Message of 12-23-08
Published: Sat, 12/20/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"In Christ, therefore, do I understand and possess all truth that
is in heaven and earth and hell, and in all creatures; and so great
is the truth and the certainty that were the whole world to declare
the contrary I would not believe it, yea, I should mock at it."
- Blessed Angela of Foligno -
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Mal 3:1-4, 23-24; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14; Lk 1:57-66
R. (see Luke 21:28) Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is
near at hand.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
he teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy
toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him,
and his covenant, for their instruction.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from "Daily Reflections"
http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
John's miraculous birth shows the mercy and favor of God in
preparing his people for the coming of its Lord and Savior, the
Christ. When God acts to save us he graciously fills us with his
Holy Spirit and makes our faith "alive" to his promises. Do you
make your life an offering to God, along with your family, and all
that you possess? God wants to fill us with his glory all the days
of our lives, from birth through death. Renew the offering of your
life to God and give him thanks for his mercy and favor towards you?
"Lord Jesus, you are gracious and forgiving towards us. May I ever
seek to bring you glory in all that I do and say."
Today we can think of how John the Baptist was born as gift for us
all. With his faith and reverence for his cousin, he's not only our
Messenger, our Prophet, but also our role model.
So today we might pray for Christmas blessings for those who have
been prophets for us and have prepared the way for us - our
parents, teachers and leaders, those who have announced good news
to us, called us to improvement, explained and warned us of events
and consequences ahead
Yet as we are called to be like Mary, to bring Christ into our
world, we are also called to be like John, to see Christ's coming
into the world each day, especially this blessed pre-Christmas day.
All this in the story of one happy birth, recognized as Gift, and
soon to be followed by our greatest Gift of all.
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Ignatian Method)
A. Preparation: acts of faith and reverence in the presence of God;
asking grace of a good meditation; petition for specific graces
sought in meditation.
B. Reading the Scriptures slowly, prayerfully.
C. Exercise of the memory, imagination, and intellect:
consideration of the material.. What practical applications are
suggested?
D. Expression of feelings and sentiments awakened in meditation.
Conversation with God.
E. Exercise of will and imagination in making resolutions. Prayer
for grace to fulfill resolutions.
F. Vocal prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, other prayers).
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
"Sayings of Light and Love," by St. John of the Cross (jottings
from his notebooks)
92. Let Christ crucified be enough for you, and with him suffer and
take your rest, and hence annihilate yourself in all inward and
outward things.
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