Message of 8-23-07
Published: Thu, 08/23/07
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Christianity is a religion which concerns us as we are here and now, creatures of body and soul. We do not follow the footsteps of His most holy life by the exercise of a trained religious imagination, but by treading the firm, rough earth, up hill and down dale.
- Evelyn Underhill
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Jgs 11:29-39a; Ps 40:5, 7-8a, 8b-9, 1; Mt 22:1-14
R.
(8a and 9a) Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Blessed the man who makes the LORD his trust;
who turns not to idolatry
or to those who stray after falsehood.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me.
To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!”
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
Blessed the man who makes the LORD his trust;
who turns not to idolatry
or to those who stray after falsehood.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me.
To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!”
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
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Praying the Daily Gospels
- by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Matthew 22:1-14 (The great banquet)
Today’s parable gives us another important insight into the heart of God, teaching us that God is extremely eager to share blessings with us. If we are to gain access to these blessings, we must put on the garment of faith, without which we shall never appreciate the things of God.
• What are some
of the blessings you have received from the Church during the past
month (Church meaning people of God”)? Thank God for these
blessings.
• Ignatian spirituality holds that joy springs from gratitude, which springs from awareness of grace, which springs from faith. Are you a joyful person? What does this say about the way you recognize grace?
• Ignatian spirituality holds that joy springs from gratitude, which springs from awareness of grace, which springs from faith. Are you a joyful person? What does this say about the way you recognize grace?
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
- by Thomas a Kempis -
A Prayer Against Bad Thoughts
O Lord my God, be not far from me. O my God, hasten to help me, for
varied thoughts and great fears have risen up within me, afflicting my
soul. How shall I escape them unharmed? How shall I dispel them?
"I will go before you," says the Lord, "and will humble the great ones
of earth. I will open the doors of the prison, and will reveal to you
hidden secrets."
Do as You say, Lord, and let all evil thoughts fly from Your face.
This is my hope and my only comfort -- to fly to You in all
tribulation, to confide in You, and to call on You from the depths of
my heart and to await patiently for Your consolation.
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 22
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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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