Message of 8-25-08
Published: Thu, 08/21/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Try pausing right before and right after undertaking a new action,
even something simple like putting a key in a lock to open a door.
Such pauses take a brief moment, yet they have the effect of
decompressing time and centering you.
- A life practice from Br. David Steindl-Rast
(These "mini-sabbaths," as I like to call them, really are
effective. Give it a try.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
2 Thes 1:1-5, 11-12; Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 4-5; Mt 23:13-22
R. (3) Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
For great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
awesome is he, beyond all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are things of nought,
but the LORD made the heavens.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"Woe to you, blind guides."
Anxious parents brought their son to Mahatma Gandhi, asking for
help because the child's love for candy was endangering his health.
Gandhi told them to come back in 15 days. When they returned,
Gandhi spoke quietly to the boy. Weeks later the parents returned
to Gandhi, delighted because now the boy would not touch sweets.
Gandhi explained that he told them to come back in 15 days because
before he could ask the boy to fast from sweets, he himself had to
do the same. When he spoke to the boy, he simply said, "For my
health and yours, I have given up eating candy. Will you join me in
this fast?" It is not the "blind guide," but this kind of leader
who has true influence -- whether president or prelate; pastor or
parent.
"Lord Jesus, inspired by St. Louis and all the saints, protect us
from hypocrisy."
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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
414. The Word remains here, as encompassing, as interior, as
powerful as ever.
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Select your 4 favorite coffees and
get ready to fall in love with Boca Java -
- http://cpaqlty.com/r/1129/a/135877/l/9e25v8
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