Message of 12-19-11

Published: Mon, 12/19/11


A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth


Message of the Day

This power of being outwardly genial and inwardly austere, which is the real Christian temper, depends entirely upon the time set apart for personal religion. It is always achieved if courageously and faithfully sought; and there are no heights of love and holiness to which it cannot lead.
... Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941), Concerning the Inner Life
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Lectionary Readings of the Day
   http://www.usccb.org/calendar/index.cfm?showLit=1&action=month

Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25;    Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6, 16-17;    Lk 1:5-25

R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!

Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.

For you are my hope, O LORD;
my trust, O God, from my youth.
On you I depend from birth;
from my mother's womb you are my strength.

I will treat of the mighty works of the LORD;
O God, I will tell of your singular justice.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.

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

Your prayer has been heard.

Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, prayed to have a child. Even in their old age there was this all-consuming desire. And yet, when the angel appears to tell Zechariah that their prayer has finally been heard, his response is suspicion and disbelief. God answered their prayer, but it was not how he envisioned it -- to be parents when they were young and vigorous. Isn't this the case with so many prayers? We may pray for a child or companionship or meaningful work or a peaceful home and fail to notice the opportunities God places on our path.

O God, open my eyes, my ears, my heart to your answer to my prayers.

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Spiritual Reading

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

At times one shall behold friends in purgatory, and shall consider their misery and their yearnings and their heavy pains. Then shall he pray and beseech the pity, the mercy, and the generosity of God; and shall plead their good-will, and their great misery, and their yearning after the rich goodness of God, and he shall bring to God's remembrance that they died in love, and that their only refuge is in His passion and mercy.

Now understand this: it may sometimes happen that this enlightened man is specially urged of the Spirit of God to pray for a certain thing, for some sinner, or for some soul, or for some ghostly benefit, in such a way that he feels and understands it to be the work of the Holy Ghost, and not of his own choice, or self-will, or nature. Then the man sometimes becomes so intense and so ardent in his prayer that he receives in ghostly wise the answer that his prayer has been heard. And with the coming of this sign the thrust of the Spirit and the prayer abate.

- Chapter 42: On moving toward those in Purgatory.

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