Setting the stage
Go again to your prayer space, light your candle and let this today's reading and reflection speak to you.
Prayer
Jesus, I come to this time with you with a heart open and longing. Quiet my mind. Direct my heart to your heat's desire for me. Speak to my in your word and in your silence of the invitation you have for me to live a life of wholeness, of holiness and of service. You have placed your gifts in my hands so that I can extend them to others. May this prayer be a time of clarity and conviction about how and where you call me.
Reading: Luke 9:22-25
Jesus said to his disciples: "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised".
Then he said to all, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?"
Reflection
Today's Gospel shows us the real meaning of Jesus' being the Messiah: the obedient servant of God, (Lk 22:42) and invites us to share in his mission. The real disciple is the one who is ready to renounce to her/his plans and desires to be transformed by the Holy Spirit in Jesus' own image.
Peter had proclaimed who Jesus was: the Messiah. Now Jesus wants to share with his disciples how He is going to accomplish that title. Like Peter I too may know who Jesus is: the Son of God, but I still need to contemplate the meaning of that in His life and to be open to see how Jesus calls me to share in his vocation.
Jesus talks about his own suffering, rejection and death. How do you feel about it?
Jesus is calling you to follow Him and share in His mission. How does that make you feel? There may be joy because of His calling or perhaps fear because of your weakness and His great demands… Give them to Jesus
Jesus talks about the real life. Where do I look for and place the sense and purpose of my life?
We may finish our meditation reciting the words of today's psalm: "Blessed are they who hope in the Lord". Try to place your life as a disciple of Jesus with all your joys and difficulties in the Lord and ask Him to help you grow in your hope in Him.
Reflection Questions
These questions are offered as a help and a guide to your prayer. Do not feel you need to try and answer them all.
- Who is Jesus in my life? Is He really the Messiah the only one who gives sense and purpose to my life?
- Jesus was able to take his cross because he trusted and loved God above all. Do I?
- How am I a disciple of Jesus? Am I ready to share in His mission?
- What are the things that I may have to renounce to follow Him more closely? Which are my crosses? How do I live them?
- Do I really believe that the real life is to be with Him?
GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR RETREAT DIRECTOR
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