Message of 3-14-08
Published: Fri, 03/07/08
A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
The trees, the flowers, the plants grow in silence. The stars, the
sun, the moon move in silence. Silence gives us a new perspective.
- Mother Theresa
(How can you find more time for silence in your life?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Jer 20:10-13; Ps. 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7; Jn 10:31-42
R. (see 7) In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my
voice.
I love you, O LORD, my strength,
O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.
My God, my rock of refuge,
my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies.
The breakers of death surged round about me,
the destroying floods overwhelmed me;
The cords of the nether world enmeshed me,
the snares of death overtook me.
In my distress I called upon the LORD
and cried out to my God;
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry to him reached his ears.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- John 10: 31-42 (Jesus confronts his critics)
Before the Jews rush to hasty conclusions, Jesus again reminds
them that his works confirm his words, and he invites them to
reconsider their unfounded judgments against him. When they reply
by trying to arrest him, he escapes because he is not yet ready to
make his decisive confrontation.
- To whom do your works testify? To whom do you give the glory?
- Spend some time with the passage The Father is in me and I am in
the Father" and its equivalent in the First Letter of John: The
one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (4:
4). Pray for the grace to be filled with this power.
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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 shared:
That as he knew his obligation to love GOD in all things, and as he
endeavoured so to do, he had no need of a director to advise him,
but that he needed much a confessor to absolve him. That he was
very sensible of his faults, but not discouraged by them; that he
confessed them to GOD, and did not plead against Him to excuse
them. When he had so done, he peaceably resumed his usual practice
of love and adoration.
- Second Conversation
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