Message of 11-23-07
Published: Thu, 11/15/07
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Christ is like a river. A river is constantly flowing, there are
fresh supplies of water coming from the fountain-head continually
so that we may live by it, and be supplied with water all our lives.
- Jonathan Edwards
(Drink deeply of the living water of Christ. Invite
Him to refresh your soul with His Spirit.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
1 Mc 4:36-37, 52-59; 1 Chronicles 29:10bcd, 11abc, 11d-12a,
12bcd; Lk 19:45-48
R. (13b) We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
"Blessed may you be, O LORD,
God of Israel our father,
from eternity to eternity."
"Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.
For all in heaven and on earth is yours."
"Yours, O LORD, is the sovereignty;
you are exalted as head over all.
Riches and honor are from you."
"You have dominion over all,
In your hand are power and might;
it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all."
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Praying the Daily Gospels
- by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Luke 19: 45-48 (Cleansing the Temple)
To appreciate the zeal which moved Jesus to expel the traders in
the Temple, we must realize that the money changers and sellers of
animals who had set up booths were victimizing the poor, offering
services at elevated prices. This defilement of the people of God
in the name of his house angered Jesus.
- How do you feel about your tax dollars supporting oppressive
military regimes throughout the world?
- How do you feel about your Lord marching into the midst of his
enemies and confronting them?
- Pray for the grace to be courageous in your beliefs.
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ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE
- by Jean Pierre de Caussade, S.J.
The presence of God which sanctifies our souls is the dwelling
of the Holy
Trinity in the depths of our hearts when they submit to His holy
will. The
act of the presence of God made in contemplation effects this
intimate union
only like other acts that are according to the order of God.
-- 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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