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In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
St. Luke’s Institute
Wednesday of 17th
Week OT
July 30, 2014
FAMILIARITY +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
There’s old saying, “Familiarity breeds contempt”
Ø
Building on that, I’d say, “Familiarity breeds a misplaced certainty that we understand something
or that we have exhausted its possibilities”
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This is so often the case with scripture
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We’ve heard same passages over & over again &
think nothing more 2 learn so skip parts
BOTH OF TODAY’S
PARABLES ++++++++++++++++++++
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Today’s very simple-appearing parables are
typical of this kind of action
Ø
believe that w/ bit of help, they can still surprise
us
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Both parables are about a man and something very
precious, for which he is willing to give all he has
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But there are differences in the two parables
1st parable: TREASURE IN
FIELD +++++++++++++++++
Ø
In 1st man seems to stumble across
buried treasure
Ø
Wasn’t really looking 4 anything special, but
all of sudden something extraordinary comes in2 his life
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There’s a tremendous sense of surprise &
wonder
Ø
To concretize this exuberance U might think of birth
of your 1st niece or nephew, making of a new friend or having narrowly
escaped a tragedy
Ø
In such situations a person is changed, gains an
entirely new perspective & gives self 2 newfound treasure
Ø
Such events awaken an awareness of G’s gifts 2
us
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An awareness that there truly is this great
Someone from whom so much good comes & 2 whom we are so grateful
2ND
PARABLE: PEARL OF GREAT PRICE +++++++++++++
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In other parable, man’s actually on search 4 something
precious
Ø
Possibly he’s been studying, praying, hoping 4 answer
or enlightenment & what he finds is answer to his prayers
Ø
So this is another way in which we find G & KoG,
and give ourselves wholeheartedly to it
CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Thus, whether by surprise or by intention &
hard work, God’s gifts come to us
Ø
We need to be awake enough, attentive enough, to
see them when they come either by surprise or by intention
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
