Meditation Lk 11, 37-41

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: The Pharisee invites Jesus to his home for a meal. Jesus is coming and sitting at the table. The Pharisee is amazed that his guest has not done the prescribed washing before the meal. Jesus does not panic, but replied matter-of-factly. Maybe you’re in the Pharisee’s house …

Ask for the fruit of meditation: Jesus, teach me responsibility for my life, please

 1. When we are guests, we are usually feel less confident, we try to adapt to the house rules of hosts.  Jesus does not do so in this Gospel. He doesn’t  wash hands, and further it seems that he does not feel disturbed because of the Pharisee’s attention. Why? Maybe because Jesus wanted to teach the Pharisee something. Maybe because he wants to show that not the letter of the law, but the heart right is more important and it leads us to our maturity and he wants us to tell want instead of must. Maybe because he knew what he’s doing, knew why and maybe he took full responsibility for what he did. Let yourself learn the responsibility from Jesus , because each one of us is responsible for own life, for own successes and failures.

How do you take responsibility for your words, decisions, actions or lack of them? Consider this for all the spheres of your life.

2. Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.The purity of our intentions is more important than external actions. We can suppose that the Pharisee invited Jesus wanted more to show himself than he really wanted to meet Jesus. Maybe he wanted to receive recognition in Jesus’ eyes.

Consider situations in your daily life: at home, at work – why do you undertake various tasks, or do not take? Consider also your religious life. What motivates you to undertake religious practices? How many? What fruits do they bring?

3. Let yourself invite Jesus to a meal for your home. Sit with him at the table and eat together. Maybe you and Jesus want to talk … or maybe you and Jesus want to eat in silence .. 

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)