Meditation Mk 12,13-17
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 Jerusalem. There is a temple and Jesus is in that temple now. Many people come to Jesus. At some point, the Pharisees and Herodians, sent by the scribes. come and star to talk to Jesus. Look at them, perhaps it will be clear that they did not come with pure intention. They want to ensnare Jesus in his speech. Listen to the answer of Jesus. Be present in this scene just as you can.
Ask for the fruit of meditation: for trust in Jesus
1.Why are you testing me?
The Pharisees want to catch Jesus in a verbal offense, they want to find an excuse to put a specific charge against him. Jesus knows that. However, he keeps calm: he only asks why they do it. Think about whether you notice similar situations in your life, in your behavior towards others? Why do they take place?
2. Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.
It can be said that these words mean that we should be honest and devoted to the cause we are dealing with. That is why there would be no mediocrity in our life. We cannot slide after life, but we should experience it, taste it. Refer this to you, see if and where there is mediocrity in your life. What is it manifesting? Why it is? What can you do and what do you need to live fully in God?
3. You don’t regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
Jesus was guided by his Father’s will in all his earthly life. He knew that if he was doing it for the glory of God, he was always done for the good of each man. God is Love, so all actions of Jesus came from this Love and for this Love. The general request you are saying at the beginning of meditation talks about such purity of intent in our lives.See what you are guided in your own life, in your relationships, in your actions? Why are you doing something or not taking up? Let this reflection concern both personal and professional life, as well as the religious sphere.
4. They utterly amazed at him.
Look to Jesus and admire him as you can. Jesus also admires you. He loves you as you are here and 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)
