Prayer for the Days in the Dioceses

The Gospel according to Luke (1:26-39)

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. He went in and said to her, 'Rejoice, you who enjoy God's favor! The Lord is with you.' She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favour. Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus.

He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob forever and his reign will have no end.'Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?' The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God.

And I tell you this too: your cousin Elizabeth also, in her old age, has conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.'38 Mary said, 'You see before you the Lord's servant, let it happen to me as you have said.' And the angel left her. “

Meditation

As I reflect on this passage from St. Luke’s Gospel, I relive the Annunciation of Angel Gabriel to Mary who seems disturbed and yet accepts God’s plan for her. She has understood the Angel’s calling and God’s wish for her. Mary replies: “You see before you the Lord’s servant. Let it happen to me as you have said.”

Each of us should ask: How am I to understand God’s plan for me? How many times does He call me, does He challenge me, does He incite through a voice that rings in my heart? Mary said: “Yes!” And me? Am I willing to accept what God wants me to do? Is Mary a role model for me? Now, at the beginning of the Day of the Dioceses, do I understand how many people have been committed and dedicated to making me feel welcome?

God is inviting you to get to know someone who is welcoming you. Are you ready to say Yes as Mary did, to say yes to continue down the path following God’s will without being afraid and trusting in who you will meet?

Our Father

Hail Mary

Deed

Choose a friend who is close to you and that you get along with. Be close to this person helping in all of his/her needs, choices and problems. You are the angel in this mission that the person does not see!

Be discreet and welcome the person in your heart. At the end of this Day of the Dioceses, will the person have seen that you were by his/her side?

Songs

1 - Cristo em mim
Music and lyrics: Pedro Miranda
Link (Youtube): https://youtu.be/UPJHoVfq7z0

Senhor faz com que olhem para mim
só te vejam a ti,
só te vejam a ti.
Não ser eu quem fala mas só tu
Eu quem fala mas só tu,
Só Cristo em mim.

2- In manus tuas pater
Song of Taizé
Link (Youtube): https://youtu.be/dN6Jc0gUFAk

In manus tuas Pater, commendo spiritum meum,
in manus tuas Pater, commendo spiritum meum