Message of 2-24-11
Published: Mon, 02/21/11
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
There remains for us only the very narrow way, often extremely
difficult to find, of living every day as though it were our last,
and yet living in faith and responsibility as though there were to
be a great future.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945), "After Ten Years"
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LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Sir 5:1-8; Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6; Mk 9:41-50
R. (40:5a) Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
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MEDITATION ON THE GOSPEL
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"Delay not your conversion to the Lord."
We can slip easily into pride about our own strength and power,
forgetting that all we have comes from God. We also deceive
ourselves if we think that God takes our part over the needs and
interests of others ... or that somehow we operate "under the radar"
because we have sinned and suffered no apparent ill consequences.
Sirach warns us against such complacency and neglect of the ongoing
business of conversion. Jesus likewise delivers a stern exhortation
about avoiding sin, stressing his point with graphic hyperbole: "If
your foot causes you to sin, cut it off ... if your eye ... pluck it
out." May we never imagine that we have "arrived" at spiritual
perfection. There is always room for growth.
"For earnestness in following the Lord, we pray."
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SPIRITUAL READING
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
- The Disciple
BEHOLD, I come to You, Lord, that I may prosper by Your gift and be
delighted at Your holy banquet which You, O God, in Your sweetness
have prepared for Your poor. Behold, all that I can or ought to
desire is in You. You are my salvation and my redemption, my hope
and strength, my honor and glory.
Gladden, then, this day the soul of Your servant because I have
raised my heart to You, O Lord Jesus. I long to receive You now,
devoutly and reverently. I desire to bring You into my house that,
with Zacheus, I may merit Your blessing and be numbered among the
children of Abraham.
- Book 4, Chapter 3
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