Message of 7-15-08
Published: Wed, 07/09/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
I will charge my soul to believe and wait for Him, and will follow
His providence, and not go before it, nor stay behind it.
- Samuel Rutherford
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Is 7:1-9; Ps 48:2-3a, 3b-4, 5-6, 7-8; Mt 11:20-24
R. (see 9d) God upholds his city for ever.
Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain, fairest of heights,
is the joy of all the earth.
Mount Zion, "the recesses of the North,"
is the city of the great King.
God is with her castles;
renowned is he as a stronghold.
For lo! the kings assemble,
they come on together;
They also see, and at once are stunned,
terrified, routed.
Quaking seizes them there;
anguish, like a woman's in labor,
As though a wind from the east
were shattering ships of Tarshish.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
Why does Jesus lament and issue a stern warning? The people who
heard the gospel here very likely responded with indifference.
Jesus upbraids them for doing nothing! Repentance demands change -
a change of heart and way of life. God's word is life-giving and it
saves us from destruction - the destruction of heart, mind, and
soul as well as body. Jesus' anger is directed toward sin and
everything which hinders us from doing the will of God. In love he
calls us to walk in his way of truth and freedom, grace and
loving-kindness, justice and holiness. Do you receive his word with
faith and obedience or with doubt and indifference?
"Most High and glorious God, enlighten the darkness of our hearts
and give us a true faith, a certain hope and a perfect love. Give
us a sense of the divine and knowledge of yourself, so that we may
do everything in fulfilment of your holy will; through Jesus Christ
our Lord." (Prayer of Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226)
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Ignatian Method)
A. Preparation: acts of faith and reverence in the presence of God;
asking grace of a good meditation; petition for specific graces
sought in meditation.
B. Reading the Scriptures slowly, prayerfully.
C. Exercise of the memory, imagination, and intellect:
consideration of the material.. What practical applications are
suggested?
D. Expression of feelings and sentiments awakened in meditation.
Conversation with God.
E. Exercise of will and imagination in making resolutions. Prayer
for grace to fulfill resolutions.
F. Vocal prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, other prayers).
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
"Sayings of Light and Love," by St. John of the Cross (jottings
from his notebooks)
70. Abide in peace, banish cares, take no account of all that
happens, and you will serve God according to his good pleasure, and
rest in him.
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