Juan Diego
H. Francisco J. Posada, 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, you know better than anyone what I'm holding inside right now, all my worries and joys. I ask you because I firmly believe you are someone real in my life and can feel you are near because you only want the best for me. I ask that you let me see your face in my life because that is enough for me. Grant me the gift of seeing joy in everything I do, even when it's difficult, the joy of doing your will.
Gospel of the day (to guide your meditation)
From the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 11:28-30
At that time, Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”.
Word of the Lord.
Meditate on what God tells you in the Gospel
In our seminary in Cheshire, United States, there is a statue of the Sacred Heart with these words from the Gospel of Matthew. For a long time it was a phrase that I knew was important, but it never had a deeper meaning. One day in the middle of winter, with the whole landscape covered in snow, I said to myself, «I’m so tired of all this snow! It's beautiful, yes, but it’s too much already.» Looking at Christ and telling Him about the whole situation we are going through is always a renewing experience. It happens in a specific time and place that we can revisit with our memory.
First, Christ wants to hear us. He has an open heart that welcomes us and waits for us to come to Him. Second, He gives us the comfort we need. After coming into contact with God, nothing will be the same because He will give us what we need at that moment. Third, our encounter with Him doesn't just end there, but He invites us to help Him, and that's how we go from being needy to being helpers of God and others. This is the example of God who meets us as humanity and shows us the way back to the Father, no matter the cost.
It is a great mystery because although it is something difficult, it is a sweet experience, since deep down it is something our heart longs for, and who else to fill our desires than the Heart of God. Let us listen to the words of God and strive to put them into practice.
«Brothers and sisters, meekness! Meekness is characteristic of Jesus, who says of himself: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart”. Meek are those who have self-control, who make room for others, who listen to them and respect them in their way of life, in their needs and in their demands. They do not seek to subjugate or belittle, they do not want to stand out and dominate everything, nor to impose their ideas and interests to the detriment of others. These people, whom the worldly mentality does not appreciate, are instead precious in the eyes of God, who gives them as an inheritance the promised land, that is, eternal life. This beatitude also begins here below and will be fulfilled in Heaven, in Christ. Meekness. In this moment of life, also in the world, where there is so much aggressiveness... And also in daily life, the first thing that comes out of us is aggression, defense. We need gentleness to advance on the path of holiness. To listen, to respect, not to attack: meekness.»
(Angelus with H.H. Francis, November 1, 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.
Take five minutes (or more) to tell God about a difficulty you are going through right now.
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.
