Is 40:1-11
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Read More
173rd Meditation
“Though an army pitch camp against me, my heart will not fear, though war break out against me, my trust will never be shaken” (Ps 26:3).
Our Father does not exempt us from the combat in which we are immersed as long as our earthly life lasts. But He does have our backs. No one who wants to walk the path of holiness, to which we are all called, will be able to escape this struggle. If anyone evades it, they have already lost the battle. Read More
Isa 35:1-10
”Let the desert and the dry lands be glad, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom; like the asphodel, let it burst into flower, let it rejoice and sing for joy. The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it, the splendour of Carmel and Sharon; then they will see the glory of Yahweh, the splendour of our God. Read More
172nd Meditation
“The joy I feel in being with you is no less great than that which I felt when I was with My Son Jesus during His mortal life” (Father’s Message to Sr. Eugenia Ravasio).
Our Father never tires of expressing His love to us in a thousand ways, until we finally believe in it and reciprocate His love. Read More
Rom 15:4-9
And all these things which were written so long ago were written so that we, learning perseverance and the encouragement which the scriptures give, should have hope. Now the God of perseverance and encouragement give you all the same purpose, following the example of Christ Jesus, so that you may together give glory to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one heart. Read More
171st Meditation
“With you I storm the rampart,
with my God I can scale any wall” (Ps 17:30).
Our Father gives us the courage to do great things with Him. Not infrequently “hedges and walls” are erected on the path of following the Lord, which want to discourage us: obstacles that seem insurmountable, one difficulty after another, setbacks and perhaps even concrete enmities. Read More
170th Meditation
“Nothing is impossible for me, and when I find an open heart, I want to give it everything” (Inner Word).
For our Father it is a great treasure to find an open heart. To this person He can grant everything, not withholding anything of what He has arranged for them in His love. An open heart is a great joy for Him.
We have certainly experienced this also on the human level, when we meet someone who has an open heart towards us. How easy it is to establish a fruitful communion with such a person! Read More
1 Cor 9:16-19.22-23
Reading corresponding to the memorial of St Francis Xavier
”In fact, preaching the gospel gives me nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion and I should be in trouble if I failed to do it. If I did it on my own initiative I would deserve a reward; but if I do it under compulsion I am simply accepting a task entrusted to me. What reward do I have, then? Read More
169th Meditation
“You delight in sincerity of heart,
and in secret you teach me wisdom” (Ps 51:6).
The sincere heart mentioned in the psalm is related to purity of heart, which can become very deep. The more we advance in the process of purification, the more we will perceive the movements of our heart, thanks to the light of the Holy Spirit. Everything, even the smallest things, will be opened before God, so that all inner blockage towards Him begins to dissolve. Read More
Ps 26:1,4,13-14
The Lord is my light and my salvation,
whom should I fear?
The Lord is the fortress of my life,
whom should I dread?
