“Look, I am standing at the door, knocking. If one of you hears me calling and opens the door, I will come in to share a meal at that person’s side.” (Rv. 3:20)
We are coming to the end of an intensely spiritual year, speaking on behalf of the whole Church. It is time to return to what is essential. To look back on how 2013 was for us in all ways. And with our Resurrected Lord, see how we can move forward to follow His footsteps in 2014.
In 2013, this year that is coming to a close, we have lived some events that have moved us very deeply: the Holy Spirit, working through the Bishops in Rome, elected Pope Francis last March, to complete the work of his predecessors and initiate a new erain the Church. And so it has been. Many of his actions have filled the world with hope and joy. His words always revolve around the crux of the matter: To pass onto others the joy of the treasure we carry inside: “Where does Jesus send us? There are no boundaries, no limits. He sends us to everyone…” The Gospel is not only for those who seem closest, most receptive, the loveliest. It is for everyone. Do not be afraid to take Christ into everywhere, even unto the utmost periphery of our existence, also to those most far away, the most indifferent. The Lord is seeking all; He wants all to feel the warmth of His Mercy, of His love…”
And for all those in the Prayer and Life Workshops the time came – in 2013 –to peacefully say goodbye to Father IgnacioLarrañaga, who went to the Father’s House on the 28th of this past October.And whatbetter way to remember his unceasing invitation to passionately grow in love with Jesus Christ! It is to seek Him unceasingly encountering Himindailyprayer, from there to go out with conviction: “Now I will begin to be like Jesus, sensitive and humble like Jesus; merciful, sincere and truthful, like You…”
Guard your Intense Moments. Set aside a daily time to be with the Lord. He is always knocking at the door of our hearts. Inviting us to have a loving encounter, alone. “If you allow Him, FatherIgnacio reminded us, Jesus will come. If you open the door, He will enter and sit down at your poor wooden table, and in sweet silence and serenity, He will share an intimate conversation with you. All will be rest and peace.”
“And you, what will you offer Him to eat? Sweetness, courage, self-denial, docility, detachment. Your own poverty without shame… and you will ask Him what will He bring for you at this Meal that is ever new each day. You will ask Him to speak about Himself, that you are tired of always talking about yourself, as if you were the center of the world…You will ask Him to teach you how to listen like Mary at Bethany…He will tell you about His work of grace, His life hidden in you…He never tires of loving you…He will tell you, also, about His new plans and His unfailing hope that He will triumph in you… He will urgently insist: you ought to watch and pray without giving up, so that you will always be accompanied by hope for as long as you live…”
And our hearts in awe before this unprecedented and unconditional love of Christ can only whisper gratefully like Francis of Assisi: What would become of me without the Mercy of God? Accepting this supper that recreates and makes us fall in love will allow us to “accept all, gratefully and awed, beginning with our own littleness.”
(Based on a Circular Letter and the book “Brother Francis of Assisi” by Father Ignacio Larrañaga)
