Message of 12-7-07
Published: Thu, 11/29/07
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
There is a time appointed in the history of our world, when that
very Jesus who appeared on earth, "a man of sorrows and acquainted
with grief," shall reappear with all the circumstances of majesty
and power, "King of kings and Lord of lords." We are led to expect
a day when Christ shall find a home in the remotest hearts and
families, and the earth in all its circumference be covered with
the knowledge and the power of the Lord.
- Henry Melvill
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31
R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
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ADVENT MEDITATION
Friday , First Week in Advent
Psalm 27.1, 4, 13-14
Matthew 9: 27-31 (Jesus cures two blind men)
Jesus was very aware that his actions and words were misinterpreted
by those who had their own ideas about what the messiah should be.
He did not fit the role of the political monarch some wanted, nor
was he committed to the cause of Jewish nationalism. He saw
himself more as a loving servant and sought frequently to deflect
attention away from himself toward his Father.
- If you could ask and receive one gift from God, what would you
choose? Hear Jesus ask you, "Are you confident I can do this for
you?"
- Ask for the grace to strengthen your faith in God's providence.
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ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE
- by Jean Pierre de Caussade, S.J.
The soul that does not attach itself solely to the will of God
will find
neither satisfaction nor sanctification in any other means
however excellent
by which it may attempt to gain them. If that which God Himself
chooses for
you does not content you, from whom do you expect to obtain what
you desire?
If you are disgusted with the meat prepared for you by the
divine will
itself, what food would not be insipid to so depraved a taste?
No soul can
be really nourished, fortified, purified, enriched, and
sanctified except in
fulfilling the duties of the present moment. What more would you
have? As in
this you can find all good, why seek it elsewhere?
-- Book 1, Chapter 1, Section 7
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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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