Message of 7-24-08
Published: Tue, 07/15/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Our souls may lose their peace and even disturb other people's, if
we are always criticizing trivial actions -- which often are not
real defects at all, but we construe them wrongly through our
ignorance of their motives.
- Teresa of Avila
(We ought to apply this standard even to ourselves, as we don't
always know our own motives. Gentleness . . . patience . . . )
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Jer 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13; Ps 36:6-7ab, 8-9, 10-11; Mt 13:10-17
R. (10a) With you is the fountain of life, O Lord.
O LORD, your mercy reaches to heaven;
your faithfulness, to the clouds.
Your justice is like the mountains of God;
your judgments, like the mighty deep.
How precious is your mercy, O God!
The children of men take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They have their fill of the prime gifts of your house;
from your delightful stream you give them to drink.
For with you is the fountain of life,
and in your light we see light.
Keep up your mercy toward your friends,
your just defense of the upright of heart.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"Why do you speak to them in parables?"
Good question. If we desire the wisdom to fathom the mysteries of
the kingdom, we have to seek answers. Little children learn through
questioning. They constantly ask, "Why?" We know that Jesus uses
parables to enable those who lack understanding of the kingdom to
come to know it. We know God by asking about him. If we truly want
to see, we need to delve deeper and invest time to reflect. If we
truly want to hear, we have to be willing to take further steps.
The mysteries of the glory of God are vast. Faith is wonderful, but
curiosity and a desire to know God are just as important if we are
going to comprehend what the Lord has to say to us.
"Grant us, Lord, the desire to know you and your ways, we pray."
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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
The Voice of Christ
Wait for the Lord, act bravely, and have courage. Do not lose
trust.
Do not turn back but devote your body and soul constantly to God's
glory. I will reward you most plentifully. I will be with you in
every
tribulation.
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 35
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