Message of 3-31-08
Published: Thu, 03/27/08
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"A stream has welled up, it has become a torrent . . .
It has flooded the universe, it has converged on the temple.
No bank or dam could halt it . . .
All who were thirsty have drunk of it and their thirst has been
quenched,
For the Most High has given them to drink.
By means of the living waters they live for ever. Alleluia!"
- Odes of Solomon, 6 -
(These Odes are from the first century of Christianity and were
likely sung as hymns. Open yourself to the simple message it
conveys. Drink of the living water of the risen Christ.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Is 7:10-14; 8:10; Ps. 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11; Heb 10:4-10;
Lk 1:26-38
R. (8a and 9a) Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, "Behold I come."
"In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!"
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
Your justice I kept not hid within my heart;
your faithfulness and your salvation I have spoken of;
I have made no secret of your kindness and your truth in the vast
assembly.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
Annunciation of the Lord
"Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you."
With this greeting, God intimately enters creation in a marvelous
and astounding way. It's a miracle beyond our limited reasoning. No
wonder Mary's first reaction is disbelief. We're the beneficiaries
of her willingness to accept this astonishing gift despite her
inability to fathom it. With her simple response, Christ came into
the world, and the Lord has been with all of us ever since. God
trusted Mary to respond favorably and guided her since her own
conception. Her statement of faith and God's extraordinary love
ensure that all of us will receive that same loving protection.
"O Lord, let us graciously accept the call to do your will, not
just for our own sake but for the good of all your children, we
pray."
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LECTIO DIVINA PROCESS
- http://heartlandspirituality.org/vocations/prayer.html
First, you choose a passage of Scripture that you will pray with.
It might be the Gospel reading used in the liturgy of the day, or
anything else you want. The process then follows these steps:
* Reading (lectio) After settling in and quieting yourself,
read the passage slowly, prayerfully. Just let it sink in for a
minute or two, then read it a second time, paying closer attention
to the words or phrases that speak to you.
* Reflecting (meditatio) What do you hear God saying to you in
this passage? What words or phrases caught your attention?
* Responding (oratio) What do you want to say to God in
response to what you've heard? Here you can also voice your prayers
of petition, remorse, thanksgiving, praise, and so forth. If you
sense God speaking to you in your thoughts, feelings or
imagination, you respond as you would in any conversation.
* Resting (contemplatio) If, at any time, you feel drawn to
simply rest in the awareness of God's loving presence, you let
yourself do so. Remain in loving silence as long as you feel
comfortable, perhaps using a simple word or phrase from the
Scripture passage to help deepen your openness to rest in God.
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THEOLOGICAL GEMS FROM EMIL MERCH'S "THEOLOGY OF THE MYSTICAL BODY"
from http://www.innerexplorations.com/chtheomortext/theolgems.htm
369. Through the grace of the Incarnation, the Son, the assumed
human nature, and the regenerated human race are all united.
The grace of divinization flows to Christians from Christ and hence
from the Son. That is the essence of grace. This divinization must
have a "filial" character and must sanctify men by fulfilling its
sole purpose, which is to make them worthy members of Him who is
the Son.
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