Message of 3-28-08
Published: Sat, 03/22/08
A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Jesus's resurrection makes it impossible for the human story to end
in chaos - it has to move inexorably towards light, towards life,
towards love.
- Carlo Carretto
(How has your own journey been moving towards light and life?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Acts 4:1-12; Ps. 118:1-2 and 4, 22-24, 25-27a; Jn 21:1-14
R. (22) The stone rejected by the builders has become the
cornerstone.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,
"His mercy endures forever."
Let those who fear the LORD say,
"His mercy endures forever."
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- John 21: 1-14 (Appearance by the Sea of Tiberius)
This passage is reminiscent of the call of Simon, Andrew, James,
and John. Before Jesus called them to be disciples, they had been
fishermen. Finding them fishing in the sea, the risen Jesus tells
them to cast out one more time; they net an abundance of fish.
Jesus then nourishes them for their new role as fishers of people.
- How does God's grace nourish you in your daily work? Do you
believe your work and the successes you've had are entirely because
of your own efforts or because grace has helped you get where you
are?
- Do you consider yourself a fisher of people? What does this mean
to you?
- Pray for the grace to recognize God working in your life.
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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 noted:
That at the beginning he had often passed his time appointed for
prayer, in rejecting wandering thoughts, and falling back into
them. That he could never regulate his devotion by certain methods
as some do. That nevertheless, at first he had meditated for some
time, but afterwards that went off, in a manner that he could give
no account of.
- Second Conversation
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