Message of 8-13-12

Published: Mon, 08/13/12


A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth


Message of the Day

Then, by the virtue of love, is the lover transformed in the beloved and the beloved is transformed in the lover, and like unto hard iron which so assumeth the colour, heat, virtue, and form of the fire that it almost turneth into fire, so doth the soul, united with God through the perfect grace of divine love, itself almost become divine and transformed in God."
- Angela of Foligno [13th-14th C.], "The Divine Consolation," Ch. 6 -

(This is the fruit of the spiritual life. Open yourself to being transformed in and by Love today.)

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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

Ez 1:2-5, 24-28;    Ps 148:1-2, 11-14;    Mt 17:22-27

R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.

Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights;
Praise him, all you his angels;
praise him, all you his hosts.

Let the kings of the earth and all peoples,
the princes and all the judges of the earth,
Young men too, and maidens,
old men and boys,

Praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
His majesty is above earth and heaven.

And he has lifted up the horn of his people.
Be this his praise from all his faithful ones,
from the children of Israel, the people close to him.
Alleluia.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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

Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?

Even though his group may not technically owe the tax, Jesus' answer is yes: They should pay it so as not to give offense. Paying taxes is a perennial dilemma because so many moral issues are at stake. Are our taxes used exclusively for the common good, or is some of the income used to wage wars that aren't justified by any standard? Are the levels of taxation fair in terms of income equality? Are the needs of the poor and the elderly and the sick addressed with these funds? What is our moral obligation to stop the unethical uses of tax money?

Lord, teach us to hold our leaders accountable for the just use of tax money, we pray.

Portia Clark

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Spiritual Reading

The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage
   by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)

- The Gift of Piety

And if he exerts himself well in that which he has received from God, then God bestows upon him the spirit of Piety and Mercy. Thus he becomes gentle of heart, meek and merciful. And thereby he becomes more full of life and more like to God, and feels himself to be resting more in God, and to be broader and deeper in virtue than before. And he savours this likeness and this rest so much the better, the more his resemblance is increased.

- Chapter 63: Of the ordering of all the virtues through the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

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