Message of 1-13-09
Published: Thu, 01/08/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
One mustn't make the Christian life into a punctilious system of
law, like the Jewish, for two reasons. (1) It raises scruples when
we don't keep the routine. (2) It raises presumption when we do.
Nothing gives one a more spuriously good conscience than keeping
rules, even if there has been a total absence of all real charity
and faith.
... C. S. Lewis, "Letters to an American Lady"
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Heb 2:5-12; Ps 8:2ab and 5, 6-7, 8-9; Mk 1:21-28
R. (see 7) You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
O LORD, our Lord,
how glorious is your name over all the earth!
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should care for him?
You have made him little less than the angels,
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet.
All sheep and oxen,
yes, and the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,
and whatever swims the paths of the seas.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from "Daily Reflections"
http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
In today's reading from Mark, Jesus' power and authority is
recognized by the unclean spirit who has possessed a man:
"I know who you are: the Holy One of God".
Jesus' response: "Be quiet. Come out of him", is a good retort for
us to remember in the days and months ahead.
The U.S. and World economies are a mess. More unemployment looms
ahead as well as sad news in stock exchanges, housing, retail,
cars, etc. You name it and doomsdayers are predicting it!
God, creating us, gave us power and authority, "a little less than
the angels (Ps 8)". Some of us will have the authority and
ingenuity to recreate a positive economy as well as peace where
there is hatred and violence. All of us have the power to look for
goodness and positive happenings instead of dwelling with naysayers.
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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)
95. Bear fortitude in your heart against all things that move you
to that which is not God, and be a friend of the Passion of Christ.
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