Message of 2-15-08
Published: Thu, 02/07/08
A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
This should be the manner of our fasting;
not in hatred and contention,
not in envy and strife,
not in self-glory and with hidden deceit,
but like Christ in humble-mindedness.
-St. Joseph the Studite
(The most difficult fast of all!)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Ez 18:21-28; Ps. 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8; Mt 5:20-26
R. (3) If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to my voice in supplication.
If you, O LORD, mark iniquities,
LORD, who can stand?
But with you is forgiveness,
that you may be revered.
I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word.
My soul waits for the LORD
more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
Let Israel wait for the LORD.
For with the LORD is kindness
and with him is plenteous redemption;
And he will redeem Israel
from all their iniquities.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Matthew 5: 20-26: On forgiveness and reconciliation
Today's reading introduces an important lesson. We learn that
anger can separate us from others, and therefore we ought to
control it by striving to be reconciled with those who are the
objects of our anger.
- Who or what most often causes you anger? How do you usually
handle your anger? Are your expectations of others always
reasonable? How might you alter your expectations?
- Make a commitment to reconcile with someone with whom you are
angry (or who is angry with you).
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Benedictine Approach)
1. Relax. Settle in. Be aware that God is here, now, loving you.
2. Read a short passage of Scripture as though God were speaking
directly to you in it.
3. Choose a phrase from the passage that strikes you and repeat it
slowly, prayerfully, non-analytically.
4. When your heart is full, express to God the needs and sentiments
awakened by your meditation. When you're done, read another passage
and repeat steps 3 and 4.
5. If, at any time, you feel moved to simply be present to God in
loving silence, put the Scripture aside and rest in God.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "The Practice of the Presence of God," by Brother Lawrence
Brother Lawrence said:
That he expected after the pleasant days GOD had given him, he should
have his turn of pain and suffering; but that he was not uneasy about
it, knowing very well, that as he could do nothing of himself, GOD
would not fail to give him the strength to bear them.
That when an occasion of practising some virtue offered, he addressed
himself to GOD, saying, LORD, I cannot do this unless Thou enablest
me;
and that then he received strength more than sufficient.
- Second Conversation
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