Message of 8-14-15

Message of 8-14-15

Published: Fri, 08/14/15

Webinar: God, and the Problem of Suffering

Presented by Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min.
August 27, 2015, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., CDT
Free-will Donation
See http://shalomplace.com/inetmin/webinars/suffering.html

Message of the Day

Our good Lord, the Holy Spirit — endless life dwelling in our souls — always protects us and gives us peace. Through grace, God’s Spirit brings each soul to tranquility and makes it obedient and reconciles it to God. Our good Lord constantly leads us on this path of mercy while we’re in this unpredictable life.

- Julian of Norwich, Revelations

(Come, Holy Spirit, come . . . )

Readings of the Day

JOS 24:1-13; PS 136:1-3, 16-18, 21-22, 24; MT 19:3-12

R. His mercy endures forever.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his mercy endures forever;

Give thanks to the God of gods,

for his mercy endures forever;

Give thanks to the LORD of lords,

for his mercy endures forever.

Who led his people through the wilderness,

for his mercy endures forever;

Who smote great kings,

for his mercy endures forever;

And slew powerful kings,

for his mercy endures forever.

And made their land a heritage,

for his mercy endures forever;

The heritage of Israel his servant,

for his mercy endures forever;

And freed us from our foes,

for his mercy endures forever.

USCCB Lectionary

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Gospel Reflection

Jesus deals with the issue of divorce by taking his hearers back to the beginning of creation and to God's plan for the human race. In Genesis 2:23-24 we see God's intention and ideal that two people who marry should become so indissolubly one that they are one flesh. That ideal is found in the unbreakable union of Adam and Eve. They were created for each other and for no one else. They are the pattern and symbol for all who were to come. Jesus explains that Moses permitted divorce as a concession in view of a lost ideal. Jesus sets the high ideal of the married state before those who are willing to accept his commands.

Whether married or single - be consecrated for the Lord

Jesus, likewise sets the high ideal for those who freely renounce marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Both marriage and the single life are calls from God to live a consecrated life, that is to live as married couples or as singles who belong not to themselves but to God. Our lives are not our own, but they belong to God. He gives strength, joy, and blessing to those who seek to follow his way of holiness in their state of life. Do you seek the Lord Jesus and his grace for your state of life?

"Lord Jesus Christ, your call to holiness extends to all in every state of life. Sanctify our lives - as married couples and as singles - that we may live as men and women who are consecrated to you. Make us leaven in a society that disdains life-long marriage fidelity, chastity, and living single for the Lord."

DailyScripture.net

Spiritual Reading

The Way of Perfection, by Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

Continues the same subject. This is very suitable for reading after the reception of the Most Holy Sacrament.

You may be in the habit of praying while looking at a picture of Christ, but at a time like this it seems foolish to me to turn away from the living image -- the Person Himself -- to look at His picture. Would it not be foolish if we had a portrait of someone whom we dearly loved and, when the person himself came to see us, we refused to talk with him and carried on our entire conversation with the portrait? Do you know when I find the use of a picture an excellent thing, and take great pleasure in it? When the person is absent and we are made to feel his loss by our great aridity, it is then that we find it a great comfort to look at the picture of Him Whom we have such reason to love. This is a great inspiration, and makes us wish that, in whichever direction we turn our eyes, we could see the picture. What can we look upon that is better or more attractive to the sight than upon Him Who so dearly loves us and contains within Himself all good things? Unhappy are those heretics, who through their own fault have lost this comfort, as well as others.

- Chapter 34

(Keep in mind that she is writing to sisters in a cloistered contemplative order.)

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