Message of 4-11-11
Published: Sun, 04/10/11
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Motion and busyness, no matter how great, yield nothing unless we
allow God to give us the heart.
- Grant Lovejoy
(Open your heart to God's love this day.)
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LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Dn 13:41c-62; Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6; Jn 8:1-11
R. (4ab) Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for
you are at my side.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
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REFLECTION ON THE GOSPEL
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a
stone at her."
Lent is not the time to point fingers. It's a precious chance to
begin anew. We've all been caught in the act of sin. We're guilty
and need repentance. We're also in need of compassion. Jesus
doesn't condemn. He doesn't heap shame upon our overwhelming guilt.
Yes, he sees our frailty and brokenness, but he also sees our
potential. When he looks at us in our sinful nature with kindness,
he offers words of encouragement. We can do better. We can try
harder. It's unlikely that we will "sin no more," but we can go
forward in hope. We can also refrain from condemning others
burdened by sin and reconcile with those who have sinned against
us. Lord of second chances, help us to return to you with our whole
hearts.
"Heal us in our brokenness and help us break free from the bonds of
sin, we pray."
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SPIRITUAL READING
The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
Of this inward demand and this invitation, and also because the
creature lifts itself up and offers itself, and all that it can do,
and yet can neither attain nor acquire the unity--of these things
spring a ghostly pain. When the inmost part of the heart and the
source of life have been wounded by love, and one cannot obtain
that which one desires above all things, but must ever abide where
one does not wish to be: from these two things pain comes forth.
Here Christ is risen to the zenith of the conscience, and He sends
His Divine rays into the hungry desires and into the longings of
the heart; and this splendour burns and dries up and consumes all
the moisture, that is, the strength and the powers of nature. The
desire of the open heart, and the shining of the Divine rays, cause
a perpetual pain.
- Chapter 23: Of the pain and restlessness of love
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