Message of 3-19-08
Published: Mon, 03/10/08
Be not miserable about what may happen tomorrow. The same
everlasting Father, who cares for you today, will care for you
tomorrow.
- Francis de Sales
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Is 50:4-9a; Ps. 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34; Mt 26:14-25
R. (14c) Lord, in your great love, answer me.
For your sake I bear insult,
and shame covers my face.
I have become an outcast to my brothers,
a stranger to my mother's sons,
because zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.
Insult has broken my heart, and I am weak,
I looked for sympathy, but there was none;
for consolers, not one could I find.
Rather they put gall in my food,
and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving:
"See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not."
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
And I have not rebelled, have not turned back.
These words certainly describe Jesus. How seldom do they apply to
us. We turn back to our same sinful habits again and again. The
Tempter whispers, "What good does it do to repent of your sins,
confess them and resolve to change? You'll just do the same thing
again." Stop! Remember that Jesus is with us each moment, that he
knows what temptation feels like, that he continues to keep his
promise not to leave us orphans. He is with us in the words of
scripture, in the sacraments and in the Spirit-filled faith
community of the church. Let us rely on Christ's strength and not
be discouraged by our weakness.
Lord, teach us to look to your grace, not our own efforts in our
battle with sin.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Meister Eckhart's Sermons"
Now, how is the soul to arrive at this heavenly state that it
recognizes God in itself, and knows that He is near? By copying the
heavens, which can receive no impulse from without to mar their
tranquility. Thus must the soul, which would know God, be rooted
and grounded in Him so steadfastly, as to suffer no perturbation of
fear or hope, or joy or sorrow, or love or hate, or anything which
may disturb its peace.
- #2, The Nearness of the Kingdom
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REVIEW OF DAY
- from, "Handbook for Spiritual Directees"
http://shalomplace.com/view/hndbk-lite.pdf
Here is a practice used by many at the end of the day to see what
lessons can be learned and how God was present and active through
the day. Set aside fifteen to twenty minutes at the end of the
day for prayer and review of your day. A suggested format is
described below:.
1. Take a few moments of quiet. Breathe deeply. Ask God to help you
see yourself as you truly were during the day.
2. Look back over your day - not to see what you did wrong but to
honestly acknowledge what was going on with you and others.
* What happened? What did I do today?
* How did I feel? Why did I feel that way?
* Were my expectations and beliefs reasonable?
3. Affirm the healthy things you recognize.
4. Admit to yourself and God the unhealthy things. Ask God's
forgiveness, believe it is yours, then decide if you need to
apologize or make amends.
5. Use creative visualization to grow stronger. Honestly
acknowledge the troubling situations of the day. See and feel
yourself acting honestly and lovingly in these situations. Ask God
for the grace to help you act in this new way.
6. Close with simple awareness of the sights and sounds around you,
grateful for the good things in your life.
This process can be undertaken as a daily journal exercise or by
prayerfully reviewing your day in your own mind. I like to take a
walk before bedtime for examen. The important thing is to do it. It
is a discipline, to be sure, but a very important one.
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SHALOM PLACE PREMIUM GROUPS
- Life-long learning and formation in Christian spirituality.
Groups now open include the following:
A. Psychological Types and Spirituality
B. The Way of Christian Spirituality
C. Freedom from Codependency
D. Christian Spirituality Resources
E. Wonderfully Made (Christian Metaphysics)
F. Growing in Christ
G. Spiral Dynamics®
H. Discerning God's Will
I. Dark Night of the Soul
J. Silence, Solitude and Sabbath
K. Alpha Group -- includes all the above and all to come.
- see http://shalomplace.org/groups.html
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