Message of 8-31-07
Published: Fri, 08/31/07
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
When some say they want to serve God, they mean in an advisory capacity.
- Anonymous
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Prayer is a choice. For us to pray to give thanks, or to voice our questions and doubts shows that we are choosing to leave an opening in our spirits. Without this opening, there is no vessel, no place into which God can breathe.
- Joanna Laufer
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
1 Thes 4:1-8; Ps 97:1 and 2b, 5-6, 10, 11-12; Mt 25:1-13
R.
(12a) Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
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.
The LORD loves those who hate evil;
he guards the lives of his faithful ones;
from the hand of the wicked he delivers them.
Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just,
and give thanks to his holy name.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
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.
The LORD loves those who hate evil;
he guards the lives of his faithful ones;
from the hand of the wicked he delivers them.
Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just,
and give thanks to his holy name.
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Praying the Daily Gospels
- by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Matthew 25: 1-13 (Preparedness pays)
Today’s parable is based upon traditions that seem strange to many of us in the West. After a couple married, they went to their home and were treated like royalty by friends and relatives for several days. Late-comers were barred from this ceremony. Because no one was allowed outside at night without a light of some kind, people waiting for a nocturnal arrival of the couple needed plenty of oil if they were to gain admittance to the ceremony. In the same way, Jesus tells us, we are to be vigilant for his return.
• How
do you feel when you reflect upon the fact that you will die?
• "Those who weep loudest at funerals are those who never said, I love you’ when they had the chance,” Leo Buscaglia said. How can you tell the people you care for that you love them today?
• "Those who weep loudest at funerals are those who never said, I love you’ when they had the chance,” Leo Buscaglia said. How can you tell the people you care for that you love them today?
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ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE
- by Jean Pierre de Caussade, S.J.
The order established by God and His divine will are the life of the soul no
matter in what way they work, or are obeyed. Whatever connexion the divine
will has with the mind, it nourishes the soul, and continually enlarges it
by giving it what is best for it at every moment. It is neither one thing
nor another which produces these happy effects, but what God has willed for
each moment.
-- Book 1, Chapter 1, Section 5
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Contemplative Method)
- adapted by Philip St. Romain from a variety of sources -
A. Select a short passage that you will use for prayer.
B. Settle in by sitting straight (on tailbone, spine erect). Notice sensations in your body, sounds around you, the manner of your breathing. Call to mind that God is present in and amidst all of this.
C. Read the passage aloud slowly, prayerfully. Let the words make their own impact, and voice whatever they awaken in your mind and heart to God.
- proceed to Step E if you already feel yourself coming to contemplative silence -
D. Read the passage a second time silently. Again, voice whatever is awakened to God, or acknowledge before God in your heart. Let this be a spontaneous conversation which includes your questions, intellectual reflections, petitions, resolutions, and so forth.
E. Read the passage a third time. If there is a word or phrase that sums up this passage, or that speaks to you in a special way, repeat it in your mind prayerfully. Let it express your willingness to allow God to be God in your life.
F. Allow yourself to simply be present to God in loving silence, aware of God's unfailing Presence to you in love. When distractions come which capture your attention, re-introduce the sacred word from Step E. Continue with this resting until your prayer time is over.
G. Close your prayer time with a sincere vocal recitation of the Lord's prayer, putting your whole being into the words.
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