Meditation Mk 6,17-29
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 Beautiful ballroom. Plated tables, some music, dancing guests. All because of Herod’s birthday. Herodias’s daughter is going into the ballroom and start to dance. Firstly alone, later with Herod. After a while she is running to his mother and returns to Herod. Despite Herod is deeply distressed, he orders his subordinates. All guests are still having a nice time. Suddenly, an executioner is going into this room. He has the head of John the Baptist. This is a gift to Herodias’s daughter. Let yourself be at this Herod’s birthday party. Try to look at the characters, to listen to them, to dance …
Ask for the fruit of meditation: the courage to become free man on the way to God
1. Herodias hated John the Baptist, because he was telling the truth, that was painful for her. Perhaps it aroused her anxiety. So, she wanted his death. How did the death of John the Baptist, exactly his murder, could improve the situation of Herodias? Probably in any way. Although, there was no anyone, who would remind her the sin of adultery. But She could have other remorse in this place, much tiring and much more fearful. So you can see, that it is not good to bury difficulties, to push them aside, because it doesn’t not make them disappear. More, it often leads to next new difficulties. What difficulties did you bury, did you hid for later? What positive things can you get out of them? Let yourself to look at it with Jesus eyes.
2. Ask of me whatever you wish, and I will grant it to you. This is Herod’s words to Herodias’s daughter. He kept his oath and the girl got exactly what she wished. You can ask if she really wanted to it. And further to whom was it good?We also usually expect such accurate fulfillment of our requests from God. Make a reflection on how God responds to your requests.
3. John the Baptist was in prison. In spite of this, he still fulfilled his mission: his serving to God. He spoke uncomfortable truth to people. He lived in harmony with himself. He was a free man, that what God creates each of us. What can you learn from John the Baptist and his life? In what spaces of your life do you need freedom? What can you do to get it?
4. John the Baptist was a relative of Jesus. So, Jesus as a man, could experience his loss. Let yourself to sit near Jesus and be with Him.
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)
