Conversations That Matter What are we doing to put our Spirituality into practice? Spirituality is about the way we live, after all. This is a place for Communal Lectio, Centering on the Word. Ministry of the Word is central to Precious Blood Spirituality.
Tuesday, January 07, 2003
...Jesus is the Son of God? This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood.
I hear the mystery of the unity between the human and the divine (as you and I Father are one, let these be one with us), the mystery of birth--both physical (water and blood being part of the birth process) and spiritual, the total love and care that our Creator has for us. What I hear is awesome.
Next Sunday, January 12, 2003 is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
The USCCB site only has the Optional A readings on their site.
We shall use the Optional B readings which are found below. Follow the link for the Gospel which is on the USCCB site.
Isaiah 55:1-11
Thus says the Lord: All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; Come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk! Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what fails to satisfy? Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare. Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David. As I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of nations, So shall you summon a nation you knew not, and nations that knew you not shall run to you, Because of the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you. Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near. Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; Let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts. For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down And do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, Giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats, So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.
The Psalm is the Isaiah Canticle from Isaiah 12: 2-3, 4bcd, 5-6
You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation
1 John 5:1-9
Beloved, Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the father loves also the one begotten by him. In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood. The Spirit is the one that testifies, and the Spirit is truth. So there are three that testify, the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and the three are of one accord. If we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is surely greater. Now the testimony of God is this, that he has testified on behalf of his Son.
"Movement" of Conversation
What are we doing to put our Spirituality into practice? Spirituality is about the way we live, after all.
Conversation will be on the Gospel or any of the Scriptures for the coming Sunday.
The lens we will use to attend to the Word of God will include an understanding of Precious Blood Spirituality and the Life and mission of St. Gaspar del Bufalo.
Each entry must be an answer to one of these questions pertaining to the gospel:
1. What did I hear?
What did he say that affected me? What did I hear for the first time? What leapt off the page at me? What word or phrase is important?
2. How does this make me feel?
No thoughts, opinions or judgments. If you can use the words, I think... intelligibly in the sentence it is not a feeling. Stick to feelings. Maybe start the sentence with I am...
3. What will I do?
How does the gospel call me to live? No plans, hopes or dreams; what concrete action will I do this week?
4. How shall I pray?
Prayers, litanies, tropes, and other forms based on the readings may be posted.
Thoughts, discussion, opinions, debate, will all be moved over to The New Gasparian.
Anyone who would like to become a regular correspondent is invited send me an email.
