Message of 2-18-08
Published: Wed, 02/13/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"God loves all that is made, and God's love is immediately at work
in all of us. We must not be impressed by creatures in themselves,
but equally, we do not have to turn aside from them in order to
meet God's love."
- Simon Tugwell [20th C.], "The Ways of Imperfection" -
(God in all things, and all things in God . . . no created thing an
obstacle finding God.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Dn 9:4b-10; Ps. 79:8, 9, 11 and 13; Lk 6:36-38
R. (see 103:10a) Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.
Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name's sake.
Let the prisoners' sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured
out to you."
We must not think that God's forgiveness is "quid pro quo" (e.g.,
As you forgive your enemy, thus I will forgive you"). We might
easily despair if we had to forgive as God does before we could
experience forgiveness. Instead, we should understand that God's
mercy and love are infinite, inexhaustible and unearned. When we
forgive those who harm us, Jesus wants us to imitate divine
forgiveness in its lavish and unstinting generosity, because the
more deeply and unconditionally we forgive, the more we will be
hollowed out to receive, experience and understand the forgiveness
and love God always has for us.
"Lord, enable me to love and forgive as you do, so that I may know
the depth of your love and mercy."
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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
321. God has saved us by uniting us to Himself and by giving us the
power to save ourselves, in Him.
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