Javier Castellanos, 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)
Mary, come and accompany me in this prayer. Speak to me of your son Jesus, and help me to grow in faith, hope and charity. Teach me to pray and ask with me: «Lord, show us the Father and that is enough for us».
Gospel of the day (to guide your meditation)
From the Holy Gospel according to John 14:6-14
At that time, Jesus said to Thomas: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you know my Father. You know him already and have seen him”. Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that is enough for us. But Jesus said to him, ”Philip, I have been with you so long, and yet you do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father, so why do you say, “Show us the Father,‘ or do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you, I do not say on my own. It is the Father, who abides in me, who does the works. Believe me: I am in the Father and the Father is in me. If you do not give faith to me, believe it by works. I tell you the truth, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater works than I do, because I go to the Father; and whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. I will do whatever they ask me in my name’.
Word of the Lord.
Meditate on what God tells you in the Gospel
Who doesn't want a full life? In moments of life such as a wedding, a graduation, a birthday, we would like to freeze time. The photograph remains for the memory, yes, but the event passes, we return to ordinary life, we have to go back to work, problems surround us, we face illness, and the routine is marking the pace, and... How much we wish in those moments something more than a photograph! Who could give us back a little of the joy that has already vanished!
To find life - life in fullness - Christ shows us the way. He is the Way. He gave us an example of heroic obedience: obedience unto death, and death on a cross. He trusted to the end in the One who has given us so many benefits. Whoever follows in his footsteps approaches the inexhaustible source of life: the Father.
And the fullness of life is found right there where we find truth. Christ is the Truth. The world lives in confusion, searching everywhere for something to satisfy the heart, and the more it searches among things, the emptier and drier it becomes. On the other hand, Christ shows us the Father, and tells us that we are children. Something very simple for the mind, but profound for the heart. And, in reality, this alone satisfies. For, as St. Teresa said: «He who has God lacks nothing. God alone is enough.
«Jesus also speaks of the Father. In that place, in the discourse with the disciples, he speaks of the Father, assuring them that the Father loves them and that whatever they ask of the Father, the Father will give it to them. Let them trust in the Father. And so he goes a step further: he says not only “I will not leave you alone”, but also “I will not leave you orphans, I give you the Father, the Father is with you, my Father is your Father».
(Homily of H.H. Francis, September 15, 2016, in 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.
Today I will renew my union with Christ through spiritual communions.
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.
