In the last two meditations, we spoke about vigilance and how we must keep oil in reserve for our lamps, just as the wise virgins did in the Gospel parable (cf. Mt 25:1–13). Both aspects are essential for increasing love, which is necessary so that we do not falter along the way or in our waiting for the Lord.
There are many ways to express love for Jesus and for our neighbor. As we heard yesterday, love is creative. Love is also concerned with knowing the deepest desires of the Beloved. If we ask Jesus what the greatest desire of His Heart is, the answer will be clear: that the Father be glorified!
“I glorified thee on earth, having accomplished the work which thou gavest me to do; and now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made. “I have manifested thy name to the men whom thou gavest me out of the world; thine they were, and thou gavest them to me, and they have kept thy word. Now they know that everything that thou hast given me is from thee; for I have given them the words which thou gavest me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from thee; and they have believed that thou didst send me.” (Jn 17:4–8)
How the Heart of the Redeemer burns for the Father who sent Him and for mankind! If this love were kindled in us too, our greatest desire would be the same as His.
We can offer a concrete response to this desire of the Lord: to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world (cf. Mt 24:14; Mk 13:10). Nothing glorifies the Father more than when humanity responds to His love, welcomes His words, and begins to live in communion with Him, thus giving Him the opportunity to fill him with His love. In the introduction to this week’s meditations, which prepare us for the Second Coming of Christ, we hear that one of the precursory signs is precisely the proclamation of the Gospel throughout the world.
Has the Gospel already been preached throughout the world? Can we tell the Lord that this condition has been fulfilled and therefore ask Him not to delay His coming?
Perhaps we realize that, in a way, we can answer both “yes” and “no.” It is true that the Gospel has reached remote corners, perhaps every nation and practically every people. But has it taken root everywhere?
Let us think of so many Asian countries or Islamic nations that do not truly know the Gospel; let us think of those generations that have fallen under communist rule or are still under it, or of so many other countries where the authentic proclamation of the Gospel is increasingly rare. Faced with this panorama, we must admit that the situation is bleak. Often, preaching is limited to the “horizontal,” that is, it focuses primarily on helping people with their earthly needs. However, the first priority should be the eternal salvation of souls and that people lead a meaningful life in this world.
The possibilities for proclaiming the Gospel everywhere have multiplied thanks to modern means of communication. If they are used for evangelization, they achieve their highest purpose. Of course, we cannot ignore the fact that technical possibilities often fall under the control of the powers of darkness, and we can see that those who make these means available run the risk of abusing their power. Nevertheless, as long as it is possible, we should take advantage of these channels, without neglecting the opportunities to proclaim the Gospel from person to person.
There is much to be done!
Meditation on the O Antiphon for December 17: https://en.elijamission.net/first-o-antiphon-o-sapientia-4/
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