Orden Carmelitana
Lectio Divina:
Saturday, December 1, 2018
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Lord,
increase our eagerness to do Your will
and help us to know the saving power of Your love.
You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
increase our eagerness to do Your will
and help us to know the saving power of Your love.
You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel reading - Luke 21:34-36
Jesus said to His disciples: “Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will come upon you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come down on all those living on the face of the earth.
Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand before the Son of man.”
Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand before the Son of man.”
3) Reflection
• We are reaching the end of the long Apocalyptic Discourse and getting to the end of the ecclesiastical year. Jesus gives a last piece of advice, inviting us to watch (Lk 21: 34-35) and to pray (Lk 21: 36).
• Luke 21: 34-35: Attention to not lose conscientiousness. “Watch yourselves or your hearts will be coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will come upon you unexpectedly, like a trap; for it will come down on all those living on the face of the earth”. Jesus had already given similar advice when they asked Him about the coming of the Kingdom (Lk 17: 20-21). He answers that the coming of the Kingdom will arrive like lightening; unexpectedly and without warning. People must be attentive and always prepared (Lk 17: 22-27). When the wait is very long, there is a risk of not being attentive and not paying attention to the events of life: “the hearts become coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life”. Today, there are many distractions which render us insensitive, and the news, TV, Internet, and other propaganda can ruin our perspective on life. Being far away from the suffering of so many people in the world, we are not conscious of the injustices which are committed. The converse of this is also possible. The speed of communication today through satellite and Internet can overwhelm us with “bad news” and cause anxieties, fear, and worry and disturb our peace.
• Luke 21:36: Prayer, the source of critical conscience and hope. “Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to hold your ground before the Son of Man”. Constant prayer is an important means to not lose the presence of spirit. We must deepen in our hearts the knowledge and awareness of God’s presence among us. In this way, He gives us the strength and the light to bear the bad days and to increase our hope.
• Summary of the Apocalyptic Discourse (Lk 21: 5-36). We have spent five days, from Tuesday to Saturday, meditating on and deepening the sense of the Apocalyptic Discourse for our life. All three Synoptic Gospels have this discourse of Jesus, each one in its own way. Let us try to see which version the Gospel of Luke offers us. Here we give a brief summary of what we have been able to meditate on during these five days.
The whole of the Apocalyptic Discourse is an attempt to help the persecuted communities place themselves in the overall plan of God, and in this way, have hope and courage to continue on the way. In the case of the Apocalyptic Discourse of the Gospel of Luke, the persecuted communities were living in the year 85. Jesus speaks in the year 33. His discourse describes the stages, or the signs, of the realization of God’s plan. In all, there are eight signs and periods of time Jesus describes up through our time. Reading and interpreting their lives in the light of the signs given by Jesus, the communities discovered how the execution of the plan was to be found. It was thought that the first seven signs had already taken place and that they all belonged to the past. Especially in the 6th and 7th signs (persecution and destruction of Jerusalem), the communities found the image or reflection of what was happening in their present time.
• Luke 21: 34-35: Attention to not lose conscientiousness. “Watch yourselves or your hearts will be coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will come upon you unexpectedly, like a trap; for it will come down on all those living on the face of the earth”. Jesus had already given similar advice when they asked Him about the coming of the Kingdom (Lk 17: 20-21). He answers that the coming of the Kingdom will arrive like lightening; unexpectedly and without warning. People must be attentive and always prepared (Lk 17: 22-27). When the wait is very long, there is a risk of not being attentive and not paying attention to the events of life: “the hearts become coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life”. Today, there are many distractions which render us insensitive, and the news, TV, Internet, and other propaganda can ruin our perspective on life. Being far away from the suffering of so many people in the world, we are not conscious of the injustices which are committed. The converse of this is also possible. The speed of communication today through satellite and Internet can overwhelm us with “bad news” and cause anxieties, fear, and worry and disturb our peace.
• Luke 21:36: Prayer, the source of critical conscience and hope. “Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to hold your ground before the Son of Man”. Constant prayer is an important means to not lose the presence of spirit. We must deepen in our hearts the knowledge and awareness of God’s presence among us. In this way, He gives us the strength and the light to bear the bad days and to increase our hope.
• Summary of the Apocalyptic Discourse (Lk 21: 5-36). We have spent five days, from Tuesday to Saturday, meditating on and deepening the sense of the Apocalyptic Discourse for our life. All three Synoptic Gospels have this discourse of Jesus, each one in its own way. Let us try to see which version the Gospel of Luke offers us. Here we give a brief summary of what we have been able to meditate on during these five days.
The whole of the Apocalyptic Discourse is an attempt to help the persecuted communities place themselves in the overall plan of God, and in this way, have hope and courage to continue on the way. In the case of the Apocalyptic Discourse of the Gospel of Luke, the persecuted communities were living in the year 85. Jesus speaks in the year 33. His discourse describes the stages, or the signs, of the realization of God’s plan. In all, there are eight signs and periods of time Jesus describes up through our time. Reading and interpreting their lives in the light of the signs given by Jesus, the communities discovered how the execution of the plan was to be found. It was thought that the first seven signs had already taken place and that they all belonged to the past. Especially in the 6th and 7th signs (persecution and destruction of Jerusalem), the communities found the image or reflection of what was happening in their present time.
The following are the seven signs:
Introduction to the discourse (Lk 21: 5-7)
1st sign: the false Messiahs (Lk 21: 8);
2nd sign: war and revolutions (Lk 21: 9);
3rd sign: nations which fight against other nations, a kingdom against another kingdom (Lk 21: 10);
4th sign: earthquakes in different places (Lk 21: 11);
5th sign: hunger, plagues and signs in the sky (Lk 21: 11);
6th sign: persecution of Christians and mission that they have to carry out (Lk 21: 12-19) + Mission
7th sign: destruction of Jerusalem (Lk 21: 20-24)
Introduction to the discourse (Lk 21: 5-7)
1st sign: the false Messiahs (Lk 21: 8);
2nd sign: war and revolutions (Lk 21: 9);
3rd sign: nations which fight against other nations, a kingdom against another kingdom (Lk 21: 10);
4th sign: earthquakes in different places (Lk 21: 11);
5th sign: hunger, plagues and signs in the sky (Lk 21: 11);
6th sign: persecution of Christians and mission that they have to carry out (Lk 21: 12-19) + Mission
7th sign: destruction of Jerusalem (Lk 21: 20-24)
Arriving at this 7th sign, the communities conclude: “We are in the 6th and 7th signs. So this is the more important question: “How much is lacking until the end?” Anyone who is persecuted does not want to know or hear about the distant future. He wants to know if he will be alive the following day or if he will have the strength to bear the persecution until the following day. The response to this disturbing question comes in the eighth sign.
8th sign: changes in the sun and the moon (Lk 21: 25-26) announce the coming of the Son of Man (Lk 21: 27-28).
Conclusion: little is lacking, all is according to God’s plan, and all is like birth pangs. God is with us. It is possible to bear all this. Let us try to give witness of our faith in the Good News of Jesus
At the end, Jesus confirms everything with His authority (Lk 21: 29-33).
8th sign: changes in the sun and the moon (Lk 21: 25-26) announce the coming of the Son of Man (Lk 21: 27-28).
Conclusion: little is lacking, all is according to God’s plan, and all is like birth pangs. God is with us. It is possible to bear all this. Let us try to give witness of our faith in the Good News of Jesus
At the end, Jesus confirms everything with His authority (Lk 21: 29-33).
4) Personal questions
• Jesus tells us to watch out so as not to be surprised by news or events. How do I live this advice of Jesus?
• How do I balance being aware and compassionate in my larger local community with the constant TV and Internet reporting of injustice and disasters in real time from all over the world?
•The last warning of Jesus, at the end of the ecclesiastical year is this one: Watch and pray at all times. How do I put into practice in my life this advice of Jesus?
•The last warning of Jesus, at the end of the ecclesiastical year is this one: Watch and pray at all times. How do I put into practice in my life this advice of Jesus?
5) Concluding prayer
For Yahweh is a great God,
a king greater than all the gods.
In His power are the depths of the earth,
the peaks of the mountains are His;
the sea belongs to Him, for He made it,
and the dry land, molded by His hands. (Ps 95:3-5
a king greater than all the gods.
In His power are the depths of the earth,
the peaks of the mountains are His;
the sea belongs to Him, for He made it,
and the dry land, molded by His hands. (Ps 95:3-5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lectio Divina:
Saturday, December 1, 2018
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Lord,
increase our eagerness to do Your will
and help us to know the saving power of Your love.
You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
increase our eagerness to do Your will
and help us to know the saving power of Your love.
You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel reading - Luke 21:34-36
Jesus said to His disciples: “Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will come upon you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come down on all those living on the face of the earth.
Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand before the Son of man.”
Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand before the Son of man.”
3) Reflection
• We are reaching the end of the long Apocalyptic Discourse and getting to the end of the ecclesiastical year. Jesus gives a last piece of advice, inviting us to watch (Lk 21: 34-35) and to pray (Lk 21: 36).
• Luke 21: 34-35: Attention to not lose conscientiousness. “Watch yourselves or your hearts will be coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will come upon you unexpectedly, like a trap; for it will come down on all those living on the face of the earth”. Jesus had already given similar advice when they asked Him about the coming of the Kingdom (Lk 17: 20-21). He answers that the coming of the Kingdom will arrive like lightening; unexpectedly and without warning. People must be attentive and always prepared (Lk 17: 22-27). When the wait is very long, there is a risk of not being attentive and not paying attention to the events of life: “the hearts become coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life”. Today, there are many distractions which render us insensitive, and the news, TV, Internet, and other propaganda can ruin our perspective on life. Being far away from the suffering of so many people in the world, we are not conscious of the injustices which are committed. The converse of this is also possible. The speed of communication today through satellite and Internet can overwhelm us with “bad news” and cause anxieties, fear, and worry and disturb our peace.
• Luke 21:36: Prayer, the source of critical conscience and hope. “Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to hold your ground before the Son of Man”. Constant prayer is an important means to not lose the presence of spirit. We must deepen in our hearts the knowledge and awareness of God’s presence among us. In this way, He gives us the strength and the light to bear the bad days and to increase our hope.
• Summary of the Apocalyptic Discourse (Lk 21: 5-36). We have spent five days, from Tuesday to Saturday, meditating on and deepening the sense of the Apocalyptic Discourse for our life. All three Synoptic Gospels have this discourse of Jesus, each one in its own way. Let us try to see which version the Gospel of Luke offers us. Here we give a brief summary of what we have been able to meditate on during these five days.
The whole of the Apocalyptic Discourse is an attempt to help the persecuted communities place themselves in the overall plan of God, and in this way, have hope and courage to continue on the way. In the case of the Apocalyptic Discourse of the Gospel of Luke, the persecuted communities were living in the year 85. Jesus speaks in the year 33. His discourse describes the stages, or the signs, of the realization of God’s plan. In all, there are eight signs and periods of time Jesus describes up through our time. Reading and interpreting their lives in the light of the signs given by Jesus, the communities discovered how the execution of the plan was to be found. It was thought that the first seven signs had already taken place and that they all belonged to the past. Especially in the 6th and 7th signs (persecution and destruction of Jerusalem), the communities found the image or reflection of what was happening in their present time.
• Luke 21: 34-35: Attention to not lose conscientiousness. “Watch yourselves or your hearts will be coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will come upon you unexpectedly, like a trap; for it will come down on all those living on the face of the earth”. Jesus had already given similar advice when they asked Him about the coming of the Kingdom (Lk 17: 20-21). He answers that the coming of the Kingdom will arrive like lightening; unexpectedly and without warning. People must be attentive and always prepared (Lk 17: 22-27). When the wait is very long, there is a risk of not being attentive and not paying attention to the events of life: “the hearts become coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life”. Today, there are many distractions which render us insensitive, and the news, TV, Internet, and other propaganda can ruin our perspective on life. Being far away from the suffering of so many people in the world, we are not conscious of the injustices which are committed. The converse of this is also possible. The speed of communication today through satellite and Internet can overwhelm us with “bad news” and cause anxieties, fear, and worry and disturb our peace.
• Luke 21:36: Prayer, the source of critical conscience and hope. “Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to hold your ground before the Son of Man”. Constant prayer is an important means to not lose the presence of spirit. We must deepen in our hearts the knowledge and awareness of God’s presence among us. In this way, He gives us the strength and the light to bear the bad days and to increase our hope.
• Summary of the Apocalyptic Discourse (Lk 21: 5-36). We have spent five days, from Tuesday to Saturday, meditating on and deepening the sense of the Apocalyptic Discourse for our life. All three Synoptic Gospels have this discourse of Jesus, each one in its own way. Let us try to see which version the Gospel of Luke offers us. Here we give a brief summary of what we have been able to meditate on during these five days.
The whole of the Apocalyptic Discourse is an attempt to help the persecuted communities place themselves in the overall plan of God, and in this way, have hope and courage to continue on the way. In the case of the Apocalyptic Discourse of the Gospel of Luke, the persecuted communities were living in the year 85. Jesus speaks in the year 33. His discourse describes the stages, or the signs, of the realization of God’s plan. In all, there are eight signs and periods of time Jesus describes up through our time. Reading and interpreting their lives in the light of the signs given by Jesus, the communities discovered how the execution of the plan was to be found. It was thought that the first seven signs had already taken place and that they all belonged to the past. Especially in the 6th and 7th signs (persecution and destruction of Jerusalem), the communities found the image or reflection of what was happening in their present time.
The following are the seven signs:
Introduction to the discourse (Lk 21: 5-7)
1st sign: the false Messiahs (Lk 21: 8);
2nd sign: war and revolutions (Lk 21: 9);
3rd sign: nations which fight against other nations, a kingdom against another kingdom (Lk 21: 10);
4th sign: earthquakes in different places (Lk 21: 11);
5th sign: hunger, plagues and signs in the sky (Lk 21: 11);
6th sign: persecution of Christians and mission that they have to carry out (Lk 21: 12-19) + Mission
7th sign: destruction of Jerusalem (Lk 21: 20-24)
Introduction to the discourse (Lk 21: 5-7)
1st sign: the false Messiahs (Lk 21: 8);
2nd sign: war and revolutions (Lk 21: 9);
3rd sign: nations which fight against other nations, a kingdom against another kingdom (Lk 21: 10);
4th sign: earthquakes in different places (Lk 21: 11);
5th sign: hunger, plagues and signs in the sky (Lk 21: 11);
6th sign: persecution of Christians and mission that they have to carry out (Lk 21: 12-19) + Mission
7th sign: destruction of Jerusalem (Lk 21: 20-24)
Arriving at this 7th sign, the communities conclude: “We are in the 6th and 7th signs. So this is the more important question: “How much is lacking until the end?” Anyone who is persecuted does not want to know or hear about the distant future. He wants to know if he will be alive the following day or if he will have the strength to bear the persecution until the following day. The response to this disturbing question comes in the eighth sign.
8th sign: changes in the sun and the moon (Lk 21: 25-26) announce the coming of the Son of Man (Lk 21: 27-28).
Conclusion: little is lacking, all is according to God’s plan, and all is like birth pangs. God is with us. It is possible to bear all this. Let us try to give witness of our faith in the Good News of Jesus
At the end, Jesus confirms everything with His authority (Lk 21: 29-33).
8th sign: changes in the sun and the moon (Lk 21: 25-26) announce the coming of the Son of Man (Lk 21: 27-28).
Conclusion: little is lacking, all is according to God’s plan, and all is like birth pangs. God is with us. It is possible to bear all this. Let us try to give witness of our faith in the Good News of Jesus
At the end, Jesus confirms everything with His authority (Lk 21: 29-33).
4) Personal questions
• Jesus tells us to watch out so as not to be surprised by news or events. How do I live this advice of Jesus?
• How do I balance being aware and compassionate in my larger local community with the constant TV and Internet reporting of injustice and disasters in real time from all over the world?
•The last warning of Jesus, at the end of the ecclesiastical year is this one: Watch and pray at all times. How do I put into practice in my life this advice of Jesus?
•The last warning of Jesus, at the end of the ecclesiastical year is this one: Watch and pray at all times. How do I put into practice in my life this advice of Jesus?
5) Concluding prayer
For Yahweh is a great God,
a king greater than all the gods.
In His power are the depths of the earth,
the peaks of the mountains are His;
the sea belongs to Him, for He made it,
and the dry land, molded by His hands. (Ps 95:3-5
a king greater than all the gods.
In His power are the depths of the earth,
the peaks of the mountains are His;
the sea belongs to Him, for He made it,
and the dry land, molded by His hands. (Ps 95:3-5
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Lectio:
Sabato, 1 Dicembre, 2018
Tempo ordinario
1) Preghiera
Ridesta, Signore, la volontà dei tuoi fedeli
perché, collaborando con impegno alla tua opera
di salvezza,
ottengano in misura sempre più abbondante
i doni della tua misericordia.
Per il nostro Signore Gesù Cristo...
perché, collaborando con impegno alla tua opera
di salvezza,
ottengano in misura sempre più abbondante
i doni della tua misericordia.
Per il nostro Signore Gesù Cristo...
2) Lettura
Dal Vangelo secondo Luca 21,34-36
In quel tempo, Gesù disse ai suoi discepoli: “State bene attenti che i vostri cuori non si appesantiscano in dissipazioni, ubriachezze e affanni della vita e che quel giorno non vi piombi addosso improvviso; come un laccio esso si abbatterà sopra tutti coloro che abitano sulla faccia di tutta la terra.
Vegliate e pregate in ogni momento, perché abbiate la forza di sfuggire a tutto ciò che deve accadere, e di comparire davanti al Figlio dell’uomo”.
In quel tempo, Gesù disse ai suoi discepoli: “State bene attenti che i vostri cuori non si appesantiscano in dissipazioni, ubriachezze e affanni della vita e che quel giorno non vi piombi addosso improvviso; come un laccio esso si abbatterà sopra tutti coloro che abitano sulla faccia di tutta la terra.
Vegliate e pregate in ogni momento, perché abbiate la forza di sfuggire a tutto ciò che deve accadere, e di comparire davanti al Figlio dell’uomo”.
3) Riflessione
• Stiamo giungendo alla fine del lungo discorso apocalittico ed anche alla fine dell’anno ecclesiastico. Gesù dà un ultimo consiglio, invitandoci alla vigilanza (Lc 21,34-35) ed alla preghiera (Lc 21,36).
• Luca 21,34-35: Attenzione a non perdere la coscienza critica. “State bene attenti che i vostri cuori non si appesantiscano in dissipazione, ubriacature e affanni della vita e che quel giorno non vi piombi addosso all’improvviso, come un laccio esso si abbatterà sopra tutti coloro che abitano sulla faccia di tutta la terra”. Un consiglio simile Gesù l’aveva già dato quando gli chiesero dell’avvento del Regno (Lc 17,20-21). Lui rispose che l’avvento del Regno avviene come un lampo. Improvvisamente, senza preavviso. Le persone devono stare attente e preparate, sempre (Lc 17,22-27). Quando l’attesa è lunga, corriamo il pericolo di essere distratti e di non fare attenzione agli avvenimenti della vita “i cuori si appesantiscono in dissipazioni, ubriachezze e affanni della vita”. Oggi, le molte distrazioni ci rendono insensibili e la propaganda può perfino cambiare in noi il senso della vita. Lontani dalla sofferenza di tanta gente nel mondo, non ci rendiamo conto delle ingiustizie che si commettono.
• Luca 21,36: Preghiera, fonte di coscienza critica e di speranza. “Vegliate e pregate in ogni momento, perché abbiate la forza di sfuggire a tutto ciò che deve accadere, e di comparire davanti al Figlio dell’uomo”. La preghiera costante è un mezzo assai importante per non perdere la presenza di spirito. Approfondisce nel nostro cuore la consapevolezza della presenza di Dio in mezzo a noi e, così, ci dà forza e luce per sopportare i giorni brutti e crescere nella speranza.
• Riassunto del Discorso Apocalittico (Lc 21,5-36). Abbiamo trascorso cinque giorni, da martedì ad oggi sabato, meditando ed approfondendo il significato del Discorso Apocalittico per la nostra vita. Tutti e tre i vangeli sinottici riportano questo discorso di Gesù, ognuno a modo suo. Cerchiamo di vedere da vicino la versione che il vangelo di Luca ci offre. Qui diamo un breve riassunto di ciò che abbiamo potuto meditare in questi cinque giorni.
Tutto il Discorso Apocalittico è un tentativo di aiutare le comunità perseguitate a collocarsi nell’insieme del piano di Dio e cosi avere speranza e coraggio per continuare il cammino. Nel caso del Discorso Apocalittico del vangelo di Luca, le comunità perseguitate vivevano nell’anno 85. Gesù parlava nell’anno 33. Il suo discorso descrive le tappe o i segnali della realizzazione del piano di Dio. In tutto sono 8 i segnali e i periodi da Gesù fino ai nostri tempi. Leggendo e interpretando la sua vita alla luce dei segnali dati da Gesù, le comunità scoprivano a che altezza si trovava l’esecuzione del piano. I primi sette segnali erano già avvenuti. Appartenevano tutti al passato. Sopratutto il 6º e il 7º segnale (persecuzione e distruzione di Gerusalemme) le comunità trovano l’immagine o lo specchio di ciò che stava avvenendo nel loro presente. Ecco i sette segnali:
Introduzione al Discorso (Lc 21,5-7)
1º segnale: i falsi messia (Lc 21,8);
2º segnale: guerra e rivoluzioni (Lc 21,9);
3º segnale: nazioni che lottano contro altre nazioni, un regno contro un altro regno (Lc 21,10);
4º segnale: terremoti in diversi luoghi (Lc 21,11);
5º segnale: fame, peste e segni nel cielo (Lc 21,11);
6º segnale: persecuzione dei cristiani e missione che devono svolgere (Lc 21,12-19) + Missione
7º segnale: distruzione di Gerusalemme (Lc 21,20-24)
Giungendo a questo 7º segnale le comunità concludono: “Siamo nel 6° e nel 7° segnale. E questa è la domanda più importante: “Quanto manca alla fine?” Chi è perseguitato non ne vuole sapere di un futuro distante. Ma vuole sapere se sarà vivo il giorno dopo o se avrà la forza per sopportare la persecuzione fino al giorno seguente. La risposta a questa domanda inquietante viene nell’ottavo segnale:
8º segnale: cambiamenti nel sole e nella luna (Lc 21,25-26) annunciano la venuta del Figlio dell’Uomo. (Lc 21,27-28).
Conclusione: manca poco, tutto è secondo il piano di Dio, tutto è dolore da parto, Dio è con noi. E’ possibile sopportare. Cerchiamo di testimoniare la nostra fede nella Buona Novella di Dio, annunciataci da Gesù. Alla fine, Gesù conferma tutto con la sua autorevolezza (Lc 21,29-33).
• Luca 21,34-35: Attenzione a non perdere la coscienza critica. “State bene attenti che i vostri cuori non si appesantiscano in dissipazione, ubriacature e affanni della vita e che quel giorno non vi piombi addosso all’improvviso, come un laccio esso si abbatterà sopra tutti coloro che abitano sulla faccia di tutta la terra”. Un consiglio simile Gesù l’aveva già dato quando gli chiesero dell’avvento del Regno (Lc 17,20-21). Lui rispose che l’avvento del Regno avviene come un lampo. Improvvisamente, senza preavviso. Le persone devono stare attente e preparate, sempre (Lc 17,22-27). Quando l’attesa è lunga, corriamo il pericolo di essere distratti e di non fare attenzione agli avvenimenti della vita “i cuori si appesantiscono in dissipazioni, ubriachezze e affanni della vita”. Oggi, le molte distrazioni ci rendono insensibili e la propaganda può perfino cambiare in noi il senso della vita. Lontani dalla sofferenza di tanta gente nel mondo, non ci rendiamo conto delle ingiustizie che si commettono.
• Luca 21,36: Preghiera, fonte di coscienza critica e di speranza. “Vegliate e pregate in ogni momento, perché abbiate la forza di sfuggire a tutto ciò che deve accadere, e di comparire davanti al Figlio dell’uomo”. La preghiera costante è un mezzo assai importante per non perdere la presenza di spirito. Approfondisce nel nostro cuore la consapevolezza della presenza di Dio in mezzo a noi e, così, ci dà forza e luce per sopportare i giorni brutti e crescere nella speranza.
• Riassunto del Discorso Apocalittico (Lc 21,5-36). Abbiamo trascorso cinque giorni, da martedì ad oggi sabato, meditando ed approfondendo il significato del Discorso Apocalittico per la nostra vita. Tutti e tre i vangeli sinottici riportano questo discorso di Gesù, ognuno a modo suo. Cerchiamo di vedere da vicino la versione che il vangelo di Luca ci offre. Qui diamo un breve riassunto di ciò che abbiamo potuto meditare in questi cinque giorni.
Tutto il Discorso Apocalittico è un tentativo di aiutare le comunità perseguitate a collocarsi nell’insieme del piano di Dio e cosi avere speranza e coraggio per continuare il cammino. Nel caso del Discorso Apocalittico del vangelo di Luca, le comunità perseguitate vivevano nell’anno 85. Gesù parlava nell’anno 33. Il suo discorso descrive le tappe o i segnali della realizzazione del piano di Dio. In tutto sono 8 i segnali e i periodi da Gesù fino ai nostri tempi. Leggendo e interpretando la sua vita alla luce dei segnali dati da Gesù, le comunità scoprivano a che altezza si trovava l’esecuzione del piano. I primi sette segnali erano già avvenuti. Appartenevano tutti al passato. Sopratutto il 6º e il 7º segnale (persecuzione e distruzione di Gerusalemme) le comunità trovano l’immagine o lo specchio di ciò che stava avvenendo nel loro presente. Ecco i sette segnali:
Introduzione al Discorso (Lc 21,5-7)
1º segnale: i falsi messia (Lc 21,8);
2º segnale: guerra e rivoluzioni (Lc 21,9);
3º segnale: nazioni che lottano contro altre nazioni, un regno contro un altro regno (Lc 21,10);
4º segnale: terremoti in diversi luoghi (Lc 21,11);
5º segnale: fame, peste e segni nel cielo (Lc 21,11);
6º segnale: persecuzione dei cristiani e missione che devono svolgere (Lc 21,12-19) + Missione
7º segnale: distruzione di Gerusalemme (Lc 21,20-24)
Giungendo a questo 7º segnale le comunità concludono: “Siamo nel 6° e nel 7° segnale. E questa è la domanda più importante: “Quanto manca alla fine?” Chi è perseguitato non ne vuole sapere di un futuro distante. Ma vuole sapere se sarà vivo il giorno dopo o se avrà la forza per sopportare la persecuzione fino al giorno seguente. La risposta a questa domanda inquietante viene nell’ottavo segnale:
8º segnale: cambiamenti nel sole e nella luna (Lc 21,25-26) annunciano la venuta del Figlio dell’Uomo. (Lc 21,27-28).
Conclusione: manca poco, tutto è secondo il piano di Dio, tutto è dolore da parto, Dio è con noi. E’ possibile sopportare. Cerchiamo di testimoniare la nostra fede nella Buona Novella di Dio, annunciataci da Gesù. Alla fine, Gesù conferma tutto con la sua autorevolezza (Lc 21,29-33).
4) Per un confronto personale
• Gesù chiede vigilanza per non lasciarci sorprendere dai fatti. Come vivo questo consiglio di Gesù?
• L’ultimo avvertimento di Gesù, alla fine dell’anno ecclesiastico è questo: Vegliate e pregate in ogni momento. Come vivo questo consiglio di Gesù nella mia vita?
• L’ultimo avvertimento di Gesù, alla fine dell’anno ecclesiastico è questo: Vegliate e pregate in ogni momento. Come vivo questo consiglio di Gesù nella mia vita?
5) Preghiera finale
Grande Dio è il Signore,
grande re sopra tutti gli dei.
Nella sua mano sono gli abissi della terra,
sono sue le vette dei monti.
Suo è il mare, egli l’ha fatto,
le sue mani hanno plasmato la terra. (Sal 94
grande re sopra tutti gli dei.
Nella sua mano sono gli abissi della terra,
sono sue le vette dei monti.
Suo è il mare, egli l’ha fatto,
le sue mani hanno plasmato la terra. (Sal 94
