Meditation J 14, 27-31a
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 is with his disciples. See the place where they are staying: maybe this is an apartment – how it looks, notice how and where Jesus and his disciples are in this room. Look at disciples. Jesus tells them about his departure. It does not have to be a happy message for them. Someone who is close to them, someone who they trust and who they love – now leave them. They do not necessarily have to understand Jesus’ words, they may not know what the peace they get from him is. Be in this scene with the disciples and Jesus.
Ask for the fruit of meditation: for the experience of peace, which is the result of a living relationship with the risen Christ
1. Loss and new.
Jesus prepares disciples for his departure. He must leave because he loves his Father and fills His will to the end. But he will not leave the disciples alone, he will send them the Holy Spirit. They probably do not understand this, they do not know yet that this departure does not have to mean a loss, or only loss, but it is connected with obtaining something new.
It is similar in our lives. Many times we do not understand losses (different losses: existential, connected with human and material relations, or our patterns or even values) that we experience, maybe we can not even see the shadow of light that comes in these situations. Look at the losses you have experienced – what have you gained thanks to them? Talk to Jesus about it.
2. Peace.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Peace is one of the gifts of the resurrected Jesus. It does not mean an external peace, no conflicts or wars. Its meaning is associated with a sense of inner, deep safeness and certitude, that I am rooted in Christ. Peace is, therefore, sharing your gift of faith, life, joy resulting from your relationship with God.
What does the presence of Christ bring into your life, what gifts you receive from Him? What is your peace? Where do you find it? What peace do you give to others?
3. Understanding.
Disciples do not understand all of Jesus’ words, but he does not blame them. He explains and gives the right them to not understand. What do you not understand in your life or in matters concerning your faith? Talk to Jesus about it. Ask and wait for his answer.
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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