In celebration of the close of the Christmas Season, the Church gives us the Epiphany of the Lord. The name Epiphany comes from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning “appearance” or “manifestation,” and refers to the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world. The celebration also marks the day the Magi, or the …
Prayer: O Jesus, by your power, free me from the Evil One. Imagination: Picture Jesus in his controversy with the scribes. Context: Mark presents another group of critics, the scribes. However, Jesus does not answer them. Jesus speaks to the crowds to get a fair hearing. He destroys the scribe’s argument …
Prayer: O Jesus, send the Spirit of the Father upon me. Imagination: Picture Jesus teaching in the synagogue. Context: Having overcome Satan’s three temptations, Jesus begins his public ministry. Other gospels record this visit to the synagogue but Luke gives it preeminence. This is Jesus’ inauguration address highlighting all the …
Prayer: O Jesus, let me be a member of your family. Imagination: Picture Jesus saying to you, “You are my brother and sister and mother.” Context: Mark often begins a story, tells another story and then completes the first story. This story begins with the family squabble (3:20-21). The word, …
Prayer: O Jesus, help me to respond to your call. Imagination: Picture Jesus on the mountain calling his twelve apostles. Context: The mountain top symbolizes Jesus’ closeness to the Father and the great importance of this decision. These twelve apostles represent the new twelve tribes of Israel. Both the names of the …
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 his disciples. However, his fame has spread. He …
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 a controversy. This leads to the pronouncement that “doing good” …
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 controversy allows Jesus to pronounce that persons are …
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 on old garments or pours new …
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 the world-saving moment. The new wine is …
Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures Second Sunday In Ordinary Time Do Whatever He Tells You The renewal of the earth, although flooded with sufferings, will come about by the power of intercession of the Blessed Virgin …
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 to announce that he is a physician who …
Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time Feeling Righteous? My Elizabeth, I want you to pray so the number of repentant and grateful souls may grow from day to day.” …
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, Jesus proclaims that he has the power to …
Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures Friday of the First Week In Ordinary Time He Saw Their Faith The souls that make reparation and faithfully follow My desires are so few.” (Jesus) (October 18, 1962) Today’s Readings: …
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 this publicity. Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly …
Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures First Thursday of Ordinary Time Drawing Close Without Fear Jesus: “You, little spark, no matter how small you are, were created by Me and from Me. Draw close to Me without …
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 his work is finished, He walks …
Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures Wednesday of the First Week of Ordinary Time Early To Rise At the dawn prayer, while I was meditating, I saw again the penetrating glance of the Lord’s eyes. (Elizabeth) (January …
Prayer: Come Holy Spirit. Set me free from the Kingdom of Darkness. Imagination: Picture Jesus in a synagogue setting the man free from the unclean spirit. Context: Mark groups his stories by geography. The next few stories take place at Capernaum and provide a quick overview of Jesus’ activities. Jesus’ ministry begins in …
