Message of 7-21-10
Published: Mon, 07/19/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
If you were to rise early every morning, as an instance of
self-denial, as a method of renouncing indulgence, as a means of
redeeming your time, and fitting your spirit for prayer, you would
find mighty advantages from it. This method, though it seem such a
small circumstance of life, would in all probability be a means of
great piety. It would keep it constantly in your head, that
softness and idleness were to be avoided, that self-denial was a
part of Christianity... It would teach you to exercise power over
yourself, and make you able by degrees to renounce other pleasures
and tempers that war against the soul.
- William Law (1686-1761), "A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy
Life"
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Jer 1:1, 4-10; Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15, 17; Mt 13:1-9
R. (see 15ab) I will sing of your salvation.
In you, O LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice rescue me, and deliver me;
incline your ear to me, and save me.
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.
For you are my hope, O Lord;
my trust, O God, from my youth.
On you I depend from birth;
from my mother's womb you are my strength.
My mouth shall declare your justice,
day by day your salvation.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
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SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"Anyone who has ears ought to hear. Interesting juxtaposition of
readings today."
Jeremiah protests that he is too young, too unworthy to heed the
call to speak in the name of the Lord. Jesus teaches that while
all are called to listen, too many do not allow God's word to bear
fruit. Without well-prepared soil, the seed is not able to
flourish. We need to prepare our hearts to receive God's word.
Racing into Mass at the last minute, barely attending to the word
as we make mental lists or correct our children, or, as I witnessed
just this week, on the phone texting(!) -- none of these behaviors
prepares the soil of our hearts for God's word.
"Lord Jesus, inspire prophets to teach your truth and open our
ears, our minds, our hearts to your message to us."
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AT THE MASTER'S FEET
- by Sadhu Sundar Singh
6. Do not suppose that God or His people will turn sinners out of
heaven and cast them into hell, for God who is Love, never cast
anyone into hell, nor ever will do so. It is the foul life of the
sinner that will bring him to hell. Long before the end of life
brings heaven and hell near to us, there has been set up in
everyone's heart, according to our good or evil nature, our own
heaven or hell. Therefore whosoever longs to be saved from that
eternal torment, let him truly repent of his sins and give his
heart to Me, that by My presence with him and the Holy Spirit's
influence, he may become for ever a child of the kingdom of God.
- Part 2, Section 1
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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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Amazon.com gift cards - good for any occasion
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu
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