A LAMP TO MY FEET. A LIGHT FOR MY PATH.

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TODAY’S WORD…and PRAYER

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Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
and I will observe it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
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Lead me in the path of Your commandments,
for I delight in it.
Turn my heart to Your decrees,
and not to selfish gain.
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Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
give me life in Your ways.

Confirm to Your servant Your promise,
which is for those who fear You.

Amen!

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– Psalm 119:33-38 (NRSV)

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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[…] To believe is to say "Amen" to God’s words, promises and commandments;

to entrust oneself completely to Him who is the "Amen" of infinite love and perfect faithfulness. […]

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[CCC 1064]

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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven

is my brother and sister and mother!”

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– Matthew 12:50 (NLT)

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PRAYER…

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O Lord, my Saviour,

strengthen my resolve

that I may do the Father’s will.

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Send Your Holy Spirit, Lord Jesus,

to melt and mould me

and to change me,

that I may become more like You,

and truly be part of Your family

…now

…and in heaven.

. .

Amen.

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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The Christian family is the first place of education in prayer.

Based on the sacrament of marriage, the family is the "domestic church"

where God’s children learn to pray "as the Church"

and to persevere in prayer.

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For young children in particular,

daily family prayer is the first witness of the Church’s living memory

as awakened patiently by the Holy Spirit.

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[CCC 2685]

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TODAY’S WORD…

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O come, let us worship and bow down,
let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
For He is our God,
and we are the people of His pasture,
and the sheep of His hand.

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O that today you would listen to His voice!
Do not harden your hearts…

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– Psalm 95:6-8 (NRSV)

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PRAYER…

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Here I am, Lord.

I love You, Lord.

Forgive me, Lord.

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Speak to me, Lord,

Your servant is listening.

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Amen.

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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To obey (from the Latin ob-audire, to "hear or listen to") in faith

is to submit freely to the word that has been heard,

because its truth is guaranteed by God, who is Truth itself.

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Abraham is the model of such obedience offered us by Sacred Scripture.

The Virgin Mary is its most perfect embodiment.

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[CCC 144]

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TODAY’S WORD…

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Your Word is a Lamp to my feet

and a Light to my path.

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– Psalm 109:105

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IMPORTANT NOTICE…

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We have to announce to our 650+ subscribers

that as from Sunday the 23rd June to Saturday the 20th July 2013,

circumstances have dictated that the “Lamp…” cannot be issued.

We are truly sorry, but during these coming four weeks

we are unable to produce the “Lamp…”

and unable to send out our daily e-mail.

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We have discerned and prayed (a lot!),

and it seems that, for this period of time,

it is God’s wish that readers of the “Lamp…” take the initiative

and make an extra effort and do their own reading of Scripture;

reflect upon what they read;

and lift their own prayer to Him.

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God wants us to do some serious homework!

God wishes us to do some serious quality time with Him.

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READINGS…

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In the daily “Lamp…”, we normally reflect on a particular verse or more taken from the day’s Liturgy.

You could try to do the same.

You can read the day’s Liturgy every day by going to the following URL: http://www.universalis.com/mass.htm.

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PRAYER…

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Eternal God,

Your Word is a Lamp to my feet

and a Light for my path.

Teach me the true way of prayer;

nourish me by Your Word;

fill me with Your Spirit;

and give me the grace to please You in all that I do.

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My lord and my God,

help me get to know you better

so that day by day, through Your Word,

I may enter into the fullness of life.

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Here I am Lord, nourish me by Your Word.

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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A Catechism can best be described as

"a summary of principles, often in question-and-answer format"

The decision to publish a catechism (of the Catholic Church)

was taken at the Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops

that was convened by Pope John Paul II on 25 January 1985

for the 20th anniversary of the close of the Second Vatican Council.

The text was approved by Pope John Paul II on 25 June 1992.

You can access the Catechism of the Catholic Church on line

by going to http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/ccc_toc.htm,

which is the Contents page.

At the bottom there is a box to help you search through the Catechism.

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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, […]

but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven […]

for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

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– Matthew 6:19-21  (NIV)

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REFLECTION…

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It is foolish to presume a long life,

when we are not guaranteed a single day.

How many have you known

who were taken by surprise?

Death comes to everybody.

Life passes swiftly, like a shadow.

So while there is still time,

“store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

We must walk as pilgrims and strangers on earth

for whom the things of this world –

money, possessions, power, property –

hold no final attraction.

We must keep our hearts free of things,

and lifted up,

“for here we do not have an enduring city,

but we are looking for the city that is to come.”  [Heb 13:14]

Man’s heart yearns for a treasure

which will give him security and happiness.

However, every treasure

in the form of earthly goods –

wealth, property –

becomes a constant source of worry,

because there is always the risk

we will lose it

or because the effort to protect it is such a strain.

Against this, Jesus teaches us

that our true treasure lies in good works

and an upright life,

which will be eternally rewarded by God in Heaven.

That indeed is a treasure

which one never loses,

a treasure on which Christ’s disciple

should put his heart.

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[inspired by the writings of Thomas à Kempis]

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PRAYER…

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Father, I know

that the only true security I can ever have is in You.

Please give me wisdom

as I seek to use my time, my talents, and my treasure

to honour You

and to bring others to You.

Majestic Father, I pray

that out of the riches of Your grace,

You may help me find my treasure in You

and in nothing else.

I want to offer You

all that I am and have,

so that my life will be lived for Your glory.

In the name of Jesus, my example and treasure, I pray.  Amen.

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord, You are my treasure!

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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The Holy Spirit

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[CCC]

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TODAY’S WORD…

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In order to keep me from becoming conceited,

I was given a thorn in my flesh,

a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

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– 2 Corinthians 12:7 (JB)

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REFLECTION…

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This “thorn” refers to that weakness,

which God permits – though not approves –

so as to ensure that our spiritual gifts do not make us proud.

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Which, or what, or who is your “thorn”?

If you do not think you have one,

please think again,

and look closely at yourself,

because it is only the Saints in heaven who do not.

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If you are a practicing Christian

and yet you struggle to identify your “thorn”,

then perhaps you should check your pride

– it could be your “thorn”!

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If you are aware of your “thorn”,

then entrust it to God.

His grace will be enough

to enable you to cope with this difficulty,

and to overcome it and the taunts of the evil one,

who constantly seeks to put obstacles in our way

and to frustrate our spiritual progress.

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If we let God take over,

when we are weak, we are strong.

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PRAYER…

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O Lord, my God,

it is through Your grace

that I find myself calling upon You

with faith and love in my heart.

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It is also through Your loving grace

that my eyes have been opened

to the weaknesses I see in me,

and my spirit humbled

yet strengthened

to continuously fight the evil one,

who never gives up trying to make me fall.

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Lord, I am nothing without You,

and I need You always by my side.

I am weak, Lord,

stay with me,

take over,

and I will be strong.

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Stay with me, Lord; take over!

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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Conscience must be informed and moral judgment enlightened.

A well-formed conscience is upright and truthful.

It formulates its judgments according to reason,

in conformity with the true good willed by the wisdom of the Creator.

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The education of conscience is indispensable for human beings

who are subjected to negative influences and tempted by sin

to prefer their own judgment and to reject authoritative teachings.

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[CCC 1783]

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[…] Prudent education [of the conscience] teaches virtue;

it prevents or cures fear, selfishness and pride,

resentment arising from guilt,

and feelings of complacency, born of human weakness and faults.

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The education of the conscience

guarantees freedom and engenders peace of heart.

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[CCC 1784]

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TODAY’S WORD…

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I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt His name together.

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I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
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Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
He saved me from all my troubles.

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– Psalm 34:2-6 (NLT)

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QUOTE…

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“Be thankful in all circumstances,

for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

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– St. Paul (1Thess 5:18)

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PRAYER…

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You are amazing, O Lord my God!

I find it difficult to describe You,

to put in words all that my soul has to say about You.

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Yes Lord, my soul magnifies You,

and my spirit rejoices in You my Saviour,

and I exalt Your Holy Name!

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Lord, You give me life

well beyond an ordinary existence.

You give life in fullness,

and abundant of Your grace.

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You give hope,

even when all may seem lost.

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I trust in You, my God,

and You…You are here,

with me,

always.

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You hear my pleas,

and You reassure me deep inside

…and You save me from all my troubles

and lift me up.

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Your hand leads me

along the path You set for me,

and I shall gladly follow.

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Thank You for Your love, O God.

Thank You for the joy You bring.

Thank You for the peace.

Father, thank You for everything.

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Father God, thank You!

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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Every joy and suffering, every event and need

can become the matter for thanksgiving

which, sharing in that of Christ, should fill one’s whole life:

"Give thanks in all circumstances."(1 Thess 5:18)

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[CCC 2648]

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Prayer of praise is entirely disinterested

and rises to God,

lauds Him,

and gives Him glory for His own sake,

quite beyond what He has done,

but simply because HE IS.

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[CCC 2649]

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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“If you do not forgive others,

then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done.”

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– Matthew 6:15 (GNT)

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REFLECTION…

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A God who forgives is a wonderful God.

But if God, who is thrice-holy, has mercy on the sinner,

how much more ought we to forgive others.

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No one on earth is perfect.

In the same way as God loves us, even though we have defects,

and forgives us,

we should love others, even though they have defects,

and we should forgive them.

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If we wait to love people who have no defects,

we shall never love anyone.

If we wait until others mend their ways or apologise,

we will scarcely ever forgive them

…with the consequence that we ourselves will never be forgiven.

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“If you do not forgive others,

then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done.”

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QUOTE…

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“All right: that person has behaved badly towards you.

But, haven’t you behaved worse towards God?”

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– St. Josemaria Escriva

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PRAYER…

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Father, in heaven.

hallowed be Your Name,

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

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Have mercy on me, Lord,

forgive me my sins,

forgive me for hurting You so many times,

forgive me for the times when I hurt others.

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Forgive also my unforgiveness;

remove all the bitterness from my heart;

help me to forgive.

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Father, I love You

and I need Your love,

and I desire Your forgiveness.

Father, I want to do Your will.

Father, with the help of Your grace, I forgive.

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Father, with the help of Your grace, I forgive.

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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The fifth petition

(in the Our Father: “…forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”)

begs God’s mercy for our offences,

mercy which can penetrate our hearts

only if we have learned to forgive our enemies,

with the example and help of Christ.

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[CCC 2862]

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On May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II was shot and seriously wounded in St. Peter’s Square by Mehmet Ali Agca. Blessed John Paul II forgave his would be assassin, providing a model for forgiveness. He visited Mehmet Ali Agca on December 27, 1983.

– Galatian –

From: Christ the King Prayer group [mailto:christthekingprayergroup@melita.com]
Sent: 19 June 2013 13:35
To: Hearts and Minds
Subject: 19 June 2013 – “a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Matthew 6:6

Read the “Lamp” on-line – click on >> www.alamptomyfeet.org. Share the link with your family and friends.

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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“When you pray, go away by yourself,

shut the door behind you,

and pray to your Father in private.

Then your Father, who sees everything,

will reward you.”

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– Matthew 6:6 (NLT)

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REFLECTION…

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By saying “you” (in the Aramaic singular)

our Lord indicates, quite unequivocally,

the need for personal prayer

– like a child to the Father –

alone with God.

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“When you pray,

go away by yourself,

shut the door behind you…”

Public prayer,

which is when we, the faithful, assemble together,

is something necessary and holy;

but it should never

displace obedience to this clear commandment of our Lord.

.

“…and your Father…

will reward you.”

We pray in secret,

we open our hearts to God, in private,

and the Father rewards us,

through the joy and peace with which He fills our hearts

– an interior serenity…yet visible to all!

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PRAYER…

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Father,

You know what I need

before I even ask,

yet still You want me to come to You

and open my heart to You.

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Heavenly Father,

You know me inside out

– my strengths and my weaknesses;

You know all that I truly need,

all that will serve Your divine purpose for me.

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Father,

grant me the yearning

that a loving child has for a doting parent,

and let me always make the time

to come to You,

in my inner room,

and to pray to You

in secret.

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Father, have mercy on me and fill me with joy.

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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[…] In the Holy Spirit, Christian prayer is a communion of love with the Father,

not only through Christ but also in Him:

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“Hitherto you have asked nothing in my name;

ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (Jn 16:24)

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[CCC 2615]

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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“You must be perfect

– just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

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– Matthew 5:48 (GNT)

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REFLECTION…

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Strictly speaking,

it is quite impossible for a created being to be as perfect as God.

What our Lord means here

is that God’s own perfection should be the model

which every faithful Christian tries to follow,

even though we realise

that there is an infinite distance between ourselves and our Creator.

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This, however, does not reduce the force of this commandment;

it sheds more light on it.

It is a difficult commandment to live up to,

but with the help of God’s grace

and by gladly accepting it

we can strive towards divine perfection.

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Certainly, the perfection which we should imitate

does not refer to the power and wisdom of God,

which are totally beyond our scope.

Here Jesus is referring primarily to love and mercy.

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Clearly, Jesus’ call to holiness is not a recommendation

but a commandment.

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PRAYER…

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My Lord Jesus,

I fix the eyes of my heart on You,

and I see Love Personified.

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You are Love;

You are Perfect;

You are Holy!

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Lord Jesus,

may I thirst for holiness

more than I desire anything else on earth.

.

Make me holy in every aspect of my conduct.

Do in me what You must,

so as to do through me what You will.

.

My Lord Jesus, Model of Perfection,

help me be more like You

– perfect in holiness;

full of mercy and love.

.

Amen.

.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Jesus, make me holy – fill me with mercy and love.

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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In all of His life, Jesus presents Himself as our model.

He is "the perfect man",

who invites us to become His disciples and follow Him.

.

In humbling Himself, He has given us an example to imitate,

through His prayer He draws us to pray,

and by His poverty He calls us to accept freely

the privation and persecutions that may come our way.

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[CCC 520]

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