Message of 3-2-12

Published: Fri, 03/02/12


A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth


Message of the Day

The chief pang of most trials is not so much the actual suffering itself, as our own inherent spirit of resistance to it.
   - Jean Nicolas Grou (1731-1803), The Hidden Life of the Soul,

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

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

Ez 18:21-28;    Ps 130:1-8;    Mt 5:20-26

R. (3) If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to my voice in supplication.

If you, O LORD, mark iniquities,
LORD, who can stand?
But with you is forgiveness,
that you may be revered.

I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word.
My soul waits for the LORD
more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
Let Israel wait for the LORD.

For with the LORD is kindness
and with him is plenteous redemption;
And he will redeem Israel
from all their iniquities.

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

Reflection on the Scripture
   http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

- Reflection on Ps. 130

Reconciliation begins with experiencing sorrow and asking for forgiveness.  Saying, "I'm sorry, please forgive me," is a wonderful breakthrough moment.  However, there is much deep, rich reflection and personal conversion that can, and perhaps must, accompany this level of reconciliation.  Why did I do what I did?  What was I choosing, reacting to, or making a point about?  In what part of this conflict was I being selfish, stubborn, wanting it my way?  What part involved a call to surrender, let go, or compromise?  Is some part of this fight a "cover-up" for some real sin on my part?  Am I being dishonest in this relationship, in some way?  Was my anger really about something else?  Did it come out of an insecurity, a tender spot, a vulnerable place because of past hurts?  Is some part of this fight revealing a need for healing in me, a need for me to turn to the Lord for forgiveness and mercy? 

Lord, grant me your tender mercy.  Let me experience your unconditional love.  Fill my heart with healing.  Let your love calm every storm in my heart.  Let your compassion find its way into every place within me that is unreconciled with you, and with others.  Then, Lord, send me forth, accompanied by your own compassion and peace.  May all conflict and division, all hurt and hatred, be quenched by mercy.  Let there be reconciliation on earth, and let it begin with me.

- by Andy Alexander, S.J.

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

Spiritual Reading

On Cleaving to God
     by St. Albert the Great

This knowledge of the truth always makes the soul humble, ready to judge itself and not others, while on the contrary worldly wisdom makes the soul proud, futile, inflated and puffed up with wind. So let this be the fundamental spiritual doctrine leading to the knowledge of God, his service and familiarity with him, that if you want to truly possess God, you must strip your heart of all love of things of the senses, not just of certain creatures, so that you can turn to the Lord your God with a simple and whole heart and with all your power, freely and without any double-mindedness, care or anxiety, but with full confidence in his providence alone about everything. 

- Chapter 6. That the devout person should cleave to God with naked understanding and will.

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

Amazon 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