Message of 6-6-08
Published: Mon, 05/26/08
A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
"It is through reflection that we know the divine source of the
personal self. To enter into ourselves is to find the gift of being
as it comes fresh from God's hands. It is to discover that we are
not our own."
- Louise Hageman, O.P., "In the Midst of Winter" -
(You belong to God just as surely as you do yourself. Rest in the
awareness of this belonging today.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
2 Tm 3:10-17; Ps. 119:157, 160, 161, 165, 166, 168; Mk 12:35-37
R. (165a) O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
Though my persecutors and my foes are many,
I turn not away from your decrees.
Permanence is your word's chief trait;
each of your just ordinances is everlasting.
Princes persecute me without cause
but my heart stands in awe of your word.
Those who love your law have great peace,
and for them there is no stumbling block.
I wait for your salvation, O LORD,
and your commands I fulfill.
I keep your precepts and your decrees,
for all my ways are before you.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
Mark 12:35-37 (David's Lord)
This is a difficult passage. Confronted by the Jews with numerous
preconceptions as to what the Messiah would be like, Jesus tries to
open their minds to new possibilities. The messiah will be far more
than a blood descendant of David, Jesus assures them. He will be
one whom even David would worship.
- What are some misconceptions you have about God that need to be
changed? Perhaps the way you complete the following sentences will
help you identify these notiofls.
a. God can't love me; I'm too...
b. I can't know God; God is too...
c. I can't believe in Jesus; he's too...
- Pray for the grace to be more open to God's forgiveness and love
for 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
Brother Lawrence noted:
That many do not advance in the Christian progress, because they
stick in penances, and particular exercises, while they neglect the
love of GOD, which is the end. That this appeared plainly by their
works, and was the reason why we see so little solid virtue.
- Third Conversation
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