Message of 2-3-11
Published: Mon, 01/31/11
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Those who complain that they make no progress in the life of prayer
because they "cannot meditate" should examine, not their capacity
for meditation, but their capacity for suffering and love. For
there is a hard and costly element, a deep seriousness, a crucial
choice, in all genuine religion.
- Evelyn Underhill
(The first criterion for evaluating the "success" of prayer or
meditation is that you actually did it. Beyond that, we leave the
consequences to God.)
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LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Heb 12:18-19, 21-24; Ps 48:2-3ab, 3cd-4, 9, 10-11; Mk 6:7-13
R. (see 10) O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain, fairest of heights,
is the joy of all the earth.
Mount Zion, "the recesses of the North,"
the city of the great King.
God is with her castles;
renowned is he as a stronghold.
As we had heard, so have we seen
in the city of the LORD of hosts,
In the city of our God;
God makes it firm forever.
O God, we ponder your mercy
within your temple.
As your name, O God, so also your praise
reaches to the ends of the earth.
Of justice your right hand is full.
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MEDITATION ON THE GOSPEL
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking
stick--no food, no sack, no money in their belts."
Setting off on a long journey with no provisions seems not only
impractical but foolhardy. The preparation of the Twelve for their
mission seems to lack matter-of-fact detail. And that, of course,
is the point. Jesus expected his followers to have utter dependence
on God and on the goodwill of those who experienced the full
measure of their preaching. The repentant and those who felt God's
healing power could be expected to show hospitality. We must
examine just how much we trust that God will provide, and how
grateful we are in response to our many gifts and blessings.
"Generous Lord, giver of all good things, help us to rely on you
for what we truly need, we pray."
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SPIRITUAL READING
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
- The Disciple
I confess, therefore, my unworthiness. I acknowledge Your goodness.
I praise Your mercy, and give thanks for Your immense love. For it
is because of Yourself that You do it, not for any merit of mine;
so that Your goodness may be better known to me, that greater love
may be aroused and more perfect humility born in me. Since, then,
this pleases You and You have so willed it, Your graciousness
pleases me also. Oh, that my sinfulness may not stand in the way!
- Book 4, Chapter 2
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