Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Give me the shepherds’ faith. Imagination: (Picture the shepherds adoring Jesus with Mary and Joseph). Context: The gospel stories are filled with people. Some respond to Jesus and others do not. Those who respond are always blessed. Here, the shepherds glorify God for all they saw …
Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Give me the shepherds’ faith. Imagination: (Picture the shepherds adoring Jesus with Mary and Joseph). Context: The gospel stories are filled with people. Some respond to Jesus and others do not. Those who respond are always blessed. Here, the shepherds glorify God for all they saw and heard. Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.) After the angels departed into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this word that has come to pass.” They went with haste and found Mary and Joseph together with the infant who was lying in the manger. When they saw, they understood what had been spoken to them about this child. All who heard, wondered at these things which the shepherds told them. Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them. When the eighth day arrived for his circumcision, the name Jesus was given the child, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder those that attract you.) Seeing the angels deeply affects the shepherds. They encourage one another. They grow bold and do not fear the journey to Bethlehem. They waste no time. Like Mary visiting Elizabeth, they go in haste. When they see the child, they fully understand the angel’s words. They are excellent witnesses, recounting to Mary and Joseph exactly what had happened. Mary meditates on these events, cherishing God’s words and pondering their meaning. Afterwards, the shepherds proclaim their experiences and glorify God who sent his angels. Mary obeys Gabriel’s command and names her son, Jesus, the name that brings salvation to all. Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.) O Lord, fill me with religious experiences. I will respond to your heavenly words and go in haste. O Mary, give me your inner stillness. Share with me your gift of pondering God’s word. O Jesus, I will tell everyone of your wonders and your name will always be on my lips and in my heart. Resolution: (Possibly you might want to make your own.) I will keep watch like the shepherds, ready to experience God’s manifestation. When God tells me where to find Jesus, I will go in haste. Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation) Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.
(Luke 2:16-21) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Give me the shepherds’ faith. Imagination: (Picture the shepherds adoring Jesus with Mary and Joseph). Context: The gospel stories are filled with people. Some respond to Jesus and others do not. Those who respond are always blessed. Here, the shepherds glorify God for all …
(Luke 2:36-40) Prayer: O Lord, teach me to fast, to pray and to listen to your word. Imagination: (Picture Joseph and Mary holding the Christ Child in the presence of Simeon and Anna.) Context: Luke likes to portray both men and women ministering. So, he added Anna, a prophetess, to …
(Luke 2:25-27) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Lead me this day to your divine appointment. Imagination: (Picture Simeon praising God with Jesus in his arms.) Context: After forty days, Mary and Joseph fulfill the Mosaic Law by presenting Jesus in the temple. Surprisingly, Simeon appears on the scene. Luke says that …
(Luke 1:67-79) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Teach me to praise the Father. Imagination: (Picture Zechariah prophesying by God’s Spirit) Context: This canticle has two parts. The first half praises God for his blessings to Israel. The second half prophecies the effects of John the Baptist’s ministry. Gospel Text: (Read slowly, …
(Luke 1:57-63) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Teach me to obey your word. Imagination: (Picture Elizabeth and Zechariah surrounded by their neighbors.) Context: Luke’s gospel describes the miracles that surround the conceptions and births of both John and Jesus. These numerous miracles proclaim that both are very special to God’s plan. …
(Luke 1:46-55) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Inspire your prayer in my heart. Imagination: (Picture Mary praising God in Elizabeth’s presence) Context: Mary knows the Old Testament song of Hannah, mother of Samuel (1Sam 2:1-10). Hannah rejoiced that she conceived by God’s power after years of hopelessness. Mary enters into an …
(Luke 1:39-45) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Fill me with your joy. Imagination: (Picture Mary entering Zechariah’s house). Context: This story contains many truths. First, Jesus begins his sanctifying ministry. Second, John begins his ministry, pointing out Jesus to his mother. Third, this is an early picture of Pentecost. All are …
(Luke 1:34-38) 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, …
(Luke 1:5-20) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Teach me to believe in God’s word to me. Imagination: (Picture the Angel appearing to Zechariah). Context In these early stories, Luke speaks of two couples, Zechariah with Elizabeth and Joseph with Mary. Zechariah fails this test of faith. His lack of belief is …
(Luke 7:24-30) Prayer: O Jesus, let me rejoice that I was born into your Kingdom. Imagination: (Picture Jesus speaking to the crowds.) Context: Jesus has answered John’s messengers about being the Messiah. Now Jesus praises John, saying he is an angel preparing the way. Even though John is the greatest …
(Matthew 1:1-17) Prayer: O Lord, I thank you that you have created me. Imagination: (Picture Joseph and Mary at Bethlehem with the child, Jesus). Context: Matthew traces the genealogy of Jesus through St. Joseph back to Abraham. He divides these ancestors into three groups, from Abraham to David (1000 …
(Luke 3:7-16) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Help me to accept the demands of the Kingdom. Imagination: (Picture John preaching at the Jordan River.) Context: The people are anxious for the Kingdom and are filled with many questions. John has excellent answers. He, also, clearly define his relationship to Jesus. Gospel …
(Luke 5:17-26) Prayer – Come, Holy Spirit. Give me friends with great faith. Imagination- (Picture Jesus healing the paralyzed man.) Context: These stories in Mark’s gospel are controversy stories. Each dispute allows Jesus to make some pronouncement. In this story, Jesus says that he is the Son of Man with …
(Luke 10:21-24) Prayer – Lord Jesus, give me a humble and accepting heart. Imagination: (Imagine Jesus reprimanding his disciples.) Context: Jesus sent out 72 disciples to proclaim the Kingdom. They have just returned with all the good news of their successes. This text is filled with rejoicing. Advent, unlike Lent, …
(Luke 21:34-36) Prayer: O Jesus, teach me to watch and to pray constantly. Imagination: (Picture Jesus in the temple teaching his disciples.) Context: Jesus is worried. He will not be returning to earth soon and the disciples will wonder why he delays. So, he exhorts them not to grow indulgent, …
(Luke 21:29-33) Prayer: O Jesus, help me to act now. So much is about to happen. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching his disciples.) Context: Jesus has just predicted the fall of Jerusalem and declared that, at a given moment, he will come on clouds of glory. Because people think that this …
(Luke 21:20-28) Prayer: O Jesus, be with us in times of disasters. Imagination: (Picture Jesus explaining to his disciples the fall of Jerusalem) Context: Jesus prophesied that the Romans would destroy Jerusalem, which they did in 70 A.D. Luke wrote his gospel fifteen years after this destruction. However, these words …
(Luke 21:12-19) Prayer: O Jesus, help me in the moments of my trials. Imagination: (Picture Jesus explaining to the disciples their future difficulties) Context: After discussing all the wars and famines and earthquakes that will occur, Jesus turns to two other difficulties. The disciples will find themselves hauled into court. …
