Message of 12-28-07
Published: Sat, 12/22/07
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
For the Word is visible to the heart alone, while flesh is visible
to bodily eyes as well. We already possessed the means to see the
flesh, but we had no means to see the word. The Word was made
flesh so that we could see it, to heal the part of us by which we
could see the Word.
- Augustine, "Tractates on 1 John"
(What does it mean to you to "see the Word?")
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
1 Jn 1:5--2:2; Ps 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8; Mt 2:13-18
R. (7) Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler's
snare.
Had not the LORD been with us--
When men rose up against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive,
When their fury was inflamed against us.
R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler's snare.
Then would the waters have overwhelmed us;
The torrent would have swept over us;
over us then would have swept the raging waters.
R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler's snare.
Broken was the snare,
and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
- - -
- Reflection: (used with permission from http://www.scripture.net )
Jesus promised his disciples that "no one will take your joy from
you" (John 16:22). The Lord gives us a supernatural joy which
enables us to bear any sorrow or pain and which neither life nor
death can take way. Do you know the joy of a life fully surrendered
to God with faith and trust?
"Lord, you gave your life for my sake, to redeem me from slavery to
sin and death. Help me to carry my cross with joy that I may
willingly do your will and not shrink back out of fear or cowardice
when trouble besets me."
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ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE
- by Jean Pierre de Caussade, S.J.
All that is to say' "Alas the means ordained by God which it
accepts simply to use, and leaves afterwards when their moment
has passed
for the duties of the moment that follows. There is, in fact,
nothing really
good that does not emanate from the ordinance of God, and
nothing, however
good in itself, can be better adapted for the sanctification of
the soul and
the attainment of peace."
-- 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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