Prayer: O Jesus, thank you for leaving the Father’s side and becoming a man. Imagination: (Picture Mary giving birth to Jesus, the Word made Flesh.) Context: Mark begins his gospel with John the Baptist. Matthew and Luke begin their gospels with infancy stories. John begins his gospel in heaven where …
Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Teach me to praise the Father. Imagination: (Picture Zechariah prophesying by God’s Spirit) Context: This canticle has two parts. The first half praises God for his blessings to Israel. The second half prophecies the effects of John the Baptist’s ministry. Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud) …
Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Teach me to obey your word. Imagination: (Picture Elizabeth and Zechariah surrounded by their neighbors.) Context: Luke’s gospel describes the miracles that surround the conceptions and births of both John and Jesus. These numerous miracles proclaim that both are very special to God’s plan. In this …
Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Give to me Joseph’s fidelity to God’s plan. Imagination: (Picture Joseph receiving the angel’s message). Context: Luke tells us about Mary accepting her role as Mother of God. In Matthew’s gospel, the stories focus on Joseph’s dilemma. How does an upright Jewish man resolve the dilemma …
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: Come, Holy Spirit. Help me to say “Yes” to God’s plan. Imagination: (Picture Mary speaking with the Angel). Context: Luke records the greatest moment in human history, when God becomes flesh in Mary’s womb. This text highlights Mary’s struggle to understand the mystery. Once all is clear, she quickly …
Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Teach me to believe in God’s word to me. Imagination: (Picture the Angel appearing to Zechariah). Context: In these early stories, Luke speaks of two couples, Zechariah with Elizabeth and Joseph with Mary. Zechariah fails this test of faith. His lack of belief is later reversed …
Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Give to me Joseph’s fidelity to God’s plan. Imagination: (Picture Joseph receiving the angel’s message). Context: Luke tells us about Mary accepting her role as Mother of God. In Matthew’s gospel, the infancy stories focus on Joseph’s dilemma. How does an upright Jewish man resolve the …
Prayer: O Lord, I thank you that you have created me. Imagination: (Picture Joseph and Mary at Bethlehem with the child, Jesus). Context: Matthew traces the genealogy of Jesus through St. Joseph back to Abraham. He divides these ancestors into three groups, from Abraham to David (1000 BC), from David …
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 that …
Prayer: O Jesus, let me always believe in You. Imagination: (Picture John’s disciples questioning Jesus.) Context: John, in prison, heard about the works which Christ performed and sent two disciples to Jesus to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or do we look for another?” John …
Prayer: O Jesus, help me to see the Father’s saving plan. Imagination: (Picture Jesus coming down the mountain with Peter, James and John.). Context: These three apostles have just seen the transfigured Jesus speaking with Moses and Elijah on the mountaintop. This experience leads them to bring up a popular …
Prayer: O Jesus, open my heart to all the messengers you send to me. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with His disciples). Context: This parable shows hostility toward Jesus. The children cannot agree, so their quarrels end their playtime. The cause is laziness. Some children expect others to do the strenuous part …
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: Come, Holy Spirit. Help me to take up Jesus’ easy yoke and light burden. Imagination: (Picture Jesus inviting all his disciples to come to Him.) Context: Jesus speaks of “a burden” and “a yoke”. The burdened are those who cannot seem to get out from under. Jesus is one …
Prayer: O Jesus, come and find me. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with His disciples.) Context: These twin parables are closely connected to the prodigal Son parable. A hundred sheep was a medium sized flock. The shepherd must have been poor, unable to pay a helper. Matthew’s gospel stresses the shepherd’s unwearied …
Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Help me to say “Yes” to God’s plan. Imagination: (Picture Mary speaking with the Angel). Context: Luke records the greatest moment in human history, when God becomes flesh in Mary’s womb. This text highlights Mary’s struggle to understand the mystery. Once all is clear, she quickly …
Prayer: O Jesus, awaken me. Your Kingdom is at hand. Imagination: (Picture John preaching at the Jordan.) Context: John the Baptist is the Advent preacher. He shows up every year at this time and stays for two Sundays. He has one task – “to prepare the way of the Lord.” …
Prayer: O Jesus, your goodness is everywhere. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with his disciples, healing the crowds). Context: The gospels are filled with Jesus compassion and power. Now, he extends that compassion to physical healings and to being a shepherd to the poor. Unable to do all by himself, he shares …
Prayer: O Jesus, make me confident that you can make me see. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with his disciples.) Context: After raising the little girl to life, Jesus encounters two blind men. They give him the Messianic title, “Son of David” and proclaim that they have confidence that he can heal …
