Message of 8-2-2010
Published: Fri, 07/30/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Pain is a kindly, hopeful thing, a certain proof of life, a clear
assurance that all is not yet over, that there is still a chance.
But if your heart has no pain -- well, that may betoken health, as
you suppose: but are you certain that it does not mean that your
soul is dead?
- Arthur John (A. J.) Gossip
(Remember: pain and the peace of Christ can co-abide.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Jer 28:1-17; Ps 119:29, 43, 79, 80, 95, 102; Mt 14:13-21
R. (68b) Lord, teach me your statutes.
Remove from me the way of falsehood,
and favor me with your law.
Take not the word of truth from my mouth,
for in your ordinances is my hope.
Let those turn to me who fear you
and acknowledge your decrees.
Let my heart be perfect in your statutes,
that I be not put to shame.
Sinners wait to destroy me,
but I pay heed to your decrees.
From your ordinances I turn not away,
for you have instructed me.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.dailyscripture.net
Jesus makes a claim only God can make: He is the true bread of
heaven that can satisfy the deepest hunger we experience. The
feeding of the five thousand shows the remarkable generosity of God
and his great kindness towards us. When God gives, he gives
abundantly. He gives more than we need for ourselves that we may
have something to share with others, especially those who lack what
they need. God takes the little we have and multiplies it for the
good of others. Do you trust in God's provision for you and do you
share freely with others, especially those who lack?
"Lord Jesus Christ, you satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts
and you feed us with the finest of wheat (Psalm 81:16). Fill me
with gratitude for your blessings and give me a generous heart that
I may freely share with others what you have given to me."
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THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
Whosoever wishes to obtain and to keep these virtues should adorn
and possess and rule his soul like a kingdom. Free-will is the king
of the soul. It is free by nature and still more free by grace. It
shall be crowned with a crown that is called charity. The crown and
the kingdom shall be received from the Emperor, Who is Lord and
Master and King of kings; and the kingdom should be possessed,
ruled, and maintained in His name. This king, free-will, should
dwell in the chief city of the kingdom; namely, in the desirous
power of the soul. And he should be clad and adorned with a garment
of two parts. The right side of his garment should be a virtue
called strength, that therewith he may be strong and mighty to
overcome all hindrances, and to ascend up to heaven, into the
palace of the most high Emperor, and to bow down his crowned head
before the most high King, with love, and with self-surrendered
desire. This is the proper work of charity: through it the crown is
received, through it the crown is adorned, through it the kingdom
is maintained and possessed in eternity. The left side of the
garment should be a cardinal virtue called moral force. Through it,
free-will, the king, shall quell all immorality, and fulfill all
virtues, and shall possess his kingdom in power, even unto death.
- Chapter 24: Of the Kingdom of the Soul
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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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