Message of 2-7-08
Published: Mon, 02/04/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Review your life. Is it not composed of innumerable actions of very
little importance? Well, God is quite satisfied with these. They
are the share that the soul must take in the work of its
perfection. This is so clearly explained in Holy Scripture that
there can be no doubt about it: "Fear God and keep the
commandments, this is the whole duty of a person" (Ecclesiastes
xii, 13), that is to say--this is all that is required on our part,
and it is in this that active fidelity consists. If we but fulfill
our part God will do the rest.
- Jean Pierre de Caussade, "Abandonment to Divine Providence"
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Dt 30:15-20; Ps. 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6; Lk 9:22-25
R. (40:5a) Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
The cross of Jesus Christ leads to freedom and victory over sin and
death. What is the cross which Christ commands me to take up each
day as his disciple? When my will crosses with his will, then his
will must be done. The way of the cross involves sacrifice, the
sacrifice of laying down my life each and every day for Jesus'
sake. What makes such sacrifice possible and "sweet" is the love
of God poured out for us in the blood of Jesus Christ. Paul the
Apostle reminds us that "God's love has been poured into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:5). We can never outgive God.
He always gives us more than we can expect or imagine. Are you
ready to lose all for Christ in order to gain all with Christ?
"Lord Jesus, I give you my hands to do your work. I give you my
feet to go your way. I give you my eyes to see as you do. I give
you my tongue to speak your words. I give you my mind that you may
think in me. I give you my spirit that you may pray in me. Above
all, I give you my heart that you may love in me, your Father, and
all mankind. I give you my whole self that you may grow in me, so
that it is you, Lord Jesus, who live and work and pray in me."
(Prayer from The Grail)
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Carmelite Method)
A. Introduction: settling in, relaxing in awareness of God's
presence.
B. Reading the text slowly, prayerfully.
C. Meditation: imaginative representation of the material; reflection
on the meaning of the material and its application to one's life.
D. Affective prayer: conversation with God, attentive to sharing
feelings awakened in meditation. Prayer of petition, thanksgiving,
remorse.
E. Resting in God in silent loving awareness, if moved to do so.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
The Voice of Christ:
Let not your heart be troubled, therefore, nor let it be afraid.
Believe in Me and trust in My mercy. When you think you are far
from
Me, then often I am very near you. When you judge that almost
all is
lost, then very often you are in the way of gaining great merit.
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 30
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