J 13,21-33. 36-38

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: Last supper: see Jesus and his disciples during a meal. Imagine a table, what is on it, how Jesus sits and the disciples, maybe they are in reclining positions. Listen to their conversation.

Ask for the fruit of meditation: for the experience of Jesus’ love and presence  

1. Reality.

a) In the Catholic Youth Bible, we read that Jesus was troubled in spirit.

Get into the atmosphere of this reality of Jesus.

b) Disciples are embarrassed, they do not understand Jesus’ words, maybe they are afraid of Jesus’ departure.

Jesus is guided by love in his actions, but love is demanding, not necessarily associated with only pleasant feelings. Disciples also do not know what the effect of their teacher’s departure will be. They are not able to comprehend at this moment, that the loss here is related to salvation, resurrection, and receiving the Holy Spirit, which is what allows them to live their lives more fully and experience the presence and love of Jesus even more. How much easier it would be for them to accept what happens if they knew what the future brings them. How you find yourself in it, how can you relate it to your life? Find examples when you thought that nothing good would happen to you, that you would not recover from the loss you experienced, but later it turned out and the sun was shining again and that a new good was created.During a pandemic, you may also feel that it won’t be as good as it was. Remember that Jesus is with you. You don’t know what might surprise you, or maybe you will surprise him with something? 

2. … the disciple whom Jesus loved (…) leaned on the chest of Jesus …

You are the disciple whom Jesus loves. Meet him as you need, 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)