Message of 5-12-08
Published: Wed, 05/07/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Jesus promised his disciples three things -- that they would be
completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble.
- F.R. Maltby
(Do you qualify?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Jas 1:1-11; Ps. 119:67, 68, 71, 72, 75, 76; Mk 8:11-13
R. (77a) Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I hold to your promise.
You are good and bountiful;
teach me your statutes.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
that I may learn your statutes.
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
I know, O LORD, that your ordinances are just,
and in your faithfulness you have afflicted me.
Let your kindness comfort me
according to your promise to your servants.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
When you encounter various trials ... ask God, who gives to all
generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given.
James issues a bracing wake-up call as we face our daily lives of
Christian discipleship. We encounter difficulty and frustration in
cooperating with divine grace to build God's kingdom of justice,
peace and love, but Jesus, our risen Lord, has not left us helpless
and alone. We have only to ask in his name, and he will give us
what we need, along with light to discern where the help lies and
how it can best be used.
Lord Jesus, teach us the wisdom of asking each day for the help we
need to seek you first, follow you closely and love you above all
else.
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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
378. To see what is most vital and central in revelation, we must
turn our eyes to what is deepest in Christ, that is, His
personality; and this personality is exclusively that of the Second
Person in the Trinity.
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