Message of 8-20-08
Published: Sat, 08/16/08
"It is a fatal error to mistake mere historical belief for saving
faith. A person may firmly believe in his or her religion
historically, and yet have no part nor portion therein practically
and savingly. He or she must not only believe this faith, but must
believe IN his or her faith."
- St. Thomas More [16th C.], "Meditations and Devotions" -
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Ez 34:1-11; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 20:1-16
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Only goodness and kindness will follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from "Daily Reflections"
http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
. . . today's gospel moves me to realize that I need to stop seeing
people as "One of Them" and see them as "One of Us," as people who
are loved by Jesus as much as I am. I need to stop imagining that I
am earning Jesus' love and to understand that it is lavished on me
freely and without being deserved.
It is here in this humble place of standing before Jesus, so aware
of my own faults, that I realize Jesus is throwing his arms around
me and holding me close as he hands me a full day's wage, even
though I spent most of the day hanging back in the shade,
complaining that he wasn't fair.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Meister Eckhart's Sermons"
Adam possessed that union with God which we have spoken of, and
while he had it, his capacity contained the capacities of all
creatures. The load-stone attracts the needle, and the needle
receives the magnetic power, so that it can also attract other
needles and draw them to the load-stone. But if one draws the first
needle away, all the other needles come with it. Thus was it with
Adam: when, in his highest capacity, he was separated from God all
his capacities deteriorated. Thence came also discord and the
clashing of oppugnant wills among the lower creation, and
deterioration of their powers down to the lowest. It is necessary,
therefore, for all the creatures which issued forth from God to
co-operate earnestly with all their powers to form a Man who may
again attain that union with God which Adam enjoyed before he fell,
and who may again restore to the creatures their forfeited powers.
This is fulfilled in Christ as He Himself said, "I, if I be lifted
up, will draw all men unto Me." He means, if He is exalted in our
knowledge, He will draw us unto Himself. In Him human nature grew
divine, and thanked God and loved Him with immeasurable love. This
also befits God that he loves human nature with so great love.
- 5. The self-communication of God
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REVIEW OF DAY
- from, "Handbook for Spiritual Directees"
http://shalomplace.com/view/hndbk-lite.pdf
Here is a practice used by many at the end of the day to see what
lessons can be learned and how God was present and active through
the day. Set aside fifteen to twenty minutes at the end of the
day for prayer and review of your day. A suggested format is
described below:.
1. Take a few moments of quiet. Breathe deeply. Ask God to help you
see yourself as you truly were during the day.
2. Look back over your day - not to see what you did wrong but to
honestly acknowledge what was going on with you and others.
* What happened? What did I do today?
* How did I feel? Why did I feel that way?
* Were my expectations and beliefs reasonable?
3. Affirm the healthy things you recognize.
4. Admit to yourself and God the unhealthy things. Ask God's
forgiveness, believe it is yours, then decide if you need to
apologize or make amends.
5. Use creative visualization to grow stronger. Honestly
acknowledge the troubling situations of the day. See and feel
yourself acting honestly and lovingly in these situations. Ask God
for the grace to help you act in this new way.
6. Close with simple awareness of the sights and sounds around you,
grateful for the good things in your life.
This process can be undertaken as a daily journal exercise or by
prayerfully reviewing your day in your own mind. I like to take a
walk before bedtime for examen. The important thing is to do it. It
is a discipline, to be sure, but a very important one.
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SHALOM PLACE PREMIUM GROUPS
- Life-long learning and formation in Christian spirituality.
Groups now open include the following:
A. Psychological Types and Spirituality
B. The Way of Christian Spirituality
C. Freedom from Codependency
D. Christian Spirituality Resources
E. Wonderfully Made (Christian Metaphysics)
F. Growing in Christ
G. Spiral Dynamics®
H. Discerning God's Will
I. Dark Night of the Soul
J. Silence, Solitude and Sabbath
K. Alpha Group -- includes all the above and all to come.
- see http://shalomplace.org/groups.html
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