H. Gastón Vicuña
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 believe that you are here with me, that you listen to me and speak to my heart. I believe that all that I am is your gift and that you love me more than anyone else in this world. Teach me to hold your hand and to live more trustingly in you, for with you there is no evil. Help me to open my heart to you in this prayer, so that I may joyfully accept your will and love you in the faithful fulfillment of your will.
Gospel of the day (to guide your meditation)
From the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 10:7-15
At that time Jesus said to his apostles, "Go and proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is at hand: heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. What you have received freely, give freely. Carry neither gold, nor silver, nor small change in your girdle; neither a bag for the journey, nor another tunic, nor sandals, nor a staff; the laborer deserves well his living. When you enter a town or village, find out who is trustworthy there and stay in his house until you leave. When you enter a house, salute; if the house deserves it, the peace you desire will come to it. If it does not deserve it, peace will return to you. If anyone does not receive you or does not listen to you, when you leave his house or town, shake the dust off your feet. I assure you that the day of judgment will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah than for those people.
Word of the Lord
Meditate on what God tells you in the Gospel
Matthew has recorded in his Gospel these instructions that Jesus gave to his disciples before sending them out to the nations to preach that the Kingdom of God was at hand. Christians of all ages have understood that these instructions were not addressed to them alone, but to every Christian who, by virtue of his baptism, is also a disciple of the Master and sent to proclaim his message to all people.
And what does this passage say to us, two thousand years later? The words of Jesus are still as relevant today as they were then, for we live in a world in need of witnesses to God, desperately searching for truth and love. We, apostles of our time, are also called to give ourselves freely to our brothers and sisters, in disinterested help, frank service and unstinting self-giving. Jesus Christ continues to insist on the need not to lose ourselves in things and methods, so that the light we carry in our hearts may shine forth. He warns us against the danger of not illuminating this world because we are too distracted by ourselves. He wants us to live a life of love, of peace, of joy and trust in Him, a life that is simple and centered on what is fundamental. This is the testimony that transforms, that converts. This is the lifestyle of the first Christians that changed a whole world for Christ.
“When you enter a house, greet it; if the house deserves it, the peace you desire will come to it.” To be men of mission, of greeting and of peace. Men who carry God on their lips and in their hearts, but knowing that long before words, it is the witness of one's own life that convinces and draws others to God.
What is the testimony that I radiate to others? Am I able to leave the good odor of Christ with my presence, testimony and conversations, or is human respect more powerful in me, and I am not able to give the testimony that Christ asks of me? Is my behavior different before God and before others, or am I an authentic man who always acts in the face of God?
As we have seen, the Beatitude of the poor in spirit orients our relationship with God, with material goods and with the poor. Before the example and words of Jesus, we realize how much we need to convert, to make the logic of being more prevail over that of having more. The saints are the ones who can most help us to understand the profound meaning of the Beatitudes.
(Homily of H.H. Francis, Message for the XXIX World Youth Day 2014)
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
I will bear witness to my faith in a joyful dedication to others, always being a sower of peace.
Jesus, I know that you hear me and love me. I want to hear your voice in these words of the Gospel. I know that you call me to be your witness, to be more yours and less of the world. Teach me to always give you first place in my life, and to serve you with joy and selflessness in others. I ask for the grace never to disappoint your love for me, but to live this life you give me by fulfilling the mission you have entrusted to me.
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.
