Message of 8-24-15

Published: Mon, 08/24/15

A Daily Spiritual Seed
Monday: August 24, 2015
Message of the Day
I surrendered unto Him all there was of me; everything! Then for the first time I realized what it meant to have real power.
    - Kathryn Kuhlman

(Can you think of a time when you've made such a surrender?  What about now?)
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
http://shalomplace.com/inetmin/webinars/suffering.html

Why does God allow human beings to experience suffering and evil?
In this webinar, we will explore that age-old question, seeking light from Scripture and Church teaching on how it is that a good and powerful God can allow creatures to suffer from abuses inflicted by nature, accidents, social injustice, sickness and death. We will also reflect on what Christ teaches us about how to bear the sufferings we cannot change.
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Readings of the Day
RV 21:9B-14;    PS 145:10-13, 17-18;    JN 1:45-51

R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.

Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.

The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.

USCCB lectionary
Reflection on the Scripture

"Jesus responded: 'Do you believe just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see much greater things than that.' " –John 1:50


St. Bartholomew (Nathanael) was prejudiced against Jesus because Jesus came from Nazareth (Jn 1:46). After Jesus mentioned He saw Nathanael under the fig tree, however, Nathanael changed completely, from prejudice to faith. He acknowledged Jesus as "the Son of God" and "the King of Israel" (Jn 1:49). Why was Nathanael so impressed by Jesus' remark that He saw him under the fig tree? What was Nathanael doing under the fig tree?


No one knows why the fig tree was so significant to Nathanael. Some Bible commentators mention that the fig tree is symbolic of the Israelite nation (see Mk 11:12ff). Thus Jesus' reference to the fig tree would have special symbolic significance.


Others see Jesus using the supernatural gift of knowledge, as He did with the Samaritan woman at the well (Jn 4:18). Jesus could have been noting a secret sin Nathanael committed under the fig tree (see 1 Cor 14:24-25).


Another possible interpretation is that Nathanael was praying under the fig tree, praying for the coming of the Messiah. Jesus presented Himself as the immediate Answer to Nathanael's prayer.


On this special feast day, let the Lord speak to you symbolically, prophetically, and prayerfully. You'll never be the same.


PRAYER: Father, may I hear You say a word today that changes my heart.


PROMISE: "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth." –Ps 145:18

mycatholic.com

Amazon Gift Cards: Good for any occasion.
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

91. When a man becomes a Christian he lives, acts, thinks, prays and suffers not in solitude - nor with Christ alone - for Christ is not alone - but with all mankind. His love ought to reach out to every man and to the limits of the universe, and ought also to reach up to Go and infinity, in Christ who is all in all.
Please support this outreach with a tax-deductible donation.
http://www.heartlandspirituality.org/support.html

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