Message of 3-20-08
Published: Mon, 03/10/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Only look to Jesus. He died for you, died in your place, died under
the frowns of heaven, that we might die under its smile. Regard
neither unbelief nor doubt. Fear neither sin nor hell. Choose
neither life nor death. All these are swallowed up in the immensity
of Christ and are triumphed over in His cross.
- John Fletcher
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Ex 12:1-8, 11-14; Ps 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18; 1 Cor
11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15
R. (cf. 1 Cor 10:16) Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood
of Christ.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
Saint Augustine in his sermon for this day, wrote: "He had the
power of laying down his life; we by contrast cannot choose the
length of our lives, and we die even if it is against our will. He,
by dying, destroyed death in himself; we are freed from death only
in his death. His body did not see corruption; our body will see
corruption and only then be clothed through him in incorruption at
the end of the world. He needed no help from us in saving us;
without him we can do nothing. He gave himself to us as the vine to
the branches; apart from him we cannot have life. Finally, even if
brothers die for brothers, yet no martyr by shedding his blood
brings forgiveness for the sins of his brothers, as Christ brought
forgiveness to us. In this he gave us, not an example to imitate
but a reason for rejoicing. Inasmuch, then, as they shed their
blood for their brothers, the martyrs provided "the same kind of
meal" as they had received at the Lord's table. Let us then love
one another as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us."
"Lord Jesus, your love conquers all and never fails. Help me to
love others freely, with heart-felt compassion , kindness and
goodness. Where there is injury, may I sow peace rather than strife."
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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
For this, indeed, great grace is needed, grace that will raise the
soul and lift it up above itself. Unless a man be elevated in
spirit,
free from all creatures, and completely united to God, all his
knowledge and possessions are of little moment. He who considers
anything great except the one, immense, eternal good will long be
little and lie groveling on the earth. Whatever is not God is
nothing
and must be accounted as nothing.
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 31
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