Message of 9-19-08
Published: Sun, 09/14/08
A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"But it is not necessary for us to set forth our petitions before
God in
order to make known to him our needs or desires, but rather that we
ourselves may realize that in these things it is needful to have
recourse
to the divine assistance."
- St. Thomas Aquinas [13th C.], "Summa Theologica," 2, 2, 83, 2
(Prayer opens us to "the divine assistance." Who doesn't need that?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
1 Cor 15:12-20; Ps 17:1bcd, 6-7, 8b and 15; Lk 8:1-3
R. (15b) Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
Hear, O LORD, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my word.
Show your wondrous mercies,
O savior of those who flee
from their foes to refuge at your right hand.
Hide me in the shadow of your wings,
But I in justice shall behold your face;
on waking, I shall be content in your presence.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Luke 8: 1-3 (Jesus and the women)
"It is one of the supreme achievements of Jesus that he can enable
the most diverse people to live together withot.it in the least
losing their own personalities or qualities," William Barclay
wrote. The group of women who followed Jesus are certainly a
diverse hand! But they share a common bond in their love for Jesus
and their commitment to serve him out of their own meager resources.
- Do you find it difficult to establish friendships with people of
opposite views? Why? Why not?
- Do you believe community is richer for including a diversity of
people? Does your community include that diversity?
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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 explained
That in the beginning of his novitiate he spent the hours appointed
for private prayer in thinking of GOD, so as to convince his mind
of, and to impress deeply upon his heart, the Divine existence,
rather by devout sentiments, and submission to the lights of faith,
than by studied reasonings and elaborate meditations. That by this
short and sure method, he exercised himself in the knowledge and
love of GOD, resolving to use his utmost endeavour to live in a
continual sense of His Presence, and, if possible, never to forget
Him more.
- Fourth Conversation
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