Meditation Mt 14, 22-36
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: It is the evening at Gennesaret. There are Jesus with his disciples. You can also see the dismissing crowd after the meeting Jesus. Desciples get into the boat to cross the lake, just as Jesus recommended. He will get there later. First, Jesus go upon the mountain by himself to pray to his Father. The boat is far from the shore. It’s night. The wind breaks, waves are growing on the lake. Desciples start to worry, they feel anxiety. Suddenly, they see a figure walking to them on the lake. They are not sure if it’s Jesus or a ghost. Jesus calls Peter and he go out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. He suddenly begins to sink. Jesus stretch out his hand and saves Peter. Maybe you’re there too … Who are you in this scene?
Ask for the fruit of meditation: for my trust in Jesus
1. Jesus goes upon the mountain to pray, to meet his Father. He needs a place to be alone with God, his Father. Look at Jesus, at his prayer. Allow yourself to accompany Jesus in this meeting, in his prayer. Feel the deep relation of love between Father and Son. What can you learn from Jesus in this situation?
2. Wind, waves, night … the calm of disciples is disturbed. There is fear, anxiety. Jesus does not leave his disciples, he is close to them. You also feel fear and anxiety during your storms. However, each storm is a special teacher. What was the role of difficult situations in your development? Did you see Jesus then, his presence? In what particular way did you feel his help?
3. Peter goes to Jesus on the water. As long as he is looking at his face, he can go. He starts to sink when he begins to lose sight of him and focus on fear. The goal, the meaning of life is the driving force of our actions. What is the sense of your life? What do you live for?
4. Today Jesus invites you to leave your boat. What is your boat and what does Jesus invite you to? How will you respond to his invitation?
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)