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There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual walk with God. Those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it; yet I do not advise you to do it from that motive.
- Brother Lawrence (c.1605-1691), The Practice of the Presence of God
(What motive, then?)
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Webinar by Philip St. Romain, D. Min.
September 10, 2020. 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. CDT
An election is coming up in the U.S. and in other countries, and many evaluate the candidates in terms of which one is more "pro-life." But what do we really mean by this term? Drawing from biblical and scientific resources, this webinar will broaden the usual focus by reflecting on the critical role of human influence in creation. We will identify specific actions that each of us can take to promote and defend
life.
Register: https://tinyurl.com/yxn5qauz
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EZ 28:1-10; DT 32:26-28;, 30, 35-36
MT 19:23-30
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich
to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Again I say to you,
it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said,
“Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
“For men this is impossible,
but for God all things are possible.”
Then Peter said to him in reply,
“We have given up everything and followed you.
What will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you
that you who have followed me, in the new age,
when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory,
will yourselves sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters
or father or mother or children or lands
for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,
and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
USCCB Lectionary
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Praying the Daily Gospels: A Guide to Meditation, by Philip St. Romain,
2018 (3rd ed.)
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Matthew 19:23-30 (Wealth and salvation)
Monetary wealth is attractive because it affords us numerous opportunities for entertainment, education, and influence unavailable to the poor. Thus money is a primary competitor with God for the hearts of people. In today’s reading Jesus promises a wealth of experience to those who embrace his way.
• “The state of life is most happy where superfluities are not required and necessities are not wanting,” Plutarch wrote. What are some of the superfluities d)f time, commitments, and possessions that clutter your life? How willing are you to part with these?
Paperback, Kindle and eBook
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Treatise on the Love of God, by St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
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BOOK I: CONTAINING A PREPARATION FOR THE WHOLE TREATISE
Chapter 17: That we have not the power to love God above all things
Is it not a great pity, Theotimus, to see Socrates, as Plato reports, speak upon his deathbed concerning the gods as though there had been many, he knowing so well that there was but one only? Is it not a thing to be deplored that Plato who understood so clearly the truth of the divine unity should ordain that sacrifice should be offered to many gods?
And is it not a lamentable thing that Mercury Trismegistus should so basely lament and grieve over the abolition of idolatry, who on so many occasions had spoken so worthily of the divinity? But above all I wonder at the poor good man Epictetus, whose words and sentences are so sweet in our tongue, in the translation which the learned and agreeable pen of the R. F. D. John of S. Francis, Provincial of the Congregation of the Feuillants in the Gauls, has recently put before us. For what a pity it
is, I pray you, to see this excellent philosopher speak of God sometimes with such relish, feeling, and zeal that one would have taken him for a Christian coming from some holy and profound meditation, and yet again from time to time talking of gods after the Pagan manner! Alas! this good man, who knew so well the unity of God, and had so much delight in his goodness, why had he not the holy jealousy of the divine honour, so as not to stumble or dissemble in a matter of so great
consequence?
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