of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Category: <span>Meditations</span>

Category: Meditations

MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2024 WEEK FIVE OF LENT

THE WOMAN CAUGHT IN ADULTERY (Jn 8:1-11)

Prayer:

O Jesus, forgive me and set me free from all my accusers.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus in the temple with the accused woman before him.

Context:

This story fulfills Jesus’ statement “You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone.” (Jn 8:15) Jesus teaching in the temple and people getting up early to hear him is attested by Luke (21:38). This story follows the usual pattern of Jesus’ enemies trying to entrap him. Jesus extends God’s mercy so the woman can turn away from evil.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

Thoughts (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. The people were so anxious to hear Jesus that they rose early in the morning.
  2. The Jewish leaders had no interest in Jesus’ teaching. They wanted only to entrap him.
  3. For these leaders, the adulterous woman is only an instrument they can use. For Jesus, she is a person whom he can forgive.
  4. As Jesus writes on the ground, the accusers recognize their sins.
  5. His challenge to be without sin is too great for them and they leave.
  6. The woman is relieved that these sinful accusers are gone.
  7. Jesus, the sinless one, refuses to condemn her. He invites her to become sinless, also.

Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • O Jesus, make me anxious to learn your word.
  • O Jesus, to you I am a person, the most important person in your Kingdom.
  • I have many sins but you are my Saviour.
  • When I am in your presence, I am filled with peace.
  • You never condemn me Jesus, unless I refuse to repent.
  • Help me to sin no more.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+ I will examine my own conscience and ask Jesus’ forgiveness.

+ I will treat every person as Jesus treated this woman.

Thought for the day: (To recall your meditation.)

SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

THEIR MESSAGE ABOUT LAZARUS (Jn 11:1-16)

Prayer: 

O Jesus, fill me with faith in your love for me.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus with his apostles.

Context:

            In Luke’s gospel, Jesus visits Martha and Mary to have a meal.  In this text of John’s gospel, we discover that they have a sick brother.  After he is raised from the dead, they will serve Jesus a dinner. And Mary will anoint Jesus for his burial.  Their home in Bethany is about 90 miles south of Galilee.  To arrive in time, Jesus would have had to leave immediately.

Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)

Thoughts: (Read all.  Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. Mary and Martha have no doubt that Jesus loves Lazarus.
  2. They make no specific request.  They trust that Jesus will know what to do.
  3. By supernatural knowledge, Jesus knows that Lazarus will die and that he will raise Lazarus from the dead.
  4. Jesus deliberately delays, so that his disciples will see him raise Lazarus.  Then, they will believe in him.
  5. In both delaying and in going, Jesus loves Martha, Mary, Lazarus, the apostles and the many friends who will witness the miracle.

Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • O Lord, you love me just as you loved Mary and Martha.
  • O Jesus, give me the confidence that Mary and Martha had in you.
  • Give me stillness amid all my anxieties.
  • I know you will never forget me.
  • Jesus, you know exactly what to do.
  • When you help me, I come to believe even more.
  • O God, you hide so much from me. 
  • Jesus, I place my life in your hands.

Resolution: (Possibly you might want to make your own)

+ Today, I will trust God’s ways and God’s purposes.

+ I will try to experience Christ’s overwhelming love for me.

Thought for the day: (To recall your meditation.)

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2024 WEEK FOUR OF LENT

THE GROWING OPPOSITION (Jn 7:40-53)

Prayer:

O Jesus, never let me oppose you.

Imagination:  

Picture Jesus preaching in the Temple.

Context:

            Jesus has divided the crowd. Some think he is the Messiah and others say the Messiah must come from Bethlehem, the City of David. (John’s community knew that Jesus was born in Bethlehem). The question is about Jesus’ divine origin and this text unfolds the great debate.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

Resolutions:  (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

  1. Some grasp the truth. Jesus is the prophet and the Messiah.
  2. Others find difficulties, as if Jesus does not fulfill the prophecies.
  3. Still others plot to kill Jesus.
  4. The guards are honest.  Jesus’ words touched their hearts and they would not arrest him.
  5. Their refusal stiffens the resistance of the temple leadership.
  6. Nicodemus also speaks up but cannot pierce their darkness.
  7. Because their hearts are divided, they separate and go home.

Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • O Jesus, you are the prophet, the messiah, all that I could ever hope for.
  • Without you, my whole life is divided.
  • O Jesus, give me an honest heart to make the right decisions.
  • Break down all my walls of resistance so I can follow you.
  • Send your messengers to instruct me and to show me the true path. 
  • Pierce my heart, Jesus.  Plant your word.
  • I do not want to walk away and return to a life without any purpose.

Resolutions:  (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+ Today, in the quiet of my heart, I will proclaim Jesus as my Messiah.

+ I will be aware of any hardness of my heart.

Thought for the day: (To recall your meditation.)

FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024 WEEK FOUR OF LENT

IGNORANT OF JESUS’ ORIGINS (Jn 7:1, 25-30)

Prayer: 

O Jesus, I believe that you come from the Father.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus teaching in the Temple.

Context:

            When Jesus is in Galilee, he works miracles and receives acclaim.  When he goes to Jerusalem, he finds persecution because the leaders want to kill him.  The controversy centers around his origins.  Since Jesus comes from Galilee, the people of Jerusalem do not accept his Messiahship.  Jesus says that they do not know his real origin – which is from God.

Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)

Thoughts:  (Read all.  Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. Jerusalem leaders opposed Jesus because they would lose their power.
  2. Blinded by their greed and social status, they reject Jesus as the Messiah.
  3. Even the people remain in darkness concerning Jesus’ divine nature.
  4. Jesus presses this important question of his divine origin.
  5. He is from God, the son of the Eternal Father.
  6. The Father has sent Jesus and he knows the Father perfectly.
  7. They fail to kill Jesus.   God alone determines that hour.

Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • O Jesus, do not let me oppose your plans for my life.
  • Remove my blindness and I will embrace you as my Messiah.
  • Where do you come from, Jesus?  Did not the Father send you?
  • Jesus, you know the Father and you reveal him to me.
  • Heavenly Father, only you will determine my hour of death.  I will be ready.

Resolutions:  (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

     + I will thank God that I know Jesus of Nazareth is my Saviour.

     + In what parts of my life do I oppose God?  I will answer that question.

Thought for the day: (To recall your meditation.)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2024 WEEK FOUR IN ORDINARY TIME

REJECTED BY HIS OWN PEOPLE (MK 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 …

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 2024 FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

AN EXORCISM IN THE SYNAGOGUE (MK 1:21-28) Prayer:  Come Holy Spirit. Set me free from the Kingdom of Darkness. Imagination:  Picture Jesus in a synagogue setting the man free from the unclean spirit. Context:             Mark groups his stories by geography. The next few stories take place at Capernaum, and …

FRIDAY – JANUARY 26, 2024 WEEK THREE IN ORDINARY TIME

SEEDS OF THE KINGDOM (MK 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 …

THURSDAY– JANUARY 25, 2024 WEEK THREE IN ORDINARY TIME (The Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle)

REBUKING THE DISCIPLES (Mk 16:9-15) 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 …

WEDNESDAY – JANUARY 24, 2024 WEEK THREE – (Memorial St. Francis de Sales, Bishop & Doctor of the Church)

THE DIFFERENT RESPONSES (MK 4:1-20) 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 …

SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

THE FIRST TO BE CALLED (MK 1:14-20) Prayer: Call me, Jesus, into your Kingdom.  Help me to follow you, and leave everything behind. Imagination:  Picture Jesus inviting the fishermen, Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow him. Context:             Mark’s gospel moves very quickly.  In this first chapter, Jesus has …

SATURDAY , JANUARY 20, 2021 WEEK TWO – ORDINARY TIME

A STARTLED FAMILY (MK 3-20-21) Prayer: O Jesus, help me to stand firm. Imagination: Picture Jesus surrounded by the crowd and his family. Context:             This text contrasts the crowds, and the relatives.  The crowds hardly know Jesus, and yet they acclaim him.  His relatives, who think they know him, …

FRIDAY – JANUARY 19, 2024 WEEK TWO – ORDINARY TIME

CALLING THE TWELVE APOSTLES (MK 3:13-19) Prayer: O Jesus, help me to respond to your call. Imagination:  Picture Jesus on the mountain calling his twelve apostles. Context:             The mountain top symbolizes Jesus’ closeness to the Father and the great importance of this decision.  These twelve apostles represent the new …

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2024 WEEK TWO – ORDINARY TIME

THE MAN WITH THE WITHERED HAND (Mk 3:1-6) Prayer:  Come, Holy Spirit.  Give me faith in Jesus’ powers. Imagination:  Picture Jesus healing the man with the withered hand. Context:             For a while, Jesus continues his ministry within the synagogue.  Unfortunately, this great healing of a withered hand is overshadowed …

TUESDAY – JANUARY 16, 2024 WEEK TWO – ORDINARY TIME

EATING GRAIN ON THE SABBATH (MK 2:23-28) Prayer:  O Jesus, be the Lord of my life. Imagination:  (Picture Jesus with his disciples in the grain fields.) Context:             This controversy is not about picking off heads of grain (which was an accepted practice), but about picking them on the Sabbath.  …