Message of 5-17-11
Published: Mon, 05/16/11
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"The only ultimate disaster that can befall us, I have come to
realize, is to feel ourselves to be at home here on earth."
- Malcolm Muggeridge (1903-1990), "Jesus Rediscovered"
("For we have not here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to
come." Heb. 13: 14)
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LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Acts 11:19-26; Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7; Jn 10:22-30
R. (117:1a) All you nations, praise the Lord.
His foundation upon the holy mountains
the LORD loves:
The gates of Zion,
more than any dwelling of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
I tell of Egypt and Babylon
among those who know the LORD;
Of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia:
"This man was born there."
And of Zion they shall say:
"One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her
is the Most High LORD."
They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:
"This man was born there."
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
"My home is within you."
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REFLECTION ON THE GOSPEL
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
Jesus not only frees us from Satan's snares and the grip of sin, he
leads us to the best of places where we can feed on the "word of
life" and drink from the "living waters" of his Holy Spirit. The
sheep who heed the voice of Jesus, the good shepherd, have no fear.
He will lead them to the best of places - everlasting peace, joy,
and fellowship with God and his people.
In this present life we will encounter trials and difficulties. We
can face them alone or we can follow Jesus, the true shepherd, who
will bring us safely through every difficulty to the place of peace
and security with God. Do you listen to the voice of the Good
Shepherd and heed his commands?
"Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd who secures what is best for
us. In you I place all my hope and trust. Open my ears to hear your
voice and follow your commands."
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SPIRITUAL READING
"The Way of Perfection"
- by Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
(Exhorts the nuns to keep their Rule and names three things which
are important for the spiritual life. Describes the first of these
three things, which is love of one's neighbour, and speaks of the
harm which can be done by individual, exclusivist friendships.)
There are two kinds of love which I am describing. The one is
purely spiritual, and apparently has nothing to do with sensuality
or the tenderness of our nature, either of which might stain its
purity. The other is also spiritual, but mingled with it are our
sensuality and weakness; yet it is a worthy love, which, as between
relatives and friends, seems lawful. Of this I have already said
sufficient.
It is of the first kind of spiritual love that I would now speak.
It is untainted by any sort of passion, for such a thing would
completely spoil its harmony. If it leads us to treat virtuous
people, especially confessors, with moderation and discretion, it
is profitable; but, if the confessor is seen to be tending in any
way towards vanity, he should be regarded with grave suspicion,
and, in such a case, conversation with him, however edifying,
should be avoided, and the sister should make her confession
briefly and say nothing more. It would be best for her, indeed, to
tell the superior that she does not get on with him and go
elsewhere; this is the safest way, providing it can be done without
injuring his reputation.
In such cases, and in other difficulties with which the devil might
ensnare us, so that we have no idea where to turn, the safest thing
will be for the sister to try to speak with some learned person; if
necessary, permission to do this can be given her, and she can make
her confession to him and act in the matter as he directs her. For
he cannot fail to give her some good advice about it, without which
she might go very far astray. How often people stray through not
taking advice, especially when there is a risk of doing someone
harm! The course that must on no account be followed is to do
nothing at all; for, when the devil begins to make trouble in this
way, he will do a great deal of harm if he is not stopped quickly;
the plan I have suggested, then, of trying to consult another
confessor is the safest one if it is practicable, and I hope in the
Lord that it will be so.
- Chapter 4
(It is good to remember in all of this that the nuns to whom she is
writing were a contemplative order.)
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