Message of 9-20-10
Published: Fri, 09/17/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
A basic trouble is that most Churches limit themselves
unnecessarily by addressing their message almost exclusively to
those who are open to religious impression through the intellect,
whereas ... there are at least four other gateways--the emotions,
the imagination, the aesthetic feeling, and the will, through which
they can be reached.
- A. J. Gossip (1873-1954), "From the Edge of the Crowd"
(Through which of these "gateways" does the message of the Gospel
speak to you?)
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LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Prv 3:27-34; Ps 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5; Lk 8:16-18
R. (1) The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
He who walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
By whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
shall never be disturbed.
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REFLECTION ON THE GOSPEL
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it
under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who
enter may see the light."
We are to be a light to the world, a world still often in darkness.
What can we do each day so that others will see the face of Jesus?
One thing might be to erase hypocrisy in our attitudes toward
others. Or we could serve others more patiently and without
judgment. Finally, we could treat all people as brothers and
sisters, with equal respect and dignity. This would be a good start
and surely a reflection of the Light.
"O Lord, show us new ways to be the light in our daily lives, we
pray"
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SPIRITUAL READING
The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
- Book Two
Now concerning the first point. Christ says: Behold. Whosoever
wishes to see in a supernatural way in his inward exercises must
have three things. The first is the light of Divine grace, and this
in a more lofty degree than that which we can experience in the
outward and active life without earnest inward diligence. The
second thing is the casting out of all distracting images and
attachments from the heart; so that the man may be free and
imageless, released from all attachments, and empty of all
creatures. The third thing is a free turning of the will, with a
gathering together of all our powers, both bodily and ghostly,
cleansed from every inordinate love. Thereby the will flows forth
into the unity of God and into the unity of the mind; and thus the
rational creature may obtain and possess the most high unity of God
in a supernatural manner. For this God has created heaven and earth
and everything; and for this reason He became man, and taught us,
and lived for our sake, and has Himself become the Way to the
unity. And He died in the bonds of love, and has ascended and has
opened to us that very unity, in which we may possess eternal bliss.
- Chapter 1: How we achieve supernatural sight in our inward
workings.
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