Message of 6-1-12
Published: Fri, 06/01/12
A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
Message of the Day
Minimizing the value of small things does not, as some assert, arise from greatness of mind; but, far otherwise, from a short-sightedness,
esteeming things small which in their tendency and consequences have a very extensive reach and effect.
- Francois Fenelon, On Faithfulness in Little Things -
(There are really no insignificant moments or tasks in the spiritual life, for God is present and active in every circumstance in every moment. Let this awareness keep you more alert and loving today.)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lectionary Readings of the Day
http://www.usccb.org/calendar/index.cfm?showLit=1&action=month
1 Pt 4:7-13; Ps 96:10-13; Mk 11:11-26
R. (13b) The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.
Before the LORD, for he comes;
for he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Reflection on the Scriptures
- http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
"Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’(quoting Hosea 6:6) I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."
This is a great lesson. . . As they are going back to Bethany, Peter notices the cursed fig tree is completely withered, somewhat surprised that Jesus had that kind of power. Jesus says, "all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours." But he adds more - now we get to the lesson from a fruit-less fig tree and heartless religious leaders. "When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions."
Our following of Jesus this day is all about being merciful. Our fidelity involves inclusion of sinners, especially care for the stranger and the sick. Our faith traditions shouldn't exclude, or justify excluding, those in need. Jesus wants us to overturn that kind of unforgiving style which simply doesn't lead to fruit that will last.
- by Andy Alexander, S.J.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Spiritual Reading
On Cleaving to God
by St. Albert the Great
No contemplation and fruition of love, whether intellectual or affective, is more useful, more perfect and more satisfying than that which is of God himself, the Creator, our supreme and true Good, from whom, through whom and to whom are all things. He is infinitely satisfying both to himself and to all others, who contains within himself in absolute simplicity and from all eternity the perfection of all things, in whom there is nothing which is not himself, before whom and through whom remain the causes of all things impermanent, and in whom dwell the unchanging origins of all changing things, while even the eternal reasons of all temporal things, rational and irrational, abide in him. He brings everything to completion, and fills all things, in general and in particular, completely and essentially with himself. He is more intimately and more really present to everything by his being than each thing is to itself, for in him all things are united together, and live in him eternally.
- Chapter 9. How much the contemplation of God is to be preferred to all other exercises.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Amazon Gift Cards: Good for any occasion.
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu
- - - -
Please help support Heartland Center's Internet ministries:
- For more info on tax-deductible donations, see
http://shalomplace.com/seed/donations.html
Thanks for your consideration!
_________________________________________________
* Web Archive: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?dailyseed
* RSS: http://www.aweber.com/z/rss/?dailyseed