Message of 2-14-11
Published: Sun, 02/13/11
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
The moment we make up our minds that we are going on with this
determination to exalt God overall, we step out of the world's
parade... We shall acquire a new viewpoint; a new and different
psychology will be formed within us; a new power will begin to
surprise us by its upsurgings and its outgoings.
... A. W. Tozer (1897-1963), The Pursuit of God [1948]
(What are some of the ways you "exalt God" in your life?)
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LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Gn 4:1-15, 25; Ps 50:1 and 8, 16bc-17, 20-21; Mk 8:11-13
R. (14a) Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
God the LORD has spoken and summoned the earth,
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
"Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always."
"Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?"
"You sit speaking against your brother;
against your mother's son you spread rumors.
When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes."
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REFLECTION ON THE GOSPEL
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"Am I my brother's keeper?"
The answer to Cain's question, of course, is a resounding "Yes!"
And with Jesus' teaching that all people are our brothers and
sisters, we come to the logical conclusion that we are to prefer
the common good to our individual interests. Would we give up a
vacation and contribute that money to expand the emergency room at
the local hospital? Or vote on an issue that will directly improve
the lives of people we don't even know, at the cost of a modest
rise in our personal expenses? From here, we need to look beyond
our borders and support issues that will promote peace and justice,
as well as relief from hunger and disease. The opportunities to
respond are limitless, as are the needs.
"O Lord, help us see what we can do for our brother or sister, we
pray."
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SPIRITUAL READING
The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
When the sun rises very high, and enters the sign of Gemini (that
is, the Twins; or a twofold thing of one nature), which happens in
the middle of the month of May: then it has a double power over
flowers and herbs and everything that grows out of the earth. If,
then, the planets which govern nature are well ordered according to
the need of the season, the sun shines upon the earth and draws the
moisture into the air. Thence come dew and rain; and the fruits
increase and multiply.
So likewise, when Christ that bright Sun has risen in our hearts
above all things; when the demands of our bodily nature which are
opposed to the spirit have been curbed and discreetly set in order;
when we have achieved the virtues in the way of which you have
heard in the first degree; when, lastly, through the ardour of our
charity, all the pleasure, and all the peace, which we experience
in these virtues, have been offered up and devoted to God, with
thanksgiving and praise:--then, of all this there may come down a
sweet rain of new inward consolation and the heavenly dew of the
sweetness of God. This makes the virtues grow, and multiplies them
twofold if we hinder it not. This is a new and special working, and
a new coming, of Christ into the loving heart. And by it a man is
lifted up into a higher state than that in which he was before. On
this height Christ says: "Go ye out according to the way of this
coming."
- Book 2, Chapter 17: Growing in humility
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