Message of 10-31-08
Published: Sat, 10/25/08
A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"A group of political activists
were attempting to show the
Master how their ideology
would change the world.
"The Master listened carefully.
"The following day he said,
'An ideology is as good or
bad as the people who make
use of it. If a million
wolves were to organize for
justice, would they cease
to be a million wolves?'"
(Anthony de Mello, "One Minute Wisdom")
- Timely! ;-)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Phil 1:1-11; Ps 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Lk 14:1-6
R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights.
Majesty and glory are his work,
and his justice endures forever.
He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;
gracious and merciful is the LORD.
He has given food to those who fear him;
he will forever be mindful of his covenant.
He has made known to his people the power of his works,
giving them the inheritance of the nations.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Luke 14: 1-6 (Healing again on the Sabbath)
Although Luke does not say it explicitly, one can sense that the
reason the Pharisee has invited Jesus to his home is to keep an eye
on him and to gather information that can be used to discredit
Jesus. Jesus again challenges the Pharisees to leave their legalism
behind and embrace the law of love.
- What are some of the idols of the day which den the value
of the individual? How are you taking stand to work through these
influences?
- Pray for the grace to see people as more important than
anything else.
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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
NOT finding my manner of life in books, although I have no
difficulty about it, yet, for greater security, I shall be glad to
know your thoughts concerning it.
In a conversation some days since with a person of piety, he told
me the spiritual life was a life of grace, which begins with
servile fear, which is increased by hope of eternal life, and which
is consummated by pure love; that each of these states had its
different stages, by which one arrives at last at that blessed
consummation.
I have not followed all these methods. On the contrary, from I know
not what instincts, I found they discouraged me. This was the
reason why, at my entrance into religion, I took a resolution to
give myself up to GOD, as the best satisfaction I could make for my
sins; and, for the love of Him, to renounce all besides.
- Second letter
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