Message of 9-22-08
Published: Sun, 09/21/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"A psychoanalysis of chatter would suggest that our
over-verbalization is an effort to avoid something which is
fearful--silence. But why should silence be threatening? Because
words are a way of structuring, manipulating, and controlling;
thus, when they are absent the specter of loss of control arises.
If we cannot name it, we cannot control it. Naming gives us power.
Hence, silence is impotence, the surrender of control. Control is
power, and power is safety."
- Sam Keen, "To a Dancing God"
(Take more time for silence this day. Invite the Spirit to teach
you how to become more comfortable in the silence.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Prv 3:27-34; Ps 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5; Lk 8:16-18
R. (1) The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
He who walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
By whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
shall never be disturbed.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"No one after lighting a lamp puts it under a vessel."
Today's Gospel passage inspired the children's song "This Little
Light of Mine." We're not to put our light under a "bushel" or "let
Satan blow it out" -- we are to "let it shine." We cover our light
for many reasons: fear, false modesty, the dread of hearing, "Who
does she think she is?" And sometimes our light is extinguished by
the blows of this life: hardship, disappointment, unfairness, the
terrible loss of someone we love, the inevitable iminishment as we
grow older. When our light is so hidden that we cannot find even a
flicker; when our light has been blown out and we are stumbling in
the dark -- that is when we need each other. We illumine for each
other the goodness in each of us. We help each other see that
unique face of God that we are here on this earth to make visible.
Then we say, "Thank you, Jesus, for the lights of my sisters and
brothers."
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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
421. -- Spiritual love is an act of the will.
424. The Holy Spirit is not the reason why the Father and the Son
love each other; this love of the Father and the Son is the origin
of the Holy Spirit.
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