Message of 8-6-07

Published: Mon, 08/06/07


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MESSAGE OF THE DAY

"In his great love, God was unwilling to restrict our freedom, even though he had the power to do so.  He has left us to come to him by the love of our heart alone."
    - Isaac of nineveh, "Ascetic treatises, #81

(Today, God says "come to me."  What is your response?)

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SCRIPTURE READINGS
     http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/

- Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ

Dn 7:9-10, 13-14;   Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 9;   2 Pt 1:16-19;   Lk 9:28b-36


R.    (1a and 9a) The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.

The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.

The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.

Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods.

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Gospel Meditation

Origen, the great 3rd century bible scholar, shows us how the transfiguration can change our lives: “When he is transfigured, his face also shines as the sun that he may be manifested to the children of light who have put off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, and are no longer the children of darkness or night but have become the sons of day, and walk honestly as in the day. Being manifest, he will shine unto them not simply as the sun, but as demonstrated to be the sun of righteousness.”

The Lord wants to reveal his glory to us, his beloved disciples. Do you seek his presence with faith and reverence?

“Lord, keep me always alert and awake to you, to your word, your action, and your daily presence in my life. Let me see your glory.”

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http://www.dailyscripture.net/

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THEOLOGICAL GEMS FROM EMIL MERCH'S THEOLOGY OF THE MYSTICAL BODY
   from http://www.innerexplorations.com/chtheomortext/theolgems.htm

210. The human nature had to be intensely active in receiving it (the Word). The reception had

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LECTIO DIVINA METHOD (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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