APOSTLESHIP OF PRAYER

July, 2008

THE MORNING OFFERING

Lord Jesus Christ, in the Eucharist you join us with yourself in your offering to the Father. Help me to live out that offering in the concrete circumstances of my life today. Send the Holy Spirit to be with me, to guide me and to enable me to live in imitation of you. And I pray with Mary and the whole Church for the Pope’s intentions for this month:
That there may be an increase in the number of those who, as volunteers, offer their services to the Christian Community with generous and prompt availability,
and for his mission intention,
That the World Youth Day held in Sydney, Australia, may awaken the fire of divine love in young people and make them sowers of hope for a new humanity. , in the mission territories, different ethnic and religious groups may live in peace and together build a society inspired by human and spiritual values.
 
                 LECTIO DIVINA
Saint Benedict developed a form of prayer that still remains helpful.
It is call LECTIO DIVINA, Holy Reading.
It is not so much WHAT we read that is holy
but HOW we read.
The process of Lectio Divina goes like this:

We start by relaxing.
This can be as simple as leaving behind what we have been doing.
We choose in our hearts to be there.
Perhaps light a candle or make the sign of the cross.
Now open the Scriptures at the daily reading.
READ the passage S-L-O-W-L-Y, one word at a time.
Say the word when we breathe in and out.
STOP when a word or phrase or image strikes you.
Go back over these same words AGAIN,

mouth the words,
see the words,
touch them with your fingers,
hear them.
Do this step AGAIN and AGAIN.
What do the words feel like in your heart?
Turn to God/Jesus now.
Ask what these words might mean for your life.
In your relationship with God, with Jesus?
Send the words back and forth between yourself and God.
Like a cow, chew them over and over again.
Stop and listen to God/Jesus now.
Waste time with God.
Let go to God/Jesus.
Surrender, give over.
Now respond.
I may find myself at one with God/Jesus, securely held, at peace, deeply still.
Or I may find myself deeply challenged, upset, agitated, restless.
How will I respond?
Remember that the goal is to be drawn into union with God.
                                                                    Sr. Fran Nolan, S. G. S.
 

Daily Readings for July, 2008

         1. 13th Week in Ord Time           Matt 8: 23 - 27
         2. 13th Week in Ord Time        Matt 8: 28 - 34
         3. Thomas                                Matt 9: 1 - 8
         4. Elizabeth of Portugal          Matt 9: 9 - 13
         5. 13th Week in Ord Time           Matt 9: 14 - 17
         6. 14th Sunday in Ord Time   Matt 11: 25 - 30
         7. 14th Week in Ord Time           Matt 9: 18 - 26
         8. 14th Week in Ord Time           Matt 9: 32 - 38
         9. 14th Week in Ord Time           Matt 10: 1 -  7
        10. 14th Week in Ord Time         Matt 10: 7 - 15
        11. Benedict                           Matt 10: 16 - 23
        12. 14th Week in Ord Time      Matt 10: 24 - 33
        13. 15th Sunday in Ord Time   Matt 13: 1 - 23
        14. Camillus de Lellis         Matt 10: 34 – 11:1
        15. Bonaventure                     Matt 11: 20 - 24
        16. 15th Week in Ord Time   Matt 11: 25 - 27
        17. 15th Week in Ord Time   Matt 11: 28 - 30
        18. 15th Week in Ord Time        Matt 12: 1 - 8
        19. 15th Week in Ord Time        Matt 12: 14 - 21
        20. 16th Sunday in Ord Time  Matt 11: 24 - 43
        21. Laurence of Brindisi        Matt 12: 38 - 42
        22. Mary Magdalene              Matt 12: 46 - 50
        23. 16th Week in Ord Time       Matt 13: 1 - 9
        24. 16th Week in Ord Time        Matt 13: 10 - 17
        25. James                                  Matt 13: 18 - 23
        26. Joachim & Anne              Matt 13: 24 - 30
        27. 17th Sunday in Ord Time  Matt 13: 44 - 52
        28. 17th Week in Ord Time      Matt 13: 31 - 35
        29. Martha                                 Matt 13: 36 - 43
        30. 17th Week in Ord Time      Matt 13: 44 - 46
        31. Ignatius of Loyola              Matt 13: 47 - 53
         
 

“Seeking workers in a multitude of people,
the Lord calls out to us and lifts his voice again:

Is there anyone here who yearns for life
and desires to see good days?
If you hear this and your answer is I do,
God then directs these words to you:
If you desire true and eternal life,
keep your tongue free from vicious talk
and your lips from all deceit;
turn away from evil and do good;
let peace be your quest and aim.

Once you have done this,
my eyes will be upon you
and my ears will listen for your prayers;
and even before you ask me, I will say to you;
Here I am. “

The Rule of St. Benedict      Prologue ## 14 - 21
In Benedict’s mind, the spiritual life is a way of being in the world that is open to God and open to others.



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