Message of 8-11-08
Published: Sat, 08/09/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"The soul of one who loves God always swims in joy, always keeps
holiday, and is always in the mood for singing."
- St. John of the Cross -
(Kind of reminds me of the song, "How Can I Keep from Singing? --
Refrain: "If Love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from
singing?")
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Ez 1:2-5, 24-28c; Ps 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14; Mt 17:22-27
R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights;
Praise him, all you his angels;
praise him, all you his hosts.
Let the kings of the earth and all peoples,
the princes and all the judges of the earth,
Young men too, and maidens,
old men and boys,
Praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
His majesty is above earth and heaven.
And he has lifted up the horn of his people.
Be this his praise from all his faithful ones,
from the children of Israel, the people close to him.
Alleluia.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook,
and take the first fish that comes up."
When the collectors of the temple tax come around, Jesus has more
important things on his mind, specifically his impending passion
and death. He instructs Simon to pay the tax even though they are
not actually obliged to pay. The demands of the imperfect systems
within which we live often bother us. Some may even be unjust. But,
rather than buck the system, it is sometimes better to ask: "Do I
want to be right, or do I want peace?" As we remain focused on the
kingdom, God will supply amply, even miraculously, for all of our
needs.
"For wisdom, patience and trust, we pray."
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LECTIO DIVINA PROCESS
- http://heartlandspirituality.org/vocations/prayer.html
First, you choose a passage of Scripture that you will pray with.
It might be the Gospel reading used in the liturgy of the day, or
anything else you want. The process then follows these steps:
* Reading (lectio) After settling in and quieting yourself,
read the passage slowly, prayerfully. Just let it sink in for a
minute or two, then read it a second time, paying closer attention
to the words or phrases that speak to you.
* Reflecting (meditatio) What do you hear God saying to you in
this passage? What words or phrases caught your attention?
* Responding (oratio) What do you want to say to God in
response to what you've heard? Here you can also voice your prayers
of petition, remorse, thanksgiving, praise, and so forth. If you
sense God speaking to you in your thoughts, feelings or
imagination, you respond as you would in any conversation.
* Resting (contemplatio) If, at any time, you feel drawn to
simply rest in the awareness of God's loving presence, you let
yourself do so. Remain in loving silence as long as you feel
comfortable, perhaps using a simple word or phrase from the
Scripture passage to help deepen your openness to rest in God.
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THEOLOGICAL GEMS FROM EMIL MERCH'S "THEOLOGY OF THE MYSTICAL BODY"
from http://www.innerexplorations.com/chtheomortext/theolgems.htm
412. -- God produces knowledge by union, by becoming really and
hypostatically one with a person who is really and mystically one
with all Christians. This knowledge exists only in union with God
and His interior light.
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