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As the genuine religious impulse becomes dominant, adoration more and more takes charge. "I come to seek God because I need Him," may be an adequate formula for prayer. "I come to adore His splendour, and fling myself and all that I have at God's feet," is the only possible formula for worship.
- Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941), Worship
(To look beyond oneself to God for God's sake alone, if only for a little while , . . What a relief!)
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RV 20:1-4, 11—21:2; PS 84:3, 4, 5-6A AND 8A
LK 21:29-33
Jesus told his disciples a parable.
“Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
When their buds burst open,
you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near;
in the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that the Kingdom of God is near.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.”
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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“The heavens and the earth will pass away, but My words will not pass.” —Luke 21:33
Some people think they have years to live but really they have only minutes. Others expect our civilization and lifestyle to last forever, although history indicates just the opposite. Some think the “thousand year” millennium mentioned in Revelation hasn’t started; others think it’s about to end (Rv 20:3, 6). Some believe there’s no chance of Jesus’ final coming today; others say “soon and very soon.” Jesus says:
“Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. You observe them when they are budding, and know for yourselves that summer is near. Likewise when you see all the things happening of which I speak, know that the reign of God is near” (Lk 21:29-31).
What time is it? “Now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!” (2 Cor 6:2) “It is now the hour for you to wake from sleep, for our salvation is closer than when we first accepted the faith. The night is far spent; the day draws near” (Rm 13:11-12; cf Eph 5:14). “You are not in the dark, brothers, that the day should catch you off guard, like a thief” (1 Thes 5:4).
“Therefore let us not be asleep like the rest, but awake and sober!” (1 Thes 5:6) God is signaling for a time-out. Time will be out and eternity will be in.
Prayer: Lord, I want to be ready.
Promise: “Then I saw new heavens and a new earth. The former heavens and the former earth had passed away.” —Rv 21:1
Presentation Ministries
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Abandonment to Divine Providence
- by Jean-Pierre de Caussade
BOOK II,
CHAPTER IV. CONCERNING THE ASSISTANCE RENDERED BY THE FATHERLY PROVIDENCE OF GOD TO THOSE SOULS WHO HAVE ABANDONED THEMSELVES TO HIM
SECTION II. Diversity of Grace
The afflictions which the soul is made to endure are but loving artifices of God which will, one day, give it great joy.
At this awakening those who, like Jeremias and David, have been inconsolable in their grief, will see that in their desolation they have been a subject of joy to the angels, and of glory to God. The bride sleeps through the bustle of industries, and of human actions, and in spite of the sneers of sceptics. In her sleep she will sigh and tremble; in her dreams she will pursue and seek her Spouse, who disguises Himself
to deceive her.
Let her dream; her fears are only born of the night, and of sleep. When the Spouse has exercised her beloved soul, and shown forth in it what can only be expressed by Him, He will develop the result of these dreams and will awaken it at the right time.
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