Message of 5-22-08
Published: Sat, 05/17/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"I have long since come to believe that people never mean half of
what they say, and that it is best to disregard their talk and
judge only their actions"
- Dorothy Day
("Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom
of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in
heaven will enter." Mt. 7: 21)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Jas 5:1-6; Ps. 49:14-15ab, 15cd-16, 17-18, 19-20; Mk 9:41-50
R. (Matthew 5:3) Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of
heaven is theirs!
This is the way of those whose trust is folly,
the end of those contented with their lot:
Like sheep they are herded into the nether world;
death is their shepherd and the upright rule over them.
Quickly their form is consumed;
the nether world is their palace.
But God will redeem me
from the power of the nether world by receiving me.
Fear not when a man grows rich,
when the wealth of his house becomes great,
For when he dies, he shall take none of it;
his wealth shall not follow him down.
Though in his lifetime he counted himself blessed,
"They will praise you for doing well for yourself,"
He shall join the circle of his forebears
who shall never more see light.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries."
It is hard to think of prosperity and wealth as anything but a
blessing. Yet time and again we see how wealth is the downfall of
those who do not accept the responsibility that attends this
blessing. Wealth becomes a curse. We experience this blessing-curse
phenomenon on a large scale within our affluent culture, in a host
of physical, social and psychological afflictions and addictions.
By our extravagant lifestyle, we have brought untold misery upon
ourselves, our children and our world. Let us amend our ways,
beginning today. What personal actions can I take to help undo the
social sins of overconsumption, waste and greed? What concrete
thing can I do for the poor to ease their suffering?
"For healing, compassion and conversion, we pray."
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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
But in many ways the eye of pure intention grows dim, because it
is
attracted to any delightful thing that it meets. Indeed, it is
rare to
find one who is entirely free from all taint of self-seeking.
The Jews
of old, for example, came to Bethany to Martha and Mary, not for
Jesus' sake alone, but in order to see Lazarus.
The eye of your intention, therefore, must be cleansed so that
it is
single and right. It must be directed toward Me, despite all the
objects which may interfere.
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 33
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