SPIRITUAL EXCERCISES & RSV BIBLE EXTRACTS - WEEK 131
STARTS THURSDAY 29th JULY 2010
THE FRUITS OF “MARIAN HOLINESS OF LIFE”
Weekly message No. 126 (24th July 1986).
6. Witnessing in the family, the ‘cradle of holiness.’
“Dear children! I rejoice because of all of you who are on the way of holiness and I beseech you, by your own testimony help those who do not know how to live in holiness. Therefore, dear children, let your family be a place where holiness is birthed. Help everyone to live in holiness, but especially your own family. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
PRACTICAL:
During this week make a special effort in helping someone towards a better way of living.
Thursday: The Beatitudes (1st part)
Matthew 5:1-6.
1Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. 2And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
Friday: Our actions should serve the good of others.
Galatians 6:10.
10So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Saturday: We should aim at what is best for each other and for everyone 1Thessalonians 5:15.
15See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.
Saturday: Cf. Romans 12:17.
17Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
Sunday: Working towards the unity of mind and heart with others.
Philippians 2:1-4.
1So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Sunday: Cf. 1 Corinthians 10:24.
24Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbour.
Monday: Life in a Christian home.
Colossians 3:12-21.
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. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 18Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
Ephesians 4:1-3.
1I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, 3eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Tuesday: Cf. Romans 12:5.
5So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Wednesday: Living as God’s holy people.
2 Corinthians 13:11-13.
11Finally, brethren, farewell. Mend your ways, heed my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13All the saints greet you.
Wednesday: Cf. Philippians 4:21-22.
21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.