Message of 10-26-07
Published: Thu, 10/18/07
Kind words do not cost much. They never blister the tongue or lips.
They make other people good-natured. They also produce their own
image on men's souls, and a beautiful image it is.
- Blaise Pascal
(Indeed, as words of the Word, we are formed by the thoughts we
hold onto and the words we speak.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Rom 7:18-25a; Ps 119:66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94; Lk 12:54-59
R. (68b) Lord, teach me your statutes.
Teach me wisdom and knowledge,
for in your commands I trust.
You are good and bountiful;
teach me your statutes.
Let your kindness comfort me
according to your promise to your servants.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
Never will I forget your precepts,
for through them you give me life.
I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
- - -
Praying the Daily Gospels
- by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Luke 12: 54-59 (The signs of the times)
We have become quite adept at understanding God's creation and of
prospering from it. We have placed people on the moon and learned
the secrets of the atom. We have a technology which promises
wonders only dreamed of by science fiction writers in the past. Yet
we have achieved only minimal ethical and spiritual progress
through the ages. In today's reading Jesus tells us that we ought
to apply our intelligence to the things of God as much as to
creation and materialism.
- People do not change, only culture" is a familiar maxim. Do
you agree with this? Why? Why not?
- What are some of the signs of the times today to which we
ought to pay more attention? What are you doing to take a stand?
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ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE
- by Jean Pierre de Caussade, S.J.
The mind with all the consequences of its activity might take
the foremost
rank among the tools employed by God, but has to be deputed to
the lowest as
a dangerous slave. It might be of great service if made use of
in a right
manner, but is a danger if not kept in subjection. When the soul
longs for
outward help it is made to understand that the divine action is
sufficient
for it. When without reason it would disclaim this outward help,
the divine
action shows it that such help should be received and adapted with
simplicity in obedience to the order established by God, and
that we should
use it as a tool, not for its own sake but as though we used it
not, and
when deprived of all help as though we wanted nothing.
-- Book 1, Chapter 1, Section 6
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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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