H. Sergio Rodriguez, L.C.
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 ask you to make yourself present in my life, and in a special way, in this moment of prayer. Help me to listen to your Word, to internalize your message and to preach your teachings by the example of my Christian life, so that I may be an active ambassador in the extension of your Kingdom. Amen.
Gospel of the day (to guide your meditation)
From the Holy Gospel according to Luke 21, 29-33
He also told them a parable: Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When the shoots are already budding, seeing it, you know for yourselves that summer is near. So likewise you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away before all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Meditate on what God tells you in the Gospel
Death and judgment are truths of faith. Many have tried to predict that moment, but the truth is - no one knows the day or the hour. It is interesting to see how Jesus always seeks to speak to us with parables in a language we can understand, and on this occasion he again uses the image of a plant and its fruit to explain his coming.
I think of the «wisteria», it is a climbing plant that requires several cares, it has to be watered, fertilized and, above all, pruned well at the right time of the year, so that it blooms for only one month, but with a rain of beautiful purple, white or pink flowers. If the owner is a person who has given it proper care, he sees the shoots and is happy to see that the fruits of his labor are about to arrive. But if the owner of the «wisteria» did not give the plant the necessary care, when he sees the sprouts he will say to himself - I forgot to take care of it in advance - then it will be too late and the flowers will be small and faded.
At the end of life we will reap the fruits of our labor. It is real, we are going to die, but this should not be viewed with worry but with hope. I remember the slogan of an appliance company saying -he who owes nothing, fears nothing- and so, a life lived in peace, will go in peace to meet the Lord. Now, it is never too late, if we are here today it is because today we have the opportunity to fertilize or, if necessary, prune things in our life, so that tomorrow we can bear fruit, and fruits of holiness.
Lord Jesus, You have already done everything possible for my salvation and, in Your infinite love, You have given me freedom; give me the grace to use it, not selfishly, but for the good of my sanctification and that of others. I want to take care of my life, and that of others, so that when you come again I may present to you a beautiful garden of souls that is pleasing to your heart. Amen.
«The second attitude to live well the time of waiting for the Lord is prayer. “Take courage and lift up your heads, for your deliverance is at hand” (v. 28), is the admonition of Luke's Gospel. It is about getting up and praying, directing our thoughts and our heart to Jesus who is about to arrive. We get up when we are waiting for something or someone. We wait for Jesus, we want to wait for him in prayer, which is closely linked to vigilance. To pray, to wait for Jesus, to be open to others, to be awake, not closed in on ourselves».
(Angelus December 2, 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.
To reflect and make the determination to prune from my life that which limits my love for God and others.
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.
