Message of 9-30-08
Published: Thu, 09/25/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
The will of God is never exactly what you expect it to be. It may
seem to be much worse, but in the end it's going to be a lot better
and a lot bigger.
- Elisabeth Elliot
(Has this been your experience? Do you trust that God's will is
your happiness?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Jb 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23; Ps 88:2-3, 4-5, 6, 7-8; Lk 9:51-56
R. (3) Let my prayer come before you, Lord.
O LORD, my God, by day I cry out;
at night I clamor in your presence.
Let my prayer come before you;
incline your ear to my call for help.
For my soul is surfeited with troubles
and my life draws near to the nether world.
I am numbered with those who go down into the pit;
I am a man without strength.
My couch is among the dead,
like the slain who lie in the grave,
Whom you remember no longer
and who are cut off from your care.
You have plunged me into the bottom of the pit,
into the dark abyss.
Upon me your wrath lies heavy,
and with all your billows you overwhelm me.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he
resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem."
Today's readings show us two men -- Job and Jesus -- living life and
considering death. Job is overwhelmed by life's troubles and thinks
it would be better if he had never been born. But, Job learns, God
is in charge. Jesus, on the other hand, is "resolutely determined"
to fulfill God's will, whatever that entails. I think "resolutely
determined" is the key. My life and all its one-day-at-a-time joys
and sorrows are what I embrace when I affirm that God is in charge
and resolve to follow the Lord, through life, through death, to
greater life.
"Lord, teach me that there is no challenge without your sustaining
grace."
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Ignatian Method)
A. Preparation: acts of faith and reverence in the presence of God;
asking grace of a good meditation; petition for specific graces
sought in meditation.
B. Reading the Scriptures slowly, prayerfully.
C. Exercise of the memory, imagination, and intellect:
consideration of the material.. What practical applications are
suggested?
D. Expression of feelings and sentiments awakened in meditation.
Conversation with God.
E. Exercise of will and imagination in making resolutions. Prayer
for grace to fulfill resolutions.
F. Vocal prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, other prayers).
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
"Sayings of Light and Love," by St. John of the Cross (jottings
from his notebooks)
80. Bridle your tongue and your thoughts very much, direct your
affection habitually toward God, and your spirit will be divinely
enkindled.
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