Message of 5-9-11
Published: Sat, 05/07/11
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- - -
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
If we do not wait patiently in expectation of God's coming [to us
in prayer], then our minds lose the discipline of discerning
between what leads us closer to God and what doesn't, and our
hearts lose their spiritual sensitivity.
- Henri J. M. Nouwen
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Acts 6:8-15; Ps 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30; Jn 6:22-29
R. (1ab) Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Though princes meet and talk against me,
your servant meditates on your statutes.
Yes, your decrees are my delight;
they are my counselors.
I declared my ways, and you answered me;
teach me your statutes.
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds.
Remove from me the way of falsehood,
and favor me with your law.
The way of truth I have chosen;
I have set your ordinances before me.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
REFLECTION ON THE GOSPEL
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"The Stephen already spoken of was a man filled with grace and
power, who worked great wonders and signs among the people."
Stephen's life as described in Acts is almost a parallel to the
life of Jesus. He works "signs and wonders" in Jesus' name,
intimidating the religious leaders who accuse him of blasphemy.
We're not often put in a similar position today because of our
religious beliefs, but we are continually challenged to put these
beliefs into action. In our secular society, strong religious
beliefs are often seen as a weakness, an unfortunate delusion or a
quaint harkening back to ideas that have outlived their usefulness.
It still takes courage to defend our principles in the face of
ridicule or condemnation.
"O Lord, grant us the strength and conviction of Stephen, we pray."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SPIRITUAL READING
The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage
by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
Other things sometimes happen to those who live in the fierce
ardour of love; for often another light shines into them, and this
is the work of God through means. In this light the heart and the
desirous powers uplift themselves towards that light; and, in the
meeting with that light, the joy and the satisfaction are so great
that the heart cannot contain them, but breaks out in a loud voice
with cries of joy. And this is called the Jubilus, or jubilation;
that is, a joy which cannot be uttered in words. And one cannot
contain oneself; but if one would go out with an opened and
uplifted heart to meet this light the voice must follow, so long as
this exercise and this light endure. Some inward men are at times
taught in a dream by their guardian angels or by other angels,
concerning many things of which they have need. Some men too are
found who have many sudden intuitions, or inspirations, or
imaginations, and also have miraculous dreams, and yet remain in
their outward senses. But these know nothing of the tumult of love;
for they dwell in outward multiplicity, and love has not wounded
them. These things may be natural, or they may come from the devil,
or from good angels, and therefore we may have faith in them so far
as they accord with Holy Writ, and with the truth, but no more. If
we trust them beyond this, we may easily be deceived.
- Chapter 24: Of ecstacies and divine revelations
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Amazon.com gift cards - good for any occasion
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu
- - - -
Please help support Heartland Center's Internet ministries:
- For more info on tax-deductible donations, see
http://shalomplace.com/seed/donations.html.
Thanks for your consideration!
_________________________________________________
* Web Archive: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?dailyseed
* RSS: http://www.aweber.com/z/rss/?dailyseed