The prayer for peace is held in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere.
For the Jews today is Shavuot (Pentecost).
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The prayer for peace is held in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere.
For the Jews today is Shavuot (Pentecost).
Reading of the Word of God
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
This is the Gospel of the poor,
liberation for the imprisoned,
sight for the blind,
freedom for the oppressed.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
John 16,29-33
His disciples said, 'Now you are speaking plainly and not using veiled language. Now we see that you know everything and need not wait for questions to be put into words; because of this we believe that you came from God.' Jesus answered them: Do you believe at last? Listen; the time will come -- indeed it has come already -- when you are going to be scattered, each going his own way and leaving me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have hardship, but be courageous: I have conquered the world.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
The Son of Man came to serve,
whoever wants to be great
should become servant of all.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Jesus has just summarized his mission: "I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father" It is his story that he describes in few words: coming from the Father and going back to Him with the redeemed humanity. The disciples assume that they already understand everything. Jesus, in fact, opened his heart to them, revealing the beauty of his life with the Father and offering it to them in turn. They believe that they already possess it. It is the superficiality of those who think faith is just a simple question of understanding formulas or observing rites and rules. Jesus continues to speak to them to help them grow in the knowledge of his mystery and love of God. He does not leave his disciples at the mercy of their pride and presumption that they have finally managed to understand the Gospel. He shows them their weakness, the fragility of their faith: "Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me." They are very bitter words for Jesus, and yet he does not abandon them. Rather he leads them back to realize their true dimension. Dispersion is a clear consequence of the distrust in Jesus and his power. In the Garden of Olive Trees these words will become true to the letter: they will all flee, even the most friends. Only the Father will stay close to him. Jesus knows it. During his passion, the Father will be his only refuge. It is this faith that will make Jesus cry on the cross: "Why have you forsaken me?" It is a dramatic prayer that reveals his faith in the Father. He is the true peace for Jesus. And he wants this to be true also for his disciples. Their peace, our peace is in Jesus: "I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace." And peace will be the first gift that the risen Jesus will give to the disciples shut close in the upper room. The bond with Jesus is peace for all the disciples of then and today. The disciples will suffer from persecutions too like Jesus, but they should not be afraid: "I have conquered the world!" Jesus reassures us too.
Het gebed is het hart van het leven van de Gemeenschap van Sant’Egidio. Het is haar eerste “werk”. Aan het einde van de dag komt elke Gemeenschap, of die nu klein of groot is, samen bij de Heer om het Woord te beluisteren en zich tot Hem te richten in het gebed. De leerlingen kunnen niet anders dan aan de voeten van Jezus zitten, zoals Maria van Bethanië, om het “betere deel” te kiezen (Lc 10, 42) en van Hem zijn gezindheid te leren (vgl. Fil 2, 5).
Elke keer dat de Gemeenschap zich tot de Heer richt, maakt ze zich die vraag eigen van de anonieme leerling: “Heer, leer ons bidden!” (Lc 11, 1). En Jezus, meester in het gebed, antwoordt: “Wanneer jullie bidden, zeg dan: Abba, Vader”.
Wanneer we bidden, ook in de geslotenheid van ons eigen hart, zijn we nooit alleen of verweesd. Integendeel, we zijn leden van de familie van de Heer. In het gemeenschappelijk gebed wordt naast het mysterie van het kindschap, ook dat van de broederschap en zusterschap duidelijk.
De Gemeenschappen van Sant’Egidio, verspreid over de wereld, verzamelen zich op de verschillende plaatsen die gekozen zijn voor het gebed en brengen de hoop en het verdriet van de “uitgeputte en hulpeloze mensenmenigte” waarover het Evangelie spreekt (Mt 9, 37) bij de Heer. Deze oude menigte omvat de inwoners van onze hedendaagse steden, de armen die zich bevinden in de marge van het leven, en iedereen die wacht om als dagloner te worden aangenomen (vgl. Mt 20).
Het gemeenschappelijk gebed verzamelt de schreeuw, de hoop, het verlangen naar vrede, genezing, zin en redding, die beleefd worden door de mannen en vrouwen van deze wereld. Het gebed is nooit leeg. Het stijgt onophoudelijk op naar de Heer opdat verdriet verandert in vreugde, wanhoop in blijheid, angst in hoop, eenzaamheid in gemeenschap. En het rijk Gods zal spoedig temidden van de mensen komen.
