Message of 10-25-12
Published: Thu, 10/25/12
A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
Message of the Day
Because prayer is indeed a supernatural act, a movement of spirit toward Spirit, it is an act in which the natural creature can never begin or complete of itself. Though it seems to come by one's own free choice that one lifts the soul toward God, it is in truth this all-penetrating God, Who by His secret humble pressure stirs us to make this first movement of will and love."
- Evelyn Underhill [20th C.], The Golden Sequence
(To pray is to consent to God's Spirit praying in you and through you. Give your consent and enjoy the Lord.)
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Lectionary Readings of the Day
http://www.usccb.org/calendar/index.cfm?showLit=1&action=month
Eph 3:14-21; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19; Lk 12:49-53
R. (5b) The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten stringed lyre chant his praises.
For upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.
But see, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
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Reflection on the Gospel
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
When Jesus spoke about division he likely had in mind the prophecy of Micah: a man's enemies are the men of his own household (Micah 7:6). The essence of Christianity is loyalty to Jesus Christ, a loyalty that takes precedence over every other relationship. The love of God compels us to choose who will be first in our lives. To place any relationship (or anything else) above God is a form of idolatry. Jesus challenges his disciples to examine who they love first and foremost. A true disciple loves God above all else and is willing to forsake all for Jesus Christ. Jesus insists that his disciples give him the loyalty which is only due to God, a loyalty which is higher than spouse or kin. It is possible that family and friends can become our enemies, if the thought of them keeps us from doing what we know God wants us to do. Does the love of Jesus Christ compel you to put God first in all you do (2 Corinthians 5:14)?
"Lord Jesus, may your love consume me and transform my life that I may truly desire nothing more than life with you. Make me strong in love and fidelity that nothing may hinder me from doing your will."
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Spiritual Reading
From Meditation to Contemplation
by James Arraj (all rights reserved; reprinted with permission)
from "St. John of the Cross and Dr. C. G. Jung," available from http://www.innerexplorations.com
- The Meaning of the Three Signs (of contemplation)
Since the first sign might result from lukewarmness, neglect or sin, the second sign is used as a safeguard, and since the first and second signs might be the result of some illness or general weakness where the soul has no desire for anything, the third sign is brought forth. The third is the most vital sign, for it is that of contemplation itself. Since the recipient is still addicted to sense perception, this new knowledge is too different and subtle to be readily perceptible. However, it will soon become so: "But the more habituated he becomes to this calm, the deeper his experience of the general, loving knowledge of God will grow. This knowledge is more enjoyable than all other things, because without the soul's labor it affords peace, rest, savor, and delight."("Ascent of Mt. Carmel," 2, 13, 7) The actual beginning of this infused contemplation is the crucial sign, for without it the soul would be leaving meditation without something better taking its place: "If a man did not have this knowledge or attentiveness to God, he would, as a consequence, be neither doing anything nor receiving anything. Having left the discursive meditation of the sensitive faculties and still lacking contemplation (the general knowledge in which the spiritual faculties - memory, intellect, and will - are actuated and united in this passive, prepared knowledge), he would have no activity whatsoever relative to God."("Ascent of Mt. Carmel," 2, 14, 6)
- Part 7 of 10
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