Category Archives: Easter Week

Prayer: O Jesus pour out the fullness of your Spirit. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching his disciples). Context: John the Baptist was a great preacher but he knew only earthly truths. Jesus knows heaven and can speak about what he has seen in heaven. Jesus is not just an earthly Messiah. He “comes from above” and …

Continue reading “SECOND WEEK OF EASTER – THURSDAY – APRIL 27, 2017 NO RATIONING OF THE SPIRIT (Jn 3:31-36)”

Prayer: O Jesus, you were lifted up on the cross to save me. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching Nicodemus) Context: This gospel contains the famous John 3:16 verse about God so loving the world. It explains that god’s motive was to save, not to condemn. However, anyone who rejects this light is subject to God’s judgment. …

Continue reading “SECOND WEEK OF EASTER – WEDNESDAY – APRIL 26, 2017 SENT INTO THE WORLD (Jn 3:16-21)”

Prayer: O Jesus, send me to all the nations. Imagination: (Picture Jesus sending His disciples to teach and to baptize). Context: This is the final scene of Mark’s gospel. Before ascending into heaven, Jesus commissions the disciples to teach and to baptize. To whomever believes and accepts Baptism, he promises eternal salvation and charismatic powers. …

Continue reading “SECOND WEEK OF EASTER – TUESDAY – APRIL 25, 2017 Feast of St. Mark, Evangelist JESUS FINAL COMMAND (MK 16:15-20)”

Prayer: O Jesus, help me to grow in faith. Imagination: (Picture Nicodemus speaking with Jesus.) Context: Nicodemus appears in three different stories in John’s gospel. In this meditation, we will use all three because they show his growth into discipleship. Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud) Scene One (Jn 3:1-10): Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a …

Continue reading “SECOND WEEK OF EASTER – MONDAY – APRIL 24, 2017 NICODEMUS (Jn 3:1-13)”

Prayer: O Jesus, breathe upon me and anoint me with your Spirit. Imagination: (Picture Jesus appearing to his disciples in the Upper Room.) Context: This vision occurs on Easter Sunday evening and reveals many truths. By coming through a closed door, Jesus clearly shows that he has a risen, glorified body. Showing his hands and …

Continue reading “SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER – (A) APRIL 23, 2017 PART 1 JESUS BESTOWS THE SPIRIT (Jn 20:19-23)”

Prayer: O Jesus, heal my lack of faith. Imagination: (Picture Jesus gathered with his disciples at table.) Context: Mark summarizes the Easter visions. Jesus rose and appeared to Mary Magdalen. She told the disciples. He appeared to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They, too, announced the good news but the other disciples …

Continue reading “EASTER WEEK – SATURDAY – APRIL 22, 2017 REBUKING THE DISCIPLES (Mk 16:9-15)”

Prayer: O Jesus, call me to your table. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with his disciples around the charcoal fire.) Context: In many Resurrection appearances, Jesus has a meal with his disciples. This helps them to believe that Jesus is truly risen and also teaches them the importance of the Eucharist. Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud) …

Continue reading “EASTER WEEK – FRIDAY – (PART 2) – APRIL 21, 2017 JESUS PREPARES A MEAL (Jn 21:9-14)”

Prayer: O Jesus, make me aware of your presence. Imagination: (Picture Jesus standing on the shore at the Sea of Galilee.) Context: Jesus had appeared to the apostles in Jerusalem on Easter Sunday and then to the doubting Thomas. This is the third recorded vision in John’s gospel. Since Jesus had promised to appear also …

Continue reading “EASTER WEEK – FRIDAY – (PART 1) – APRIL 21, 2017 VISION AT THE SEA OF GALILEE (Jn 21:1-8)”

Prayer: O Jesus, flood my soul with faith. Imagination: (Picture Jesus in the Upper Room with his disciples.) Context: The disciples have heard the news about Jesus’ rising, but when Jesus actually comes, they experience fear and even disbelief. Slowly, he proves to them that he is truly risen. The skepticism of the disciples in these resurrection stories shows that they needed proof to believe. This helps our own faith. Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud) While all the disciples were still speaking, Jesus appeared in their midst and said, “Peace be to you. It is I, do not be afraid.” However, they were troubled and fearful, thinking that they saw a ghost. He asked, “Why are you troubled and why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet. See that it is I myself. Touch and see. A ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” Saying this, he showed them his hands and feet. They were still incredulous because of joy and were amazed. He asked, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him some broiled fish which he ate in their midst. He said, “I told you, while I was with you, that everything written in the law of Moses, in the prophets and in the psalms concerning me had to be fulfilled.” He opened their minds to understand the scriptures. Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder those that attract you.) The disciples take a step backward. Before Jesus appears, they were talking about his rising. Now, they grow fearful and troubled. Jesus is patient and gives them signs. He repeats his plea “See that it is I myself.” This is too good to be true. Jesus has to show them his hands and his feet. He eats food so they know he is not a ghost. He reminds them of all the fulfilled prophecies. Jesus battles for their minds and hearts. He loves them and chose them to carry the message to the world. Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.) Jesus, you can come to me at anytime. You are so patient with my slowness to believe. Do not let anxieties destroy my faith. Your rising from the dead is no myth. You are flesh and blood. O Jesus, you are always concerned, always asking, “Why are you troubled?” Jesus, You are risen. Almost too good to be true! Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.) I will ponder the remarkable truth that Jesus of Nazareth has risen from the dead. …

Continue reading “EASTER WEEK – THURSDAY – APRIL 20, 2017 JESUS IN THE UPPER ROOM (Lk 24:35-48)”

Prayer: O Jesus, restore my hope. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with these two disciples.) Context: This is the longest story of any Easter vision and presents a model for  Christian initiation. In this first part we see the disciples’ sadness and dejection. They are walking away from being disciples. Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud) Two disciples left Jerusalem to go to Emmaus, discussing all that had happened. Jesus joined them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. “What are you discussing?” Jesus asked. Cleopas responded, “Are you the only one  in Jerusalem who does not know the things that happened?” “What things?” Jesus asked. “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a prophet powerful in word and deed,  before God and all the people. Our chief priests and rulers delivered  him to death and crucified him. We were hoping that he would redeem all Israel. Also, this is the third day and some women of our group astounded us. Before dawn,  they were at the tomb. They did not find the body but said they had  seen angels who said he was alive. Some of our number went to the tomb. They found it just as the women said, but did not find him.” Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder those that attract you.) Without God, our happiness depends upon events that are outside of our control. These two disciples see only one choice. They leave Jerusalem and abandon their dream. In their despair, they cannot recognize Jesus. They can only talk about these events. Cleopas is even annoyed that this stranger doesn’t know what happened. The whole story seemingly ends in confusion. The tomb is empty. Angels have spoken. Some have seen the empty tomb but no one has seen Jesus. Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.) O Jesus, do not let external events control my life. Jesus, if I lose you, I will lose my dream. Draw near, Lord Jesus. My life is in shambles and all is in confusion. Stay with me, even if I do not recognize you. When life crushes all my dreams, you are my only hope. Resolution: (Possibly you might want to make your own) I will place all my hope in the Risen Jesus. I will not abandon the dreams which Jesus has given me. Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation) We were hoping that he would redeem all Israel.

Prayer: O Jesus, reveal your presence in my life. Imagination: (Picture the two disciples at table with Jesus.) Context: After Jesus instructs these two disciples, they invite him to stay with them. He celebrates Eucharist and “in the breaking of the bread”, their eyes are opened. They regain their dream and return to Jerusalem. There, they can begin again.. Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud) Jesus said to the two disciples. “How foolish you are! How slow of heart to  believe in all that the prophets said. Should not the Christ have suffered  these things and so to enter his glory?” Then, beginning with Moses and the prophets, he explained all the scriptures  that spoke of himself. As they came to Emmaus, he pretended to go on, but they said, “Stay with us,  for it is late and the day is far spent.” He went in with them and when he  was with them at table, he took bread,  said the blessing, broke it and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened and they knew him. He, then, vanished from their sight. They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke  on the way and opened the scriptures for us.” At once, they returned to Jerusalem and told the eleven gathered there, who said,  “The Lord is risen and has appeared to Simon”. They told them of all that happened on the road and how they knew him in the  breaking of the bread. Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder those that attract you.) In one sentence, Jesus dismisses their thinking. “How foolish you are.” His sufferings were no mistake. His death was no defeat. They led Jesus “to enter his glory.” The disciples regain enough hope to say “Stay with us. It is almost night.” When Jesus repeats the Last Supper, they recognize him in the breaking of the bread. Jesus vanishes, His work is complete. The disciples know that he has risen. They do not delay. They return immediately. They find a community which also believes that “He is risen.” Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.) Teach me, Lord for I am slow to believe. Explain the Scriptures and my heart will burn within. Stay with me, Lord. It is already dark. The night is at hand. At Mass, open my eyes to your presence. Give me back my dream, and I will resume my work. Place me with others who believe. Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.) …

Continue reading “EASTER WEEK – WEDNESDAY – APRIL 19, 2017 JESUS REVEALS HIS PRESENCE (Lk 24:25) (PART 2)”

Prayer: Jesus, fill me with Magdalen’s love and devotion to you. Imagination: (Picture Magdalen at the tomb with Jesus.) Context: This is a very rich text, containing many teachings for both devotion and doctrine. Magdalen stays at the empty tomb, thinking the body has been stolen. Jesus appears and reveals who he is. She grasps Jesus but Jesus tells her not to hold him because he is ascending to the Father.  A new relationship now exists. Jesus is preparing the way to heaven. Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud) After the disciples left, Magdalene remained at the tomb, weeping. When she looked into the tomb, she saw two angels dressed in white, one at the  head and the other at the feet where the body of Jesus had been. They said to her,  “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said, “Because they have taken  away my Lord and I do not know where they have placed him.” Turning around, she saw Jesus standing there, but did not know it was he. Jesus said,  “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for? Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have taken him, tell  me where you have put him and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary”. She replied, “Rabboni (meaning “Master”). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, “I am ascending to my Father and to your Father,  to my God and your God.” Mary went and told the disciples, “I have seen the  Lord and these are the things he has told me.” Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder those that attract you.) Magdalen’s love is greater than the two apostles. She alone stays at the tomb. She listens to her heart, not to her head. She acts quite irrationally. She sees angels but doesn’t question why they are standing in the tomb. She sees a man and asks him to return the body (if he has stolen it.) Her physical eyes do not recognize Jesus because his glorified body has been transformed. However, she recognizes his voice. Jesus, the good Shepherd, calls her by name. She embraces Jesus as if nothing has changed, but he is ascending to the Father. Everything is new. The disciples are now Jesus’ brothers and sisters, and God is their Father. Magdalen becomes the Apostle to the Apostles – telling them that she had seen the Lord. Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.) Where are you, Lord? I am searching for you with all my heart. I embrace you, Jesus. You are ascending so that I can ascend with you. Let my tears prepare for your coming. Jesus, call me by name. O Jesus, you have made God my Father. …

Continue reading “EASTER WEEK – TUESDAY – APRIL 18, 2017 MAGDALEN SEES JESUS (Jn 20:11-18)”