Message of 4-27-15

Published: Mon, 04/27/15

A Daily Spiritual Seed
Monday: April 27, 2015
Message of the Day
Guide me, O Lord, in all the changes and varieties of the world, that in all things that shall happen I may have an evenness and tranquillity of spirit; that my soul may be wholly resigned to thy divinest will and pleasure, never murmuring at thy gentle chastisements and fatherly correction, never waxing proud and insolent though I feel a torrent of comforts and prosperous successes.
... Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667), Holy Living

(Amen!)
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Readings of the Day
ACTS 11:1-18;    PS 42:2-3; 43:3, 4;    JN 10:1-10

R. Athirst is my soul for the living God.

As the hind longs for the running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?

Send forth your light and your fidelity;
they shall lead me on
And bring me to your holy mountain,
to your dwelling-place.

Then will I go in to the altar of God,
the God of my gladness and joy;
Then will I give you thanks upon the harp,
O God, my God!

USCCB lectionary
Reflection on the Scripture
"My solemn word is this: I am the Sheepgate." –John 10:7

Jesus is not only the Good Shepherd (Jn 10:11); He is also the Lamb of God (Jn 1:29) and even the Sheepgate. Don't let anyone enter your life, family, or community except through Jesus. For example, don't marry anyone who tries to enter your life through mere friendship or sexual attraction. Don't let people into your life just because of business or money. TV personalities, athletes, and entertainers have a major influence in millions of people's lives, but they probably have not entered through the Sheepgate, Jesus. "Whoever does not enter the sheepfold through the gate but climbs in some other way is a thief and a marauder" (Jn 10:1).

Not only are others trying to enter our lives, but we are entering their lives and worlds. Jesus promises: "I am the Gate. Whoever enters through Me will be safe. He will go in and out, and find pasture" (Jn 10:9). Whatever you get into, make sure it's Jesus' idea. Live in, with, and through Jesus. Then you will be safe rather than hurt, fed rather than drained. If we enter things through our pride, desires, intellect, or selfishness, we will be ripped off, slaughtered, and destroyed (Jn 10:10). If we make Jesus our only Gate, our only Way (Jn 14:6), we will have the fullness of life (Jn 10:10). Jesus is the Through-Way.

PRAYER: Father, I pray to You through the Son and in the Spirit.

PROMISE: "When they heard this they...began to glorify God in these words: 'If this be so, then God has granted life-giving repentance even to the Gentiles.' " –Acts 11:18

mycatholic.com

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Spiritual Reading
NOTES ON THE LIFE OF CHRISTIAN PRAYER
 
2712.  Contemplative prayer is the prayer of the child of God, of the forgiven sinner who agrees to welcome the love by which s/he is loved and who wants to respond to it by loving even more. But s/he knows that the love s/he is returning is poured out by the Spirit in the heart, for everything is grace from God.  Contemplative prayer is the poor and humble surrender to the loving will of the Father in ever deeper union with his beloved Son.
- The Catechism of the Catholic Church, IV, 3, 1)

- part 17 of 24

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, IV
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