Message of 8-12-10
Published: Sun, 08/08/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
There is absolutely no substitute for this secret communion with
God. The public Church services, or even the family altar, cannot
take the place of the 'closet' prayer. We must deliberately seek to
meet with God absolutely alone, and to secure such aloneness with
God we are bidden to enter into thy closet.' God absolutely insists
on this 'closet'-communion with Himself. One reason, no doubt, that
He demands it, is to test our sincerity. There is no test for the
soul like solitude. Do you shrink from solitude? Perhaps the cause
for your neglect of the 'closet' is a guilty conscience? You are
afraid to enter into the solitude. You know that however cheerful
you appear to be you are not really happy. You surround yourself
with company lest, being alone, truth should invade your delusion.
- Gordon Cove
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Ez 12:1-12; Ps 78:56-57, 58-59, 61-62; Mt 18:21-19:1
R. (see 7b) Do not forget the works of the Lord!
They tempted and rebelled against God the Most High,
and kept not his decrees.
They turned back and were faithless like their fathers;
they recoiled like a treacherous bow.
They angered him with their high places
and with their idols roused his jealousy.
God heard and was enraged
and utterly rejected Israel.
And he surrendered his strength into captivity,
his glory in the hands of the foe.
He abandoned his people to the sword
and was enraged against his inheritance.
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SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
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- Matthew 18:21-19:1 (The mercy of God)
Forgiveness is one of the most humbling of all practices and one of
the most difficult. That is why Peter asks Jesus if there is a
limit to the number of times that God--and we--can forgive others.
Jesus reply reveals the incomprehensible depths d)f God's
forgiveness and our awesome responsibility to extend this grace to
others.
- Suppose God were to treat you as you have treated other people.
How well would you fare? Which would you prefer to have God extend
to you, justice or mercy?
- Is it difficult for you to forgive those who have wronged you? Is
it difficult to ask for forgiveness when you've done wrong to
another?
- Pray for the grace to know that you are a forgiven sinner.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
The Voice of Christ
Put it out of your heart as best you know how, and if it has
touched
you, still do not let it cast you down or confuse you for long.
Bear
it patiently at least, if you cannot bear it cheerfully. Even
though
you bear it unwillingly, and are indignant at it, restrain
yourself
and let no ill-ordered words pass your lips at which the weak
might be
scandalized. The storm that is now aroused will soon be quieted
and
your inward grief will be sweetened by returning grace. "I yet
live,"
says the Lord, "ready to help you and to console you more and
more, if
you trust in Me and call devoutly upon Me."
- chapter 57
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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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