Jorge Alberto Leaños García, 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, I thank You for the special protection You have given me this day. Grant me the grace to always be faithful to your friendship and let this moment become a true encounter, an encounter that encourages me to do what I must do, to walk towards where You call me and thus to fall in love even more.
Gospel of the day (to guide your meditation)
From the Holy Gospel according to John 18, 33-37
At that time Pilate asked Jesus, «Are you the king of the Jews?» Jesus answered, «Do you ask that on your own, or did others tell you? Jesus answered him, »Do you ask that on your own, or did others tell you?« Pilate replied, »Am I a Jew? Your people and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?« Jesus answered him, »My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have fought to keep me from falling into the hands of the Jews. But my kingdom is not from here. Pilate said to him, «So you are a king?» Jesus answered him, «You have said it. I am a king. I was born and came into the world to be a witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice».
Word of the Lord
Meditate on what God tells you in the Gospel
There is a kingdom that surpasses any mountain or sea, that extends over generations. A kingdom before which each man freely raises the borders of his intimacy or opens himself generously to be part of this kingdom integrated, not by perfect and sinless persons, but by those who inspire and direct their lives in the establishment of this kingdom.
His king, crowned with thorns and gold, intends to enter fully into human reality. He wants to be there, where smiles abound and, at the same time, where tears fall. He dreams of giving hope among those who do not believe in a future and transmitting a reason to those who do not find meaning.
Christ is the king who knew how to cross the terrain of pain in order to accompany every man in suffering and desolation. But who also traveled along the path of joy to remind us of the meaning and source of true joy.
He showed that, although he may have looked humanly like a crucified wretch, he can shine the beauty of unconditional surrender, sending a ray of hope throughout his reign.
This kingdom is not finished. We know who has laid the first stone, but He wanted to give the opportunity for each man to feel committed to build, raise and extend concrete buildings, projected roads, a specific mission in each member who receives a commission to continue building this kingdom. The longing to reach every needy soul arises.
Christ may be the King of the universe, but He wanted to be even closer so that we can say Christ our King.
«Let us pray that families will find support in their efforts to spread the Kingdom of Christ and to care for the least of our brothers and sisters. In the midst of the winds and storms that batter our times, may families be bulwarks of faith and goodness which, according to the best traditions of the nation, resist all that seeks to diminish the dignity of man and woman created in the image of God and called to the sublime destiny of eternal life. May Our Lady look with mercy on all the suffering members of her Son's family».
(Angelus of H.H. Francis, August 26, 2018).
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 look for a concrete way to extend the kingdom of Christ.
Farewell
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.
