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“True encounter with Christ in the word of God awakens something in the depth of our being, something we did not know was there. True encounter with Christ liberates something in us, a power we did not know we had, a hope, a capacity for life, a resilience, an ability to bounce back when we thought we
were completely defeated, a capacity to grow and change, a power of creative transformation.” - Thomas Merton, He is Risen -
(How have you experienced this dynamic of defeat and resurrection in your life lately?)
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Hos 14:2-10; Ps 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-14, 17; Mt 10:16-23
R. My mouth will
declare your praise.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
Behold, you are pleased with sincerity of heart,
and in my inmost being you teach me wisdom.
Cleanse me of sin with
hyssop, that I may be purified;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in
me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
USCCB Lectionary
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Matthew 10:16-23 (Persecutions to come)
Because the early Church
experienced persecution from Jews and Gentiles, Jesus’ warning in today’s reading offered words of consolation and hope. Persecution is to be expected even from family members, Jesus explains, but the consolation of the Spirit will be given to those in need.
- Do you believe that people today would crucify Jesus if he were to come among us in person as he did years ago?
- How have you been persecuted for Christ’s sake during the
past week? - Pray for the grace of endurance.-
Paperback, Kindle
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The Way of Perfection, by Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Describes how, by striving always to walk in the love and fear of God, we shall travel safely amid all these temptations.
Therefore, sisters, when you see someone to whom the Lord is granting these favours, praise Him fervently,
yet do not imagine that she is safe, but aid her with more prayer, for no one can be safe in this life amid the engulfing dangers of this stormy sea. Wherever this love is, then, you will not fail to recognize it; I do not know how it could be concealed. For they say that it is impossible for us to hide our love even for creatures, and that, the more we try to conceal it, the more clearly is it revealed. And yet this is so worthless that it hardly deserves the name of love, for it is founded
upon nothing at all: it is loathsome, indeed, to make this comparison. How, then, could a love like God's be concealed -- so strong, so righteous, continually increasing, never seeing cause for ceasing to manifest itself, and resting upon the firm foundation of the love which is its reward? As to the reality of this reward there can be no doubt, for it is manifest in Our Lord's great sorrows, His trials, the shedding of His blood and even the loss of His life. Certainly, then, there is no doubt
as to this love. It is indeed love, and deserves that name, of which worldly vanities have robbed it. God help me! How different must the one love be from the other to those who have experience of both! - Chapter 40 (Keep in mind that she is writing to sisters in a cloistered contemplative order.)
Paperback, Kindle
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