Message of 4-18-08
Published: Sat, 04/12/08
A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"Christ, having completed for us his saving work and ascended to
heaven with the body which he had taken to himself, accomplishes in
his own self the union of heaven and earth, of material and
spiritual beings, and thus demonstrates the unity of creation in
the polarity of its parts."
- Maximus the Confessor, "Commentary on the Lord's Prayer" -
(The risen Christ makes all things new. What do you need him to
transform in you today? Ask for this grace in confidence that
Christ hears your prayer.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Acts 13:26-33; Ps. 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab; Jn 14:1-6
R. (7bc) You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
"I myself have set up my king
on Zion, my holy mountain."
I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:
The LORD said to me, "You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you."
"Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You shall rule them with an iron rod;
you shall shatter them like an earthen dish."
And now, O kings, give heed;
take warning, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice before him; with trembling
rejoice.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- John 14:1-6 (Jesus is the way, the truth, the life)
In today's reading Christian beliefs concerning Jesus are focused
beautifully by John. Jesus is the firstborn of the new creation and
he has gone to prepare a place for us. He has revealed to us the
way, the truth, and the life that will unite us with him and with
one another.
- Meditate on several words/phrases that express your
understanding/experience of Jesus as the way, the truth, and the
life.
- Does your belief in life after death empower you to live more
fully now, or does it cause you to procrastinate your life away?
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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 said:
That the greatest pains or pleasures, of this world, were not to be
compared with what he had experienced of both kinds in a spiritual
state: so that he was careful for nothing and feared nothing,
desiring but one only thing of GOD, viz., that he might not offend
Him.
That he had no scruples; for, said he, when I fail in my duty, I
readily acknowledge it, saying, I am used to do so: I shall never
do otherwise, if I am left to myself. If I fail not, then I give
GOD thanks, acknowledging that it comes from Him.
- Second Conversation
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