Message of 3-1-11
Published: Wed, 02/23/11
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Our God is often too small because he is too religious. We imagine
that he is chiefly interested in religion - in religious buildings
(churches and chapels), religious activities (worship and ritual),
and religious books (Bibles and prayer books). Of course he is
concerned about these things, but only if they are related to the
whole of life. According to the Old Testament prophets and the
teaching of Jesus, God is very critical of 'religion," if by that
is meant religious services divorced from real life, loving service
and the moral obedience of the heart.
- John R. W. Stott
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LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Sir 35:1-12; Ps 50:5-6, 7-8, 14 and 23; Mk 10:28-31
R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"Gather my faithful ones before me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
And the heavens proclaim his justice;
for God himself is the judge.
"Hear, my people, and I will speak;
Israel, I will testify against you;
God, your God, am I.
Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always."
"Offer to God praise as your sacrifice
and fulfill your vows to the Most High.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of
God."
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REFLECTION ON THE GOSPEL
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
Should we be surprised if we lose favor and experience ridicule,
intimidation, and injury when we take a stand for truth and
righteousness? In place of material wealth, Jesus promised his
disciples the blessing and joy of rich fellowship with the
community of believers. No earthly good or possession can rival the
joy and bliss of knowing God and the peace and unity he grants to
his disciples. The Lord wants to fill our hearts with the vision of
heaven and with his joy and peace. Do you know the joy of following
the Lord as his disciple? Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with the
joy of the gospel and the knowledge of God's personal love.
"Lord Jesus, I want to follow you as your disciple and to love you
wholeheartedly with all that I have. Fill my heart with faith,
hope, and love that I may always find peace and joy in your
presence."
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SPIRITUAL READING
"The Way of Perfection"
- by Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
(Continues the subject begun in the first chapter and persuades the
sisters to busy themselves constantly in beseeching God to help
those who work for the Church. Ends with an exclamatory prayer.)
And if these teachers are not inwardly fortified by realizing the
great importance of spurning everything beneath their feet and by
being detached from things which come to an end on earth, and
attached to things eternal, they will betray this defect in
themselves, however much they may try to hide it. For with whom are
they dealing but with the world? They need not fear: the world will
not pardon them or fail to observe their imperfections. Of the good
things they do many will pass unnoticed, or will even not be
considered good at all; but they need not fear that any evil or
imperfect thing they do will be overlooked. I am amazed when I
wonder from whom they learned about perfection, when, instead of
practising it themselves (for they think they have no obligation to
do that and have done quite enough by a reasonable observance of
the Commandments), they condemn others, and at times mistake virtue
for indulgence. Do not think, then, that they need but little
Divine favour in this great battle upon which they have entered; on
the contrary, they need a great deal.
I beg you to try to live in such a way as to be worthy to obtain
two things from God. First, that there may be many of these very
learned and religious men who have the qualifications for their
task which I have described, and that the Lord may prepare those
who are not completely prepared already and who lack anything, for
a single one who is perfect will do more than many who are not.
Secondly, that after they have entered upon this struggle, which,
as I say, is not light, but a very heavy one, the Lord may have
them in His hand so that they may be delivered from all the dangers
that are in the world, and, while sailing on this perilous sea, may
shut their ears to the song of the sirens. If we can prevail with
God in the smallest degree about this, we shall be fighting His
battle even while living a cloistered life and I shall consider as
well spent all the trouble to which I have gone in founding this
retreat, where I have also tried to ensure that this Rule of Our
Lady and Empress shall be kept in its original perfection.
- Chapter 3
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