Message of 1-28-09
Published: Fri, 01/23/09
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
No indulgence of passion destroys the spiritual nature so much as
respectable selfishness.
... George Macdonald
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Heb 10:11-18; Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4; Mk 4:1-20
R. (4b) You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.
The LORD said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand
till I make your enemies your footstool."
The scepter of your power the LORD will stretch forth from Zion:
"Rule in the midst of your enemies."
"Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;
before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you."
The LORD has sworn, and he will not repent:
"You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek."
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SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
From "Daily Bread"
- http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"He added, 'Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.'"
All in Jesus' parable hear the word, yet some fail to retain,
process, and respond to it. The parable points to the ways we limit
the efficacy of God's word in our lives. When our hearts are
hardened by sin -- perhaps by habits that have led to addictions,
resentment, bitterness or hatred -- God's word cannot even penetrate
them. When our faith is superficial, mostly for show, it is a
shallow thing that cannot bring the word to fruition. Worries and
fears that grow in our minds and hearts also crowd out the word.
Let us follow the example of St. Thomas Aquinas, who cherished and
used fully his ability to study, contemplate, articulate and live
God's word.
"For fullness of life in Christ, we pray."
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Meister Eckhart's Sermons"
Now, all thoughtful folk, mark me! no one can be truly happy,
except he who abides in the strictest sanctification. No bodily and
fleshly delight can ever take place with out spiritual loss, for
the flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the
flesh. Therefore, the more a man fleeth from the created, the more
the Creator hastens to him. And consider this: if the pleasure we
take in the outward image of our Lord Jesus Christ diminishes our
capacity for receiving the Holy Spirit, how much more must our
unbridled desire for earthly comforts diminish it!
- #6, Sancitification.
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REVIEW OF DAY
- from, "Handbook for Spiritual Directees"
http://shalomplace.com/view/hndbk-lite.pdf
Here is a practice used by many at the end of the day to see what
lessons can be learned and how God was present and active through
the day. Set aside fifteen to twenty minutes at the end of the
day for prayer and review of your day. A suggested format is
described below:.
1. Take a few moments of quiet. Breathe deeply. Ask God to help you
see yourself as you truly were during the day.
2. Look back over your day - not to see what you did wrong but to
honestly acknowledge what was going on with you and others.
* What happened? What did I do today?
* How did I feel? Why did I feel that way?
* Were my expectations and beliefs reasonable?
3. Affirm the healthy things you recognize.
4. Admit to yourself and God the unhealthy things. Ask God's
forgiveness, believe it is yours, then decide if you need to
apologize or make amends.
5. Use creative visualization to grow stronger. Honestly
acknowledge the troubling situations of the day. See and feel
yourself acting honestly and lovingly in these situations. Ask God
for the grace to help you act in this new way.
6. Close with simple awareness of the sights and sounds around you,
grateful for the good things in your life.
This process can be undertaken as a daily journal exercise or by
prayerfully reviewing your day in your own mind. I like to take a
walk before bedtime for examen. The important thing is to do it. It
is a discipline, to be sure, but a very important one.
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SHALOM PLACE PREMIUM GROUPS
- Life-long learning and formation in Christian spirituality.
Groups now open include the following:
A. Psychological Types and Spirituality
B. The Way of Christian Spirituality
C. Freedom from Codependency
D. Christian Spirituality Resources
E. Wonderfully Made (Christian Metaphysics)
F. Growing in Christ
G. Spiral Dynamics®
H. Discerning God's Will
I. Dark Night of the Soul
J. Silence, Solitude and Sabbath
K. Alpha Group -- includes all the above and all to come.
- see http://shalomplace.org/groups.html
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