Message of 8-14-08
Published: Sat, 08/09/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"Without the experience of 'resting in God' [contemplation], all
the capital sins are flourishing without one actually being aware
of the fact. One may think one is doing great things for God if
one gets into parochial work or teaching, but the seven capital
sins--the results of the emotional programs for happiness--are
there in concrete form."
- Thomas Keating, "Vision Statement to Contemplative Outreach,"
1993.
(Yes indeed. How much misery and selfishness resides deep in the
human heart. Only God can truly heal us. Be still, and invite the
Spirit to bring deep peace.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Ez 12:1-12; Ps 78:56-57, 58-59, 61-62; Mt 18:21-19:1
R. (see 7b) Do not forget the works of the Lord!
They tempted and rebelled against God the Most High,
and kept not his decrees.
They turned back and were faithless like their fathers;
they recoiled like a treacherous bow.
They angered him with their high places
and with their idols roused his jealousy.
God heard and was enraged
and utterly rejected Israel.
And he surrendered his strength into captivity,
his glory in the hands of the foe.
He abandoned his people to the sword
and was enraged against his inheritance.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity
on you?"
We have all experienced the remarkable patience and the enduring
mercy of God. But have we achieved the fullness of God's purpose
for us? Has receiving God's mercy made us more merciful? God's
intention for us goes beyond mere reconciliation; God seeks our
transformation. We should ask: Who will I meet today who needs for
me to be more patient? Who needs my understanding and love, my
forgiveness? We do not know what burdens others carry, but we do
know that ours have been lifted time and again by our gracious and
merciful God.
"For gratitude for God's mercy ... for the desire to be more like
God, 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
Who are you, then, that you should be afraid of mortal man?
Today he
is here, tomorrow he is not seen. Fear God and you will not be
afraid
of the terrors of men. What can anyone do to you by word or
injury? He
hurts himself rather than you, and no matter who he may be he
cannot
escape the judgment of God. Keep God before your eyes,
therefore, and
do not quarrel with peevish words.
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 36
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