Message of 1-29-09
Published: Fri, 01/23/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Without ordinances, men would be much more mischievous and
ungovernable than dogs and cattle. And few have come to the
knowledge of the truth, but what have begun with holy practices and
ordinances, and exercised themselves therein so long as they knew
nothing more nor better.
... Theologia Germanica
(External disciplines -- rules and practices to which we hold
ourselves accountable -- have their place in the spiritual life.
What are yours, and how do you keep them?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Heb 10:19-25; Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6; Mk 4:21-25
R. (see 6) Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Mark 4: 21-25 (Nothing is hidden from God)
Truth and love cannot be forever suppressed, Jesus tells us. Like
light shining in darkness, the works of a disciple of Jesus will
not remain hidden. It is precisely these works which will prevent
the darkness of sin from completely overtaking the world.
- Emerson wrote, "Be careful of what you want, for you will get
it." What are you really seeking in your everyday involvements? Why?
- Pray for the grace of purity of intention.
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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
I am He Who teaches man to despise earthly possessions and to
loathe
present things, to ask after the eternal, to hunger for heaven,
to fly
honors and to bear with scandals, to place all hope in Me, to
desire
nothing apart from Me, and to love Me ardently above all things.
For a
certain man by loving Me intimately learned divine truths and
spoke
wonders. He profited more by leaving all things than by studying
subtle questions.
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 43
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