Message of 9-21-07
Published: Sat, 09/15/07
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
I choose gentleness... Nothing is won by force. I choose to be
gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench
my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be
only of myself.
- Max Lucado
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Eph 4:1-7, 11-13; Ps 19:2-3, 4-5; Mt 9:9-13
R. (5) Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
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Praying the Daily Gospels
- by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Luke 8: 1-3 (Jesus and the women)
"It is one of the supreme achievements of Jesus that he can enable
the most diverse people to live together withot.it in the least
losing their own personalities or qualities," William Barclay
wrote. The group of women who followed Jesus are certainly a
diverse hand! But they share a common bond in their love for Jesus
and their commitment to serve him out of their own meager resources.
- Do you find it difficult to establish friendships with people of
opposite views? Why? Why not?
- Do you believe community is richer for including a diversity of
people? Does your community include that diversity?
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ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE
- by Jean Pierre de Caussade, S.J.
In fulfilling these duties (or the present moment) we are always
sure of possessing
the "better part'" because this holy will is itself the better
part, it only requires
to be allowed to act and that we should abandon ourselves
blindly to it with
perfect confidence. It is infinitely wise, powerful and amiable
to those who
trust themselves unreservedly to it, who love and seek it alone,
and who
believe with an unshaken faith and confidence that what it
arranges for each
moment is best, without seeking elsewhere for more or less, and
without
pausing to consider the connexion of these exterior works with
the plans of
God: This would be the refinement of self-love.
-- 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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