Adrian Olvera, LC
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Christ, our King.
Thy Kingdom come!
Preparatory prayer (to put me in the presence of God)
Grant me the grace, Lord, to quiet the noise of my thoughts, of my heart, and to only hear your silence. There, where it is only You and I...
Gospel of the day (to guide your meditation)
From the holy Gospel according to Mark 10, 17-27
At that time, as Jesus was setting out on his journey, a man ran up to him, knelt before him, and asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ”Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.“” Then he said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things since my youth.” Jesus looked at him with love and said to him, “One thing you still lack: Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At this, the man's face fell, and he went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” They were more astonished, and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.".
Word of the Lord.
Meditate on what God tells you in the Gospel
Man's freedom is a great mystery; capable of rejecting even what he desires most. It is a great and beautiful mystery... Only in freedom can love exist.
God sees, loves; he fixes his gaze and invites. He never pressures. He shows the path of love as it is: radical. Love is total giving. Upon seeing it face to face, man asks for more…more love. Upon encountering not crumbs of love, but true love…he feels dizzy, he feels fear.
What happened to that young man? He knew that what he sought could only be found in Christ. He knew that what he had did not satisfy what his soul craved. Yet he exercised his freedom and chose the crumbs of love. He chose the things of God, but not God.
What could have happened to that young man? I don't know... but I understand; I comprehend. True love causes vertigo. Abandoning oneself in God is simple, but not easy. The summit is very high, and one doesn't know where they will fall. Freedom chooses to stay and not leap towards love. This abandonment in You, I cannot do without You; it is impossible for me.
Take me by the hand, Lord. Never stop fixing your loving gaze upon me. I want to always say yes to you… I truly desire it. I am weak, and this poor love of mine is all I offer you.
What became of that young man? The one God looked upon with love... the one God invited? I know that young man could be me... The one who chooses God's things, but not God.
What would have happened if I had said yes, Lord? I think I can know that... Help me to always choose you, Lord...
«Riches are not absolute. Some believe in what is called the theology of prosperity, meaning God shows you that you are righteous if He gives you great wealth. But this is a mistake. That is why the Psalmist also says: “Cling not to riches for your heart.” And this is precisely the problem that involves each of us: is my heart clinging to riches, or not? What is my relationship with wealth like? In this regard, Jesus speaks of “serving: you cannot serve God and riches; they are opposites. In themselves, they are good, but if you prefer to serve God, riches take a back seat: to their rightful place. In the Gospel episode of the rich young man whom Jesus loved, because he was righteous, he was good, but he was attached to riches, and those riches, in the end, became chains for him that took away his freedom to follow Jesus.».
(Homily of H.H. Francis, May 19, 2016, at Santa Marta).
Dialogue with Christ
This is the most important part of your prayer, prepare yourself to talk with much love with the One who loves you.
Purpose
Propose a personal one. The one that involves the most love in response to the Beloved... or, if you believe that this is what God is asking of you, live what is suggested below.
To pray the Angelus throughout the day, asking Mary to teach me to say yes, with joy and love, to whatever God asks and may ask of me.
Farewell
We thank you, Lord, for all your benefits, you who live and reign forever and ever.
Amen.
Christ, our King!
Thy Kingdom come!
Most prudent Virgin, Mary, Mother of the Church.
Pray for us.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
