Message of 5-2-08

Published: Fri, 04/25/08

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A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth

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MESSAGE OF THE DAY

What greater good can there be than to live in unity with God who
is all good? We can't take credit for the majesty of this union,
though, because Love's responsible for it.
- Catherine of Siena, "Letters"

(For this, we give thanks . . . )

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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/

Acts 18:9-18; Ps. 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; Jn 15: 12-17

R. (8a) God is king of all the earth.

All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over
all the earth.

He brings people under us;
nations under our feet.
He chooses for us our inheritance,
the glory of Jacob, whom he loves.

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the LORD, amid trumpet
blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.

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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614

- John 15:12-17 (Love one another)

Thousands of pages of reflection have been written about Jesus
Christ and the meaning of his revelation for us. Jesus sums up
everything in today's reading, briefly and succinctly! We are to
bear fruit for the glory of God, for God has chosen us to share
with one another his love for us.

- A pious tradition suggests that at the end of our lives, when we
stand before God, he will ask us only one question: 'Have you lived
your life in such a way as to show others that I loved you?" Using
this past week as the basis for your answer, how will you respond?

- Do you believe that God has chosen you to be one of his friends?
How do you experience this?

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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 trust we put in GOD honours Him much, and draws down great
graces.

That it was impossible, not only that GOD should deceive, but also
that He should long let a soul suffer which is perfectly resigned
to Him, and resolved to endure everything for His sake.

- Third Conversation

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