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Whenever we choose not to do what we want because of a love for
others, that is sacrifice. Whenever we refuse to allow an unkind
thought about another to take up residence in our minds, that is
sacrifice. Whenever we refuse to speak a word that will bring
unnecessary pain to another then we are . . . offering a sacrifice."
- Ed Hays, In Pursuit of the Great White Rabbit -
(How do sacrifices help you to grow? What kinds of sacrifices are
you likely to be called to make this day? Ask the Spirit to prepare
you to do so.) |
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At-home Retreat: Resources for an 8-day private or directed retreat to make at your home or elsewhere.
- Open for registration. Resource area opens Ash Wednesday 2013.
http://shalomplace.org/retreat
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Gn 1:1-19; Ps 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 24, 35; Mk 6:53-56 R. May the Lord be glad in his works. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
You are clothed with majesty and glory,
robed in light as with a cloak.
You fixed the earth upon its foundation,
not to be moved forever;
With the ocean, as with a garment, you covered it;
above the mountains the waters stood.
You send forth springs into the watercourses
that wind among the mountains.
Beside them the birds of heaven dwell;
from among the branches they send forth their song.
How manifold are your works, O LORD!
In wisdom you have wrought them all-
the earth is full of your creatures;
Bless the LORD, O my soul! Alleluia.
USCCB lectionary
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They laid the sick in the marketplaces.
Desperate for healing, the sick and the injured allowed their friends to carry them to where Jesus was preaching, hoping to be one of the lucky ones who touched even his garment to be healed. Desperate for healing, the suffering travel long distances to bathe in Lourdes water, hoping for a cure. Two thousand years ago and today, we want to be well, to feel good, to be free of pain. Yet even though we believe in God who created heaven and earth and all that is good, suffering is a human reality. Where is God when we suffer? Weeping with us. Encouraging, strengthening, comforting, consoling us. Welcoming us on our final day.
Make us brave, Lord, and bless those who suffer today. - by Paige Byrne Shortal
My Daily Bread
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The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage, by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
Now the Spirit of God says in the secret outpouring of our spirit: Go ye out, in an eternal contemplation and fruition, according to the way of God. All the riches which are in God by nature we possess by way of love in God, and God in us, through the unmeasured love which is the Holy Ghost, for in this love one tastes of all that one can desire. And therefore through this love we are dead to ourselves, and have gone forth in loving immersion into Waylessness and Darkness. There the spirit is embraced by the Holy Trinity, and dwells for ever within the superessential Unity, in rest and fruition. And in that same Unity, according to Its fruitfulness, the Father dwells in the Son, and the Son in the Father, and all creatures dwell in Both. And this is above the distinction of the Persons; for here by means of the reason we understand Fatherhood and Sonhood as the life-giving fruitfulness of the Divine Nature.
- Third Book, Chapter 2: How our spirit is called to go out in contemplation and fruition. Paperback (kindle edition available)
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