Message of 7-5-10
Published: Sat, 07/03/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
When religion is in the hands of the mere natural man, he is always
the worse for it; it adds a bad heat to his own dark fire, and
helps to inflame his four elements of selfishness, envy, pride, and
wrath. And hence it is that worse passions, or a worse degree of
them, are to be found in persons of great religious zeal, than in
others that made no pretences to it.
... William Law (1686-1761), "Christian Regeneration"
(E.g., the Pharisees in the Gospels. Religious practices can
indeed be co-opted by the false self. Beware!)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Hos 2:16, 17c-18, 21-22; Ps 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Mt 9:18-26
R. (8a) The Lord is gracious and merciful.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
Generation after generation praises your works
and proclaims your might.
They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty
and tell of your wondrous works.
They discourse of the power of your terrible deeds
and declare your greatness.
They publish the fame of your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your justice.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"A woman suffering hemorrhages for 12 years came up behind him and
touched the tassel on his cloak."
We learn from Mosaic Law that tassels on garments reminded the
faithful to keep the commandments. Jesus not only cures the woman
who touches the tassels on his cloak but also comments on how her
faith has saved her. From Jesus' words, and from her gesture of
touching the tassels, we can infer that both belief and observance
of the commandments play key roles in this miracle. We can also
dismiss the idea that the woman's affliction lies in sinfulness, a
theme in some other healing stories. This story shows the power of
God and honorable living. Her example shows us to accept the
crosses of our daily lives, faithfully and humbly, and to hold
steady. The woman suffers a persistent ailment, yet she retains her
faith and keeps the commandments. In our own times of suffering and
pain, may we continue to trust in the Lord and reach out to meet
his healing touch.
"Lord, give us the grace to know which infirmities only you can
heal, we pray."
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THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
Now you should know that purity of spirit keeps a man in the
likeness of God, untroubled by any creature and inclined towards
God, and united with Him.
Purity of body is likened to the whiteness of lilies and to the
cleanness of the angels. In withstanding, it is likened to the
redness of roses and to the nobleness of martyrs. If it is kept for
the love and the glory of God, it is perfect. And so it is likened
to the sunflower, for it is one of the highest ornaments of nature.
- 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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