Message of 12-16-10
Published: Sat, 12/11/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Divine love is perfect peace and joy, it is a freedom from all
disquiet, it is all content and happiness; and makes everything to
rejoice in itself. Love is the Christ of God; wherever it comes, it
comes as the blessing and happiness of every natural life, a
redeemer from all evil, a fulfiller of all righteousness, and a
peace of God, which passeth all understanding.
- William Law
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LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Is 54:1-10; Ps 30:2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12a and 13b; Lk 7:24-30
R. (2a) I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the nether world;
you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.
"Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper."
You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
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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
- Luke 7:24-30 (Jesus praises John)
Many people had gone out of their way to hear John the Baptist and
to be baptized by him. Jesus affirms their recognition of John's
greatness, but he
challenges them to grow to even greater heights through the Spirit.
- How do you feel challenged by Christ to grow in the Spirit?
- Pray to become aware of your own giftedness. Spend some time
thanking God for these gifts.
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SPIRITUAL READING
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
- The Disciple
Behold, Noah, a just man, worked a hundred years building the ark
that he and a few others might be saved; how, then, can I prepare
myself in one hour to receive with reverence the Maker of the world?
Moses, Your great servant and special friend, made an ark of
incorruptible wood which he covered with purest gold wherein to
place the tables of Your law; shall I, a creature of corruption,
dare so easily to receive You, the Maker of law and the Giver of
life?
Solomon, the wisest of the kings of Israel, spent seven years
building a magnificent temple in praise of Your name, and celebrated
its dedication with a feast of eight days. He offered a thousand
victims in Your honor and solemnly bore the Ark of the Covenant
with trumpeting and jubilation to the place prepared for it; and I,
unhappy and poorest of men, how shall I lead You into my house, I
who scarcely can spend a half-hour devoutly -- would that I could
spend even that as I ought!
O my God, how hard these men tried to please You! Alas, how little
is all that I do! How short the time I spend in preparing for
Communion! I am seldom wholly recollected, and very seldom, indeed,
entirely free from distraction. Yet surely in the presence of Your
life-giving Godhead no unbecoming thought should arise and no
creature possess my heart, for I am about to receive as my guest,
not an angel, but the very Lord of angels.
- Book 4, Chapter 1
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