Message of 12-4-08
Published: Sat, 11/29/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"You are a fire that takes away the coldness, illuminates the mind
with its Light, and causes me to know Your Truth. And I know that
You are Beauty and Wisdom itself. The food of angels, You gave
Yourself to human beings in the fire of Your Love.
- Catherine of Siena -
(Open your mind and heart to receive the Light of God this day.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27
R. (26a) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This gate is the LORD's;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on
them will be like a fool who built his house on sand."
Many homeowners can testify that what once seemed to be a good
foundation can in time prove otherwise. The settling of a house may
leave cracks in its foundation. Damage may be negligible, or it can
signal a major threat to the home's structural integrity. Prudence
demands that we periodically inspect our homes and our practices of
faith. How might we attend more closely to Jesus' exhortation to
listen to his words and act on them? Do we need to shore up our
spiritual lives by setting aside more time for prayer or study of
the sacred scriptures?
"For lives grounded in Christ, we pray."
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Carmelite Method)
A. Introduction: settling in, relaxing in awareness of God's
presence.
B. Reading the text slowly, prayerfully.
C. Meditation: imaginative representation of the material; reflection
on the meaning of the material and its application to one's life.
D. Affective prayer: conversation with God, attentive to sharing
feelings awakened in meditation. Prayer of petition, thanksgiving,
remorse.
E. Resting in God in silent loving awareness, if moved to do so.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
The Voice of Christ
MY CHILD, do not take it to heart if you see others honored and
advanced, while you yourself are despised and humbled. Lift up
your
heart to Me in heaven and the contempt of people on earth will
not grieve
you.
The Disciple
Lord, we are blinded and quickly misled by vanity. If I examine
myself
rightly, no injury has ever been done me by any creature; hence
I have
nothing for which to make just complaint to You. But I have sinned
often and gravely against You; therefore is every creature in arms
against me. Confusion and contempt should in justice come upon
me, but
to You due praise, honor, and glory. And unless I prepare myself
to be
willingly despised and forsaken by every creature, to be
considered
absolutely nothing, I cannot have interior peace and strength,
nor can
I be enlightened spiritually or completely united with You.
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 40
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