Message of 10-3-08
Published: Thu, 09/25/08
A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were
to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him and if they were to allow
His grace to mold them accordingly.
- Ignatius
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Jb 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5; Ps 139:1-3, 7-8, 9-10, 13-14ab; Lk
10:13-16
R. (24b) Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
Where can I go from your spirit?
From your presence where can I flee?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I sink to the nether world, you are present there.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
Even there your hand shall guide me,
and your right hand hold me fast.
Truly you have formed my inmost being;
you knit me in my mother's womb.
I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;
wonderful are your works.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Luke 10: 13-16 (Townships cursed)
Today we again return to the sobering theme of procrastinating in
our response to Christ. Jesus curses Chorazin, Bethsaida, and
Capernaum because they have not accepted the offer of salvation.
We, too, should never take for granted Jesus' invitation to follow
him. Furthermore, there are times in our lives when we are
especially aware of this offer, and our responses then are crucial
to our formation.
- It only takes a moment to be loved a whole life through," John
Powell said. Have you experienced such peak moments in your life?
Did you ever withdraw from the promise of such a moment? Pray for
the grace to recognize and accept these invitations when they come.
- Spend some time with the verse "He who hears you, hears me." What
does this say to you about the importance of your example to others?
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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 shared:
That, when he began his business, he said to GOD, with a filial
trust in Him, O my GOD, since Thou art with me, and I must now, in
obedience to Thy commands, apply my mind to these outward things, I
beseech Thee to grant me the grace to continue in Thy Presence; and
to this end do Thou prosper me with Thy assistance, receive all my
works, and possess all my affections.
As he proceeded in his work, he continued his familiar conversation
with his Maker, imploring His grace, and offering to Him all his
actions.
- Fourth Conversation
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