Message of 4-11-08
Published: Sat, 04/05/08
A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Humility always has a good cry and then forgets petty insults.
Remember this. If you want to conquer the devil, arm yourself with
humility.'
- Hildegard of Bingen, "Scivias"
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Acts 9:1-20; Ps. 117:1bc, 2; Jn 6:52-59
R. (Mark 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
Praise the LORD, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
For steadfast is his kindness toward us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- John 6: 52-59 (More on the Bread of Life)
These are some of the most uncompromising words ever attributed to
Jesus. The Greek word for flesh used by John refers to bodily
flesh, causing us to ask, with the Jews, 'How can this man give us
(his) flesh to eat?" This unmistakable allusion to the importance
of the Eucharist should remind us that Jesus' gift of his life is
the greatest gift we can receive.
- Many people who proclaim Jesus as their lord and savior speak of
him as having died for their sins. How do you understand this?
How has Jesus given his life for you?
- List a few of the many changes that have come to the world
because of Jesus. Spend some time thanking God for these graces
which determine the social and cultural contexts of our lives.
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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 our only business was to love and delight ourselves in GOD.
That all possible kinds of mortiļ¬cation, if they were void of the
love of GOD, could not efface a single sin. That we ought, without
anxiety, to expect the pardon of our sins from the Blood of JESUS
CHRIST, only endeavouring to love Him with all our hearts. That GOD
seemed to have granted the greatest favours to the greatest
sinners, as more signal monuments of His mercy.
- Second Conversations
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