Balam Loza, 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)
Jesus, I know you are here. I do not see you, but I know it. Give me an ever clearer and deeper vision. Give me a faith that does not doubt your presence. “Son of David, hear my prayer. See my poverty and have compassion on me. Let me come into your presence. I lay aside all my robes and securities; I stand before you as I am. You know me, you call me by name and look at me with love. You know well my sins and my blindnesses and yet you love me. I am not ashamed to come before you with my sins. In fact, I place before you my wounds and my wounds so that you may heal them. I open wide the doors of my soul to You.
Gospel of the day (to guide your meditation)
From the Holy Gospel according to Luke 9, 11-17
At that time, Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God to the crowd and healed the sick. When evening was falling, the twelve apostles came to him and said, “Send the people away so that they may go to the towns and villages to seek lodging and food, for here we are in a lonely place.” He said to them, “You give them something to eat. But they said to him, ”We have only five loaves of bread and two fish, unless we go ourselves to buy food for all these people. They were about five thousand men. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty.” So they did, and they all sat down. Then Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said a prayer of thanksgiving over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to distribute among the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and twelve baskets were filled with what was left over.
Word of the Lord.
Meditate on what God tells you in the Gospel
Many people followed Jesus. He showed compassion for them while the disciples preferred to take the easy way. They have not looked at the need of the people, they have not looked with love. They look from their comfort and calculations and others probably looked away from the problem.
But You have looked with love. And love is what produced the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves. And that look has changed the situation, because that bread has not only strengthened physically but has strengthened the hearts of those who receive it, because You have shown that You love without conditions or limits.
Why do I not take advantage of the Eucharistic Bread that you continually offer me? I know that it is the means you give me to strengthen my faith, my hope, my love. To have the strength to get up and keep on fighting. My sin leaves me stranded, attached to my comfort, to my calculations, to my securities. But You have looked at me, You have loved me and You are waiting for me in the tabernacle. You have touched me with your great mercy. I have contemplated «the face of mercy» in the Eucharist. How can I remain indifferent? You have entered my life and changed it. In my difficulties you have helped me. From now on I will be your missionary disciple: «You have seduced me, Lord, and I let myself be seduced».
From now on I want others to know you. I cannot remain alone with this treasure that has found me. I want the whole world to know how You love us and strengthen us in the Eucharist. If everyone knew God's love their lives would change. But that depends on me. If they do not notice the change in my life no one will follow you, but if they see my example they will see you.
I have seen your Body and Blood in the Eucharist, I have seen you and I have contemplated God himself. Everyone must see my resplendent face. I cannot wear a face like a pickled bell pepper or a Good Friday face. I must wear the joy that radiates to others and they no longer see me but you.
I want to be, Lord, an instrument of your love. I will bring your love in the midst of hatred and your light in the midst of darkness. I will bring your mercy where there is only contempt. I will bring your kingdom where evil and sin reign. As I have known you I want many souls to experience you. I want many people to eat of the bread that gives life, I place myself in your hands and send me to the whole world.
«Let us learn that the Eucharist is not a reward for the good, but strength for the weak, for sinners, forgiveness. It is the stimulus that helps us to go, to walk. [Without our merit, with sincere humility, we can bring to our brothers the love of our Lord and Savior because the Eucharist actualizes the Covenant that sanctifies us, purifies us and unites us in admirable communion with God».
(Homily of H.H. Francis, June 4, 2015, 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.
If I pass in front of a church I will stop to visit you. If I want to be an instrument of yours I need to be listening to your voice constantly. I need to meet you and experience your love. And I will wear a smile on my face always.
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.
