Message of 10-19-07
Published: Fri, 10/12/07
Never cease loving a person, and never give up hope for him, for
even the prodigal son who had fallen most low, could still be
saved; the bitterest enemy and also he who was your friend could
again be your friend; love that has grown cold can kindle again.
- Soren Kierkegaard
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Rom 4:1-8; Ps 32:1b-2, 5, 11; Lk 12:1-7
R. (see 7) I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me
with the joy of salvation.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, "I confess my faults to the LORD,"
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just;
exult, all you upright of heart.
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Praying the Daily Gospels
- by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Luke 12:1-7 (Fear God alone)
People who are afraid are not free, Jesus tells us in today's
reading. 'Perfect love casts out all fear" John wrote in his
epistle. If we could eliminate from our lives the fear of death
and the fear of harsh judgments from others, we would be truly
free. If we really believe that God loves us unconditionally, this
fear will leave us.
- When do you most often experience fear and anxiety? How do you
usually handle these feelings? How can you change your thinking
concerning these occasions to diminish fear? Write out suggestions
for yourself.
- Spend some time with the verse "Do not be afraid. You are worth
more than many sparrows."
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ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE
- by Jean Pierre de Caussade, S.J.
The divine influence alone can sanctify us. Without it bread may
be poison,
and poison a salutary remedy. Without it reading only darkens
the mind; with
it darkness is made light. It is everything that is good and
true in all
things, and in all things it unites us to God, who, being
infinite in all
perfections, leaves nothing to be desired by the soul that
possesses Him.
-- 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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