Message of 7-18-08
Published: Wed, 07/09/08
A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Intensity is a law of prayer. God is found by those who seek Him
with all their heart. Wrestling prayer prevails. The fervent
effectual prayer of the righteous is of great force.
- Samuel Chadwick
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Is 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8; Isaiah 38:10, 11, 12abcd, 16; Mt 12:1-8
R. (see 17b) You saved my life, O Lord; I shall not die.
Once I said,
"In the noontime of life I must depart!
To the gates of the nether world I shall be consigned
for the rest of my years."
I said, "I shall see the LORD no more
in the land of the living.
No longer shall I behold my fellow men
among those who dwell in the world."
My dwelling, like a shepherd's tent,
is struck down and borne away from me;
You have folded up my life, like a weaver
who severs the last thread.
Those live whom the LORD protects;
yours is the life of my spirit.
You have given me health and life.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Matthew 12: 1-8 (God wants mercy)
At this point in Matthew's Gospel, the Jewish authorities begin to
openly try to trap Jesus and discredit his ministry. Jesus does
not accept their accusations of disobedience to the Law, however,
reminding them that the mercy of God is the heart of the Law.
- What are some key issues facing the Church today? What are you
doing to inform yourself about these issues? How are you expressing
your opinions about the Church?
- How do you generally react when other people confront you for
something you've done wrong? Why do you respond like this? Is there
a better way to respond?
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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 his prayer was nothing else but a sense of the presence of
GOD, his soul being at that time insensible to everything but
Divine love: and that when the appointed times of prayer were past,
he found no difference, because he still continued with GOD,
praising and blessing Him with all his might, so that he passed his
life in continual joy; yet hoped that GOD would give him somewhat
to suffer, when he should grow stronger.
- Fourth conversation
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