Prayer: O Jesus, reveal the Father and Jesus to me. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching his disciples in the Temple.) Context: Jesus has just healed a man who lay ill for thirty-eight years. However, he healed him on the Sabbath, and “The Jews began to persecute Jesus” (Jn 5:16) and even …
Prayer: O Jesus, heal my body and remove my sins. Imagination: (Picture Jesus speaking to the healed man. Context: John portrays Jesus as going to Jerusalem on feast days to show that Jesus fulfills Jewish aspirations concerning the Messiah. This is the third sign of new life (preceded by Cana …
Prayer: O Jesus, you can do all things. Help me to believe. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with the royal official pleading for his son.) Context: This is the second time in John’s gospel that Jesus reveals his power. This second miracle also takes place at Cana, and has some similar aspects. …
Prayer: O Jesus, make me a faithful disciple, even amid persecutions. Imagination: (Picture Jesus healing the blind man.) Context: John’s gospel is built around 3 main stories. The Samaritan woman represents a beginner who has accepted Jesus as Messiah. The blind man (in this gospel) is the disciple who is …
Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Help me to say “Yes” to God’s plan. Imagination: (Picture Mary speaking with the Angel). Context: Luke records the greatest moment in human history, when God becomes flesh in Mary’s womb. This text highlights Mary’s struggle to understand the mystery. Once all is clear, she quickly …
Prayer – O Jesus, I want to love you with all my heart and soul. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with the crowd while he speaks with this good-willed scribe.) Context: This scribe is not hostile. His question is sincere. In response, Jesus quotes the great prayer which the scribe himself recited …
Prayer – O Jesus, use your great power to bless ME. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with the disciples and the crowds). Context: In this text, Jesus meets two enemies. They agree that Jesus worked these miracles and cast out Satan. Some question the source of his power and others want a …
Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Make me great in Jesus’ Kingdom. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching his disciples). Context: “Law and Prophets” means the whole Old Testament. Jesus wants his Church to retain these books and teach them to his disciples. At the same time, these books are not God’s final word …
Prayer: O Jesus, fill my heart with the Holy Spirit of mercy towards others. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with his disciples.) Context: This parable about the Last Judgment highlights the deepest secret of discipleship. They must learn how to forgive. The warning is serious. God, who has granted the disciple forgiveness …
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. Jesus pinpoints the cause. They want to see miracles. Jesus recounts two stories in which the prophets worked miracles …
Prayer: O Jesus, open my eyes. Fill me with faith so I can see who you are. Imagination: (Picture Jesus speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well.) Context: This is an astounding story. The first person to whom Jesus reveals that he is the Messiah is a Samaritan woman …
Prayer: O Jesus, give me the living waters of the Kingdom. Imagination: (Picture Jesus speaking to the woman by the well.) Context: John’s gospel has three central stories. The Woman at the Well represents a beginner. The healed blind man (C9) represents a disciple in the middle of trials and …
Prayer: O Heavenly Father, let me never leave your house. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with His disciples.) Context: This is a “Parable of the Father’s Love” and is drawn from real life. Many young unmarried sons (under twenty) asked for their inheritance to leave Palestine and better themselves. This son, however, …
Prayer – O Lord, you have given me everything. Make me a faithful tenant. Imagination – (Picture Jesus with his disciples and his opponents.) Context: Jesus spoke this parable in Jerusalem when the chief priests and elders questioned his authority. The parable fitted their situation. The tenants are the Jewish …
Prayer – O Lord, awaken me by this warning. Do not let me be like the foolish brothers. Imagination – (Picture Jesus teaching the crowds.) Context: Judaism believed that riches proved God’s favor and that poverty proved sinfulness. Jesus reveals the true picture, which shocks his audience. The rich man …
Prayer: Come Holy Spirit. Reveal the glory you have prepared. Imagination: (Picture James and John seeking favors from Jesus.) Context: Jesus has just told the apostles that he would come in glory. With great ambition, James and John want that glory. Before granting any glory, Jesus must enter into his …
Prayer: O Jesus, give me the heart of a servant. Imagination: (Picture Jesus instructing His disciples in humility.) Context: Jesus does not criticize the teaching of the scribes and Pharisees (although he alludes to moral rigorism) but he condemns their practices of seeking honor and gaining titles. Jesus wants his …
Prayer: Father, fill me with your compassion. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching his disciples.) Context: After teaching about loving enemies, Jesus concludes with “Be compassionate as the heavenly Father.” He then stresses the need not to judge others. This will determine what will be measured out to the disciples. Gospel text: …
Prayer: Jesus, take me up the mountain of prayer. Imagination (Picture Jesus in glory with his three apostles.) Context: Peter has just proclaimed by faith that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Now, he and two others experience this truth as they see Jesus in glory. …
Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Make me perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect. Imagination Picture Jesus asking the disciples to imitate the Father. Context: Jesus continually demands that his disciples show goodness towards enemies. They must act as children of a heavenly Father. At the end Jesus reveals his goal. …
