Message of 12-2-10
Published: Mon, 11/29/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Compassion means to suffer with, to live with those who suffer.
When Jesus saw the woman of Nain he realized, This is a widow who
has lost her only son, and he was moved by compassion. He felt the
pain of that woman in his guts. He felt her pain so deeply in his
spirit that out of compassion he called the son to life so he could
give that son back to his mother.
- Henri J. M. Nouwen
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LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27
R. (26a) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This gate is the LORD's;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
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MEDITATION ON THE GOSPEL
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Is. 26: 1 - 6
"Thou shalt keep in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on
Thee."
This passage from today's reading was given to my wife and I in a
nicely framed poster when we got married 23 years ago. We liked it
so much that we hung it in our living room next to the front door
so that whenever we'd leave the house, we'd have a chance to be
reminded of its message.
Down through the years, I've been impressed again and again with
this truth: God's peace surpasses all understanding, but worldly
peace is always tinged with anxiety.
* How can you keep your mind fixed on God this day?
* "Let us trust in you for ever, for you, Our God, are an
everlasting Rock."
In what part of your life do you need to trust more in God this
day? Pray for the grace to do so.
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SPIRITUAL READING
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
- The Voice of Christ
COME to Me, all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh
you. The bread which I will give is My Flesh, for the life of the
world. Take you and eat: this is My Body, which shall be delivered
for you. Do this for the commemoration of Me. He that eateth My
flesh, and drinketh My blood, abideth in Me, and I in him. The words
that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."
- The Disciple
These are all Your words, O Christ, eternal Truth, though they were
not all spoken at one time nor written together in one place. And
because they are Yours and true, I must accept them all with faith
and gratitude. They are Yours and You have spoken them; they are
mine also because You have spoken them for my salvation. Gladly I
accept them from Your lips that they may be the more deeply
impressed in my heart.
Words of such tenderness, so full of sweetness and love, encourage
me; but my sins frighten me and an unclean conscience thunders at
me when approaching such great mysteries as these. The sweetness of
Your words invites me, but the multitude of my vices oppresses me.
You command me to approach You confidently if I wish to have part
with You, and to receive the food of immortality if I desire to
obtain life and glory everlasting.
- Book 4, Chapter 1
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