Message of 6-13-08
Published: Tue, 06/03/08
A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are very wise and very
beautiful; but I never read in either of them: "Come unto me all ye
that labour and are heavy laden."
--Augustine
(Jesus is Lord!)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-16; Ps. 27:7-8a, 8b-9abc, 13-14; Mt 5:27-32
R. (8b) I long to see your face, O Lord.
Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call;
have pity on me, and answer me.
Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.
Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
Hide not your face from me;
do not in anger repel your servant.
You are my helper: cast me not off.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Matthew 5:27-32 (Sexual responsibility.)
The reproductive instinct is one of the strongest of human passions
and one of the most difficult to control. Jesus tells us that the
key to responsible sexual expression lies in the way we think about
people of the opposite gender. Do we allow ourselves to fantasize
adulterous thoughts? If so, we are violating God's law which holds
that responsible sexual expression should take place in the context
of a committed relationship.
- How do you view people of the opposite gender? Is it difficult
for you to be friends with them? Are many of them friends with you?
- How do you feel about Jesus' teaching on adultery?
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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 there needed neither art nor science for going to GOD, but
only a heart resolutely determined to apply itself to nothing but
Him, or for His sake, and to love Him only.
- Third Conversation
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