(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. They must stay in the …
Category Archives: John
MAY 10, 2016 – SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER – TUESDAY – THE HOUR HAS COME
(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 by giving everyone eternal life. …
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MAY 9, 2016 – SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER – MONDAY – THINKING THEY UNDERSTAND
(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 their self-confidence by predicting that …
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MAY 8, 2016 – SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (C) – JESUS’ PRAYER FOR FUTURE BELIEVERS
(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, and from Jesus to his …
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MAY 7, 2016 – SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER – SATURDAY – SPEAKING PLAINLY
(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 rose from the dead. Not …
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MAY 6, 2016 – SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER – FRIDAY – IN A LITTLE WHILE
(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” is his rising from the …
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MAY 4, 2016 – SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER – WEDNESDAY – THE SPIRIT TEACHES
(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 what Jesus was able to …
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MAY 3, 2016 – SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER – TUESDAY – THE SPIRIT’S TASKS
(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 will work within the believers, …
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MAY 2, 2016 – SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER – MONDAY – PART TWO – JESUS’ NEED TO DEPART
(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 – the coming of the …
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MAY 2, 2016 – SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER – MONDAY – PART ONE – WHEN THE PARACLETE COMES
(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 clear light, the world will …
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MAY 1, 2016 – SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (C) – THE IMPORTANCE OF JESUS’ WORD
(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, the Paraclete will amplify the …
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APRIL 30, 2016 – FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER – SATURDAY – THE WORLD’S HATRED
(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 hated Jesus and will hate …
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APRIL 29, 2016 – FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER – FRIDAY – NOW CALLED FRIENDS
(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 them for an important task. …
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APRIL 28, 2016 – FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER – THURSDAY – REMAINING IN THE VINE
(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 make a choice to stay …
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APRIL 27, 2016 – FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER – WEDNESDAY – THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES
(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 with Jesus. Gospel Text (Read …
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APRIL 26, 2016 – FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER – TUESDAY – JESUS’ FAREWELL GIFT
(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 hearts. Second, he explains that …
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APRIL 25, 2016 – FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER – MONDAY – REVEALED TO THE DISCIPLES
(John 14:21-26) Prayer: O Jesus, send me the Holy Spirit who will teach me all things. Imagination (Picture Jesus at the Last Supper with his apostles.) Context: Jesus has promised that the apostles would see him. In this text, he explains that this seeing will not be an external manifestation, but an internal, religious experience. …
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APRIL 24, 2016 – SUNDAY – FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER (C) – JUDAS ISCARIOT
(John 13:31-35) Prayer: O Jesus, I will glorify you by my love for others. Imagination: (Picture Jesus at the Last Supper.) Context: Judas has just left the Last Supper. Only the eleven apostles remain. Jesus speaks of two great realities – he will glorify God by his obedient death and the apostles must love one …
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APRIL 23, 2016 – FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER – SATURDAY – PART ONE – SEEING THE FATHER
(John 14:7-10) Prayer: O Jesus, I will know you so I can know the Father. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching at the Last Supper Context: In this text, Jesus describes two different periods of time, before the resurrection (when the disciples do not really know Jesus) and after the resurrection (when they did know him). Philip’s …
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APRIL 23, 2016 – FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER – SATURDAY – PART TWO – DOING GREATER WORKS
(John 14:11-14) Prayer: O Jesus, help me to do great work for your glory. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching at the Last Supper). Context: In this text, Jesus makes two promises. The apostles will do greater works and their prayers in Jesus’ name will be answered. First, however they must believe in Jesus’ relationship with his …