Throughout our Lenten journey, I have mentioned contemplative prayer several times. Even if not everyone gets to experience the various levels of contemplation, it is good to at least know what this form of prayer is all about. In addressing this topic, I will keep in mind that most people who listen to these meditations do not live in a monastery, fully immersed in a contemplative life. I hope that some aspects of this meditation on contemplation will be helpful in making our life and prayer even more receptive to God’s presence. Read More
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GOD’S WAY OF DEALING WITH HIS FRIENDS
274th Meditation
“Day by day I will talk to you about My wishes for men, about My joys and My sorrows” (Father’s message to Sister Eugenia Ravasio).
These words to Mother Eugenia are certainly not addressed to her alone, but extend also to all those who cultivate an intimate relationship with the Heavenly Father. In various ways, they will be able to perceive His voice. Indeed, God invites all people into this relationship of deep trust, so that not only do we express and entrust all our concerns to Him, but He can also communicate to us what is in His Heart. Read More
LENTEN ITINERARY | Day 24: “Giving the right place to prophetic messages”
Today we take up again the theme of “private apparitions and revelations”. The latter are the messages received in apparitions or interior allocutions.
Yesterday I emphasized that we should pay attention to them, because – as long as they are authentic – they are guidelines given to us by the Lord, showing us a way and providing us with help in the concrete situation in which we find ourselves, whether at the level of the world or of the Church. Read More
HEARTS THAT UNDERSTAND GOD
273rd Meditation
“What do I desire to achieve with this work of love, if not to find hearts able to understand Me?” (Father’s message to Sr. Eugenia Ravasio).
We will understand our Father more deeply when we come to know His Heart. And that is what He wants! He wants us to grasp His love, His motivation, His Being. Read More
LENTEN ITINERARY | Day 23: Listen to the prophets
Today’s reading, taken from the Book of Jeremiah, reminds us to listen to the prophets. God speaks to us through them, to guide us back to the straight path. We know that, since He sent His own Son into the world, God speaks to us through Himself (Heb 1:1-2) and with the voice of the Church; however, it would be wrong to exclude the prophetic dimension altogether now. Read More
“IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON”
272nd Meditation
“In season and out of season, the whole world must know that there is a God and a Creator” (Father’s message to Sister Eugenia Ravasio).
In yesterday’s meditation, we had addressed this question to our Heavenly Father: “What are the works that you want to accomplish through us?” Read More
LENTEN ITINERARY | Day 22: Faithfulness to Tradition
Let us begin today’s meditation by listening to the Lord’s words to His disciples in today’s Gospel:
“Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. In truth I tell you, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, is to disappear from the Law until all its purpose is achieved. Therefore, anyone who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of Heaven; but the person who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 5:17-19). Read More
LENTEN ITINERARY | Day 21: “The grace of the sacraments”
- The Holy Eucharist
In our spiritual journey, the holy sacraments of the Church deserve special attention, in particular the Holy Eucharist. It should be the high point of the Church’s life and belong naturally to our beloved Catholic identity. Read More
TEACH US TO COUNT UP THE DAYS THAT ARE OURS
271st Meditation
“Teach us to count up the days that are ours, and we shall come to the heart of wisdom” (Ps 89:12).
A simple prayer, but a powerful one… We are all on our way and will have to cross death as the last bridge to eternity. No one knows the hour when it will come. But for people of faith, this “last enemy to be done away” (1 Cor 15:26) loses its dread as we come to know the love of the Father and understand that, having passed through death, we will return to our home, where Jesus has prepared a dwelling place for us (Jn 14:2-3). Read More
MY TRUST WILL NEVER BE SHAKEN
270th 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).
This attitude of tranquillity is different from a merely human optimism. The latter is rooted in human nature; whereas the tranquillity spoken of here is the result of having placed one’s trust in the Lord, who in due time puts an end to wars and protects His own. Read More