Message of 7-19-10
Published: Sat, 07/17/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
It was an unhappy division that has been made between faith and
works; though in my intellect I may divide them; just as in the
candle I know there is both light and heat: but yet put out the
candle, and they are both gone.
- John Selden (1584-1654), "Table-Talk"
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Mi 6:1-4, 6-8; Ps 50:5-6, 8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt 12:38-42
R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"Gather my faithful ones before me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
And the heavens proclaim his justice;
for God himself is the judge.
"Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold."
"Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?"
"When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of
God."
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"We wish to see a sign."
The scribes and Pharisees seek a sign that Jesus is the One. Who
can blame them? He wasn't the only one walking around Palestine
claiming to be someone special. Maybe there's a bit of Pharisee in
all of us. We tend to complicate the simple teachings of Jesus, yet
we know what is required of us. As Micah says, we are "to do right
and to love the good and to walk humbly with our God." Doesn't get
much simpler than that.
"Lord Jesus, make us your true and willing disciples with open
hearts to your message."
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THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
Now, if we wish to possess these virtues, and to cast out their
opposites, we must possess righteousness, and we must practise and
preserve it in purity of heart unto death; for we have three
powerful adversaries, who tempt us and make war on us at all times,
in all places, and in many ways. If we make peace with one of these
three, and become subject to him, we are vanquished; for the three
of them agree together in all iniquity.
These three adversaries are the devil, the world and our own flesh;
and this last is the nearest to us and often the worst and most
harmful of all three to us; for our fleshly lusts are the weapons
with which our enemies make war on us. Idleness and indifference to
virtue and the glory of God, these are the causes and the occasions
of the struggle. But the weakness of our nature, our carelessness
and ignorance of truth, these are the swords with which our enemies
often wound, and sometimes conquer us.
- Chapter 23: Three Adversaries to be overcome by Righteousness
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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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