Message of the Day
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The gentlest form of spiritual narcissism is the idea that one can accomplish one's own spiritual growth. . . The belief that "I can do it" is intimately associated with the assumption that "it is my idea, my desire, to do it." Spiritual narcissism works to deny the realization that our spirituality comes from God.
- Gerald May, Will and Spirit (It is God Who enables us to know God, and it is God's desire to be known by all. Give thanks for this gift.) |
Readings of the Day
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ROM 1:1-7; PS 98:1-4; LK 11:29-32 R. The Lord has made known his salvation. Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Gospel
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At the preaching of Jonah [Nineveh] repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.
We have been given the greatest of all prophets, the clearest of all teachers, the most noble of all individuals in Jesus, and still we are reluctant to change the direction of our lives. In our day, Pope Francis shows us the heart of Jesus' message. By example, he promotes more simple and mindful living, care for the poor and respect for all people and all creation, and challenges us to find a way to narrow the gap between the very rich and the very poor.
Lord, for a change of heart, we pray. - by Portia Clark
Daily Bread
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Spiritual Reading
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The Sparkling Stone, by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381) Though I have said before that we are one with God and this is taught us by Holy Writ, yet now I will say that we must eternally remain other than God, and distinct from Him, and this too is taught us by Holy Writ. And we must understand and feel both within us, if all is to be right with us.
And therefore I say further: that from the Face of God, or from our highest feeling, a brightness shines upon the face of our inward being, which teaches us the truth of love and of all virtues: and especially are we taught in this brightness to feel God and ourselves in four ways. first, we feel God in His grace; and when we apprehend this, we cannot remain idle. For like as the sun, by its splendour and its heat, enlightens and gladdens and makes fruitful the whole world, so God does to us through His grace: He enlightens and gladdens and makes fruitful all men who desire to obey Him. If, however, we would feel God within us, and have the fire of His love ever more burning within us, we must, of our own free will, help to kindle it in four ways: We must abide within ourselves, united with the fire through inwardness. And we must go forth from ourselves towards all good men with loyalty and brotherly love. And we must go beneath ourselves in penance, betaking ourselves to all good works, and resisting our inordinate lusts. And we must ascend above ourselves with the flame of this fire, through devotion, and thanksgiving, and praise, and fervent prayer, and must ever cleave to God with an upright intention and with sensible love. And thereby God continues to dwell in us with His grace; for in these four ways is comprehended every exercise which we can do with the reason, and in some wise, but without this exercise no one can please God. And he who is most perfect in this exercise, is nearest to God. And therefore it is needful for all men; and above it none can rise save the contemplative men. And thus, in this first way, we feel God within us through His grace, if we wish to belong to Him.
- Chapter 10: "How we, though one with God, must eternally remain other than God."
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