Message of 11-16-07
Published: Sat, 11/10/07
ANNUAL APPEAL
I've saved the best for last, and that is letting you in on the
gratitude gift I will be giving to those who make a donation to
support our ministry. It's the eBook version of the newly
published book by Jim Arraj and me entitled "Critical Issues in
Christian Contemplative Practice."
The book has a unique format, including exerpts from discussion
forum participants on a wide range of issues relevant to Christian
contemplative spirituality. Lots of good sharing of experiences by
many different contributors!
- see http://shalomplace.com/view/criticq.html for a preview of the
content.
You'll see that the eBook is a $7.00 value. Even if you donate
only $5.00, I will give you a copy of the eBook. How's that for a
deal?
OK, that's enough for this year. Hopefully, we'll all be back next
year with a few more subscribers.
May the peace of Christ keep you.
Phil St. Romain
Editor of Daily Spiritual Seed
shalomplace.com webmaster
- To make a donation to Heartland Center for Spirituality, please
visit http://shalomplace.com/seed/donations.html where several
options are listed.
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
As the strongest faith may be shaken, so the weakest, where truth
is, is so far rooted that it will prevail. Weakness with
watchfulness will stand, when strength with too much confidence
fails. Weakness, with acknowledgment of it, is the fittest seat and
subject for God to perfect His strength in; for consciousness of
our infirmities drives us out of ourselves to Him in whom our
strength lies.
- Richard Sibbes
(When I am weak, God supplies what is lacking.)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Wis 13:1-9; Ps 19:2-3, 4-5ab; Lk 17:26-37
R. (2a) The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
- - -
Praying the Daily Gospels
- by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
Luke 17: 26-37 (The end times)
The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is a paradigm for the
direction which history is to take. "He didn't teach us how to swim
only to let us drown," the Imperials sing. This does not mean
Christians will be spared the experience of catastrophe, however.
Even Jesus had to pick up his own cross and face the powers of evil
in this world.
- Do you believe God will allow nuclear warfare to occur?
Why? Why not?
- Do you, as Paul did nineteen hundred years ago, entertain
the hope that Jesus will return before you die? Is this a way to
cope with your fear of death?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE
- by Jean Pierre de Caussade, S.J.
The mind prefers one thing, the body another, but, Lord, I desire
nothing but to
accomplish Your holy will. Work, contemplation or prayer whether
vocal or
mental, active or passive; the prayer of faith or of
understanding; that
which is distinguished in kind, or gifted with universal grace:
it is all
nothing Lord unless made real and useful by Your will. It is to
Your holy
will that I devote myself and not to any of these things,
however high and
sublime they may be, because it is the perfection of the heart
for which
grace is given, and not for that of the mind.'"
-- 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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