Message of 12-6-10
Published: Sun, 12/05/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
In the same manner in which we clean and prepare our homes in the
anticipation of welcomed guests and family members this Christmas
season, let us also prepare our hearts in anticipation of the
Lord's coming. Christ, our most honoured and eagerly anticipated
guest, desires to meet with us in a heart prepared for his arrival.
So eager is he to meet with us that he offers to help us with our
spiritual housecleaning, working with us; creating a resting place
for Himself within our hearts.
- Katherine Walden
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LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14; Lk 5:17-26
R. (Isaiah 35:4f) Our God will come to save us!
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD -for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
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REFLECTION ON THE GOSPEL
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will
rejoice and bloom."
It's easy to wish time would go by more quickly. We wait in store
lines. We put calls on hold. We sit in traffic. We make travel
plans months or years in advance and look ahead to our vacation
days. Isaiah's hopeful image (which is similar to the subsequent
description of the people's return from exile) offers a tantalizing
promise that would make anyone anxious, but his examination of
natural change also reminds us that things happen in an innate
timeframe. There's purpose and even beauty in the process and in
the waiting. It's necessary to allow it due time and to enjoy each
little glimpse of what is yet to come. The feast of St. Nicholas
offers a quick look, a day of merriment that hints at the promise
of the Christ Child and the glory of Christmas yet to come.
"Lord, refresh our spirits, we pray."
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SPIRITUAL READING
The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
The first coming of Christ in the exercise of desire is, as we have
said, an inward and sensible thrust of the Holy Ghost, urging and
driving us towards all virtues. This coming may be likened to the
splendor and the power of the sun, which, from the moment when it
rises, enlightens and brightens and warms the whole world. [43] So
likewise Christ, the eternal Sun, beams and shines, dwelling above
the summit of the spirit; and enlightens and enkindles the lowest
part of man, namely, the fleshly heart and the sensible powers. And
this happens in a moment of time, shorter than the twinkling of an
eye; for God's work is swift. But that man in whom this should take
place must be inwardly seeing, with the eyes of the understanding.
- Book 2, Chapter 8: How the first inward coming of Christ has four
degrees.
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