Weekend Edition - A Daily Spiritual Seed
Published: Fri, 12/17/10
- readings, teachings, references and reviews -
Contents:
- Ad - Amazon.com gift cards
- Spiritual Growth Resource of the Month
- Weekend Readings
- Theology Note of the Week
- Saint of the Week
- Book of the Week
- Shalom Place Discussion Board
- Personal Spiritual Guidance
- Affiliate Web Sites
- Website of the Week
- Joke of the Week
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Amazon.com gift cards
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu
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SPIRITUAL GROWTH RESOURCE OF THE MONTH
"Handbook for Spiritual Directees"
- see http://shalomplace.com/view/handbook.html
"Handbook for Spiritual Directees" is a collection of spiritual
exercises that can be used by directees to stimulate reflection and
discussion in spiritual direction. Spiritual directors will also
find it a helpful resource in their ministry of supporting and
guiding directees. Of course, anyone interested in spiritual growth
can also make good use of this material, even if they are not in a
formal, spiritual direction relationship.
Some of the exercises included in this work include:
* Preparing for Spiritual Direction
* Methods of Prayer
* Faith History
* Guidelines for Discernment
* How to Drop an Attachment or Addiction
* Knowing Your Spiritual Pathways
* Writing Your Mission Statement
* Rule or Way of Life
And many more . . .
Free sample preview of the first 17 pages. Available as a
paperback book, pdf download, or for Amazon Kindle and Apple
iBookstore.
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WEEKEND READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Saturday: Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mt 1:18-25
Sunday: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Rom 1:1-7; Mt
1:18-24
R. (7c and 10b) Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.
The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
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THEOLOGY NOTE OF THE WEEK
- Idol
An idol is a representation of something in the heavens or on the
earth. It is used in worship and is often worshiped. It is an
abomination to God (Exodus 20:4). Idolatry is bowing down before
such an idol in adoration, prayer, or worship. In a loose sense,
idolatry does not necessitate a material image or a religious
system. It can be anything that takes the place of God: a car, a
job, money, a person, a desire, etc. Idolatry is denounced by God
at the beginning of the Ten Commandments and is considered a form
of spiritual fornication.
- http://www.carm.org/i
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SAINT OF THE WEEK
- St. Peter Canisius (1521-97): December 21
The energetic life of Peter Canisius should demolish any
stereotypes we may have of the life of a saint as dull or routine.
Peter lived his 76 years at a pace which must be considered heroic,
even in our time of rapid change. A man blessed with many talents,
Peter is an excellent example of the scriptural man who develops
his talents for the sake of the Lord's work.
He was one of the most important figures in the Catholic
Reformation in Germany. His was such a key role that he has often
been called the "second apostle of Germany" in that his life
parallels the earlier work of Boniface (June 5).
Although Peter once accused himself of idleness in his youth, he
could not have been idle too long, for at the age of 19 he received
a master's degree from the university at Cologne. Soon afterwards
he met Peter Faber, the first disciple of Ignatius Loyola, who
influenced Peter so much that he joined the recently formed Society
of Jesus.
At this early age Peter had already taken up a practice he
continued throughout his life--a process of study, reflection,
prayer and writing. After his ordination in 1546, he became widely
known for his editions of the writings of St. Cyril of Alexandria
and St. Leo the Great. Besides this reflective literary bent, Peter
had a zeal for the apostolate. He could often be found visiting the
sick or prisoners, even when his assigned duties in other areas
were more than enough to keep most people fully occupied.
In 1547 Peter attended several sessions of the Council of Trent,
whose decrees he was later assigned to implement. After a brief
teaching assignment at the Jesuit college at Messina, Peter was
entrusted with the mission to Germany--from that point on his life's
work. He taught in several universities and was instrumental in
establishing many colleges and seminaries. He wrote a catechism
that explained the Catholic faith in a way which common people
could understand--a great need of that age.
Renowned as a popular preacher, Peter packed churches with those
eager to hear his eloquent proclamation of the gospel. He had great
diplomatic ability, often serving as a reconciler between disputing
factions. In his letters (filling eight volumes) one finds words of
wisdom and counsel to people in all walks of life. At times he
wrote unprecedented letters of criticism to leaders of the
Church--yet always in the context of a loving, sympathetic concern.
At 70 Peter suffered a paralytic seizure, but he continued to
preach and write with the aid of a secretary until his death in his
hometown (Nijmegen, Netherlands) on December 21, 1597.
- http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1236
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BOOK OF THE WEEK
"Left to Tell: Discovering God amidst the Rwandan Holocaust," by
Immaculee Ilibagiza with Steve Erwin. Hay House, 2006.
-
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1401908977/ref=noism/christianspiritu/
When Immaculee came home from college to spend Easter with her
family in Rwanda, which had been terrorized by the Hutus in 1994, a
three month long slaughter of Tutsis had begun. This is her story
as she was growing up, not even knowing that she should have
answered Tutsis when her teacher asked what tribe she belonged to.
She only knew she was one of God's children and belonged to a
family with devoted parents and three brothers all of whom were
very loving. She struggled to get into a school of higher learning
and was rejected again and again, not because her grades were
inferior, but only because as a Tutsis she was considered a
cockroach and unworthy of being educated.
But nothing could deter this brave young woman and she did enter a
good school which was a great distance from her home in Mataba,
Rowanda, where she made excellent grades. But her life took a
dramatic turn when she had to flee for her life to a neighboring
Hutu pastor who hid her and seven women in a crowded bathroom for
91 cramped days. In hiding, the women had to keep very quiet lest
the enemy detect that they were hiding behind a cupboard covering a
bathroom door. Food and drink were at a minimum but that did not
prevent Immaculee from using her time to good advantage. She prayed
the rosary constantly and spoke intimately to her God. She even
taught herself the English language, hoping someday she would be
released and secure a job with the United Nations.
Her journey took her through many harrowing experiences when she
was at last able to seek freedom outside the bathroom. She was soon
to learn that her parents and two brothers were brutally murdered
and it was her sad job to give mother and a brother a proper
burial. Struggling to forgive the murderers, she at last came to
peace when she was able to speak forgiveness to a murderer.
"Forgiveness is all I have to give him".
Presently Immaculee lives and works for her people through her
position in the United Nations in New York City. She is blessed
with a loving husband and two wonderful children. She continues to
help the Rwandans heal from the long-term effects of genocide.
Besides writing her story, Immaculee also engages in talks about
the genocide which left her and so many families sorrowing over the
loses they suffered. This is indeed a story of faith and courage
not easily matched.
(Thanks to Sr. Irene Hartman OP for this reivew)
Make the Christian Spirituality Bookstore your starting point for
online shopping at Amazon.com. You can buy books, cds, videotapes,
software, appliances and many other products at discount prices.
As Amazon.com affiliate, we are paid a small fee for purchases
originating from our web site. Every little bit helps!
http://shalomplace.com/books/index.html
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- PERSONAL SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE -
Need a companion for the spiritual journey? We have several
wonderful people ready to help, using email and telephone
conferences to bridge the miles.
- Now providing -
Consultations: this option is best for short-term guidance
pertaining to a specific issue.
Spiritual Direction: ongoing relationship with a spiritual director
to become more attuned to God's presence in all of life.
See http://shalomplace.com/direction/
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SHALOM PLACE DISCUSSION BOARDS
A variety of topics are under discussion.
Christophany by Raimon Pannikar - Book and Movie Reviews forum.
Kundalini, reiki and other things - Kundalini Issues and Spiritual
Emergencies forum.
From seeker to saved - Transformative Experiences forum.
- see http://shalomplace.org/eve/forums for this and hundreds of
other discussions.
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AFFILIATE WEB SITES (please give them a visit)
SeeScapes. Picturing the deeper dimensions of our spirituality.
http://www.seescapes.com
Temenos Catholic Worker: support for homeless youth in Polk Street
neighborhood, San Francisco
http://www.temenos.org/
Contemplative Ministries of the Pacific Northwest: teaching and
support on contemplative practice
http://www.prayeroftheheart.com
Heartland Center for Spirituality: retreat center in central
Kansas..
http://heartlandspirituality.org/index.html
Emanuella House of Prayer: a place for prayer and silence in
British Columbia
http://emmanuellahouse.shawwebspace.ca/
Serenity of the Mind: supporting those who served and who suffer
from PTSD.
http://serenityofthemind.com/default.html
The Ark: Providing a variety of scripture and lectionary study
resources.
http://www.theark1.com
Kyrie Places of Pilgrimmage and Renewal.
http://www.kyrie.com/places/index.htm
Contemplative Rudder: "In the midst of Consecrated Silence
atmospherics ... a Rudder!
http://www.contemplativerudder.com/
Inner Explorations: a vast array of spirituality resources for the
mature Christian.
http://innerexplorations.com
The Sanctuary Foundation for Prayer: resources for spiritual growth.
http://fromholyground.org/index.htm
Institute for Women's Spiritual Dynamics: holistic, flexible,
sensible Christian spirituality for women.
http://www.womensspiritualdynamics.com/
(Reach other people who have a similar interest in Christian
spirituality. Simply publish a link to Daily Spiritual Seed--
http://shalomplace.com/seed --on a prominent place on your web site
and we will reciprocate with a weekly link to your site in the
newsletter. Contact the Editor when you're ready to begin.)
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WEB SITE OF THE WEEK
The Caroling Corner
- http://www.carolingcorner.com/
I'm sure you've been to a party where people started singing
Christmas carols but used the wrong wording, or made it up as they
went (guilty as charged). Well, now, if someone has a computer,
this site will provide the lyrics for all the common carols and
many I'd never heard of before.
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Christmas Customs from Around the World
- http://www.whychristmas.com/
We don't all celebrate the feast of Christ's birth the same way.
Check out this site to learn more about how cultures around the
world celebrate Christmas.
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JOKE OF THE WEEK
- A few Christmas puns (betcha can't stop reading them)
What do monkeys sing at Christmas ?
Jungle Bells, Jungle bells.. !
Why are Christmas trees like bad knitters ?
They both drop their needles!
What's Christmas called in England ?
Yule Britannia!
What did the bald man say when he got a comb for Christmas ?
Thanks, I'll never part with it!
Why is a burning candle like being thirsty ?
Beacause a little water ends both of them!
What do you get if you cross an apple with a Christmas tree ?
A pineapple!
What did the big candle say to the little candle ?
I'm going out tonight!
Whats happens to you at Christmas ?
Yule be happy!
How long does it take to burn a candle down ?
About a wick!
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