Message of 5-11-12

Published: Fri, 05/11/12


A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth


Message of the Day

I have had crosses in plenty--more than I could carry, almost. I set myself to ask for the love of crosses--then I was happy."
- John Vianney -

(Resistance to necessary struggles and suffering produces neuroses and even more problems. What crosses are you called to embrace at this time in life?)

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

Acts 15:22-31;    Ps 57:8-9, 10 and 12;    Jn 15:12-17

R. (10a) I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.

My heart is steadfast, O God; my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and chant praise.
Awake, O my soul; awake, lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn.

I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O LORD,
I will chant your praise among the nations.
For your mercy towers to the heavens,
and your faithfulness to the skies.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
above all the earth be your glory!

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

As a child, I understood rules would help me make better decisions.  The commandments helped me determine right from wrong.  They were made with things to do, and things not to do.  Willfully crossing some of those lines as a young adult did not bring me more happiness.  Eventually, I wandered back towards following the commandments, and not too surprisingly I found happiness again.

Jesus summed up all of those commandments which have become ingrained in my being, with the words in today's Gospel.  He said, "This is my commandment: love one another as I love you."  He simplified it, but it is not so simple to live.  Jesus reasoned no one has greater love than to lay down their life for their friend, and He called us and we listened we are friends.  He did lay down his life for his friends.  He further explained, he had passed on all the wisdom from the Father, as a friend he is helping us live so as to find true happiness.  This wisdom continues to be communicated through the Holy Spirit, remember Jesus told us he would not leave us orphans.

- by Deb Fortina

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Spiritual Reading

On Cleaving to God
     by St. Albert the Great

The religious-minded soul should be so united to God and should have or render its will so conformed to the divine will that it is not occupied with any created thing or cling to it any more than before it was created, and as if nothing existed except God and the soul itself. And in this way it should accept everything confidently and equally, in general and in particular, from the hand of divine providence, agreeing in everything with the Lord in patience, peace and silence. 

- Chapter 8. How to commit to God in all circumstances

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