Message of 5-1-08
Published: Fri, 04/25/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"No one, except the enemies of the Church, could conceivably be
helped by Christian creeds and dogmas being emptied of their
content. Where everyone might benefit, however, is by attention
being focused more directly on the content, rather than on its,
necessarily inadequate, verbal expression. Thus the Church's
doctrinal propositions may never be disregarded; but they are
intended, like every form of words, to be 'seen through'--in the
sense indicated by St. Thomas Aquinas . . . The only way to escape
'illusion,' even in matters of faith, is to get beyond the verbal
propositions to the reality they signify."
- Dom Aelred Graham, "Zen Catholicism"
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Eph 1:17-23; Mt 28:16-20
R. (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets
for the Lord.
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.
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.
For king of all the earth is God;
sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
Jesus' last words to his apostles point to his saving mission and
to their mission to be witnesses of his saving death and his
glorious resurrection and to proclaim the good news of salvation to
all the world. Their task is to proclaim the good news of
salvation, not only to the people of Israel, but to all the
nations. God's love and gift of salvation is not just for a few, or
for a nation, but it is for the whole world - for all who will
accept it. The gospel is the power of God, the power to forgive
sins, to heal, to deliver from evil and oppression, and to restore
life. Do you believe in the power of the gospel?
This is the great commission which the risen Christ gives to the
whole church. All believers have been given a share in this task -
to be heralds of the good news and ambassadors for Jesus Christ,
the only savior of the world. We have not been left alone in this
task, for the risen Lord works in and through us by the power of
his Holy Spirit. Today we witness a new Pentecost as the Lord
pours out his Holy Spirit upon his people to renew and strengthen
the body of Christ and to equip it for effective ministry and
mission world-wide. Do you witness to others the joy of the gospel
and the hope of the resurrection?
"Lord Jesus, through the gift of your Holy Spirit, you fill us with
an indomitable spirit of praise and joy which no earthly trial can
subdue. Fill me with your resurrection joy and help me to live a
life of praise and thanksgiving for your glory. May I witness to
those around me the joy of the gospel and the reality of your
resurrection."
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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 should not turn away or be downcast when you hear
the
way of the perfect. Rather you ought to be spurred on the more
toward
their sublime heights, or at least be moved to seek perfection.
I would this were the case with you -- that you had progressed
to the
point where you no longer loved self but simply awaited My
bidding and
his whom I have placed as father over you. Then you would please
Me
very much, and your whole life would pass in peace and joy. But
you
have yet many things which you must give up, and unless you resign
them entirely to Me you will not obtain that which you ask.
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 32
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