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God does not die on the day that we cease to believe in personal deity, but we die on the day when our lives cease to be illuminated by the steady radiance, renewed daily, of a wonder, the source of which is beyond all
reason.
- Dag Hammarskjold
(Take a few moments to appreciate the difference religious faith makes in your life. Thanks God for this marvelous gift.)
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1 COR 7:25-31; PS 45:11-12, 14-17; LK 6:20-26
R. Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.
Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear,
forget your people and your father's house.
So shall the king desire your beauty;
for he is your lord, and you must worship him.
All glorious is the king's daughter as she enters;
her raiment is threaded with spun gold.
In embroidered apparel she is borne in to the king;
behind her
the virgins of her train are brought to you.
They are borne in with gladness and joy;
they enter the palace of the king.
The place of your fathers your sons shall have;
you shall make them princes through all the land.
EZ
34:1-11; PS 23:1-6; MT 20:1-16
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
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 will follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
USCCB Lectionary
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Wherever Jesus went the people came to him because they had heard all the things he did. They were hungry for God and desired healing from their afflictions. In faith they pressed upon Jesus to touch him. As they did so power came from Jesus and they were healed. Even demons trembled in the presence of Jesus and left at his rebuke. Jesus
offers freedom from the power of sin and oppression to all who seek him with expectant faith. When you hear God's word and consider all that Jesus did, how do you respond? With doubt or with expectant faith? With skepticism or with confident trust? Ask the Lord to increase your faith in his saving power and grace.
"Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Inflame my
heart with a burning love for you and with an expectant faith in your saving power. Take my life and all that I have as an offering of love for you, who are my All."
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.
For love of the Lord, then, sisters, accustom yourselves to saying the Paternoster in this recollected way, and before long you will see how you gain by doing so. It is a method of prayer which establishes habits that prevent the soul from going astray and the faculties from becoming restless. This you will find out in time: I only beg you to test it, even at the
cost of a little trouble, which always results when we try to form a new habit. I assure you, however, that before long you will have the great comfort of finding it unnecessary to tire yourselves with seeking this holy Father to Whom you pray, for you will discover Him within you.
- Chapter 29 (Keep in mind that she is writing to sisters in a cloistered contemplative order.) Paperback (Kindle edition available)
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