Message of 11-21-08
Published: Fri, 11/07/08
A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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ANNUAL APPEAL
This is the final day of our appeal, and I'll use this space to
thank you for sharing in this online ministry. It is edifying to
know that there are so many people who take their faith in Christ
seriously, and seek out ways to grow spiritually. Truly, we all do
need each other to grow in Christ. Maybe I haven't said this
recently, but I am grateful to all who send in quotes, website
recommendations, and even good jokes. That's quite helpful, as are
your affirming remarks when a quote or Scripture meditation touches
you. So keep em coming; it spreads the good news to others and
enriches the newsletter.
Your support for the Internet ministry at Heartland Center for
Spirituality makes it possible for me to have the time and
resources to do this work. Donations are tax-deductible and help
to defray our expenses.
see http://shalomplace.com/seed/donations.html for links to donate
online or voluntary subscription payments.
For checks or money orders, send to: Internet Ministry. Heartland
Center for Spirituality. 3600 Broadway. Great Bend, KS 67530.
Thanks!
Phil St. Romain
Editor
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"I had heard many say that they wanted to worship God in their own
way and did not need a church in which to praise Him, nor a body of
people with whom to associate themselves. But I did not agree to
this. My very experience as a radical, my whole make-up, led me to
want to associate myself with others, with the masses, in loving
and praising God."
- Dorothy Day, founder of the Catholic Worker movement -
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Rv 10:8-11; Ps 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131; Lk 19:45-48
R. (103a) How sweet to my taste is your promise!
In the way of your decrees I rejoice,
as much as in all riches.
Yes, your decrees are my delight;
they are my counselors.
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
How sweet to my palate are your promises,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Your decrees are my inheritance forever;
the joy of my heart they are.
I gasp with open mouth
in my yearning for your commands.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Luke 19: 45-48 (Cleansing the Temple)
To appreciate the zeal which moved Jesus to expel the traders in
the Temple, we must realize that the money changers and sellers of
animals who had set up booths were victimizing the poor, offering
services at elevated prices. This defilement of the people of God
in the name of his house angered Jesus.
- How do you feel about your tax dollars supporting oppressive
military regimes throughout the world?
- How do you feel about your Lord marching into the midst of his
enemies and confronting them?
- Pray for the grace to be courageous in your beliefs.
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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
Such was my beginning; and yet I must tell you, that for the first
ten years I suffered much: the apprehension that I was not devoted
to GOD, as I wished to be, my past sins always present to my mind,
and the great unmerited favours which GOD did me, were the matter
and source of my sufferings. During this time I fell often, and
rose again presently. It seemed to me that the creatures, reason,
and GOD Himself were against me; And faith alone for me. I was
troubled sometimes with thoughts, that to believe I had received
such favours was an effect of my presumption, which pretended to be
at once where others arrive with difficulty; at other times that it
was a willful delusion, and that there was no salvation for me.
- Second Letter
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