Meditation Mk 8,14-21

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 intentionsand actions may be directed purely to the praise and serviceof His Divine Majesty

Fixing a place, a picture for meditation: Lake. Jesus and his disciples are in a boat. At some point disciples realize that they took with them only one loaf of bread. They probably feel quite anxious about it because they stop hearing what Jesus says. Jesus notices this and asks them the question, do not they remember that there were similar situations before and he took care of them? Where are you in this scene?

Ask for the fruit of meditation: that I would learn to see what I have and see good in others

1.    Why are you taking about having no bread? (…) do you not remember?

Disciples are worried that they took with them only one loaf of bread. Their care is so much that they stop listening to Jesus. Jesus sees their anxiety and asks the question: why do not they understand, why do not they remember that he always cared about them? Disciples can’t enjoy the present moment.Is not it similar in our lives? We’re talking, we’re worried about something we do not have to. We direct our attention to the deficiencies we see in us, in others, in our existence. We ask questions: why do you love me so little, why do not you give me one or the other thing, why do not I have something? It is so easy to see what is not there. What a paradox: see what is not and do not see what is! Why is it easier to feel unhappy due to lack than happy because of what I have? Why is it easier to point out to someone who does not give me than to thank for what he gives? What is your memory for the good you receive?

a.   Look at yourself: what is good in yourself, what you like in yourself, what goods you do for yourself and others.

b.   Look at your relatives, your husband, wife, children, sisters, confreres: what you get from them, what good you experience from them.

c.   Look at your life: what good you experience from God in your everyday life through the people whom you put in your way, situations, environment and nature.Thank God for what you have, what you get.

2.  Get in the boat in which Jesus is with his disciples. Listen to Jesus’ words. Let your eyes see, hear your ears and feel your heart. If you want … 

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)