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 evening. Jesus tells his disciples to sail down to the other side of the lake. He will get there later. First he goes upstairs to pray to his Father. The boat is already far from shore. It's night. The wind is breaking, the waves are getting bigger. Disciples begin to worry. Suddenly they see Jesus walking to them on the lake. They are not sure whether it is Jesus. Jesus asks Peter and Peter is coming out of the boat and going to Jesus on the water. Suddenly he starts to sink. Jesus stretches out his hand and saves Peter. Try to be in that place and time. Take part in what is happening: You are there, talking to Jesus.
Ask for the fruit of meditation: a deep faith in Jesus and the desire to leave your boat
- Jesus is sending the disciples to the other shore and going to the mountain to pray and meet with his Father. He is going to an intimate place, chosen for a unique meeting with an exceptional person. A place where no one interferes in conversation, where He can be alone with God the Father. Look at Jesus, His prayer. Please, allow yourself to accompany Jesus in this meeting, in His prayer. Try to feel the deep bond of love between Father and Son. What can you learn from Jesus in this situation?
- Wind, waves, night … disciples calmness was disrupted. Fear, anxiety. Jesus did not leave His disciples, He is close to them all time. He is going to them on the water, and they have doubts whether it is really Jesus.
You may also feel fear, anxiety during your storms. Every storm, however, is a special teacher. What role have difficult situations played in your development? Did you see Jesus, His presence there? In what way did you feel His help? - Jesus is calling Peter to Himself. Peter's answer is his departure from the boat and walking towards Jesus. The boat is your security zone. What does the concept mean for you and what do you understand by walking on water? Have you ever experienced this? How then did God work through you and in you? Peter scared the wind on the road to Jesus. He stops looking at Jesus and doubts are revealed. It happens in the same way in our lives. What has helped you, and what has interfered when you are trying to focus on Jesus in your daily activities? How have your doubts led you to strengthen your faith? Where can they lead you?
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 internal 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).
