of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
The Wicked Tenants (Mk 12:1-12) Prayer: O Jesus, I will give you all the harvest. Imagination: Picture Jesus with His disciples. Context: Jesus bases this parable upon actual circumstances. In Galilee there were many foreign owners who leased the land to tenants. God is the owner and these tenants are the Scribes who claim to …
Continue reading “Monday, June 5th – Week Nine of Ordinary Time”
Sent into the World (Jn 3:16-18) Prayer: O Jesus, you were lifted up on the cross to save me. Imagination: Picture Jesus teaching Nicodemus. Context: This gospel contains the famous John 3:16 verse about God so loving the world. It explains that God’s motive was to save, not to condemn. However, anyone who rejects this …
Continue reading “Sunday, June 4, 2023 – The Most Holy Trinity”
What About John’s Baptism? (Mk 11:27-33) Prayer: O Jesus, you have all authority in heaven and earth. Imagination: Picture Jesus teaching in the temple, confronted by the authorities. Context: The day before this event, Jesus had cleansed the temple. As he returns to Jerusalem, the temple authorities want to know by what authority he took …
Continue reading “Saturday, June 3rd – 8th Week of Ordinary Time”
The Fig Tree (Mk 11:11-26) Prayer: O Jesus, let me offer you the good fruit of my life. Imagination: Picture Jesus and the disciples looking at a withered fig tree. Context: On the day after Palm Sunday, Jesus returns to Jerusalem. On the way, he seeks figs from a tree. Finding none, Jesus proclaims that the …
Continue reading “Friday, June 2nd – 8th Week of Ordinary Time”
The Blind Beggar (Mk 10:46-52) Prayer: O Jesus, let me cry out to you in great hope. Imagination: Picture Jesus with the crowd and a beggar by the roadside. Context: This journey to Jerusalem began with Jesus healing a blind man and culminates with this healing of blindness. In contrast, the disciples grow in their …
Continue reading “Thursday, June 1st – 8th Week of Ordinary Time”
Mary Visits Elizabeth (Lk 1:39-45) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Fill me with your joy. Imagination: Picture Mary entering Zechariah’s house. Context: This story contains many truths. First, Jesus begins his sanctifying ministry. Second, John begins his ministry, pointing out Jesus to his mother. Third, this is an early picture of Pentecost. All are filled with …
Prayer: O Jesus, teach me to set aside everything for love of you. Imagination: Picture Jesus instructing his apostles. Context: A young man has walked away from Jesus because he was rich. In contrast, Peter is a model disciple who has set all aside. Jesus spells out the rewards, in this life and in eternity. …
Prayer: O Jesus, you have given Mary to me as a mother. Imagination: Picture Jesus on the cross and Mary with the Beloved Disciple at his feet. Context: How important is the word Woman signifying Mary’s cosmic role in world affairs. The Bible begins with a Woman whose child would crush the serpent (Gen 3:150 …
Prayer: O Jesus, give me the Living Water of the Holy Spirit. Imagination: Picture Jesus teaching in the Temple. Context: On the seventh (final) day of the Feast of Tabernacles, a vessel of water from the pool of Siloam is brought to the temple and poured out before the altar of burnt offerings. Using this …
Continue reading “May 28, 2023 – PENTECOST SUNDAY – The Living Waters (Jn 7:37-39)”
Prayer: O Jesus, draw me to your heart. Imagination: Picture Jesus speaking with Peter. Context: This is the final story in John’s gospel and defines the relationship between Peter and the Beloved Disciple. The Church needs authority (Peter) and faithful disciples (John). Both will remain until the end of time. Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.) …
Prayer: O Jesus, fill my heart with love so I can serve you. Imagination: Picture Jesus speaking with Peter on the share of Galilee. Context: This text is extremely important. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus gives Peter the Keys to the Kingdom. In this passage, Jesus also gives Peter authority, using the image of “feeding the …
Continue reading “Seventh Week of Easter – Friday, May 26th – Jesus Questions Peter (Jn 21:15-19)”
Prayer: O Jesus, restore our oneness in your glory. Imagination: Picture Jesus with the apostles at the Last Supper. Context: Jesus’ prayer is for us, the future believers. Two thousand years later, as the word reaches us, we receive the same glory given by the Father to Jesus, and from Jesus to his Church. If …
Prayer: O Jesus, consecrate me to the Father. Imagination: Picture Jesus with the apostles at the Last Supper. Context: In this part of his prayer, Jesus sharpens the distinction between his disciples and the world. In spite of difficulties, Jesus refuses to segregate the disciples from the world. They must stay in the world to preach. …
Prayer: O Jesus, lead me to eternal life. Imagination: Picture Jesus with his apostles at the Last Supper Context: After teaching the apostles, Jesus prays to his Father and has them listen in. This prayer has three parts. In this section, Jesus declares that he has glorified God by giving everyone eternal life. He reveals …
Continue reading “Seventh Week of Easter – Tuesday, May 23rd – The Hour Has Come (Jn 17:1-11)”
May 9th- 11th, the “Little Sparks Great Saints” Flame of Love Children’s Education Program was launched by a team of educators led by Patti Schwartz, US National Hispanic Director and Florida Regional Leader, in St. Mary Magdalen School in Media, Pennsylvania in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In December, Patti felt a strong call in her …
Continue reading “Helping Little Sparks Become Great Saints!”
Prayer: O Jesus, strengthen me in the time of trial. Imagination: Picture Jesus with the apostles at the Last Supper. Context: Jesus speaks plainly and the disciples think they understand. However, not having experienced the death and resurrection of Jesus, their faith is far too weak. Jesus shatters their self-confidence by predicting that they will …
The Hour Has Come (Jn 17:1-11) Prayer: O Jesus, lead me to eternal life. Imagination: Picture Jesus with his apostles at the Last Supper. Context: After teaching the apostles, Jesus prays to his Father and has them listen in. This prayer has three parts. In this section, Jesus declares that he has glorified God by …
Speaking Plainly (Jn 16:23-28) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Explain to me the mysteries of Jesus. Imagination: Picture Jesus with the apostles at the Last Supper. Context: Jesus admits that he is using figures of speech which the disciples do not understand. You, the reader, understand them clearly because you know that Jesus rose from the …
Continue reading “Sixth Week of Easter – Saturday, May 20th”
In a Little While (Jn 16:20-23) Prayer: O Jesus, turn my sorrows into joys. Imagination: Picture Jesus with the apostles at the Last Supper. Context: Jesus has spoken of “a little while.” Because the disciples are confused, Jesus explains what this means. He speaks of a joyful woman who has given birth. This “birth” is …