Message of 8-22-11
Published: Mon, 08/22/11
A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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Message of the Day
It is not God's way that great blessings should descend without the sacrifice first of great sufferings. If the truth is to be spread to any wide extent among the people, how can we dream, how can we hope, that trial and trouble shall not accompany its going forth.
- John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801-1890), Sermons Preached on Various Occasions.
(Could it be that the hardships and sufferings your experience are the harbingers of great blessings?)
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Lectionary Readings of the Day
http://new.usccb.org/calendar/index.cfm?showLit=1&action=month
1 Thes 1:1-5, 8b-10; Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b; Mt 23:13-22
R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia!
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Reflection on the Gospel
- from Daily Bread
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
Our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.
Jesus continues his denunciation of religious hypocrisy: "Woe to you, blind guides!" Leaders shouldn't ignore this harsh condemnation; better to do an examen or at least pray that it doesn't apply. The letter to the Thessalonians was written by a former "blind guide." How do people become convinced of the good news? When words and actions are in sync; when we practice what we preach; when, to paraphrase Emerson, what we do doesn't drown out what we say -- whether we are pastors, preachers or parents; confessors, catechists or counselors. Today we celebrate the Queenship of Mary. Most royals inherit their status through their parents or spouses. Mary is heaven's royalty through her son.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
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Spiritual Reading
The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
Christ, the Sun of Love, sparkled and shone brighter still, and more ardently; for in Him was, and is, the fulness of all graces and gifts. And for this reason the heart of Christ and His way of life, and His conduct, and His service, over-flowed in mercy, in gentleness, in humility, and in generosity; and He was so gracious and so lovable that His ways and His person drew all men of goodwill. He was the unspotted lily amidst the flowers of the field, wherefrom all the just may suck the honey of eternal sweetness and eternal consolation. For all the gifts which were ever bestowed upon the manhood of Christ, Christ thanked and praised, according to His manhood, His Eternal Father, Who is the Father of all gifts; and He rested, as regards the highest powers of His soul, above all gifts, in the most high Unity of God, from which all gifts flow forth. Thus He possessed the second degree.
- Chapter 33: Showing how these four degrees of perfection are found in Christ.
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