Message of 7-11-08

Published: Mon, 07/07/08

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A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth

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MESSAGE OF THE DAY

The incentive to peacemaking is love, but it degenerates into
appeasement whenever justice is ignored. To forgive and to ask for
forgiveness are both costly exercises. All authentic Christian
peacemaking exhibits the love and justice - and so the pain - of
the cross.
- John R. W. Stott

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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/

Hos 14:2-10; Ps 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-13, 14 and 17; Mt 10:16-23

R. (17b) 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.

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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614

- 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.-

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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Benedictine Approach)

1. Relax. Settle in. Be aware that God is here, now, loving you.
2. Read a short passage of Scripture as though God were speaking
directly to you in it.
3. Choose a phrase from the passage that strikes you and repeat it
slowly, prayerfully, non-analytically.
4. When your heart is full, express to God the needs and sentiments
awakened by your meditation. When you're done, read another passage
and repeat steps 3 and 4.
5. If, at any time, you feel moved to simply be present to God in
loving silence, put the Scripture aside and rest in God.

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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "The Practice of the Presence of God," by Brother Lawrence

Brother Lawrence said:

That the most excellent method he had found of going to GOD, was
that of doing our common business without any view of pleasing men,
[Gal. i. 10; Eph. vi. 5, 6.] and (as far as we are capable) purely
for the love of GOD.

That it was a great delusion to think that the times of prayer
ought to differ from other times. that we are as strictly obliged
to adhere to GOD by action in the time of action, as by prayer in
its season.

- Fourth conversation

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