Message of 2-4-16

Published: Thu, 02/04/16

A Daily Spiritual Seed
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Message of the Day
“I do not suffer; at least I suffer without suffering by a sacrifice of not being concerned whether I receive esteem or disesteem, approval or disapproval, contempt or praise.”
- Peter Julian Eymard -

(Detachment is the key to unconditional love. As long as we desire anything enough to be significantly disappointed if we don’t get it, we are not completely free within.)
 
Lent 2016 Growth Options

Lent is only a week away. What will you do during this special time of retreat for the Christian church? Here are a few options to consider:


The Dominican Genius: Integrity and Balance

Five Webinars by Carla Mae Streeter, OP

February 16, 23, 24;

March 1, 2, 2016

6:30 - 8:00 p.m. CST

Free-will donation.

For more information and registration options, click here. 


Christian Prayer Methods Online Course

Specific guidance on the practice of prayer from Christianity's rich tradition on this topic. 

10 presentations with handout resources and discussion option. $9.00. Work at your own pace. No expiration after registration.

Click here for course page with gift certificate and group options. 


SpiritLife Online

Podcasts and handouts for all six SpiritLife courses

* Includes access to all 60 presentations, with 16 different presenters

* Special Lenten discount of $9 per course, or $40 for the entire program (all six courses)

  - For discount, use coupon code: LENT2016 when registering; this code is valid only until March 26.

http://heartlandspirituality.teachable.com


Lessons in Loving: Developing Relationship Skills

Four podcasts and PDF copy of the book, Lessons in Loving, by Philip St. Romain

 Topics include:

A. Relationships and Intelligence

B. Relating with oneself

C. Relating with others

D. Relating with God

Special $9.00 Lenten rate. Click here for more information and registration.

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Daily Readings
1 KGS 2:1-4, 10-12;    1 CHR 29:10-12;    MK 6:7-13

R.  Lord, you are exalted over all.

“Blessed may you be, O LORD,
God of Israel our father,
from eternity to eternity.”

“Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.”

“LORD, you are exalted over all.
Yours, O LORD, is the sovereignty;
you are exalted as head over all.
Riches and honor are from you.”

“In your hand are power and might;
it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.”

 
Reflection on the Scriptures
In today's gospel reading, Jesus gives his apostles the power to do what he has done, i.e. heal the sick and have power over demons. As he gives them power and authority to perform these actions, he also instructs them on how to conduct themselves with humility and without concern for where they will meet their basic needs.

I would guess that not many of us would have the courage to do as Jesus instructed his apostles. We like what comforts we have, and would consider it foolish to have no money when heading out on a trip. What would really require courage and total faith from the apostles would be this new role of healing and having power over demons. They have seen Jesus do these things but now he is sending them out in pairs without his accompaniment. I wonder if it crossed their minds that they might attempt to heal someone and be totally unsuccessful, or that no one would be willing to provide them with shelter or food. Nothing is in the gospel about any reluctance on the part of the apostles. Rather, it seems they embraced their new role, preaching, driving out demons and healing the ill.

- by Susan Tinley

 
Spiritual Reading
Revelations of Divine Love
- by Julian of Norwich 

Third Revelation, Chapter 11

“All thing that is done, it is well done: for our Lord God doeth all.” “Sin is no deed”


But in another time He gave a Shewing for the beholding of sin nakedly, as I shall tell: where He useth working of mercy and grace.


And this vision was shewed, to mine understanding, for that our Lord would have the soul turned truly unto the beholding of Him, and generally of all His works. For they are full good; and all His doings are easy and sweet, and to great ease bringing the soul that is turned from the beholding of the blind Deeming of man unto the fair sweet Deeming of our Lord God. For a man beholdeth some deeds well done and some deeds evil, but our Lord beholdeth them not so: for as all that hath being in nature is of Godly making, so is all that is done, in property of God’s doing. For it is easy to understand that the best deed is well done: and so well as the best deed is done—the highest—so well is the least deed done; and all thing in its property and in the order that our Lord hath ordained it to from without beginning. For there is no doer but He.


Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle

 
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