Meditation Lk 9,51-56

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: See the picture from the Gospel: James and John go to a village to find a place to rest for Jesus. Residents renew places everywhere. The disciples are nervous and tell Jesus about this situation. Be in this scene, look at her closely.

Ask for the fruit of meditation: that I would be able to accept another person

1. Prepare your stay.

Jesus sends his disciples to a Samaritans village to prepare for his stay. So, before he reaches, he wants his disciples to go first and prepare a place for people to receive Jesus. Maybe Jesus today wants to tell us that instead of acting so radically, it is better first to prepare the place for Jesus with all respect for man and his views, and not force him to accept Jesus. What can this preparation involve? Well, maybe when we first show kindness and acceptance for others, smile, wish for a beautiful day … do small gestures that will make the other person feel welcomed by us.

Look how you prepare a place for Jesus where you are.

2. He was not accepted, however.

Disciples find no one willing to receive Jesus. He has accepted this situation. He gives freedom. He does not want to be accepted by force, he does not want to violate human freedom. What readiness do we have in us that other people can say no to me, that they have a different opinion than me, that they profess other values than me, that they have the right to live their lives and not according to my principles and rules?

What freedom do you give to others, what freedom do you give to yourself?

3. For reflection from Ignatius of Loyola:

For example, during a trip to Montserrat Ignatius met Moor, with whom he talked about the virginity of Mary. He did not agree with him, he even wanted to stab him. The mule, on which he traveled, saved the case. Ignatius then said to himself: if the mule took the highway and not the village road, he would then let the Moor go. And he did just as he decided. (Autobiography, p.58-59). The mule chose the highway, so Moor survived.

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)