Message of 9-14-15

Published: Mon, 09/14/15

A Daily Spiritual Seed
Monday: September 14, 2015
Message of the Day

He is intangible and invisible. But His work is more powerful than the most ferocious wind. The Spirit brings order out of chaos and beauty out of ugliness. He can transform a sin-blistered man into a paragon of virtue. The Spirit changes people. The Author of life is also the Transformer of life.

- R. C. Sproul


(Come, Holy Spirit . . . )
Image
Readings of the Day

NM 21:4B-9;    PS 78:1BC-2, 34-38;    PHIL 2:6-11;    JN 3:13-17


R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!


Hearken, my people, to my teaching;

incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

I will open my mouth in a parable,

I will utter mysteries from of old.


While he slew them they sought him

and inquired after God again,

Remembering that God was their rock

and the Most High God, their redeemer.


But they flattered him with their mouths

and lied to him with their tongues,

Though their hearts were not steadfast toward him,

nor were they faithful to his covenant.


But he, being merciful, forgave their sin

and destroyed them not;

Often he turned back his anger

and let none of his wrath be roused.

USCCB lectionary
Reflection on the Scripture

“He humbled Himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross! Because of this, God highly exalted Him.” -Philippians 2:8-9


John’s Gospel particularly highlights the exaltation of the cross of Jesus. John proclaims that the cross is:

  • the throne from which King Jesus inaugurates His victorious Kingdom. On the cross, Jesus is publicly, officially, and universally proclaimed as King, in no less than three languages (Jn 19:19-22),
  • a place of healing (Jn 3:14),
  • the catalyst for faith leading to eternal life (Jn 3:15),
  • where we finally recognize that Jesus is God (Jn 8:28),
  • the place where Jesus draws all to Himself (Jn 12:32),
  • where King Jesus commissions Mary as the Queen Mother, who in the Old Testament has royal authority, to disciple and serve as a mother to His subjects (Jn 19:26),
  • the fulfiillment of Old Testament prophecy (Jn 19:24), and
  • the victor’s stand from which Jesus speaks of accomplishment, completion, and final triumph (Jn 19:30).

As a subject of King Jesus, you are called to bear a daily cross (Lk 9:23). Do you carry your cross in such a way that it proclaims to everyone that “Jesus Christ is Lord”? (Phil 2:11) You are blessed with the unspeakable privilege of sharing in the victorious cross of King Jesus (Phil 1:29). Therefore, glory in the cross and carry your cross so as to triumph (1 Cor 9:24).


PRAYER:     King Jesus, grant that I may carry my cross in a way that proclaims You as Victor rather than a heartless taskmaster.


PROMISE:     “He, being merciful, forgave their sin.” -Ps 78:38


PRAISE:     “We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.”

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 5: The Teaching of Philosophy on Man and His Unity

107. Inside, in what really makes the man, he is immensely, infinitely man. He is the whole of mankind in germ; but all this is within him, where no eye can penetrate. And thus no one has ever seen man.​
Please support this outreach with a tax-deductible donation.
http://www.heartlandspirituality.org/support.html

Image