Message of 2-17-11
Published: Mon, 02/14/11
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
To us here, death is the most terrible word we know. But when we
have tasted its reality, it will mean to us birth, deliverance, a
new creation of ourselves. It will be what health is to the sick
man. It will be what home is to the exile. It will be what the
loved one given back is to the bereaved. As we draw near to it, a
great solemn gladness should fill our hearts. It is God's great
morning lighting up the sky.
- George Spring Merriam (1843-1914), "A Living Faith" [1876]
(How do you feel about the eventuality of your own death? Does
your response resonate with today's quote?)
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LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Gn 9:1-13; Ps 102:16-18, 19-21, 29 and 22-23; Mk 8:27-33
R. (20b) From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.
The nations shall revere your name, O LORD,
and all the kings of the earth your glory,
When the LORD has rebuilt Zion
and appeared in his glory;
When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute,
and not despised their prayer.
Let this be written for the generation to come,
and let his future creatures praise the LORD:
"The LORD looked down from his holy height,
from heaven he beheld the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoners,
to release those doomed to die."
The children of your servants shall abide,
and their posterity shall continue in your presence,
That the name of the LORD may be declared in Zion,
and his praise, in Jerusalem,
When the peoples gather together,
and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
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MEDITATION ON THE GOSPEL
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"I will set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant
between me and the earth."
The rainbow, that spectacular connection that joins the heavens to
the earth in sparkling multicolor, never ceases to excite our
emotions and lift our spirits. I'm often reminded of the words of
the poet Wordsworth: "My heart leaps up when I behold / A rainbow
in the sky. / So was it when my life began; / So is it now I am a
man ..." This sign of God's covenant with all creation clearly
reveals the power and majesty of our Creator's love for us. To
experience God's blessing after a storm, we need only look
heavenward for comfort and immeasurable joy.
"O Lord, that we may never lose the thrill and wonder that the
symbol of your love for us brings, we pray."
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SPIRITUAL READING
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
- The Disciple
Behold, whence love proceeds! What condescension shines forth! What
great thanks and praise are due You for these gifts! Oh, how
salutary and proļ¬table was Your design in this institution! How
sweet and pleasant the banquet when You gave Yourself as food!
(Eucharist)
How admirable is Your work, O Lord! How great Your power! How
infallible Your truth! For You spoke and all things were made, and
this, which You commanded, was done. It is a wonderful thing,
worthy of faith, overpowering human understanding, that You, O
Lord, my God, true God and man, are contained whole and entire
under the appearance of a little bread and wine, and without being
consumed are eaten by him who receives You!
- Book 4, Chapter 2
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