Rogelio Suarez, 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)
Lord Jesus, increase my faith, so that I may believe with lively feelings that You have really remained in the sacrament of the Eucharist to know that I am loved by You, and that at this very moment You are here with me, You are accompanying me, You are at my side and You want to share this moment of prayer with me. Lord, increase my hope to know that I am accompanied by your great mercy and that, one day, I will reach the heaven that you promised me; but help me to hope faithfully, for you know what I am made of and you know that I can fail you, but give me the necessary strength not to do so. Lord, increase my charity, first of all to love you above all else, above my vanities, above my pride, above my own love; and my neighbor that I may learn to love him in you, with a pure, disinterested love, that I may seek him not for what he can give me, but for what he is, your son and my brother, knowing that together we are called to be saints and to reach the heavenly homeland.
Gospel of the day (to guide your meditation)
From the Holy Gospel according to Luke 2, 36-40
At that time there was a prophetess, Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was a very old woman. When she was young, she had been married seven years and was now eighty-four years old. She did not depart from the temple day or night, serving God with fasting and prayer. (When Joseph and Mary entered the temple for the presentation of the child). Anna approached, giving thanks to God and speaking of the child to all those who awaited the deliverance of Jerusalem. Once Joseph and Mary had fulfilled all that the law of the Lord prescribed, they returned to Galilee, to their town of Nazareth. The child was growing and becoming strong, he was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was with him.
Word of the Lord.
Meditate on what God tells you in the Gospel
It seems that Anne was very clear about what is essential, what is essential and to which all of us are called: ”To serve God our Lord”. She, after becoming a widow, after giving up her only earthly love (husband), wants to seek the One who gives true happiness on this earth, and in eternity, in an inexplicable way. And me, what am I willing to give up to give my happiness to Jesus so that He can transform it into true happiness? Christ knows very well all my surrender, all my little sacrifices, my troubles, my pains, since my pain is also Christ's pain. Hence Anne experiences great joy on seeing the child Jesus, on holding him in her arms, on contemplating his face, on knowing that she is not indifferent to Christ, as I am when I place my prayers and sacrifices in his hands.
“Growing up in the Nazareth of my home by the hand of the child Jesus.” The only thing I know about Jesus“ childhood and youth from the Gospel is that, ”He returned to Nazareth."(Lc 2:39) and that “the child grew in grace and wisdom before God and man” (Lc 2, 40). I should not be afraid to bring this Child into my home, to grow hand in hand with the Child Jesus, Mary Most Holy and St. Joseph; may they be the fundamental pillars in my home so that I may grow in grace and holiness before God. It is enough to contemplate how they spoke, how they prayed, how they treated each other and ask myself, how am I growing in my home?
I will place all my intentions in the hands of Mary Most Holy, so that she may present them to her Son and grant me the graces I need so much.
«When families have children, form them in the faith and in healthy values, and teach them to collaborate in society, they become a blessing to our world. The family can be a blessing to the world. God's love is made present and operative through our love and the good works we do. We extend the kingdom of Christ in this world. And in doing so, we are faithful to the prophetic mission we have received in baptism. During this year, [...], I would ask you, as families, to be especially aware of your call to be missionary disciples of Jesus. This means being willing to go out of your homes and care for our brothers and sisters most in need».
(Homily of H.H. Francis, January 16, 2015).
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.
I will pay a visit to the Child Jesus and give Him priority in my life.
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.
