Message of 2-25-11
Published: Mon, 02/21/11
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not
fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is
praying for me.
- Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1813-1843)
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LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Sir 6:5-17; Ps 119:12, 16, 18, 27, 34, 35; Mk 10:1-12
R. (35a) Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes.
In your statutes I will delight;
I will not forget your words.
Open my eyes, that I may consider
the wonders of your law.
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds.
Give me discernment, that I may observe your law
and keep it with all my heart.
Lead me in the path of your commands,
for in it I delight.
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MEDITATION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
The author of the book of Sirach employs a realist's lens to give
insight to others about the mystery of friendship.
"No one is perfect..."
"Stuff happens..."
"Be wary of..."
"Don't get hurt..."
"If you neglect these words, it's your own dang fault..."
On the other hand, Jesus' teaching looks at the situation through
the lens of an idealist and applies it to a specific situation. He
relates the passage from Genesis, "God made them male and female...,"
to the controversy at hand and plays out its implications
concerning divorce. . .
Most of us can name real people we know today who either have been
divorced or are in the process of considering it. And many of us
approach them with a realist's eye: "No one is perfect..." "Stuff
happens..." "Be wary of..." "Don't get hurt..." Who wants to see one or
both spouses continue to suffer? Not I.
In my pastoral experience, I would say that consistency in response
is not what I see in the Church today. For my part, I would like to
see pastors and pastoral ministers seek for more ways to promote
the ideal of marriage in ways that do not damage those who have not
lived or are not living up to this ideal AND to be pastorally
sensitive to those suffering in difficult relationships without
wrecking the ideal of marriage.
How do we do that today?
- by Roc O'Connor, S.J.
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SPIRITUAL READING
- Fenelon's "Maxims of the Saints"
The children, in distinction from the mere servants of God, have
the liberty of children. They have a peace and joy, full of
innocency. They take with simplicity and without hesitation the
refreshments both of mind and body. They do not speak of
themselves, except when called to do it in providence, and in order
to do good. And such is their simplicity and truth of spirit, they
speak of things just as they appear to them at the moment; and when
the conversation turns upon their own works, or characters, they
express themselves favorably or unfavorably, much as they would if
they were speaking of others. If; however, they have occasion to
speak of any good of which they have been the instrument, they
always acknowledge, with humble joy, that it comes from God alone.
- Artilce 32
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