Pedro Cadena Díaz, 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, thank you for this moment of calm and intimacy with you. Open my eyes, so that I may see you and serve you whenever you come to meet me in my brothers. Mary, who loved each person because you were filled with God's love, accompany me in this moment of prayer.
Gospel of the day (to guide your meditation)
From the Holy Gospel according to Luke 16:19-31
At that time Jesus said to the Pharisees, “There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and who feasted sumptuously every day. And a beggar named Lazarus lay at the door of his house, covered with sores and longing to be filled with the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. And even the dogs came to lick his sores. So it happened that the beggar died, and the angels carried him to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and they buried him. He was in the place of punishment, in torment, when he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham and Lazarus standing by him in the distance. Then he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me. Command Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for these flames torture me.’ But Abraham answered him, ‘Son, remember that in your life you received good things, but Lazarus received evil things. That is why he now enjoys comfort, while you suffer torments. Besides, between you and us there is an immense gulf that no one can cross, neither here nor there. The rich man insisted: ’I beg you, then, father Abraham, to send Lazarus to my house, for I have five brothers left there, so that I may warn them and they too may not end up in this place of torments‘. Abraham said to him, ’They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them‘. But the rich man replied, ’No, father Abraham. If a dead man is going to tell them, then they will repent‘. Abraham replied, ’If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not listen, even if a dead man is raised.
Word of the Lord.
Meditate on what God tells you in the Gospel
How many «Lazaruses» do we encounter every day? They are people we know, whom we see on the way to work, school, or university. Perhaps they are members of our family. Every man or woman who suffers material hunger or hunger for love is a Lazarus. Everyone who has wounds, in their body or soul, is lying at the door of our heart. Do we want to be like the rich man in the Gospel who ignores his suffering brother? Or like the good Samaritan, who «when he saw him, he had compassion on him»? (Lk 10:33).
Every day Jesus gives us new opportunities to love Him. He Himself said, «Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me» (Mt 25:40). Every person in need is Christ offering us an opportunity to do good for Him, and to do good for ourselves. To make Him happy, and to make ourselves happy, because «It is more blessed to give than to receive» (Acts 20:35). By loving, we give Him glory, and we become full men and women. Only good comes from love. «From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace» (Jn 1:16).
What are we going to choose today? Jesus, you know my heart is made for loving, but it is also wounded by sin. Give me faith to see your face in my brothers. Fill me with your love now, so that I can give it back to you. Make me a little more like you. That I may forgive my brothers, serve you, and generously give you my time and my possessions.
«It is the cry of so many Lazzaruses who weep, while a few rich men feast on what by right belongs to all. Injustice is the wicked root of poverty. The cry of the poor grows louder each day, but is also heard less. Each day that cry grows louder, but each day it is heard less, drowned out by the din of a few rich people, who are fewer but richer. Faced with trampled human dignity, we often stand with our arms crossed or with our arms fallen, powerless before the dark force of evil. But the Christian cannot stand with arms crossed, indifferent, nor with arms fallen, fatalistic: no! The believer extends their hand, as Jesus does with them. The cry of the poor is heard by God.
(Homily of H.H. Francis, November 18, 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.
Today I will visit Jesus in the Eucharist and be with Him in silence for a few minutes, to let Him fill me with His love so that I may grow in mercy towards 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.
