Message of 7-13-12

Published: Fri, 07/13/12


A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth


Message of the Day

Nothing richer can be offered to God than a good will; for the good will is the originator of all good and is the mother of all virtues; whosoever begins to have that good will has secured all the help he or she needs for living well."
- Albert the Great -

(Think of all that you will be doing soon, and pray that you may bring a good will to the situation.)

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

Hos 14:2-10;    Ps 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-14 and 17;    Mt 10:16-23

R. (17b) My mouth will declare your praise.

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.

Behold, you are pleased with sincerity of heart,
and in my inmost being you teach me wisdom.
Cleanse me of sin with hyssop, that I may be purified;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

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

All the readings today talk about how God takes care of his people. In the first reading the people decide it does no good to pray to false idols because they don't do any good, but God listens to his people and takes care of them. When they call, he hears and answers; so in the psalm the people sing praises to God who hears them and helps them.

But in the Gospel, it doesn't seem like it's that easy. Jesus says that people will be persecuted for their beliefs. Their own families will turn against them and hand them over to death and imprisonment. But what about the God who hears his people and cares for them? How can this happen that God's people will be harmed for their belief in God? Jesus says we should still sing God's praises. We should still have faith and belief in God who takes care of us. When we get to trial, God will put the words in our mouths that will save us. And if not, well, we will have our relief in the next world. If we get to the end of our lives with our faith intact, we have a reward on the other side. God does hear us. God does care for us.

- by Tamara Whitney
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Spiritual Reading

On Cleaving to God
     by St. Albert the Great

After all, a soul which is separated from the body pays no attention to what is done to its abandoned body - whether it is burned, hanged, or reviled, and is in no way saddened by the afflictions imposed on the body, but thinks only of the Now of eternity and the One Thing which the Lord calls necessary in the Gospel. So you too should treat your body as if you were no longer in the body, but think always of the eternity of your soul in God, and direct your thoughts carefully to that One Thing of which Christ said, For one thing is necessary. (Luke 10.42) You will experience because of it great grace, helping you towards the acquisition of nakedness of mind and simplicity of heart.

- Chapter 10. That one should not be concerned about feeling tangible devotion so much as about cleaving to God with one's will.

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