Message of 4-19-12

Published: Thu, 04/19/12


A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth


Message of the Day

The one who has found his soul's life in God is happy--not in truth with perfect happiness; that is not granted to people in this world, but a foretaste thereof--he has a secret joy which is beyond the reach of temptation, unrest and sorrow; a quiet confidence and steadfastness which abide even while the waves and storms of life sweep over him... When the soul has sincerely given itself up to God, He fills it with His own peace, a peace which makes all earthly things indifferent--as before His Presence, absorbing the heart. It is our strength, our comfort, our guide, the deeper and more confirmed it becomes, the greater our spiritual perfection; so that in truth to obtain and preserve this peace is the real secret of the interior life.
   - Jean Nicolas Grou (1731-1803), The Hidden Life of the Soul

(Christ does promise us this peace -- see John 14:27.  It is his great gift to us.)

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

Acts 5:27-33;    Ps 34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20;    Jn 3:31-36

R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.

The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him.

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

Do you weigh the consequences of your choices? Do they lead you towards life or towards death? If you choose to obey God's voice and to do his will, then you will know and experience that life which comes from God himself. If you choose to follow your own way apart from God and his will, then you choose for death - a spiritual death which poisons and then kills the soul until there is nothing left but an empty person devoid of love, truth, goodness, purity, peace, and joy. Do your choices lead you towards God or away from God?

"Lord Jesus Christ, let your Holy Spirit fill me and transform my heart and mind that I may choose life - abundant life in you and with you. And give me the courage and strength to always discern good from evil and to reject everything that is false and contrary to your holy will."

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

The Disciple

Your mercy can give me the grace I long for and can visit me most graciously with fervor of soul according to Your good pleasure. For although I am not now inflamed with as great desire as those who are singularly devoted to You, yet by Your grace I long for this same great flame, praying and seeking a place among all such ardent lovers that I may be numbered among their holy company.

   - Book 4, Chapter 14

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