Message of 7-10-08
Published: Mon, 07/07/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"Just as at the sea those who are carried away from the direction
of the harbor bring themselves back on course by a clear sign, so
Scripture may guide those adrift on the sea of life back into the
harbor of the divine will."
- St. Gregory of Nyssa -
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Hos 11:1-4, 8e-9; Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16; Mt 10:7-15
R. (4b) Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken.
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see:
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted,
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htmMatthew
10:16-23 (Persecutions to come)
"I drew them with human cords, with bands of love."
How patient the Lord is! We can almost hear God saying, "Please
listen: I. Love. You. Not because you are handsome, smart or
powerful, or even generous, brave or self-sacrificing, but because
I am Love, right through. You go off on your own, time after time,
seeking salvation and security from other sources, which you make
into gods. It is the very nature of those false gods to disappoint.
Return to me and the life to which I call you. I will always
welcome you, heal you and give you peace. Trust me.
"My grace is all you need for the work of spreading my kingdom on
earth." Lord, help me to look only to you for my peace and
fulfillment."
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Carmelite Method)
A. Introduction: settling in, relaxing in awareness of God's
presence.
B. Reading the text slowly, prayerfully.
C. Meditation: imaginative representation of the material; reflection
on the meaning of the material and its application to one's life.
D. Affective prayer: conversation with God, attentive to sharing
feelings awakened in meditation. Prayer of petition, thanksgiving,
remorse.
E. Resting in God in silent loving awareness, if moved to do so.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
Do you think that you will always have spiritual consolations as
you
desire? My saints did not always have them. Instead, they had many
afflictions, temptations of various kinds, and great desolation.
Yet
they bore them all patiently. They placed their confidence in God
rather than in themselves, knowing that the sufferings of this
life
are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to come.
And you
-- do you wish to have at once that which others have scarcely
obtained after many tears and great labors?
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 35
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