(John 21:20-25) 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 …
(John 21:15-19) 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 …
(John 17:20-26) 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, …
(John 17:11-19) 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. …
(John 17:1-5) 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 …
(John 16:29-33) 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 …
(John 17:20-23) 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, …
(John 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 …
(John 16:16-22) 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” …
(Luke 24:47, Acts 1:8-11) Prayer: O Jesus, take my heart to heaven with you. Imagination: (Picture the disciples watching Jesus ascend into heaven.) Context: Luke describes the Ascension in two places – at the end of his gospel and at the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles. Here we …
(John 16:12-15) Prayer: O Jesus, thank you for the Holy Spirit who teaches me all truth. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with the apostles at the Last Supper.) Context: Jesus describes the two goals which the Spirit will accomplish among the disciples (the Church). First, He will extend Jesus’ revelation, going beyond …
(John 16:8-11) Prayer: O Jesus, send your Paraclete to overcome the world. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with the apostles at the last Supper) Context: Jesus again shifts the focus. The Holy Spirit will not just be an advocate for the disciples. He will be a prosecuting attorney against the world. He …
(John 16:4-7) Prayer: O Jesus, give me faith in your word. Imagination: (Picture Jesus at the Last Supper.) Context: The discourse shifts. Jesus turns the disciples’ attention to his future departure. Realizing that Jesus will leave, the disciples grow sorrowful. So Jesus speaks of the great gift that will follow …
(John 15:26-16:3) Prayer: O Jesus, I will testify to the whole world about you. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching the apostles at the Last Supper.) Context: Two powers will confront the world’s hatred – the Spirit’s powerful testimony and the Church’s doctrines, based on Jesus’ own teachings. In spite of this …
(John 14:23-29) Prayer: O Jesus, I will abide in your word. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching his disciples at the Last Supper). Context: This text focuses on Jesus’ teaching – which enjoys a surprising power. A disciple who lives this teaching will enjoy the presence of the Father and Jesus. Then, …
(John 15:18-21) Prayer: O Jesus, help me to be a servant who is just like his master. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with his apostles at the Last Supper) Context: Jesus begins a long teaching about how this unity between the disciples and himself will arouse the world’s hatred. The world has …
(John 15:12-16) Prayer: O Jesus, I seek only to be your friend. Imagination (Picture Jesus teaching at the Last Supper) Context: After showering his own love upon the disciples, Jesus asks that they love one another. Before asking for this love, he has made them his friends and has chosen …
(John 15:6-11) Prayer: O Jesus, stay with me, and my life will produce good fruit. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching at the Last Supper). Context: Jesus’ first priority is his unity with his disciples. From this oneness comes all blessings, both for the disciples and for the world. The disciples must …
(John 15:1-5) Prayer: Bring forth your fruits in me. Imagination (Picture Jesus at the Last Supper) Context: Jesus begins a long discourse, which the apostles do not interrupt by any questions. In this text, Jesus uses the imagery of vine and branches, highlighting the necessity of the disciples being one …
(John 14:27-31) Prayer: O Jesus, fill me with your total peace. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching his disciples at the Last Supper). Context: This gospel concludes Jesus’ teaching at the Last Supper. He tries to prepare the apostles in two ways. First, he promises to place a lasting peace in their …
