Message of 1-2-09
Published: Sat, 12/27/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"Every state hath its beginning, its progress and its end. He
would be very wrong who should resolve not to go further than the
beginning. there is no art which hath not its progress. At the
beginning there must be labouring with toil, but then there follows
an enjoyment of the fruit of one's labour."
- Madame Guyon [17th-18th C.], "A Method of Prayer"
(Perseverance pays off. Like the jogger who runs daily, the
spiritual life becomes easier for those who live it faithfully.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4; Jn 1:19-28
R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of
God.
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.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- John 1: 19-28: (Jesus and John)
We now return to a familiar theme: John the Baptist is precursor to
the Messiah. Like John, it is important that we, too, recognize our
limitations.
* How does selfishness limit your experiences of creation, work,
and relationships with other people?
* How do you usually respond to selfishness? Think about the next
twenty-four hours and anticipate a time when selfishness will
probably tempt you. Pray for the grace to respond in love.
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Benedictine Approach)
1. Relax. Settle in. Be aware that God is here, now, loving you.
2. Read a short passage of Scripture as though God were speaking
directly to you in it.
3. Choose a phrase from the passage that strikes you and repeat it
slowly, prayerfully, non-analytically.
4. When your heart is full, express to God the needs and sentiments
awakened by your meditation. When you're done, read another passage
and repeat steps 3 and 4.
5. If, at any time, you feel moved to simply be present to God in
loving silence, put the Scripture aside and rest in God.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "The Practice of the Presence of God," by Brother Lawrence
I desire your reverence to reflect rather upon my great
wretchedness, of which you are fully informed, than upon the great
favours which GOD does me, all unworthy and ungrateful as I am.
As for my set hours of prayer, they arc only a continuation of the
same exercise. Sometimes I consider myself there, as a stone before
a carver, whereof he is to make a statue: presenting myself thus
before GOD, I desire Him to make His perfect image in my soul, and
render me entirely like Himself.
- Second letter
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