Message of 8-17-12
Published: Fri, 08/17/12
A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
Message of the Day
In difficult questions, although I think I understand them and am speaking the truth, I always say 'it appears to me . . .'; for, in case my opinion is wrong, I am most willing to submit to the judgement of theologians. Although they may not have had personal experience in such matters, yet in some way I do not understand, God who sets them to give light to his Church enables them to recognize the truth when it is put before them.
- Teresa of Avila, The Interior Castle
(What role does theology play in your spiritual life? How does God speak to you through the teachings of the Church?)
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Lectionary Readings of the Day
http://www.usccb.org/calendar/index.cfm?showLit=1&action=month
Ez 16:1-15, 60, 63; Is 12:2-3, 4-6; Mt 19:3-12
R. (1c) You have turned from your anger.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
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Reflection on the Scriptures
- http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
. . . today's Gospel reading pits the overmatched Pharisees against Jesus in a battle of wits. Of course, the issue at hand is not divorce, or even law. The Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus by getting Him to contradict himself so that he loses credibility - or worse yet - to renounce Mosaic Law, which would put Him at odds with his very own disciples. In either case, this would result in a great blow to His ability to minister to the people.
Of course, Jesus deftly identifies these tactics and answers truthfully and without guile - the only way one could get out of this trap. For he is governed by a higher, spiritual law, which rises above the smoke and mirrors that often characterize human law.
- by Brian Kokensparger
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Spiritual Reading
On Cleaving to God
by St. Albert the Great
The servant of Jesus Christ must see to it that he is not so easily forced to withdraw from the face of the Lord and to be annoyed, murmur and complain over the nuisance of a single fly, that is, a trivial temptation, suspicion, sadness, distraction, need or any such adversity, when they can all be put to flight with no more than the hand of a good will directed up to God. After all, through a good will a man has God as his defender, and the holy angels as his guardians and protectors. What is more, any temptation can be overcome by a good will too, like a fly driven away from a bald head by one's hand.
- Chapter 11. How one should resist temptations and bear trials.
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