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We Christians must simplify our lives or lose untold treasures on earth and in eternity. Modern civilization is so complex as to make the devotional life all but
impossible... The need for solitude and quietness was never greater than it is today.
- A. W. Tozer (1897-1963), Of God and Men
(Solitude and quietness . . . Treat yourself to a heaping dose this
day.) |
Lent 2015 Spiritual Growth Resources |
Eight audio presentations (mp3 format) with handouts on the topics listed below. Private discussion forum option.
- see http://shalomplace.com/inetmin/lent15.html for more information and registration options.
* Encountering Christ, by Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min.
* Kataphatic Prayer, Icons, Lectio Divina, by Sr. Louise Hageman OP and Sr. Renee Dreiling OP
*
Wounded Human Nature, by Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min.
* Contemplative Prayer Methods, by Connie Burkholder, M. Div.
* The Inner Nature of Faith, by Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min.
* Journaling Process, by Sr. Renee Dreiling OP
* People of the Trinity, by Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min.
* Gifted by the Spirit, by Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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GN 2:18-25; PS 128:1-2, 3, 4-5; MK 7:24-30
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are
you who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and
favored.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your
home; Your children like olive plants around your table.
Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you from Zion: may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
USCCB Lectionary
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What did Jesus mean by the expression "throwing bread to the dogs"? The Jews often spoke of the Gentiles with arrogance and insolence as "unclean dogs" since the Gentiles were excluded from God's
covenant and favor with Israel. For the Greeks the "dog" was a symbol of dishonor and was used to describe a shameless and audacious woman. Matthew's Gospel records the expression do not give dogs what is holy (Matthew 7:6). Jesus, no doubt, spoke with a smile rather than with an insult because this woman immediately responds with wit and faith - "even the dogs eat the crumbs". Jesus praises a Gentile woman for her persistent faith and for her affectionate love. She made the misery of her child
her own and she was willing to suffer rebuff in order to obtain healing for her loved one. She also had indomitable persistence. Her faith grew in contact with the person of Jesus. She began with a request and she ended on her knees in worshipful prayer to the living God. No one who ever sought Jesus with faith – whether Jew or Gentile – was refused his help. Do you seek Jesus with expectant faith?
"Lord Jesus, your love and mercy knows no bounds. May I trust you always and never doubt your loving care and mercy. Increase my faith in your saving help and deliver me from all evil and harm."
DailyScripture.Net
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The Cloud of Unknowing, by Anonymous A good declaring of some certain deceits that may befall in this work.
BUT one thing I tell thee, that in this work may a young disciple that hath not yet been well used and proved in ghostly working, full lightly be deceived; and, but he be soon wary, and have grace to leave off and meek him to counsel, peradventure be destroyed
in his bodily powers and fall into fantasy in his ghostly wits. And all this is along of pride, and of fleshliness and curiosity of wit. - Chapter 45 |
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