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Spirituality
October 2, 2003 Edition

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In a Nutshell

  • God, who fashioned all reality, also enters into human reality in all its glory and grubbiness.

  • For eons in human history, civilizations regarded God as a distant deity to placate. Jesus, however, invited us into intimacy with God -- an astounding move.

  • "Transcendence" emphasizes God's majesty. But we confess that God is near (immanent) in the same breath. Immanence and transcendence go together.


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  •  Food for Thought
     
    Yes, God is great -- omnipotent. And yes, God is present, ready to converse with us in prayer.

    Does that sound enigmatic? Probably people always have been a bit baffled by this notion -- that God is almighty and at the same time is so involved with us and our world.

    Speaking of God this way might sound contradictory at first -- something like imagining your nation's highest official would visit you regularly in order to help resolve the issues of your homelife.

    But God isn't a government official.

    full story

     
    So Near, Yet So Far: God's Immanence and Transcendence
    By Sister Genevieve Glen, OSB

    Catholic News Service

    Consider the hands of a parent bathing a child. The parent's presence, the parent's protection, the parent's love -- through the touch of those hands -- wrap the child in security and delight.

    Yet the parent, so near in body, so near in attention, so near in care, is so far from the child. The parent looms large to one who is tiny. The parent speaks a language the child must yet grow into. The parent knows worlds of reality at which the child cannot even begin to guess.

    full story 


    What the Liturgy Has to Say About God
    By Dennis Marshall

    Catholic News Service

    "Transcendence" and "immanence" are terms that speak of God's distance (transcendence) from us and God's nearness (immanence) to us.

    The distance between God and creatures is not a distance of space, but rather a distance in the quality of being. It refers to the difference between being God and being human.

    full story 


    Intimacy and Sacredness Sit at the Same Table
    By Father Lawrence E. Mick

    Catholic News Service

    Thirteen men gathered in an upper room: men who had spent most of the past three years together; men aware of strong political currents swirling around them that threatened their lives. Thirteen men reclined at table for a solemn ritual meal, sharing intimate conversations and talking about the meaning of their lives.

    In the midst of this intimate supper, Jesus took water and washed the feet of the Twelve. Washing another's feet was a very intimate gesture.

    full story


    Faith Alive! logo
     Faith in the Marketplace
     
    This Week's Discussion Point:

    Call attention to a moment during the Mass when you personally sense God's presence strongly.

     
      Selected Response From Readers:  
     
    Copyright © 2003 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops



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    This week's readings

    Week of October 5 - October 11

    Sunday, October 5, 2003
    Reading I: Gn 2:18-24
    Reading II: Heb 2:9-11
    Gospel: Mk 10:2-16 or 10:2-12

    Monday, October 6, 2003
    Reading I: Jon 1:1--2:1-2, 11
    Gospel: Lk 10:25-37

    Tuesday, October 7, 2003
    Reading I: Jon 3:1-10
    Gospel: Lk 10:38-42

    Wednesday, October 8, 2003
    Reading I: Jon 4:1-11
    Gospel: Lk 11:1-4

    Thursday, October 9, 2003
    Reading I: Mal 3:13-20b
    Gospel: Lk 11:5-13

    Friday, October 10, 2003
    Reading I: Jl 1:13-15; 2:1-2
    Gospel: Lk 11:15-26

    Saturday, October 11, 2003
    Reading I: Jl 4:12-21
    Gospel: Lk 11:27-28


    Pope's Prayer Intentions

    October General Intention

    To follow Christ with enthusiasm: That young people may follow Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and bear witness to him in all the situations of their lives.

    October Mission Intention

    Pastors rich in wisdom and holiness: That God provide His Church with holy pastors to defend the light of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.




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