Message of 9-28-10
Published: Mon, 09/27/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- - -
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
We are very shy nowadays of even mentioning Heaven. We are afraid
of the jeer about "pie in the sky," and of being told that we are
trying to "escape" from the duty of making a happy world here and
now, into dreams of a happy world elsewhere. But either there is
"pie in the sky" or there is not. If there is not, then
Christianity is false, for this doctrine is woven into its whole
fabric. If there is, then this truth, like any other, must be
faced, whether it is useful at political meetings or no.
... C. S. Lewis (1898-1963), "The Problem of Pain"
(How do you cultivate hope for heaven?)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Jb 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23; Ps 88:2-3, 4-5, 6, 7-8; Lk 9:51-56
R. (3) Let my prayer come before you, Lord.
O LORD, my God, by day I cry out;
at night I clamor in your presence.
Let my prayer come before you;
incline your ear to my call for help.
For my soul is surfeited with troubles
and my life draws near to the nether world.
I am numbered with those who go down into the pit;
I am a man without strength.
My couch is among the dead,
like the slain who lie in the grave,
Whom you remember no longer
and who are cut off from your care.
.
You have plunged me into the bottom of the pit,
into the dark abyss.
Upon me your wrath lies heavy,
and with all your billows you overwhelm me.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
REFLECTION ON THE GOSPEL
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
Tolerance is a much needed virtue today. But aren't we often
tolerant for the wrong thing or for the wrong motive? Christian
love seeks the highest good of both one's neighbor and one's enemy.
When Abraham Lincoln was criticized for his courtesy and tolerance
towards his enemies during the American Civil War, he responded:
"Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?" How do
you treat those who cross you and cause you trouble? Do you seek
their good rather than their harm?
"Lord Jesus, you are gracious, merciful, and kind. Set me free from
my prejudice and intolerance towards those I find disagreeable, and
widen my heart to love and to do good even to those who wish me
harm or evil."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SPIRITUAL READING
- Notes on Christian Prayer
2709. What is contemplative prayer? St. Teresa answers:
"Contemplative prayer in my opinion is nothing else than a close
sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be
alone with him who we know loves us.
Contemplative prayer seeks him "whom my soul loves." It is Jesus,
and in him, the Father. We seek him, because to desire him is
always the beginning of love, and we seek him in that pure faith
which causes us to be bom of him and to live in him. In inner
prayer we can still meditate, but our attention is fixed on the
Lord himself.
("The Catechism of the Catholic Church," IV, 3, 1)
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Amazon.com gift cards - good for any occasion
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu
- - - -
Please help support Heartland Center's Internet ministries:
- For more info on tax-deductible donations, see
http://shalomplace.com/seed/donations.html.
Thanks for your consideration!
_________________________________________
* Web Archive: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?dailyseed
* RSS: http://www.aweber.com/z/rss/?dailyseed