Message of 5-29-08
Published: Thu, 05/22/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
If God exists and we are made in his image we can have real
meaning, and we can have real knowledge through what he has
communicated to us.
- Francis Schaeffer
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
1 Pt 2:2-5, 9-12; Ps. 100:2, 3, 4, 5; Mk 10:46-52
R. (2c) Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him;
bless his name.
The LORD is good:
his kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus."
The blind Bartimaeus, reduced to begging by the roadside, would not
be deterred when he heard that Jesus was coming. Despite countless
rebukes from bystanders, he repeatedly cried out for Jesus' mercy.
He did not hide in shame as those around him expected. There is no
disgrace in constantly petitioning the Lord. We should not be put
off by others' opinions or discouraged when there appears to be no
immediate response to our pleas. We must be persistent and cast
aside all distractions and obstacles and focus on God as the source
of all mercy and goodness. Let us approach Jesus confident that he
will heal every illness.
For the faith that saves, 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
BEHOLD, my God and my all! What more do I wish for; what greater
happiness can I desire? O sweet and delicious word! But sweet only to
him who loves it, and not to the world or the things that are in the
world.
My God and my all! These words are enough for him who understands, and
for him who loves it is a joy to repeat them often. For when You are
present, all things are delightful; when You are absent, all things
become loathsome. It is You Who give a heart tranquillity, great peace
and festive joy. It is You Who make us think well of all things, and
praise You in all things. Without You nothing can give pleasure for
very long, for if it is to be pleasing and tasteful, Your grace and
the seasoning of Your wisdom must be in it. What is there that can
displease him whose happiness is in You? And, on the contrary, what
can satisfy him whose delight is not in You?
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 34
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