The Gospel, a hymn to Joy
In the beginning there was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
The Word was the true Light that enlightens every man who comes into this world.
To all who received it, He gave power to become children of God.
(John 1:1-9-11)
“May you hear the voice of the Lord today. Harden not your hearts.”
Dear friend, with this verse from Psalm 95, I want to introduce you to this moment of prayer experience.
In chapter 17 of the Acts of the Apostles, it is narrated that St. Paul, walking through Athens, saw a statue that read: “To the unknown God.” When Paul, shortly afterwards, addressed the Athenians at the Areopagus, he told them that he had come to speak to them of that God whom they did not know. He told them that God has created man to find Him; and that this God is found spread far out and is as tangible as an atmosphere that bathes us. Everywhere, He surrounds us, like the very World He created.
With these seductive words, what are we missing, so that we can embrace him? Just one thing: See it. Experience it.
Realistically speaking, Paul was making an introduction to make known the One who comes from this wonderful God, Jesus Christ.
This was the start of making the gospel’s good news known. The first hymn to joy, to the meaning of life!
Dear friend, how can we make the good news of the Gospel a true hymn of joy and hope?
The question is whether it’s lived or not. Therefore, the Gospel is a matter of life. It’s a life experience. You must enter into this life, because the one you will find to guide you is Jesus Christ himself.
I invite you at this moment to live and experience something of this peace and serene joy that the Good News brings us.
The best predisposition is to open your ears and heart for the Spirit of God to work in you and silence your being like the rain that penetrates the earth:
Holy Spirit, you invite us to advance tirelessly, impelled by Your breath, making life and beauty spring from Your Love… Give us the hope that dispels fears and gives birth to joy.
(Taken from the prayer “Holy Spirit” (S-30)
First, remove from your mind and your oppressed heart all your usual worries, remove from your mind all the bad news, so many threats that are intended to lead you to despair, to make you fall into the temptation that we are inevitably going to disaster… Or also, that you fall into another temptation, that of running away with multiple evasions that distract you and disperse you, leaving you emptier…. Silence your mind and appease your heart… Take a deep breath… calmly… And forget about everything… Take some time until you have internalized… at peace with yourself… Without judging, without analyzing anything… Just feel peace… nothing… peace…. nothing… Right now, everything is at peace within you… Around you…
And now, read slowly… believe… Live this prayer with complete certainty:
Think that you are in God’s hands, the more tightly grasped the more depressed and sadder you are. Live happily. I beg you. Live in peace. Don’t let anything upset you.
May nothing be able to take away your peace.
No psychic fatigue, not even your moral failings.
Make it spring up, and always keep a sweet smile on your face, a reflection of which the Lord drives you continually.
And in the depths of your soul, place first of all as a source of energy and criterion of truth, everything that fills you with the peace of God.
Remember: everything that represses and worries you is false.
I assure you this in the name of the laws of life and the promises of God. So, when you feel sorrow and sad, ADORE AND TRUST
(Teilhard de Chardin)
Jesus Christ, Himself, is the seed of the Kingdom that has come down to this world to rescue you in a unique and personal way. That’s the Good News! his life and his words are a well-traced route, to make you part of a life in fullness. He seeks you out and invites you to live a full and meaningful life with Him. Isn’t this a good reason for joy and hope?
O Christ, Supreme Master, Eternal Teacher, who makes me see more and more the efficacy of surrendering to You, in full confidence; to put myself at your disposal, the more I empty myself of myself. I want to give myself totally to You, so that You are the one who lives and acts through me, so that everything is transformed and glorified by Your eternal presence. Amen.
“Prayer for Action” E-49
Lord, give us the wisdom that judges from above and sees from afar.
Give us the Spirit that omits the irrelevant in favor of the essential.
Teach us serenity in times of confrontation, teach us to progress in faith without agitation along the road you laid out.
Give us peace, so that we may embrace everything with a vision of unity.
Help us to accept criticism and contradiction.
Let us avoid disorder and dispersion.
With you, may we love all things.
Oh God, source of being, unite us to you and to everything that leads us to you and to everything that lead us to happiness and eternity. Amen
And now, listen with the following words how Jesus Christ invites you to follow him and collaborate, together with him, in the establishment of his Kingdom.
“To be builders of the Kingdom of God, every well-intentioned effort, without a hint of self-interest, helps to complete God’s creative work.” (Teilhard de Chardin)
Strengthen the Kingdom of Heaven:
Hang lamps on the walls of the dark nights…. Where there are fires, put springs…. Where swords are forged, plant rose bushes…. Transform battlefields into gardens…Dig furrows to sow love…. Plant flags of freedom, in the homeland of poverty…. And proclaim that the Kingdom of Love, Joy, and Peace is coming soon.
(Ignacio Larrañaga)
Dear friend, if you notice; First, you are invited to personal experience. It all begins with an encounter that does not leave you indifferent and that you will maintain through an assiduous relationship with Jesus. This relationship is forged through listening to His word and a personal response with your prayer… All this is essential because in that relationship you are strengthened as a disciple and at some point, you will hear from Jesus himself: “Go and transmit what you live and experience”.
To conclude, listen to these encouraging words from Teilhard de Chardin himself:
“Recognize, with God’s help, the supernatural connection that binds your efforts to building the Kingdom of God. Know that heaven smiles on you and attracts you through your daily deeds and chores; and when you leave the temple, from the encounter with God, into the noisy world, you will have the feeling of remaining immersed in God.”
May God bless you and be the light and joy on your way to Him.