Message of 3-5-12

Published: Mon, 03/05/12


A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth


Message of the Day

The loving service which God sends His people into the world to render includes both evangelism and social action, for each is in itself an authentic expression of love, and neither needs the other to justify it.
   - John R. W. Stott (1921-2011)

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

Dn 9:4b-10;    Ps 79:8, 9, 11 and 13;    Lk 6:36-38

R. (see 103:10a) Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.

Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.

Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name's sake.

Let the prisoners' sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.

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

 The measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.

This seems like the most obvious of lessons. We are largely who we are because of what we do, how we treat others, what we expect out of life. If we live generously, withholding harsh judgments, forgiving those who hurt us, responding to need -- we find ourselves at peace with ourselves and others and living the hundredfold life. Why then is it so tempting to spend our energies finding fault and hoarding our blessings? Life is too short and too good for meanness.

Bless me, Lord, with a gentler spirit and a more generous heart.

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Spiritual Reading

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

This sensible love and compassion, and the power of the imagination united with the inward contemplation of the wounds of Christ, may be so great, that the man thinks that he feels the wounds and the bruises of Christ in his own heart and in all his limbs. And if any man could indeed in any way receive the stigmata of our Lord, it would be such a man as this. And herewith we satisfy Christ as regards the lower part of His manhood.

We shall also dwell in the unity of our spirit and should flow forth with an ample love in heaven and on earth, with clear discernment. And by this we bear some resemblance to Christ as regards the spirit, and give Him satisfaction.

- Chapter 47: Showing how Christ has given Himself to all in commin in the Sacrament of the Altar.

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