Message of 2-23-11
Published: Mon, 02/21/11
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Modern attempts to get away from the sheer historical facts of the
Resurrection are, at best, based on a total misunderstanding. The
whole Bible proclaims the need for, and the achievement of, a
salvation that will remake creation (not one that will ignore it or
escape from it), and it is just such a salvation, at once
supernatural and historical, that was won on Easter Day. If the
Resurrection narratives are [merely] a subtle way of convincing us
that God still loves us, or that there is a life (albeit, a
non-material one) beyond death, they must be reckoned among the
oddest and most ill-conceived stories ever written.
- Michael Sadgrove & N. T. Wright, "Jesus Christ the Only Saviour",
in "The Lord Christ," John Stott, ed., vol. 1 of "Obeying Christ in
a Changing World"
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LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Sir 4:11-19; Ps 119:165, 168, 171, 172, 174, 175; Mk 9:38-40
R. (165a) O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
Those who love your law have great peace,
and for them there is no stumbling block.
I keep your precepts and your decrees,
for all my ways are before you.
My lips pour forth your praise,
because you teach me your statutes.
May my tongue sing of your promise,
for all your commands are just.
I long for your salvation, O LORD,
and your law is my delight.
Let my soul live to praise you,
and may your ordinances help me.
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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
- Mark 9: 38-40 (The name of Jesus)
In biblical times names were considered important because they gave
identity and a claim upon a person. Using the name of Jesus to
exorcise a demon meant calling on the Power whom Jesus invoked in
healing.
* How do you feel when other people speak about their relationship
with God in a way that seems strange to you? Are you tolerant of
them?
* What does it mean to be "against Jesus?" What are some
manifestations of this?
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SPIRITUAL READING
At the Master's Feet
- by Sadhu Sundar Singh
8. A woman was traveling along a mountain track, carrying her child
in her arms, when the child, catching sight of a pretty flower,
made such a spring out of its mother's arms that it fell headlong
down the mountain side, struck its head upon a rock, and died on
the spot. Now it is perfectly clear that the safety and sustenance
of the child were to be found in its mother's bosom, and not in
those fascinating flowers which were the cause of its death. So
acts the believer whose life is not a life of prayer. When he
catches sight of the fleeting and fascinating pleasures of the
world he forgets My love and care which are far greater than those
of the mother, and, neglecting that spiritual milk which I provide
for him, leaps out of My arms and is lost.
- Part 3, Section 2
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METHODS OF PRAYER AND REFLECTION
Listed below are several traditional methods of prayer and
reflection. As St. Frances de Sales noted, we learn to pray by
praying, but it is also good to try different methods to see which
seem to help facilitate connection with God. Indeed, the more we
learn different methods, the better we can sense how the Spirit is
moving us to pray for any given prayer time.
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Lectio Divina Process
- http://heartlandspirituality.org/vocations/prayer.html
First, you choose a passage of Scripture that you will pray with.
It might be the Gospel reading used in the liturgy of the day, or
anything else you want. The process then follows these steps:
* Reading (lectio) After settling in and quieting yourself,
read the passage slowly, prayerfully. Just let it sink in for a
minute or two, then read it a second time, paying closer attention
to the words or phrases that speak to you.
* Reflecting (meditatio) What do you hear God saying to you in
this passage? What words or phrases caught your attention?
* Responding (oratio) What do you want to say to God in
response to what you've heard? Here you can also voice your prayers
of petition, remorse, thanksgiving, praise, and so forth. If you
sense God speaking to you in your thoughts, feelings or
imagination, you respond as you would in any conversation.
* Resting (contemplatio) If, at any time, you feel drawn to
simply rest in the awareness of God's loving presence, you let
yourself do so. Remain in loving silence as long as you feel
comfortable, perhaps using a simple word or phrase from the
Scripture passage to help deepen your openness to rest in God (see
Centering Prayer method, below)
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Centering Prayer
(Works best after a period of Lectio Divina, as described above;
two 20 minute periods a day are recommended.)
This term, centering prayer, is of recent origin, but the method is
described in many places, most notably "The Cloud of Unknowing."
1. Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent
to God's presence and action within. (This can be any word.)
2. Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle briefly, and
silently introduce the sacred word as the symbol of your consent to
God's presence and action within.
3. When you become aware of thoughts, return ever-so-gently to the
sacred word.
4. At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes
closed for a couple of minutes.
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Hesychast Prayer ("quiet" prayer)
(This form of contemplative practice was widely used by the
fathers and mothers of the desert in the early days of Christianity
and is still very popular in Eastern Christian churches. At least
two 20 minute prayer periods are recommended.)
1. Sit quietly, with back straight and hands resting in the lap,
palms up.
2. Lovingly introduce into your mind the prayer, "Lord Jesus
Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me." (Note: this may be shortened
as the prayer proceeds).
3. Let this prayer move in synchrony with your breath, praying the
first part with your inhalation, the second with exhalation.
4. When distracting thoughts attempt to break in, persist with the
Jesus Prayer. Allow yourself to feel your emotions, however.
Practice of this prayer may lead to feelings of warmth in the heart
and perception of inner light. Enjoy. . .
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Praying With Scripture (Benedictine Approach)
1. Relax. Settle in. Be aware that God is here, now, loving you.
2. Read a short passage of Scripture as though God were speaking
directly to you in it.
3. Choose a phrase from the passage that strikes you and repeat it
slowly, prayerfully, non-analytically.
4. When your heart is full, express to God the needs and sentiments
awakened by your meditation. When you're done, read another passage
and repeat steps 3 and 4.
5. If, at any time, you feel moved to simply be present to God in
loving silence, put the Scripture aside and rest in God.
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Review of the Day
- from, "Handbook for Spiritual Directees"
http://shalomplace.com/view/hndbk-lite.pdf
Here is a practice used by many at the end of the day to see what
lessons can be learned and how God was present and active through
the day. Set aside fifteen to twenty minutes at the end of the
day for prayer and review of your day. A suggested format is
described below:.
1. Take a few moments of quiet. Breathe deeply. Ask God to help you
see yourself as you truly were during the day.
2. Look back over your day - not to see what you did wrong but to
honestly acknowledge what was going on with you and others.
* What happened? What did I do today?
* How did I feel? Why did I feel that way?
* Were my expectations and beliefs reasonable?
3. Affirm the healthy things you recognize.
4. Admit to yourself and God the unhealthy things. Ask God's
forgiveness, believe it is yours, then decide if you need to
apologize or make amends.
5. Use creative visualization to grow stronger. Honestly
acknowledge the troubling situations of the day. See and feel
yourself acting honestly and lovingly in these situations. Ask God
for the grace to help you act in this new way.
6. Close with simple awareness of the sights and sounds around you,
grateful for the good things in your life.
This process can be undertaken as a daily journal exercise or by
prayerfully reviewing your day in your own mind. I like to take a
walk before bedtime for examen. The important thing is to do it. It
is a discipline, to be sure, but a very important one.
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A collection of additional spiritual exercises can be found in our
Handbook for Spiritual Directees.
- see http://shalomplace.com/view/hndbk-lite.pdf
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- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu
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