449th Meditation
“I have manifested thy name to the men whom thou gavest me (…), and they have kept thy word” (Jn 17:6).
It is important for our Lord that we accept Him as the One sent by the Father and that we keep His Word, because it is the Word of our Heavenly Father.
Those who do so are safe, for, as the Lord tells us in the Gospel, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Mt 24:35). And so it is! Read More
448th Meditation
“Dear children of My love. I have great plans for you!” (The Father’s message to Sister Eugenia Ravasio).
Our Father always has great plans for us, although His infinite patience accompanies us also in the smallest steps and even in our detours. Yes, God is so faithful that He even accompanies those who have turned away from Him, always trying to lead them back home. Read More
Jn 17:1a,11b-19
“Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said. Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they may be one like us. While I was with them, I kept those you had given me true to your name. I have watched over them and not one is lost except one who was destined to be lost, and this was to fulfil the scriptures. But now I am coming to you and I say these things in the world to share my joy with them to the full.
The memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, which we celebrate today, dates back to the Feast of the “The Seven Sorrows of Mary”, which was introduced by Pope Benedict XIII in 1721.
In Eastern Christianity, the Sorrowful Mother has been venerated since the first centuries. The great poet Ephrem the Syrian (+373) already sings of the Virgin under the Cross, and a large number of authors of Christian antiquity depict the Sorrows of Mary. These texts became part of the liturgy of the East. Thus, as early as the 6th century, the depiction of Mary under the Cross was common in the East.
447th Meditation
“Proclaim love in truth. Only then will it be truly healing for people” (Inner Word).
These words clearly show us the way to follow. In fact, this is the way of acting and being of our Father Himself. Truth without love can take on the character of an implacable sword, capable of deeply wounding people. Love without truth, on the other hand, loses its contours and can degenerate, for example, into a false mercy that deceives people. Read More
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which we celebrate today, has its origins in an event that took place in the year 335. On 13 September of that year, after many years of construction, a large church in Jerusalem was solemnly consecrated. It is known as the “Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre” or “Church of the Resurrection”. It was Emperor Constantine who had it built, after his mother, St. Helena, had found the Cross of Christ on September 13, 320.
446th Meditation
“Blessed are those who dwell in thy house, ever singing thy praise!” (Ps 83:5).
The Father rejoices over every prodigal son who, leaving behind sin and confusion, returns to Him. All heaven rejoices (cf. Lk 15:7)!
But what about those who have always remained in the “Father’s house”, faithful to Him? The Psalm calls them “blessed”. They have chosen the better part. Read More
Col 3:1-11
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.
445th Meditation
“Restore us, O God of hosts; let thy face shine, that we may be saved!” (Ps 80:7).
It is the people of Israel who utter this prayer, imploring the Lord to change their destiny. They are in great distress because they have repeatedly turned away from God and been unfaithful to Him, and our Father has allowed them to feel the consequences: “Thou dost make us the scorn of our neighbors; and our enemies laugh among themselves” (v. 6). Read More
Col 2:6-15
As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fulness of life in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
