Message of 5-23-08
Published: Sat, 05/17/08
A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
What is this new mystery which concerns me? I am small and great,
lowly and exalted, mortal and immortal, earthly and heavenly. I
share one condition with the lower world, the other with God; one
with the flesh, the other with the spirit. I must be buried with
Christ, arise with Christ, be joint heir with Christ, become the
son of God, yea, God Himself.
- Gregory the Theologian: Oration 7, 23.
(Our situation in Christ.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Jas 5:9-12; Ps. 103:1-2, 3-4, 8-9, 11-12; Mk 10:1-12
R. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
He pardons all your iniquities,
he heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
he crowns you with kindness and compassion.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Mark 10: 1-12 (On marriage and divorce)
In a culture that permitted a man to leave his wife for the
slightest excuses (though not vice versa), Jesus' words on the
seriousness of the marriage commitment were ill-received in his
day. He believes, however, that love relationships cannot grow
without commitment. These words shall forever be challenging.
* What is the value of commitment in a love relationship? Do you
believe that God is committed to you?
* Spend time thanking God for those people in your life who are
committed to loving you.
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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
That he expected hereafter some great pain of body or mind; that
the worst that could happen to him was, to lose that sense of GOD,
which he had enjoyed so long; but that the goodness of GOD assured
him He would not forsake him utterly, and that He would give him
strength to bear whatever evil He permitted to happen to him; and
therefore that he feared nothing, and had no occasion to consult
with anybody about his state. That when he had attempted to do it,
he had always come away more perplexed; and that as he was
conscious of his readiness to lay down his life for the love of
GOD, he had no apprehension of danger. That perfect resignation to
GOD was a sure way to heaven, a way in which we had always
sufficient light for our conduct.
- Third Conversation
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