Message of 12-24-07
Published: Sat, 12/22/07
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
When God saw the world falling to ruin because of fear, he
immediately acted to call it back to himself with love. He invited
it by grace, preserved it by his love and embraced it with
compassion.
- Peter Chrysologus, "Sermon"
(Still does! Let yourself be so embraced by this Love and
compassion this final day of Advent)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29; Lk 1:67-79
R. (2) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
"I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations."
"He shall say of me, 'You are my father,
my God, the rock, my savior.'
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm."
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- Reflection: (used with permission from http://www.scripture.net )
In sending the Messiah God has made a gracious visit to his people
to redeem them. This was the mission for which Jesus Christ was
sent into the world -- to redeem those sold for sin and sold under
sin. In the feast of the Incarnation we celebrate the gracious gift
of God in sending his only begotten Son to redeem us. Let us pray
that the Holy Spirit may inspire us and fill us with joy and
boldness to proclaim the message of the Lord's visitation and
redemption.
"Lord, you have been gracious and merciful towards your people.
Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may bear witness to the joy of
the gospel to those around me."
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THEOLOGICAL GEMS FROM EMIL MERCH'S THEOLOGY OF THE MYSTICAL BODY
from http://www.innerexplorations.com/chtheomortext/theolgems.htm
289. Christ's work is a work of love and union.
290. We have to understand Christ from within, because He has
entered into us. We must also understand the redemption from
within, for the only redemption we have is that which is now going
on within us.
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LECTIO DIVINA METHOD (Benedictine Approach)
1. Relax. Settle in. Be aware that God is here, now, loving you.
2. Read a short passage of Scripture as though God were speaking
directly to you in it.
3. Choose a phrase from the passage that strikes you and repeat it
slowly, prayerfully, non-analytically.
4. When your heart is full, express to God the needs and sentiments
awakened by your meditation. When you're done, read another passage
and repeat steps 3 and 4.
5. If, at any time, you feel moved to simply be present to God in
loving silence, put the Scripture aside and rest in God.
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