Message of 6-20-08
Published: Tue, 06/10/08
A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- - -
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Faith is an act of a finite being who is grasped by, and turned to,
the infinite.
- Paul Tillich
(Engage your faith. Turn to God throughout the day.)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
2 Kgs 11:1-4, 9-18, 20; Ps. 132:11, 12, 13-14, 17-18; Mt
6:19-23
R. (13) The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.
The LORD swore to David
a firm promise from which he will not withdraw:
"Your own offspring
I will set upon your throne."
"If your sons keep my covenant
and the decrees which I shall teach them,
Their sons, too, forever
shall sit upon your throne."
For the LORD has chosen Zion;
he prefers her for his dwelling.
"Zion is my resting place forever;
in her will I dwell, for I prefer her."
"In her will I make a horn to sprout forth for David;
I will place a lamp for my anointed.
His enemies I will clothe with shame,
but upon him my crown shall shine."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Matthew 6: 19-23 (Heavenly treasure)
Again we return to the issue of motives. The philosopher Durant
wrote that we do not desire that which we find reasonable, but we
find reasons for that which we desire. Ignatius of Loyola stated
that our motives are directed toward either love or selfishness. We
should check our motives often.
- What do you treasure most in this world? How does your heart
serve this treasure?
- Look back over the key events of the past day. What were your
motives for saying and doing what you did?
- Pray for the grace to be motivated by love.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "The Practice of the Presence of God," by Brother Lawrence
Brother Lawrence noted:
He discoursed with me very frequently, and with great openness of
heart, concerning his manner of going to GOD, whereof some part is
related already.
He told me, that all consists in one hearty renunciation of
everything which we are sensible does not lead to GOD; that we
might accustom ourselves to a continual conversation with Him, with
freedom and in simplicity. That we need only to recognize GOD
intimately present with us, to address ourselves to Him every
moment, that we may beg His assistance for knowing His will in
things doubtful, and for rightly performing those which we plainly
see He requires of us, offering them to Him before we do them, and
giving Him thanks when we have done.
- Fourth Conversation
_________________________________________________
* Web Archive: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?dailyseed
* RSS: http://www.aweber.com/z/rss/?dailyseed