Message of 2-4-08
Published: Sun, 02/03/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Love seeks one thing only: the good of the one loved. It leaves all
the other secondary effects to take care of themselves. Love,
therefore, is its own reward.
- Thomas Merton
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"The Five Consents"
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
2 Sm 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13; Ps. 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; Mk 5:1-20
R. (8a) Lord, rise up and save me.
O LORD, how many are my adversaries!
Many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
"There is no salvation for him in God."
But you, O LORD, are my shield;
my glory, you lift up my head!
When I call out to the LORD,
he answers me from his holy mountain.
When I lie down in sleep,
I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.
I fear not the myriads of people
arrayed against me on every side.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from www.dailyscripture.net
Jesus took pity on the man who was overtaken by a legion of evil
spirits. The destructive force of these demons is evident for all
who can see as they flee and destroy a herd of swine. After Jesus
freed the demoniac the whole city came out to meet him. No one had
demonstrated such power and authority against the forces of Satan
as Jesus did. They feared Jesus as a result and begged him to leave
them. Why would they not want Jesus to stay? Perhaps the price for
such liberation from the power of evil and sin was more than they
wanted to pay. Jesus is ready and willing to free us from anything
that binds us and that keeps us from the love of God. Are you
willing to part with anything that might keep you from his love and
saving grace?
"Lord Jesus, unbind me that I may love you wholly and walk in the
freedom of your way of life and holiness. May there be nothing
which keeps me from the joy of living in your presence."
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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
312. All suffering comes from original sin.
313. Suffering lets man die to himself, and for banishing egoism,
pride and the spirit of rebellion. This pain is good for man.
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