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"The grace of contemplation is granted only in response to a longing and importunate desire: Nevertheless, God will not present Himself, even in passing, to every soul; but only to that soul which is shown, by great
devotion, vehement desire, and tender affection, to be His bride, and to be worthy that the Word in all His beauty should visit her as a Bridegroom."
- St. Bernard [12th C], On the Canticle of Canticles -
(On a scale from 1 to 10, how would you rate your desire for God? How do you feel about
completely belonging to God?)
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EZ 9:1-7; 10:18-22; PS 113:1-6; MT 18:15-20
R. The glory of the Lord is higher than the skies.
Praise, you servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD
both now and forever.
From the rising to the setting of the sun
is the name of the LORD to be
praised.
High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens is his glory.
Who is like the LORD, our God, who is enthroned on high,
and looks upon the heavens and the earth below?
USCCB Lectionary
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Jesus seems to say that we have the right to abandon stubborn and
obdurate offenders and treat them like social outcasts. The tax-collectors and Gentiles were regarded as "unclean" by the religious-minded Jews. However we know from the gospel accounts that Jesus often had fellowship with tax-collectors, ate with them, and even praised them at times! Jesus refuses no one who is ready to receive pardon, healing, and restoration. The call to accountability is inevitable and we can't escape it, both in this life and at the day of judgment when the Lord Jesus will
return. But while we have the opportunity, we must not give up on stubborn offenders, but, instead make every effort to win them with the grace and power of God's healing love and wisdom. Do you tolerate broken relationships or do you seek to repair them as God gives you the opportunity to mend and restore what is broken?
"Lord Jesus, make me an instrument of your healing love and peace. Give me
wisdom and courage to bring your healing love and saving truth to those in need of healing and restoration."
DailyScripture.net
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The Way of Perfection, by Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) Continues to describe methods for achieving this Prayer of Recollection. Says what little account we should make of being favoured by our
superiors.
O my Lord, if we had a real knowledge of Thee, we should make not the slightest account of anything, since Thou givest so much to those who will set their whole trust on Thee. Believe me, friends, it is a great thing to realize the truth of this so that we may see how deceptive are earthly things and favours when they deflect the soul in any way from its course and
hinder it from entering within itself. God help me! If only someone could make you realize this! I myself, Lord, certainly cannot; I know that [in truth] I owe Thee more than anyone else but I cannot realize this myself as well as I should.
- Chapter 29 (Keep in mind that she is writing to
sisters in a cloistered contemplative order.) Paperback (Kindle edition available)
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