Something a little different this morning as I woke a little later then normal, my internal alarm clock didn't go off.
This past week for me has been an interesting journey highlighted with a greater appreciation of the relationship between Mary and Jesus. In this relationship there is an understanding between the two and there is also an understanding of how important our "YES" is to God and our own salvation. The death of Christ and resurrection was supernatural, it is easy for us to see this as you see what Jesus endured and what Mary endured. But the birth of Christ was supernatural, I am speaking of His physical birth, conception is always a supernatural event. This moment in time when Jesus entered the world thru Mary was supernatural.
In our daily prayers we are physically, mentally and spiritually experiencing God, no different than when we experience life in our daily journey. To know God is to live with Him in every moment including His.
Below is A prelude to week 6 and day 1 of the coming week, if you would like to share your thoughts feel free to do so either privately thru email or publicly thru my face book post. Iron sharpens Iron, we learn from each other, have a blessed week.
WEEK SIX: ENTERING INTO THE KENOSIS OF JESUS
WHAT IS AT THE HEART OF SESSION THREE, WEEK SIX?
You will spend Week Six of Session Three contemplating the hidden life of Jesus. You have entered into the mystery of the Incarnation. You have seen how "In these last days, he (God) spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being" (Hebrews 1: 2-3). You have marveled at God's plan of salvation as announced to Mary by an angel: "Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High ... and of his kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1: 31-33). You have been amazed at how apparent contradictions to the human mind have been resolved by the infinite wisdom of God, and revealed as paradoxes: a virgin giving birth; the Son of God becoming the son of man; the Savior of the world, born in a stable, and so on. You will continue in the same vein this week. Your amazement, gratitude, and desire to commit to Jesus who has become the least among us out of love, will deepen and intensify. You will continue to ask for the grace to have an intimate knowledge of our Lord who has become man for us that you may love Him more and follow Him more closely. Throughout this week you will be using the Method of Contemplation as St. Ignatius conceived it, as well as engage in Repetitions and the Application of the Senses.
SPIRITUAL READING FOR THE WEEK:
• The Spiritual Exercises: Second Week: # 101-134 or Pages 49-58
DAY ONE: MORNING PRAYER
MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Prayer on Luke 2: 22-24: The Presentation in the Temple:
"When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord," and to offer the sacrifice of "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons," in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord."
Read the Reflection; then pray using Luke 2: 22-24; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is an ancient celebration. The Church in Jerusalem celebrated the feast as early as the first half of the fourth century, and likely earlier. The feast celebrates the presentation of Christ in the temple of Jerusalem on the 40th day after his birth. According to Jewish law, the firstborn male child belonged to God as one of the significant expressions of the covenant relationship with God. By offering "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons," offerings made by a poor couple, the parents were buying back their child, so to speak. In effect, they were telling God that while He was the Possessor of their child, they would be his godly care-takers, thus keeping the covenant relationship intact. On this day, the mother was ritually purified. Joseph and Mary kept this law even though Mary remained a virgin after the birth of Jesus and therefore, didn't need to go through ritual purification.
What is God saying to you?
Dear Father, I thank You for the blessing of journeying with others, for the journey with you and for the journey with the God's Embrace programs. In these moments you reveal humanity, human strength, human weakness and the tools to live in a world seeking our souls. Prayers for a couple in a battle, send our Mother Mary to be their protector and St Michael to guard their home. Bless this day and the coming week, may Your will be done in all that I do.
Mary, Mother of Love, Pray for us.
St Joesph, Most Strong, Pray for us.
Viva Cristo Rey
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b
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