Message of 1-8-09
Published: Sat, 01/03/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
If you want to do something good, do it; and if you cannot do it,
then resolve to do it, and you will have achieved the resolution
even if you do not fulfill the action itself. Thus a habit, whether
good or bad, can gradually and spontaneously be overcome. If this
were not the case, no criminals would ever be saved, whereas in
fact not only have they been saved, but many have become
conspicuous for their excellence. Think what a great gulf separates
the criminal from the saint; yet resolution finally overcame habit.
- Peter of Damascus
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
1 Jn 4:19-5:4; Ps 72:1-2, 14 and 15bc, 17; Lk 4:14-22
R.(see 11) Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king's son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
From fraud and violence he shall redeem them,
and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
May they be prayed for continually;
day by day shall they bless him.
May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
What did Jesus come to do for us? He came to set us free from the
worst tyranny possible - slavery to sin and the fear of death, and
the eternal destruction of both body and soul. God's power alone
can save us from emptiness and poverty of spirit, from confusion
and error, and from hopelessness and the fear of annihilation. The
gospel of salvation is "good news" for us today. Do you know the
joy and freedom of the gospel?
"Lord Jesus, you are the fulfillment of all our hopes and dreams.
Through the gift of your Holy Spirit you bring us grace, life,
truth, and freedom. Fill me with the joy of the gospel and inflame
my heart with love and zeal for your kingdom and your will for my
life."
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Carmelite Method)
A. Introduction: settling in, relaxing in awareness of God's
presence.
B. Reading the text slowly, prayerfully.
C. Meditation: imaginative representation of the material; reflection
on the meaning of the material and its application to one's life.
D. Affective prayer: conversation with God, attentive to sharing
feelings awakened in meditation. Prayer of petition, thanksgiving,
remorse.
E. Resting in God in silent loving awareness, if moved to do so.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
The Voice of Christ
Though you shall have read and learned many things, it will
always be
necessary for you to return to this one principle: I am He who
teaches
man knowledge, and to the little ones I give a clearer
understanding
than can be taught by man. He to whom I speak will soon be wise
and
his soul will profit. But woe to those who inquire of men about
many
curious things, and care very little about the way they serve Me.
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 43
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