Message of 4-24-08
Published: Sat, 04/19/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Even Socrates, who lived a very frugal and simple life, loved to go
to the market. When his students asked about this, he replied, "I
love to go and see all the things I am happy without."
- Jack Kornfield, "After the Ecstasy, the Laundry"
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Acts 15:7-21; Ps. 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 10; Jn 15:9-11
R. (3) Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
What is the essence of this new commandment? True love is
sacrificial. It gives all to the beloved. And there is no greater
proof in love than the sacrifice of one's life for the sake of
another. Jesus proved his love for his disciples by giving his life
for them, even to death on the cross. We prove our love for God and
for one another when we embrace the way of the cross. What is the
cross in my life? When my will crosses with God's will, then God's
will must be done. Do you know the joy and contentment of a life
fully surrendered to God and consumed with his love?
"Lord Jesus, may I abound in hope, joy, and love. Inflame my heart
with love for you and your ways and with charity and compassion for
my neighbor. May there be nothing in my life which keeps me from
your love."
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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
The Voice of Christ
MY CHILD, you can never be perfectly free unless you completely
renounce self, for all who seek their own interest and who love
themselves are bound in fetters. They are unsettled by
covetousness
and curiosity, always searching for ease and not for the things of
Christ, often devising and framing that which will not last, for
anything that is not of God will fail completely.
Hold to this short and perfect advice, therefore: give up your
desires
and you will find rest. Think upon it in your heart, and when
you have
put it into practice you will understand all things.
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 32
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