Message of 11-21-07
Published: Thu, 11/15/07
SHALOM PLACE PREMIUM GROUPS
- Life-long learning and formation in Christian spirituality.
Groups now open include the following:
A. Psychological Types and Spirituality
B. The Way of Christian Spirituality
C. Freedom from Codependency
D. Christian Spirituality Resources
E. Wonderfully Made (Christian Metaphysics)
F. Growing in Christ
G. Spiral Dynamics®
H. Discerning God's Will
I. Dark Night of the Soul
J. Silence, Solitude and Sabbath
K. Alpha Group -- includes all the above and all to come.
- see http://shalomplace.org/groups.html
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful
heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so
it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!
~Henry Ward Beecher
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
2 Mc 7:1, 20-31; Ps 17:1bcd, 5-6, 8b and 15; Lk 19:11-28
R. (15b) Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
Hear, O LORD, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.
My steps have been steadfast in your paths,
my feet have not faltered.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my word.
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings.
But I in justice shall behold your face;
on waking, I shall be content in your presence.
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Praying the Daily Gospels
- by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Luke 19: 11-28 (Parable of the pounds)
Jesus may have based this story on an actual historical occurrence.
When Herod the Great died, one of his sons, Archelaus, went to
Rome to plead for his inheritance. A delegation of Jews dissuaded
the emperor from appointing him king, though his inheritance was
granted. Jesus builds this incident into a lesson about the wise
use of our talents.
- "So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit
you out of my mouth," the risen Christ said to the Church in
Laodicea (Revelation 3:16). What does this passage say to you?
- Have you been developing your talents and sharing yourself in
challenging ways lately? How?
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MYSTICISM
- by Evelyn Underhill -
The nature of distracting factors which "confuse and enchain the
mind" will vary with almost every individual. It is impossible to
predict what those things will be which a self must give up, in
order that the transcendental consciousness may grow. "It makes
little difference whether a bird be held by a slender thread or by
a rope; the bird is bound, and cannot fly until the cord that holds
it is broken. It is true that a slender thread is more easily
broken; still notwithstanding, if it is not broken the bird cannot
fly. This is the state of a soul with particular attachments: it
never can attain to the liberty of the divine union, whatever
virtues it may possess. Desires and attachments affect the soul as
the remora is said to affect a ship; that is but a little fish, yet
when it clings to the vessel it effectually hinders its progress."
(St. John of the Cross)
------ Part 2, Chapter 3
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MEDITATING ON SCRIPTURE (Method of St. Francis de Sales)
A. Settling in: call to mind God's presence; address oneself to God
in vocal prayer.
B. Reading the Scripture passage slowly, prayerfully.
C. Exercise of the will and intellect in considering the message:
what is this passage saying? what is it calling forth from me?
D. Conclusion: acts of thanksgiving, remorse and intercessions
awakened by the meditation.
E. Application: Immediate follow-through on resolutions made.
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