I PROTECT YOU AS THE APPLE OF MY EYE

157th Meditation

“Fear not, my child: I protect you as the apple of my eye” (Inner Word).

Undoubtedly there are many dangers that threaten us in this life, both from within and from without. In reality, nowhere are we really safe, no matter how hard we try to acquire all kinds of securities. Nor is a merely human optimism sufficient for being able to cope with the uncertainties of this earthly life. Circumstances may arise everywhere for which we had not accounted or prepared. This is why Jesus tells us in the Gospel: “In the world you will have sufferings,” and then adds: “But be of good cheer: I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33). 

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THE DIGNITY OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD

156th Meditation

“Raise yourselves to the dignity of children of God and learn how to respect your own greatness. I will then be your Father more than ever, the most lovable and merciful of fathers!” (Father’s message to Sr. Eugenia Ravasio).

Here our Father addresses an extremely essential question for the life of mankind: What is the greatness and dignity of man? Even the Lord’s disciples argued among themselves as to which of them was the greatest (Lk 22:24). In response, Jesus taught them that true greatness is found in serving (v. 26). Read More

THE ROYAL ROAD

154th Meditation

“God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him” (1Jn 4:16b).

Whether expressed in contemplation, meditation or works, the royal road is love. If we remain in love, the Father remains in us. And this path we can walk at any time and in any circumstance: we can always try to opt for the greater love. Read More

ABIDE IN GOD THROUGH WORKS (JN 15:4)

153rd Meditation

 

“Abide in me, as I abide in you” (Jn 15:4).

 

In addition to abiding in God and He in us through contemplation and meditation, there is also the aspect of abiding in the Father through the works we do.

 

We will be able to identify these different approaches very well by observing, for example, the different religious communities we have within the Church. Read More

MEDITATION

152º Meditation

“Abide in me, as I abide in you” (Jn 15:4).

In contemplation we meet our Father in the depths of our soul and remain in Him. This is how the mystics express it. Meditation on the Word of God has a somewhat different character.

The desert fathers speak of the need to “ruminate” on the Word of God. Through its constant repetition, its meaning is revealed to us more deeply and begins to settle in our soul. Read More

 THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

150th Meditation

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Ps 23:6).

The psalmist expresses what the Heavenly Father has arranged for us, and which we can recognize by faith: it is the great “yes” of God to our existence; a “yes” that manifests itself to us in various ways. It is a “yes” that He never revokes, after having pronounced it once and forever on our life. Even the person who rejects God, testifies by their very existence to God’s “yes” to them.

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  YOU ANOINT MY HEAD WITH OIL

149th Meditation 

“You prepare a table for me under the eyes of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup brims over”(Ps 23:5).

This verse is taken from the psalms of David, whom the Lord chose as king of Israel. Likewise, each of us Christians has been anointed by God’s grace to be a “son of the great King.” Thus, we can adapt the words of this psalm for ourselves as well, for our King is God Himself. When Pontius Pilate asked Jesus if He was a king, He replied, “It is you who say that I am a king” (Jn 18:37). 

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“YOU ARE AT MY SIDE” (PS 23:4)

148th Meditation

“Even were I to walk in a ravine as dark as death I should fear no danger, for you are at my side. Your staff and your crook are there to soothe me” (Ps 23:4).

Who has not traversed dark glens in life? Who does not perceive the abundant dangers that surround us?  Many times they are even present within us and try to devour us. But life in this world also testifies to the darkness of estrangement from God. 

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