J 8,21-30

Stand in God’s presence. God is present here and now, looking upon you with love.

Ask for the Grace: I will beg God our Lord that all my intentions and actions may be directed purely to the praise and service of His Divine Majesty

Fixing a place, a picture for meditation: Imagine a place where Jesus meets Jews or where you meet him: maybe it’s a square in the city, a park, your house …

Ask for the fruit of meditation: for the experience of Jesus’ presence and trust in him

  1. Misunderstanding.

Jesus encounters misunderstanding of people. He has been with them for a long time, and yet they ask the question “Who are you?”. I would like you to first look at the loneliness that Jesus experiences. Note that he does not give in to despair, does not ask why, he only warns against unbelief, which does not exclude difficult feelings. How could Jesus feel in this situation? What gave him strength? Today, many people, maybe you too, experience loneliness and misunderstanding. Time of epidemic, quarantine is a difficult time. We may not understand the new reality. What gives you strength and what helps you taste life?

  1. I am.

It is worth considering if we behave like Pharisees and Jews from this Gospel. Jesus says << I am >>, he does not add that only in the Church, only in the confessional or only in Eucharistic communion … He is and that is the message for today. How do you experience his presence and intimacy today during the coronavirus pandemic? How does this new reality, maybe a new kind of encounter with Jesus change you, your relationship with others and with him?

  1.  Meeting.

Jesus comes to you, your home and says: I am. Meet him the way you want, as you can …

4. I always do what pleases him.- let this icon be a quote from Pope Francis, Christus vivit point 12

One of Jesus’ parables (cf. Lk 15:11-32) relates that a “younger” son wanted to leave his father’s home for a distant land (cf. vv. 12-13). Yet his thoughts of independence turned into dissolution and excess (cf. v. 13), and he came to experience the bitterness of loneliness and poverty (cf. vv. 14-16). Nonetheless, he found the strength to make a new start (cf. vv. 17-19) and determined to get up and return home (cf. v. 20). Young hearts are naturally ready to change, to turn back, get up and learn from life. How could anyone fail to support that son in this new resolution? Yet his older brother already had a heart grown old; he let himself be possessed by greed, selfishness and envy (Lk 15:28-30). Jesus praises the young sinner who returned to the right path over the brother who considered himself faithful, yet lacked the spirit of love and mercy.

 

Meditation: St Ignatius encourages in The Spiritual Exercises No. 2 … Because not so much knowledge, but internal feeling and the taste of things please and saturate the soul, that is, we stay where we feel interior movement … and nervously do not try to go on.

The final conversation: Spend a little time at the end, being with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit….as you would with a good friend: sometimes talking, sometimes listening, sometimes being together in silence. Speak to God about your feelings. Remember that times when ‘nothing is happening’ can also be significant. When you’re ready, end your prayer by saying thank you or using words that are familiar, such as the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)–whichever feels right and comfortable. (The Spiritual Exercises No.54)

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J 5,1-16

Stand in God’s presence. God is present here and now, looking upon you with love.

Ask for the Grace: I will beg God our Lord that all my intentions and actions may be directed purely to the praise and service of His Divine Majesty

Fixing a place, a picture for meditation: Jerusalem during a festival of the Jews. Jesus also goes up to Jerusalem at that time and he meets a man who has been ill for 38 years.

Ask for the fruit of meditation: for the hope that Jesus gives me

1. Disease.

In the Gospel we see a sick man. We can guess that he has a problem with walking. Perhaps this is some kind of motor dysfunction. Certainly, the disease prevents him from moving freely.

Let’s look at our reality. The world has been paralyzed by coronavirus. Many of us are perhaps unemployed, have limited contact with the family, feel lack of freedom, cannot move around the city, between countries.

See what paralyzes you in your life?

2.Hope.

The man lying by the pool has been suffering from his disease for 38 years. He can’t get into a pool of water with healing power. Perhaps he is starting to lose hope. Then Jesus comes to him and says <<Stand up, take your mat and walk>>. Man gets up and walks. Jesus brings him back to life.

The pandemic can take away our hope, leads us into a state of hopelessness and senselessness. However, it depends on us what we choose: hopelessness or Jesus who gives hope.

3. …Jesus saw him …

Now Jesus see you. He goes to you just as he went to the invalid. Let yourself meet Jesus as you can.

 

 

Meditation: St Ignatius encourages in The Spiritual Exercises No. 2 … Because not so much knowledge, but internal feeling and the taste of things please and saturate the soul, that is, we stay where we feel interior movement … and nervously do not try to go on.

 

The final conversation: Spend a little time at the end, being with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit….as you would with a good friend: sometimes talking, sometimes listening, sometimes being together in silence. Speak to God about your feelings. Remember that times when ‘nothing is happening’ can also be significant. When you’re ready, end your prayer by saying thank you or using words that are familiar, such as the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)–whichever feels right and comfortable. (The Spiritual Exercises No.54)

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Mt 18,21-35

Stand in God’s presence. God is present here and now, looking upon you with love.

Ask for the Grace: I will beg God our Lord that all my intentions and actions may be directed purely to the praise and service of His Divine Majesty

Fixing a place, a picture for meditation: imagine someone asking for something, e.g. a favor, debt relief, forgiveness …

Ask for the fruit of meditation: that I would like to take small steps towards Jesus 

1.Then Peter came and to him, Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times? (Mt18,21). Very often we would like to clearly specify << how much? >> for our internal or external certainty. Peter asks Jesus << how much?>>, I wonder what could motivate him, what was happening inside him; saying seven times already he was generous?Jesus’ reply: <<Not seven times, but I tell you, seventy-seven times.>> (cf. Mt 18:22) introduces an infinite amount of forgiveness – always. God is not tired of forgiveness. What moves me in this attitude of Jesus?

2. In those social conditions, incurring debts was commonplace. One servant had a small debt owed to his fellow servant: one hundred denarii, which is the equivalent of one hundred working days in Israel. Such debt contrasts strongly with the debt of the servant of the Lord – ten thousand talents are a huge sum, impossible to pay back; the talent was six thousand denarii. So, we have a great numerical contrast. In the face of such a great debt, the servant could only count on his generosity. And here lies the main meaning line of this parable. (For the living word of God is effective … Biblical comments for readings for year A, S. Ormanty TChr, Hlondianum, Poznań 2007, 313). What does this parable encourage you in your life situation, where you are? Which debtor are you more aware of? Why did your fellow servants tell you about everything that happened? How could you feel being the master of the parable?

3. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart (Mt 18, 35).

Pope Francis in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium in point 44 wrote: … A small step, in the midst of great human limitations, can be more pleasing to God than a life which appears outwardly in order but moves through the day without confronting great difficulties. Everyone needs to be touched by the comfort and attraction of God’s saving love, which is mysteriously at work in each person, above and beyond their faults and failings.

Forgiveness is a process that needs time and continuous re-starting by taking small steps. The gradual forgiveness adds hope that you can do it. What moves or touches you in this?

Meditation: St Ignatius encourages in The Spiritual Exercises No. 2 … Because not so much knowledge, but internal feeling and the taste of things please and saturate the soul, that is, we stay where we feel interior movement … and nervously do not try to go on.

The final conversation: Spend a little time at the end, being with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit….as you would with a good friend: sometimes talking, sometimes listening, sometimes being together in silence. Speak to God about your feelings. Remember that times when ‘nothing is happening’ can also be significant. When you’re ready, end your prayer by saying thank you or using words that are familiar, such as the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)–whichever feels right and comfortable. (The Spiritual Exercises No.54)

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Mt 23,1-12

Stand in God’s presence. God is present here and now, looking upon you with love.

Ask for the Grace: I will beg God our Lord that all my intentions and actions may be directed purely to the praise and service of His Divine Majesty

Fixing a place, a picture for meditation: chair (cathedral)

Ask for the fruit of meditation: to be true (humble) with Jesus

 1.  Jesus draws attention to the two-pronged function of the scribes and Pharisees: but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to beat, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them (Mt 23.3b-4) and encourages them do whatever they teach you and follow it (cf. Mt 23.3). In what sphere of life do you experience personal dualities, and what can you do to make Jesus more consistent? You can ask Jesus during this prayer.

2. They do all their deeds to be seen by others (Mt 23,5a). It is good to experience acceptance, affirmation, and being wanted from the beginning of your existence. Each of us desire this condition consciously or unconsciously. Unfortunately, the participation of each creature is marked by a crack, which we call the Original Sin and its consequences. The desire to be important, noticed, appreciated can arouse in us a certain “theatricality” of being, fascination, adulteration in various living spaces. What tendencies do you notice in yourself? Let yourself be with this before Jesus, who took it and changed it.

3. The greatest among you will be your servant (Mt 23.11) – answer the question – and what does it mean to serve? – is in Jesus’ life – in his way of experiencing all reality. We learn this attitude by being selfless (motivated – intending) being with Jesus. Prayer is a time “lost” to being with Jesus. It transforms.

Meditation: St Ignatius encourages in The Spiritual Exercises No. 2 … Because not so much knowledge, but internal feeling and the taste of things please and saturate the soul, that is, we stay where we feel interior movement … and nervously do not try to go on.

The final conversation: Spend a little time at the end, being with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit….as you would with a good friend: sometimes talking, sometimes listening, sometimes being together in silence. Speak to God about your feelings. Remember that times when ‘nothing is happening’ can also be significant. When you’re ready, end your prayer by saying thank you or using words that are familiar, such as the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)–whichever feels right and comfortable. (The Spiritual Exercises No.54)

 

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Mt 6,7-15

Stand in God’s presence. God is present here and now, looking upon you with love.

Ask for the Grace: I will beg God our Lord that all my intentions and actions may be directed purely to the praise and service of His Divine Majesty

Fixing a place, a picture for meditation: Jesus teaches disciples how to pray. Maybe they are in a room, maybe they are sitting around Jesus. See how disciples listen to, how they receive the words that Jesus says. Maybe you are with them …

Ask for the fruit of meditation: let me trust God more and more

  1. Our Father …

These are the first and most important words of prayer. It can be said that they determine the kind of relationship between the praying and God – the Father.

See how your relationship with God looks like, how it has developed. Many factors influence on it, but most importantly your relationship with your mother and father: whether there was more anxiety, parental control, punishment and reward system or more tenderness, warmth. It depends on what image of God you carry in you today: is it God – a loving Father, is it a judge God, is it a God – a good uncle from America (giving gifts and also living far away from us), is it God – a policeman constantly watching order.

2. Trust.

Our prayer, spoken very consciously, can arouse various emotions in us, not necessarily those which we would call pleasant. They can be difficult to accept completely, among others words: Thy will be done (we want to, but we are nervous if our plans do not go out), give us our daily bread today (does it sometimes seem to us that we get a different bread than we need?). Only by learning more and more trust can we feel greater and greater consent to the prayers contained in our Father’s prayer. Take a look at yourself as you say the words of this prayer: what do they give birth to you, what does it say about your trust in him?

3. Prayer.

Many times, the Gospel shows us a scene where disciples are witnessing Jesus praying. This means that the relationship with the Father is very important to him. This may be one of the reasons why disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray. Maybe they say: we want it too.How is your prayer? Maybe now during Lent it is worth verifying your prayer, your motivations – why do I pray, your perseverance and regularity …

4. If you want to meet Jesus and ask him to teach you how to pray … do it now.

Meditation: St Ignatius encourages in The Spiritual Exercises No. 2 … Because not so much knowledge, but internal feeling and the taste of things please and saturate the soul, that is, we stay where we feel interior movement … and nervously do not try to go on.

 

The final conversation: Spend a little time at the end, being with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit….as you would with a good friend: sometimes talking, sometimes listening, sometimes being together in silence. Speak to God about your feelings. Remember that times when ‘nothing is happening’ can also be significant. When you’re ready, end your prayer by saying thank you or using words that are familiar, such as the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)–whichever feels right and comfortable. (The Spiritual Exercises No.54)

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