Message of 2-22-16

Published: Mon, 02/22/16

A Daily Spiritual Seed
Monday: February 22, 2016
Message of the Day
“God loves all that is made, and God’s love is immediately at work in all of us. We must not be impressed by creatures in themselves, but equally, we do not have to turn aside from them in order to meet God’s love.”
- Simon Tugwell [20th C.], The Ways of Imperfection -

(God in all things, and all things in God . . . no created thing an obstacle finding God.)
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Readings of the Day
1 PT 5:1-4;    PS 23:1-6;    MT 16:13-19

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.

Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.

You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.

USCCB lectionary
Reflection on the Scripture
"I for My part declare to you, you are 'Rock,' and on this rock I will build My church." –Matthew 16:18

Jesus made Peter the head of the apostles. Did Jesus intend for someone to succeed Peter as the head of the apostles? The early Church believed Jesus wanted Peter to have successors, and they were in a better position to know Jesus' will than we are. 

How is the Pope called to lead the bishops and the Church? He is to exercise authority, for Jesus has given him the keys of God's kingdom (Mt 16:19). He is to give the Church "a shepherd's care" (1 Pt 5:2), "not lording it over" the Church (1 Pt 5:3).

PROMISE: "When the chief Shepherd appears you will win for yourselves the unfading crown of glory." –1 Pt 5:4

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

Book III: Christ

Chapter 9: Christology and the Mystical Body

213. The human nature, in all the perfection it can have, is human. To be God’s nature, it has to become divine.

216. In its substance the body was material, but nevertheless was spiritualized, because united to the spirit, it had a sort of "being of union" with the spirit.
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