Trying to Touch Jesus (Mk 3:7-12) Prayer: Draw near, O Lord, so I can touch you in faith. Imagination: Picture Jesus surrounded by the crowds who are healed as they touch him. Context: In this section, Mark pauses. Jesus tries to get out of the limelight by spending time with …
The Man with the Withered Hand (Mk 3:1-6) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Give me faith in Jesus’ powers. Imagination: Picture Jesus healing the man with the withered hand. Context: For a while, Jesus continues his ministry within the synagogue. Unfortunately, this great healing of a withered hand is overshadowed by …
Eating Grain on the Sabbath (Mk 2:23-28) Prayer: O Jesus, be the Lord of my life. Imagination: Picture Jesus with his disciples in the grain fields. Context: This controversy is not about picking off heads of grain (which was an accepted practice) but about picking them on the Sabbath. This …
January 7th, our beloved Patti Schwartz traveled over three hours to Ave Maria, Florida to give a presentation on the Flame of Love. Around 60 people attended of which 50% were from ages 7-14. Patti did not expect so many young and beautiful children, so she had to make last …
From Msgr George Brubaker – Pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, New Castle, DE We began the New Year 2023 by celebrating the Solemnity of Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary’s Motherhood in giving birth to Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. The First Word of the New Year was the blessing God gave his …
Talk about Eucharistic Revival! Watch for the moment when Father Blount’s heart becomes enflamed describing the infinite love we receive at Holy Mass, as his message is being translated to Lithuanian. Father Blount help us to understand the mystery and truth of Divine Love and some “saintly secrets” for our …
Some Surprise Pronouncements (Mk 2:18-22) Prayer: O Holy Spirit, make me a new creation. Imagination: Imagine Jesus with the disciples and the Pharisees. Context: Jesus uses two images of cloth and wineskins to show that his Kingdom demands a totally new way of acting and thinking. Nobody sews new cloth …
Recognizing the Lamb (Jn 1:29-34) Prayer: O Jesus, come to me. When you come, help me to recognize you. Imagination: Picture John at the Jordan River, seeing Jesus among the crowd. Context: In this gospel, Jesus does not get baptized. Instead, the Baptist recognizes Jesus and introduces him to the world …
Eating with Levi’s Friends (Mk 2:13-17) Prayer: O Jesus, call me into your Kingdom because I am a sinner. Imagination: Picture Jesus at table with Levi and his friends. Context: Having heard Jesus call him, Levi calls others. When they sit at table, some religious people complain. This allows Jesus …
The Paralyzed Man (Mk 2:1-12) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Give me friends with great faith. Imagination: Picture Jesus healing the paralyzed man. Context: The next five stories contain controversies which allow Jesus to make a solemn pronouncement (the high point of each story). This reveals Jesus’ prerogatives. In this story, …
Cleansing a Leper (Mk 1:40-45) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Help me to believe that Jesus can cleanse me. Imagination: Picture Jesus cleansing the leper. Context: Mark provides no geographical setting for this miracle. His goal is to show Jesus’ power and how his fame quickly spreads. Jesus tries to avoid …
Multiple Healings (Mk 1:29-39) Prayer: O Jesus, let me experience your healing power. Imagination: Picture Jesus surrounded by the sick seeking to be healed. Context: Jesus’ powers are diverse. He heals many illnesses and casts out all kinds of demons. They do not shout out because Jesus quiets them. When …
Written by Fr. Kevin Barrett – Chaplin Apostolate for Family Consecration Then the Virgin spoke: “My anguish comes from the danger that threatens the whole world because families are no longer places of prayer. I want to save the world, and I want you to be the first to experience this immense …
Jesus’ First Public Appearance (Mk 1:14-20) Prayer: Lord Jesus, invite me today to be your disciple. Imagination: Picture Jesus calling his first disciples along the Sea of Galilee. Context This gospel text begins “After John was arrested” and it records Jesus’ first homily of his public ministry. He repeats John’s …
The Spirit Descends (Mt 3:13-17) Prayer: O Spirit of God, descend upon me. Imagination: Imagine Jesus meeting John by the Jordan River. Context: In Matthew’s gospel, John is reluctant to baptize because he realizes the greater holiness of Jesus. After the baptism, God’s fullness upon Jesus is manifested. Gospel Text: (Read …
The Magi (Mt 2:1-12) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Give me your light to search for the Christ Child. Imagination: Picture the three Magi worshipping Jesus in Bethlehem. Context: Since the Magi were not Jewish, Epiphany is called the Gentile Christmas, a symbol that Christ is for all the world. Magi were a learned …
Making New Wine (Jn 2:1-11) Prayer: O Mary, my mother, you help me in all my trials. Imagination: Picture Mary with Jesus at the wedding feast. Context: This is an extremely important story because it spells out John’s theme. The hour of the passion, when Jesus sheds his blood, is …
More Powerful One (Mk 1:7-11) Prayer: O Holy Spirit, fall upon me. Imagination: Picture Jesus coming out of the Jordan. Context: Mark begins his gospel with the ministry of John the Baptist. The preceding verses describe John who then describes Jesus as the more powerful one. After the baptism comes …
A True Israelite (Jn 1:43-51) Prayer: O Jesus, call me into your presence. Imagination: Picture Jesus with his early disciples. Context: Peter, Andrew, Philip and Nathaniel are all from Bethsaida. Philip leads Nathaniel to Jesus. This dialogue reveals much of Jesus’ identity. It alludes to Jacob who was filled with …
The Early Disciples (Jn 1:35-42) Prayer: Jesus, I will be your disciple and follow you everywhere. Imagination: Picture Jesus with his three new disciples. Context: John’s gospel gives some details about the call of the first apostles. Andrew, and another, were originally disciples of John the Baptist, who told them …
