Message of 12-21-07
Published: Sat, 12/15/07
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
There is more hid in Christ than we shall ever learn, here or there
either; but they that begin first to inquire will soonest be
gladdened with revelation; and with them He will be best pleased,
for the slowness of His disciples troubled Him of old. To say that
we must wait for the other world, to know the mind of Him who came
to this world to give Himself to us, seems to me the foolishness of
a worldly and lazy spirit. The Son of God is the teacher of all,
giving to us of His Spirit -- that Spirit which manifests the deep
things of God, being to a person the mind of Christ.
- George Macdonald
(The gift of the Spirit . . . Christ's new life within us!)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Sgs 2:8-14; Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lk 1:39-45
R. (1a; 3a) Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
Sing to him a new song;
pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield,
For in him our hearts rejoice;
in his holy name we trust.
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Advent Reflections
Every Sunday I visit the poor in Calcutta's slums. I cannot help
them, because I do not have anything, but I go to give them joy....O
God how easily I make them happy! Give me strength to be always the
light of their lives and so lead them to You! --Mother Teresa
Despite our imperfections, each of us has the power to bring great
happiness to someone else. Make time today to bring joy to a person
in need.
- from "Day to day through Advent with Mother Teresa"
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ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE
- by Jean Pierre de Caussade, S.J.
If books, the example of the saints, and
spiritual conversations deprive the soul of peace; if they fill
the mind
without satisfying it; it is a sign that one has strayed from
the path of
pure abandonment to the divine action, and that one is only
seeking to
please oneself. To be employed in this way is to prevent God
from finding an
entrance. All this must be got rid of because of being an
obstacle to grace.
But if the divine will ordains the use of these things the soul
may receive
them like the rest.
-- 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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