SPIRITUAL EXCERCISES & RSV BIBLE EXTRACTS - WEEK 127
STARTS THURSDAY 1st JULY 2010
THE FRUITS OF “MARIAN HOLINESS OF LIFE”
Weekly message No. 122 (26th June 1986).
2. Peace to which we have to witness.
“Dear children! God is allowing me along with Himself to bring about this oasis of peace. I wish to call on you to protect it and that the oasis always be unspoiled. There are those who by their carelessness are destroying the peace and the prayer. I am inviting you to give witness and by your own life to help to preserve the peace. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
PRACTICAL:
This week pray every day for the people of Medjugorje to become instruments for peace in their country.
Thursday: The golden rule about loving our neighbour and choosing the narrow gate.
Matthew 7:12-14.
12So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. 13Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Friday: The peace of Jesus.
John 14:27.
27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Friday: Cf. John 20:19.
19On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
Saturday: “Preserving the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds us together.”
Ephesians 4:3-5.
3Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
Sunday: “Making every effort to be at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18-21.
18If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20No, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Monday: “May the peace of Christ live in your hearts.”
Colossians 3:12-15.
12Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, 13forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
Tuesday: The peace of God will guard our hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7.
6Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Wednesday: Seeking peace with everyone, and holiness.
Hebrews 12:14-15.
14Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15See to it that no one fail to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” spring up and cause trouble, and by it the many become defiled.
Wednesday: Cf. Psalm 34(33): 13-14.
13Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
14Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.