Message of 12-27-11
Published: Tue, 12/27/11
A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
Message of the Day
We may not understand how the spirit works; but the effect of the Spirit on human lives is there for all to see. The unanswerable argument for Christianity is the Christian life. No one can disregard a faith which is able to make bad people good.
- William Barclay (1907-1978), The Gospel of John, v. 1, Edinburgh: Saint Andrew Press, 1965
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Lectionary Readings of the Day
http://www.usccb.org/calendar/index.cfm?showLit=1&action=month
1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1 and 2-8
R. (12) Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
Clouds and darkness are around him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just,
and give thanks to his holy name.
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Reflection on the Gospel
- from Praying the Daily Gospels
http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- John 20: 2-8: John, apostle and evangelist
In contrast to the martyrdom of the youthful Stephen, John the apostle is said to have lived to be a very old man. He alone of the apostles escaped violent martyrdom, showing the early Church it was possible to persevere in charity until a ripe old age- perhaps a more difficult challenge. His disciples left us a magnificent gospel, a tribute to his belief which is described in today's passage.
* In your imagination, journey with IPeter and the beloved disciple to the tomb of Jesus. Note their shortness of breath as they arrive; feel their wonder as they venture inside, only to find the tomb vacated.
* Do you believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead?
* Pray for the grace to be open to new life.
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Spiritual Reading
The Way of Perfection
- by Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
(Teaches that detachment from the things aforementioned is insufficient if we are not detached from our own selves and that this virtue and humility go together.)
But why, you will say, does the Prioress excuse us? Perhaps she would not if she knew what was going on inside us; but she sees one of you wailing about a mere nothing as if your heart were breaking, and you come and ask her to excuse you from keeping the whole of your Rule, saying it is a matter of great necessity, and, when there is any substance in what you say, there is always a physician at hand to confirm it or some friend or relative weeping at your side. Sometimes the poor Prioress sees that your request is excessive, but what can she do? She feels a scruple if she thinks she has been lacking in charity and she would rather the fault were yours than hers: she thinks, too, that it would be unjust of her to judge you harshly.
Oh, God help me! That there should be complaining like this among nuns! May He forgive me for saying so, but I am afraid it has become quite a habit. I happened to observe this incident once myself: a nun began complaining about her headaches and she went on complaining to me for a long time. In the end I made enquiries and found she had no headache whatever, but was suffering from some pain or other elsewhere.
These are things which may sometimes happen and I put them down here so that you may guard against them; for if once the devil begins to frighten us about losing our health, we shall never get anywhere. The Lord give us light so that we may act rightly in everything! Amen.
- Chapter 10
(Keep in mind that she is writing to sisters in a cloistered contemplative order.
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