Message of 2-28-08
Published: Sat, 02/23/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
When I go to Rome, I fast on Saturday, but in Milan I do not. Do
you also follow the custom of whatever church you attend, if you do
not want to give or receive scandal.
- St. Ambrose
(How can you put this principle into practice?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Jer 7:23-28; Ps. 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9; Lk 11:14-23
R. (8) If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
"Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tempted me;
they tested me though they had seen my works."
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
Jesus makes it clear that there are no neutral parties. We are
either for Jesus or against him, for the kingdom of God or against
it. There are two kingdoms in opposition to one another - the
kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness under the rule of Satan.
If we disobey God's word, we open to door to the power of sin and
Satan in our lives. If you want to live in freedom from sin and
Satan, then your house - your life and all you possess - must be
occupied by Jesus where he is enthroned as Lord and Savior. Is the
Lord Jesus the Master of your home, heart, mind, and will?
"O Lord, our God, grant us, we beseech you, patience in troubles,
humility in comforts, constancy in temptations, and victory over
all our spiritual foes. Grant us sorrow for our sins, thankfulness
for your benefits, fear of your judgment, love of your mercies, and
mindfulness of your presence; now and for ever."
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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
If you think aright and view things in their true light, you
should
never be so dejected and saddened by adversity, but rather
rejoice and
give thanks, considering it a matter of special joy that I
afflict you
with sorrow and do not spare you. "As the Father hath loved Me, so
also I love you," I said to My disciples, and I certainly did
not send
them out to temporal joys but rather to great struggles, not to
honors
but to contempt, not to idleness, but to labors, not to rest but
to
bring forth much fruit in patience. Do you, My child, remember
these
words.
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 30
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