Message of 2-18-11
Published: Mon, 02/14/11
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- - -
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Do little things as though they were great, because of the majesty
of Jesus Christ who does them in us, and who lives our life: and do
the greatest things as though they were little and easy, because of
His omnipotence.
- Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), "Pensées" (Thoughts) [1660]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Gn 11:1-9; Ps 33:10-11, 12-13, 14-15; Mk 8:34-9:1
R. (12) Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations;
he foils the designs of peoples.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.
From heaven the LORD looks down;
he sees all mankind.
From his fixed throne he beholds
all who dwell on the earth,
He who fashioned the heart of each,
he who knows all their works.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
MEDITATION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
Today's reading from the Gospel of Mark, together with yesterday's
and those of the next few days, are part of the first of three
explicit passion predictions in Mark's account of Jesus' ministry.
Yesterday we heard that Jesus must suffer. Today that necessity is
extended to those of us who, then and now, are His disciples. We
know that many of the early Christians did lose their lives for the
Gospel, and that there are still martyrs today - many, in fact. But
what do these readings mean for most of us - unlikely to be in the
situation where martyrdom might be a possibility, and not
particularly drawn to suffering in any case? Many persons, over the
centuries, pondering this passage, have felt drawn to ascetic
practices. But I think this statement of Jesus carries a more
mission-oriented meaning. . .
We have to remind ourselves constantly that being a disciple is not
primarily about following the rules and being religiously
observant. The Pharisees did that. Anyone who seriously goes about
God's work, spreading the Gospel (i.e., the Good News of God's
victory over evil), will encounter opposition and suffering. And
not just from textbook evil tyrants, such as those who killed the
Jesuit martyrs of El Salvador, but for most of us it will come from
neighbors, co-workers, employers, government officials, even family.
- by Robert P. Heaney, Ph.D.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SPIRITUAL READING
- Fenelon's "Maxims of the Saints"
Such souls (who seek wisdom from God) draw on themselves the
special protection of Providence, under whose care they live,
without a far extended and unquiet forecast, like little children
resting in the bosom of their mother. Conscious of their own
limited views, and keeping in mind the direction of the Saviour,
Judge not that you be not judged, they are slow to pass judgment
upon others. They are willing to receive reproof and correction;
and, separate from the will of God, they have no choice or will of
their own in anything.
These are the children whom Christ permits to come near Him. They
combine the prudence of the serpent with the simplicity of the
dove. But they do not appropriate their prudence to themselves as
their own prudence, any more than they appropriate to themselves
the beams of the natural sun, when they walk in its light.
- Artilce 30
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Amazon.com gift cards - good for any occasion
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu
- - - -
Please help support Heartland Center's Internet ministries:
- For more info on tax-deductible donations, see
http://shalomplace.com/seed/donations.html.
Thanks for your consideration!
______________________________
* Web Archive: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?dailyseed
* RSS: http://www.aweber.com/z/rss/?dailyseed