SPIRITUAL EXCERCISES & RSV BIBLE EXTRACTS - WEEK 96
STARTS THURSDAY 26th November 2009
“ABANDON YOURSELVES TO GOD”
(A) STEPS TOWARDS TOTAL ABANDONMENT OF SELF TO GOD
Weekly message No. 91 (21st November 1985).
First step: Attending Holy Mass regularly and with love for Our Lady.
“Dear children! I want to tell you that this season is especially for you from the parish. When it is summer, you saw that you have a lot of work. Now you don’t have work in the fields, work on your own self personally! Come to Mass because this is the season given to you. Dear children, there are enough of those who come regularly despite bad weather because they love me and wish to show their love in a special way. What I want from you is to show me your love by coming to Mass, and the Lord will reward you abundantly. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
PRACTICAL:
Attend Holy Mass every day this week if possible.
Thursday: God and money - Decision for God.
Matthew 6:24.
24“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Friday: Following the example of Christ by making sacrifices to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2.
1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Friday Cf. Romans 12:1-2.
1I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Saturday: Being concerned for each other through love and regular coming together.
Hebrews 10:24-25.
24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Sunday: The example of the early Christians.
Acts 2:46-47.
46And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Monday: Making use of the favours God is offering to us.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2.
1Working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. 2For he says, “At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation.” Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Tuesday: Make the best for others while we have the opportunity.
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.
Tuesday Cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:3.
3We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, as is fitting, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
Wednesday: Attending Holy Mass in sincerity and with purity of heart.
1 Corinthians 11:23-30.
23For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 25In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. 28Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. 30That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.