Message of 6-21-10
Published: Sat, 06/19/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
How easy it is to blame others for our unhappiness, but we are only
unhappy when something other than Christ has become our life. (For
example) The husband or wife who has Christ as their life, comes to
their spousal relationship already satisfied. They do not come
continually looking to made happy by another person's attention;
they bring Christ's life to their spouse.
- Francis Frangipane
(Is Christ your happiness? If not, then who/what?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
2 Kgs 17:5-8, 13-15a, 18; Ps 60:3, 4-5, 12-13; Mt 7:1-5
R. (7b) Help us with your right hand, O Lord, and answer us.
O God, you have rejected us and broken our defenses;
you have been angry; rally us!
You have rocked the country and split it open;
repair the cracks in it, for it is tottering.
You have made your people feel hardships;
you have given us stupefying wine.
Have not you, O God, rejected us,
so that you go not forth, O God, with our armies?
Give us aid against the foe,
for worthless is the help of men.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"The measure with which you measure ... "
Today, we remember Aloysius Gonzaga, a 16th-century Jesuit who died
at age 23 and whom we call upon as the patron of youth. One cold
day last winter I heard music coming from our grandchildren's room.
My granddaughter, age 7, was playing a recording of the most solemn
music for her little brothers, and when I peeked in, they all three
appeared to be in deep meditation. The religious sensibilities of
children and youth are apparent. Our work is to channel those
sensibilities toward what is right and good. This is work that will
reward us, measure for measure.
"For all young people and for those who are charged with their care
and formation."
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THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
From this temperance there springs purity both of soul and of body,
for none can be perfectly pure in body and in soul save him who is
temperate in body and in soul.
Purity of spirit is this: that a man should not cleave to any
creature with desirous affection, but to God alone; for we should
use all creatures, but enjoy only God. Purity of spirit makes a man
cleave to God, above all understanding, and above all feelings, and
above all the gifts which God may pour into his soul: for all that
a creature receives in his understanding and in his feeling, purity
will pass by, to rest in God. Go therefore to the Sacrament of the
Altar, not for the sake of refreshment, nor because of desire, nor
for pleasure, nor for peace, nor for satisfaction, nor for
sweetness, nor for anything else than the glory of God and your own
growth in all virtues. This is purity of spirit.
- Chapter 22: Of Purity
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LECTIO DIVINA PROCESS
- http://heartlandspirituality.org/vocations/prayer.html
First, you choose a passage of Scripture that you will pray with.
It might be the Gospel reading used in the liturgy of the day, or
anything else you want. The process then follows these steps:
* Reading (lectio) After settling in and quieting yourself,
read the passage slowly, prayerfully. Just let it sink in for a
minute or two, then read it a second time, paying closer attention
to the words or phrases that speak to you.
* Reflecting (meditatio) What do you hear God saying to you in
this passage? What words or phrases caught your attention?
* Responding (oratio) What do you want to say to God in
response to what you've heard? Here you can also voice your prayers
of petition, remorse, thanksgiving, praise, and so forth. If you
sense God speaking to you in your thoughts, feelings or
imagination, you respond as you would in any conversation.
* Resting (contemplatio) If, at any time, you feel drawn to
simply rest in the awareness of God's loving presence, you let
yourself do so. Remain in loving silence as long as you feel
comfortable, perhaps using a simple word or phrase from the
Scripture passage to help deepen your openness to rest in God.
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