Wednesday, November 25 – We are in God’s hands.

Preparatory Prayer

(to place myself in God’s presence)

Holy Spirit, Sweet Guest of my soul, You are my Comforter, the one who assists me, the one who enlightens and guides me. Help me so that this prayer becomes the means to place at the center of my life and activity the Word of God, which shows me the path of life and reveals the secrets of holiness.

Gospel of the day

(to guide your meditation)

From the holy Gospel according to Luke 21:12-19

At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: “They will persecute you and will deliver you up to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to testify.

Make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance, for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.

You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance, you will gain your lives.”

Word of God.

 

Reflect on what God tells you in the Gospel

(we suggest you read what the Pope said)

“The second aspect challenges us precisely as Christians and as the Church: Jesus preannounces painful trials and persecutions that his disciples will have to endure because of him. However, he assures us: “Not a hair of your head will perish.” It reminds us that we are completely in God’s hands!

The adversities we encounter because of our faith and our adherence to the Gospel are opportunities for testimony; they should not distance us from the Lord, but rather push us to abandon ourselves even more to Him, in the strength of His Spirit and His grace.

At this moment, I think and we all think, let’s do it together, let’s think of so many Christian brothers and sisters who suffer persecutions because of their faith. There are so many! Perhaps more than in the first centuries. Jesus is with them. We are also united with them through our prayer and affection. We also feel admiration for their courage and testimony. They are our brothers and sisters who in many parts of the world suffer because of their fidelity to Jesus Christ. We greet them from the heart and with affection.” (Pope Francis, Angelus on November 17, 2013).

 

Dialogue with Christ

This is the most important part of your prayer, prepare to speak with much love to the One who loves you.

Purpose

Set a personal one. The one that involves the most love in response to the Beloved… or, if you believe it is what God is asking of you, live what is suggested below.

Today, I will dedicate extra time to my prayer to contemplate the cross as a symbol of love, a symbol that tells me something every time I see it.

 

“Those who dedicate themselves diligently to prayer know well how it keeps one away from sin and how it invites the exercise of virtues.”

(Origen, Treatise on Prayer)