Message of 1-21-08
Published: Sun, 01/20/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Let us not be content to wait and see what will happen, but give us
the determination to make the right things happen.
- Peter Marshall
(What right thing do you need to make happen this day?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
1 Sm 15:16-23; Ps. 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23; Mk 2:18-22
R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold."
"Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?"
"When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God."
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
Obedience is better than sacrifice. Jesus' response to those who
raise questions about fasting is to remind them that they are
seeking old answers for a new age. We are to expect the time after
his resurrection, the time of the church, to be wholly new. The
force and power of the Holy Spirit will burst forth into the world,
a power that conquers not by warfare and destruction, but by peace,
love and humble service of all in need. We are called to this
service and are led by the light of Jesus' love and truth.
Lord, mold us into the people who will be your instruments in
bringing the light of your Kingdom to all.
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LECTIO DIVINA PROCESS
- http://heartlandspirituality.org/vocations/prayer.html
First, you choose a passage of Scripture that you will pray with.
It might be the Gospel reading used in the liturgy of the day, or
anything else you want. The process then follows these steps:
* Reading (lectio) After settling in and quieting yourself,
read the passage slowly, prayerfully. Just let it sink in for a
minute or two, then read it a second time, paying closer attention
to the words or phrases that speak to you.
* Reflecting (meditatio) What do you hear God saying to you in
this passage? What words or phrases caught your attention?
* Responding (oratio) What do you want to say to God in
response to what you've heard? Here you can also voice your prayers
of petition, remorse, thanksgiving, praise, and so forth. If you
sense God speaking to you in your thoughts, feelings or
imagination, you respond as you would in any conversation.
* Resting (contemplatio) If, at any time, you feel drawn to
simply rest in the awareness of God's loving presence, you let
yourself do so. Remain in loving silence as long as you feel
comfortable, perhaps using a simple word or phrase from the
Scripture passage to help deepen your openness to rest in God.
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THEOLOGICAL GEMS FROM EMIL MERCH'S "THEOLOGY OF THE MYSTICAL BODY"
from http://www.innerexplorations.com/chtheomortext/theolgems.htm
300. You are suffering as much as ought to be your contribution to
the complete passion of Christ, who has suffered as our head, and
who now suffers in His members, that is, in us. Each of us, in his
little way, is paying into this common treasury what he owes. (St.
Augustine)
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