Message of 12-15-11

Published: Thu, 12/15/11


A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth


Message of the Day

Wait with blazing desire, deep humility, and much eagerness.  If you learn to wait, you'll surely receive our King, who comes to us humble and meek, and seated on a donkey.  O endless love!  You confound human pride.  We see You, the King of kings, approaching humbly, seated on a beast, disgracefully rejected.  Let those who seek worldly honor and glory think on this and blush for shame.
  - Catherine of Siena, Letters

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

Is 54:1-10;    Ps 30:2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12a and 13b;    Lk 7:24-30

R. (2a) I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the nether world;
you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.

Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.

"Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper."
You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.

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Reflection on the Gospel
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/

Our baptism in Jesus Christ by water and the Spirit results in a new birth and entry into God's kingdom as his beloved sons and daughters (John 3:5). Jesus is ready to give us the fire of his Spirit that we may radiate the joy and truth of the gospel to a world in desperate need of God's light and truth. His word has power to change and transform our lives that we may be lights pointing others to Christ. Like John the Baptist, we too are called to give testimony to the light and truth of Jesus Christ. Do you point others to Christ in the way you live, work, and speak?

"Lord, let your light burn brightly in my heart that I may know the joy and freedom of your kingdom. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and empower me to witness the truth of your gospel and to point others to Jesus Christ."

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Spiritual Reading
    - Imitation of Christ, by Thomas A. Kempis

The Disciple

Thanks to You, Lord Jesus, Light of eternal light, for the table of Your holy teaching which You have prepared for us by Your servants, the prophets and Apostles and other learned people.
  
Thanks to You, Creator and Redeemer of all, Who, to declare Your love to all the world, have prepared a great supper in which You have placed before us as food not the lamb, the type of Yourself, but Your own most precious Body and Blood, making all the faithful glad in Your sacred banquet, intoxicating them with the chalice of salvation in which are all the delights of paradise; and the holy angels feast with us but with more happiness and sweetness.

   - Book 4, Chapter 11

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