Message of 9-5-11

Published: Mon, 09/05/11


A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth

- - -

Message of the Day

Jesus says to you and me, "I want to share with you what I have achieved. I want to live in you. I want to share my risen life with you."

How do we get it? We cannot buy it, cannot earn it, cannot work for it-no matter how hard we try. In fact the harder we try, the less likely we are of getting it, because the point is that it is a free gift! We can only accept it free! We can only receive it! We don't get it by being good! We get it by grace: Jesus Christ living in us.
   - Cyril Brooks

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Lectionary Readings of the Day
   http://www.usccb.org/calendar/index.cfm?showLit=1&action=month

Col 1:24:2:3;    Ps 62:6-7, 9;    Lk 6:6-11

R. (8) In God is my safety and my glory.

Only in God be at rest, my soul,
for from him comes my hope.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed.

Trust in him at all times, O my people!
Pour out your hearts before him;
God is our refuge!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Reflection on the Gospel
  - from Daily Bread
   http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm

For this I labor and struggle, in accord with the exercise of his power working within me.

Labor Day is a good time to take stock and determine if we are doing the work we are called to do. For many, this true work changes as life's circumstances change -- when we have children, when they grow older, when we grow older. In the Gospel we hear that when Jesus did his true work, he threatened the establishment. What was this true work? He healed on the Sabbath. Sometimes our true work involves stepping out of the box, risking material comforts for a life well-spent. But if we are so blest on our deathbed that we may look back on a well-spent life -- won't that be reward enough?

For worthy work in service of you, Lord, we pray.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Spiritual Reading

The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage
   by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)

When the due time had come wherein Christ should reap, and carry into the Eternal Kingdom, the fruits of all those virtues which ever had ripened, or ever should ripen, then the Eternal Sun began to descend; for then Christ humbled Himself, and delivered His bodily life into the hands of His enemies. And in this distress He was denied and forsaken of His friends, and from His human nature there was withdrawn all inward and outward consolation; and there was laid on it misery and sorrow, buffettings, blasphemies, and heavy burdens, and it paid the price of all our sins according to justice. And He bore these things in humble patience, and, whilst He was thus forsaken, He wrought the greatest work of love. And, thereby He has bought back and redeemed our eternal heritage. Thus is He adorned in the lower part of His noble manhood; for in it He suffered these pains for our sins. And this is why He is called the Saviour of the world, and why He is glorified, honoured, and exalted, and set on the right hand of His Father, where He reigns in mightiness; and all creatures, in heaven, and on earth, and in hell, bow the knee eternally before His most high Name.

- Chapter 33: Showing how these four degrees of perfection are found in Christ.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Amazon.com gift cards - good for any occasion
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu

- - - -

Please help support Heartland Center's Internet ministries:

- For more info on tax-deductible donations, see
http://shalomplace.com/seed/donations.html.

    Thanks for your consideration!
_________________________________________________

    * Web Archive:http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?dailyseed
    * RSS:  http://www.aweber.com/z/rss/?dailyseed