Message of 3-20-12

Published: Tue, 03/20/12


A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth


Message of the Day

Abide in Me: These words are the command of love, which is ever only a promise in a different shape. Think of this until all feeling of burden and fear and despair pass away, and the first thought that comes as you hear of abiding in Jesus be one of bright and joyous hope.
  - Andrew Murray

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

Ez 47:1-9, 12;    Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9;    Jn 5:1-16

R. (8) The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.

God is our refuge and our strength,
an ever-present help in distress.
Therefore we fear not, though the earth be shaken
and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea.

There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God,
the holy dwelling of the Most High.
God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed;
God will help it at the break of dawn.

The LORD of hosts is with us;
our stronghold is the God of Jacob.
Come! behold the deeds of the LORD,
the astounding things he has wrought on earth.

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

Do you want to be made well?

All of us, to some extent, are trapped by the circumstances of our lives. The man by the pool in John's Gospel was such a person. For nearly 40 years, he spent his days beside a pool, waiting for someone to put him in the pool's healing waters. When Jesus comes to this man, he asks a remarkable question: "Do you want to be well?" Is Jesus being rude? Insensitive? Maybe, maybe not. Later in John's Gospel, Jesus says, "I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly." Life with God is meant to be an adventure -- and it may require taking risks. Do we want to live the great adventure? Or do we want to stay waiting by the pool?

Strengthen us to live full and abundant lives even in the midst of uncertainty, loving God.

- by Jeanne Lischer

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Spiritual Reading
The Way of Perfection
  - by Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

(Continues to treat of mortification and explains how one must renounce the world's standards of wisdom in order to attain to true wisdom.)

Before we begin talking about not having our rights, let us wait until we receive some honour or gratification, or are treated kindly, for it is certainly not right that we should have anything in this life like that. When, on the other hand, some offence is done to us (and we do not feel it an offence to us that it should be so described), I do not see what we can find to complain of. Either we are the brides of this great King or we are not. If we are, what wife is there with a sense of honour who does not accept her share in any dishonour done to her spouse, even though she may do so against her will? Each partner, in fact, shares in the honour and dishonour of the other. To desire to share in the kingdom [of our Spouse Jesus Christ], and to enjoy it, and yet not to be willing to have any part in His dishonours and trials, is ridiculous.ou can ever possibly have to bear so much that you ought not to have to bear any more? How does right enter into the matter at all? I really do not know.

- Chapter 13

(Keep in mind that she is writing to sisters in a cloistered contemplative order.)

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