Message of 8-30-07
Published: Thu, 08/30/07
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
The Christian faith is meant to be lived moment by moment. It isn't some broad, general outline -- it's a long walk with a real Person. Details count: passing thoughts, small sacrifices, a few encouraging words, little acts of kindness, brief victories over nagging sins.
- Joni Eareckson Tada
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
1 Thes 3:7-13; Ps 90:3-5a, 12-13, 14 and 17; Mt 24:42-59
R.
(14) Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
You turn man back to dust,
saying, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!
You turn man back to dust,
saying, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!
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Praying the Daily Gospels
- by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Matthew 24:42-51 (Faithful servants)
We now begin to reflect on Jesus’ promise to return again. Stay awake” he counsels us, for we do not know when he will come nor ~hen we will die. But the best reason for being faithful is not fear of punishment; we are to be faithful because it is essential to our wholeness.
•
During a ball game, a saint was asked what he would do if he knew that
the Lord would return to earth in fifteen minutes. I’d finish
this game of ball,” he replied. Does this describe your
attitude?
• One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living,” Dale Carnegie wrote. Resolve to make the most of this day.
• One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living,” Dale Carnegie wrote. Resolve to make the most of this day.
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
- by Thomas a Kempis -
A Prayer for Enlightening the Mind
Enlighten me, good Jesus, with the brightness of internal light, and
take away all darkness from the habitation of my heart. Restrain my
wandering thoughts and suppress the temptations which attack me so
violently. Fight strongly for me, and vanquish these evil beasts --
the alluring desires of the flesh -- so that peace may come through
Your power and the fullness of Your praise resound in the holy courts,
which is a pure conscience. Command the winds and the tempests; say to
the sea: "Be still," and to the north wind, "Do not blow," and there
will be a great calm.
-------- 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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