Message of 7-20-15

Published: Mon, 07/20/15

A Daily Spiritual Seed
Monday: July 20, 2015
Message of the Day
I draw prayer round me like a dark protective wall, withdraw inside it as one might into a convent cell and then step outside again, calmer and stronger and more collected again.
- Etty Hillesum, An Interrupted Life

(Go into your "inner room" to be alone with God for awhile. You will emerge a better person for doing so.)
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Readings of the Day
EX 14:5-18;    EXODUS 15:1-6;    MT 12:38-42

R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant;
horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
He is my God, I praise him;
the God of my father, I extol him.

The LORD is a warrior,
LORD is his name!
Pharaoh’s chariots and army he hurled into the sea;
the elite of his officers were submerged in the Red Sea.

The flood waters covered them,
they sank into the depths like a stone.
Your right hand, O LORD, magnificent in power,
your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy.

USCCB lectionary
Reflection on the Scripture
"We want to see You work some signs." –Matthew 12:38

To those who wanted to see Him work a magic trick, Jesus replied: "An evil and unfaithful age is eager for a sign! No sign will be given it but that of the prophet Jonah. Just as Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of Man spend three days and three nights in the bowels of the earth" (Mt 12:39-40). In other words, in answer to their request for a sign, Jesus gave them the sign of the cross.

The sign of the cross is like a stop sign. When we are driving and we see a stop sign, we automatically come to a stop and look to see what is happening. When we see a crucifix, we must react the same way. We should immediately stop. We look on the crucified Jesus, keeping "our eyes fixed on Jesus" (Heb 12:2). This should stop us in our tracks. As mighty men and women of old have reacted (Is 52:14-15), we stand speechless before the sight of the Son of God hanging in agony. We listen to Jesus, as He says: "Stop, and know that I am God" (see Ps 46:11).

Stop sinning, stop striving, stop running. "You have only to keep still" (Ex 14:14). Stop, in the name of Love!

PRAYER: "I will sing to the Lord, for He is gloriously triumphant...He is my God, I praise Him" (Ex 15:1, 2).

PROMISE: "Fear not! Stand your ground, and you will see the victory the Lord will win for you today." –Ex 14:13

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Spiritual Reading
Theological Gems from Emile Merch's Theology of the Mystical Body
- selected by Jim and Tyra Arraj

Book I: Theological and Philosophical Introduction

Chapter 4: Unity: The Human Consciousness of Christ and the Consciousness of Christians

77. As there is only one Being that exists fully, there is only one Being that is fully conscious.

The universe is outside of him (man), the infinite Being is immeasurably above him he is in himself only be being with them and in virtue of them.

78. Jesus who is conscious has two natures and two intellects. He has two powers of saying "I", and in this sense He has a twofold consciousness. (but is one person. Editor)
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