Message of 10-12-07
Published: Sat, 10/06/07
God intervenes in the affairs of humans by invitation only.
- Anonymous
(What would you like to invite God to intervene in this day?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Jl 1:13-15; 2:1-2; Ps 9:2-3, 6 and 16, 8-9; Lk 11:15-26
R. (9) The Lord will judge the world with justice.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will declare all your wondrous deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, Most High.
You rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;
their name you blotted out forever and ever.
The nations are sunk in the pit they have made;
in the snare they set, their foot is caught.
But the LORD sits enthroned forever;
he has set up his throne for judgment.
He judges the world with justice;
he governs the peoples with equity.
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Praying the Daily Gospels
- by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Luke 11:15-26 (Jesus and Beelzebul)
To discredit Jesus' ministry, some people begin accusing him of
doing the work of Satan. Jesus not only counters the
contradictions apparent in such accusations but also states that
people who are not with him are working against him. There is
really no middle ground in life upon which a person may claim
neutrality toward God.
- Looking back over the events of the past several days, do you see
yourself moving toward or away from God? Explain.
- What kind of "unclean spirit" has been troubling you lately? How
can you displace it with love? Make a plan and pray for the grace
to carry out your resolve.
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ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE
- by Jean Pierre de Caussade, S.J.
Whatever ideas may fill the mind, whatever feelings afflict the
body; even
if the mind should be tormented with distractions and troubles,
and the body
with sickness and pain, nevertheless the divine will is ever for
the present
moment the life of the soul and of the body; in fact, neither
the one nor
the other, no matter in what condition it may be, can be
sustained by any
other power.
-- 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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