 4, Chapter 9
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