Message of 5-15-12

Published: Tue, 05/15/12


A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth


Message of the Day

If you approach your mind with notions of effortful concentration, you are likely only to create further noise and disruption. Instead, be very tender and patient with your thoughts, not worried by what you might consider to be distractions. Remember that you are not
alone in this endeavor."
- Gerald May [20th C.], The Awakened Heart

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

Acts 16:22-34;    Ps 138:1-2ab, 2-3, 7c-8;    Jn 16:5-11

R. (7c) Your right hand saves me, O Lord.

I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple,
and give thanks to your name.

Because of your kindness and your truth,
you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.

Your right hand saves me.
The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;
forsake not the work of your hands.

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

Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God as the prisoners listened.

Could you sing under those circumstances? I’m not sure I could. But Paul and Silas can sing because their hymns tell the story of God’s love -- a love that can reach into any place and circumstance, even to itinerant preachers who find themselves in a jail cell precisely because of the story they’re trying to tell. The jailer, stunned because the prisoners didn’t escape when they had the chance, wants to know why anyone would sing in jail. Paul and Silas tell him about Jesus, about the love of God that gives them the strength to sing praises to God even in prison. You are our refuge and strength, Holy God, regardless of the prisons we may be in.

- by Jeanne Lischer

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

(Treats of the great importance of not professing anyone whose spirit is contrary to the things aforementioned.)

I feel sure that the Lord bestows great help on anyone who makes good resolutions, and for that reason it is necessary to enquire into the intentions of anyone who enters [the life of religion]. She must not come, as many nuns [now] do, simply to further her own interests, although the Lord can perfect even this intention if she is a person of intelligence. If not intelligent, a person of this kind should on no account be admitted; for she will not understand her own reasons for coming, nor will she understand others who attempt subsequently to improve her. For, in general, a person who has this fault always thinks she knows better than the wisest what is good for her; and I believe this evil is incurable, for it is rarely unaccompanied by malice. In a convent where there are a great many nuns it may be tolerated, but it cannot be suffered among a few.

- Chapter 14

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

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