(Matthew 6:1-4) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Teach me to act in secret so I do not lose my reward. Imagination (Picture Jesus teaching the disciples how to gain their reward.) Context: Jesus contrasts Christian goodness with the goodness of the Pharisees. He focuses on almsgiving, prayer and fasting. All of …
(Mark 7:1-8) Prayer – O Jesus, let my heart be set only on the heavenly father’s will. Imagination – (Picture Jesus in this controversy with the Pharisees). Context: Jesus rejects the piety of the Pharisees, who have gone off course. This gospel contains two stories, washing of hands and declaring …
(Mark 6:53-56) Prayer – Jesus, let me seek you, find you and be blessed by your power. Imagination – (Picture the crowds pressing upon Jesus). Context: These crowds in Galilee are enthusiastic. In fact, by their lively faith they somewhat force Jesus to heal. He seems more comfortable in the …
(Luke 5:4 -11) Prayer – Let me see, O Lord, how unworthy I am to be your disciple. Imagination – (Picture Peter kneeling at Jesus’ feet and proclaiming his own sinfulness.) Context: This miraculous catch of fish is but a prelude to the high point of the story. While seeing …
(Mark 6:30-34) Prayer: O Lord, pour out your mercy and draw me close to your heart. Imagination: (Picture Jesus surrounded by the apostles and the crowds.) Context: For a brief moment, Jesus wants to be alone with his disciples. This foreshadows the second half of the gospel where Jesus spends …
(Mark 6:14-29) (Due to its length, this text is shortened) Prayer – Lord Jesus, let me not be swerved by the opinions of others. Imagination – (Picture Herod with his party guests) Context: This section is an interlude, which Mark inserts between the sending of the Twelve and their return. …
(Mark 6:7-13) Prayer – O Jesus, send me forth to bring your gospel to the whole world. Imagination – (Picture the Twelve gathered around, listening to Jesus’ instructions.) Context: Jesus does not have enough time to evangelize all of Israel. So, he sends out the Twelve. This is totally his …
(Mark 6:1-6) Prayer – O Jesus, I honor you as the true prophet who has come into the world. Imagination: (Picture Jesus in the synagogue at Nazareth) Context: Jesus returns to Nazareth, accompanied by his disciples. After his teaching, the crowd asks itself three questions which summarize Mark’s gospel. Jesus …
(Mark 5:21-24; 35-43) Prayer – O Jesus, raise me to new life in Your Holy Spirit. Imagination – (Picture Jesus raising the girl to life.) Context: Mark carefully notes that Jesus returns to Jewish territory and the atmosphere is filled with faith. At Jairus’ home, however, people have little faith. …
(Mark 5:25-34) Prayer – Lord Jesus, let me touch you in faith so your power goes out to me. Imagination – (Picture the crowds pressing upon Jesus while the woman touches his garment.) Context This story has so many details (bleeding, twelve years, many doctors, wasted money and even …
(Mark 5:1-10) Prayer – Lord Jesus, set me free in the power of your name. Imagination: (Picture the possessed man coming to Jesus and his disciples.) Context: Although this story seems strange, biblical scholars agree that it happened. (Although it probably is two stories joined together). Jesus began his ministry …
(Mark 5:11-20) Prayer – O Jesus, one word from you and I will be restored. Imagination – (Picture Jesus with the freed man. He is now clothed and at peace.) Context: The gospels contain those stories which were easily remembered by the early Church. The unique feature of pigs running …
(Luke 4:21-30) Prayer – O Lord, never let me reject you. Imagination– (Picture Jesus confronted by the angry citizens of Nazareth.) Context: The mood of the crowd changes suddenly from acceptance to rejection because they want to see miracles. Jesus recounts two stories in which the prophets worked no miracles …
(Mark 4:35-41) Prayer – O Jesus, calm the storms in my own life. Imagination: (Picture the fearful disciples in the boat, while Jesus calms the sea.) Context: Mark begins a series of 5 stories showing Jesus’ power. In this first calming of the sea (Jesus does it a second time …
(Mark 4:26-34) Prayer – O Jesus, plant your Kingdom on my heart. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching the crowds). Context: Jesus uses two parables concerning seeds to show the power of the Kingdom. In the first parable, the farmer does nothing but “go to bed”. In the second parable, the tiniest …
(Mark 4-21-25) Prayer – O Lord, put your light on the lampstand of my heart. Imagination: (Picture Jesus speaking to the disciples.) Context: This text is really four different sayings which Mark links by opposite words, like hidden/revealed and given/taken away. They are all teachings about the Kingdom. Gospel Text: …
(Mark 4:1-9) Prayer – O Jesus, let the seed of your word flourish within me. Imagination – (Picture Jesus surrounded by the crowd). Context: Mark’s gospel has very few parables and most deal with seeds (an image of the Kingdom). Parables are central to Jesus’ teaching and express the themes …
(Mark 4:10-20) Prayer – O Jesus, let my heart receive your word. Imagination- (Picture Jesus teaching the crowds). Context: In this part, Jesus explains the parable and a shift takes place. The original parable highlighted the great power of the seed. This explanation highlights the way each person receives the …
(Mark 3:31-35) 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. …
(Mark 3:22-30) 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 …
