Message of 4-13-15

Published: Mon, 04/13/15

A Daily Spiritual Seed
Monday: April 13, 2015
Message of the Day
There are great limits upon the human imagination. We can only rearrange the elements God has provided. No one can create a new primary color, a third sex, a fourth dimension, or a completely original animal. Even by writing a book, planting a garden, or begetting a child, we never create anything in the strict sense; we only take part in God’s creation.
-  Kathryn Lindskoog (1934-2003)

(How are you co-creating with God these days?)
Webinar: Focusing as a Way to Inner Wisdom and Wholeness
With Nick Morale
April 23, 2015. 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., CST

Learn more about Focusing practice from an experienced guide and teacher. Live webcast with interactive opportunities. 

See http://shalomplace.com/inetmin/webinars/focusing.html for more information and registration.
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Readings of the Day
ACTS 4:23-31;    PS 2:1-3, 4-7A, 7B-9;    JN 3:1-8

R. Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.

Why do the nations rage
and the peoples utter folly?
The kings of the earth rise up,
and the princes conspire together
against the LORD and against his anointed:
“Let us break their fetters
and cast their bonds from us!”

He who is throned in heaven laughs;
the LORD derides them.
Then in anger he speaks to them;
he terrifies them in his wrath:
“I myself have set up my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
I will proclaim the decree of the LORD.

The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you.
Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You shall rule them with an iron rod;
you shall shatter them like an earthen dish.”

USCCB lectionary
Reflection on the Scripture
"After being released, the two went back to their own people." –Acts 4:23

The Church has completed the eight-day celebration of the Octave of Easter. We have been celebrating Jesus' return after three days in the tomb. When Jesus rose from the tomb, He returned to His followers. He then acted with great power, teaching the Scriptures and conferring the Holy Spirit in a life-changing way.

Peter and John imitated Jesus' pattern when they were set free after being held captive. Upon "being released, the two went back to their own people" (Acts 4:23). Together, they prayed with such confidence and power that the building shook. "They were filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 4:31). The apostles later continued this pattern of imitating Jesus: whenever they were set free, they returned to their fellow believers immediately (Acts 5:41ff; 12:11-12; 14:19-20).

Like Jesus, Peter, and John, we've been celebrating our own release from captivity these past eight days. Where now will we return? Many return to their TV to watch baseball or basketball. Others return to the movies, soap operas, restaurants, and other diversions. Will we return to the isolation of the pleasures of this world, thereby stripping ourselves of power? "Remember that you have been called to live in freedom – but not a freedom that gives free rein to the flesh" (Gal 5:13). Imitate Jesus and the apostles. Return now to your brothers and sisters in Christ, and return in the power of the Spirit (see Lk 4:14).

PRAYER: Father, "grant to Your servants, even as they speak Your word, complete assurance by stretching forth Your hand in cures and signs and wonders to be worked in the name of Jesus, Your holy Servant" (Acts 4:29-30).

PROMISE: "I tell you you must all be begotten from above." –Jn 3:7

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Spiritual Reading
NOTES ON THE LIFE OF CHRISTIAN PRAYER
 
2710.  The choice of the time and duration of the prayer arises from a determined will, revealing the secrets of the heart. One does not undertake contemplative prayer only when one has the time: one makes time for the Lord, with the firm determination not to give up, no matter what trials and dryness one may encounter.  One cannot always meditate, but one can always enter into inner prayer, independently of the conditions of health, work, or emotional state. The heart is the place of this quest and encounter, in poverty and in faith.​
- The Catechism of the Catholic Church, IV, 3, 1)

- part 15 of 24

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, IV
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