Rosario Guerra, CRC
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)
My Master, how many things you teach me every day with your word! Your word is the Gospel made life. It is a clear and wise guide. And today I stand before you to listen to you attentively; help me to let go of all that prevents me from learning from you and nourishing my heart, my mind and my soul. I stand before you who are my Teacher and my Lord.
Gospel of the day (to guide your meditation)
From the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 23:1-12
At that time, Jesus spoke to the people and to his disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses” seat: do and fulfill what they tell you; but do not do what they do, for they do not do what they say. They bundle heavy and unbearable bundles and load them on people's shoulders, but they are not willing to lift a finger to push. Everything they do is for people to see them: they lengthen the phylacteries and widen the fringes of the cloak; they like the first places at banquets and the seats of honor in the synagogues; they like to be bowed to in the street and to be called teachers. But you, on the other hand, do not allow yourselves to be called masters, because only one is your master, and all of you are brothers. And do not call anyone on earth your father, for there is only one Father, the Father in heaven. Do not let yourselves be called counselors, for you have only one counselor, Christ. He who is first among you shall be your servant. He who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.".
Word of the Lord.
Meditate on what God tells you in the Gospel
In this Gospel you speak to us of those who sit in Moses' seat and call themselves Teachers. You remind us that rather than giving classes and talking a lot, it is better to give an example of life. Hypocrisy has always bothered you, wanting to appear and be seen by others. You warn me that I cannot put myself in the center as if I know everything. You regret that they call themselves Masters when they do not do what they teach.
You are my Master, who teaches me about life, who explains to me how the situations of my life are made or lived. Master that I admire because he has a teaching for every occasion. Master who sustains my knowledge and enlightens it when I do not understand.
You are my Father! The most loving Father; the Father who surpasses any Father on earth. Engrave in me the true image of you as the Father who protects me, who is at my side in every circumstance, even if I do not understand it well. I want your paternity to fill me with security in my daily work. May I know that you, as Father, are provident and that you give me everything I need and remove from my path whatever harms me.
You are my counselor. Today you advise me that it is more important to be the servant of all and to live in humility. May my life be a joyful and humble service and that in this generous dedication my reward be You. You ask me not to be afraid to live in humility, in secret. My wealth comes from within me where You are present in me. I do not need other recognitions or titles. That is the source of my service to others, my joy, my strength, my stability.
«We are all brothers and we should in no way dominate others and look down on them. No. We are all brothers. If we have received qualities from the heavenly Father, we must put them at the service of our brothers, and not take advantage of them for our own satisfaction and personal interest. We must not consider ourselves superior to others; modesty is essential for an existence that wants to be in conformity with the teaching of Jesus, who is meek and humble of heart and who came not to be served but to serve». (H.H. Francis, Homily of February 18, 2020).
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.
When it is my turn to teach, do it with humility and modesty. When it is my turn to serve, do it with joy.
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.
