Message of 5-5-08
Published: Sat, 05/03/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Prayer is not simply getting things from God, that is a most
initial form of prayer; prayer is getting into perfect communion
with God. If the Son of God is formed in us by regeneration, He
will press forward in front of our common sense and change our
attitude to the things about which we pray.
--Oswald Chambers
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Acts 19:1-8; Ps. 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab; Jn 16:29-33
R. (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
God arises; his enemies are scattered,
and those who hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so are they driven;
as wax melts before the fire.
But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Reflections"
http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
- Reflection on Acts 19: 1-8
Paul assessed and spoke to the needs of the people at that place
and time. I reflect on Pope Benedict XVI's assessment of needs and
his speaking to some of the needs of Catholics and others in this
country at this time -
1) acknowledging the pain and suffering of those individuals
sexually abused by clergy;
2) acknowledging the need of family togetherness of immigrants; and,
3) the promotion of ecumenism.
By parallel extension, I trust that all of us, imbued by the Holy
Spirit (a theme of Paul's message) and as living people of the
faith, will follow Paul's example - "and for three months debate
boldly with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God."
Perhaps, our "debate" will be 'behavioral debate' in the way in
which we live our lives. Perhaps, the living faith and the Holy
Spirit will become alive to others because of our behaviors.
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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
377. The essential and total gift of knowledge... is the gift of
eternal light in the flash of its own brightness, the gift of the
Trinity in the Word.
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