Message of 10-25-07
Published: Thu, 10/18/07
When God saw that many men were lazy, and gave themselves only with
difficulty to spiritual reading, He wished to make it easy for
them, and added the melody to the words, that all being rejoiced by
the charm of the music, should sing hymns to Him with gladness.
- John Chrysostom
(As the old saying goes, "the one who sings prays twice." Let your
voice be heard.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Rom 6:19-23; Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6; Lk 12:49-53
R. (Ps 40:5) Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
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Praying the Daily Gospels
- by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Luke 12: 49-53 (The fire of Christ)
"Peace at any price" is not a slogan a Christian should adopt as a
guiding principle. Although it is true that Jesus is often called
the Prince of Peace, we must realize that the peace he brings
cannot exist outside of the context of truth and love. Some people
will not recognize truth, others will reject love; therefore,
Christians ought to expect persecutions.
- 'If you want peace, work for justice" is a slogan adopted
by the U.S. Catholic bishops. Do you agree with this slogan? Why?
Why not?
- Has your Christian faith brought divisions in your family?
If so, what can you do to remain related to family members without
compromising your beliefs?
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
- by Thomas a Kempis -
The Disciple
What, then, shall I do, Lord?
The Voice of Christ
Yet, never to experience any disturbance or to suffer any hurt in
heart or body does not belong to this present life, but rather
to the
state of eternal rest. Do not think, therefore, that you have
found
true peace if you feel no depression, or that all is well
because you
suffer no opposition. Do not think that all is perfect if
everything
happens just as you wish. And do not imagine yourself great or
consider yourself especially beloved if you are filled with great
devotion and sweetness. For the true lover of virtue is not
known by
these things, nor do the progress and perfection of a man
consist in
them.
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 25
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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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