of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
The Blind Beggar (Mk 10:46-52) Prayer: O Jesus, let me cry out to you in great hope. Imagination: Picture Jesus with the crowd and a beggar by the roadside. Context: This journey to Jerusalem began with Jesus healing a blind man and culminates with this healing of blindness. In contrast, the disciples grow in their …
Continue reading “Thursday, June 1st – 8th Week of Ordinary Time”
Mary Visits Elizabeth (Lk 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 filled with …
Prayer: O Jesus, teach me to set aside everything for love of you. Imagination: Picture Jesus instructing his apostles. Context: A young man has walked away from Jesus because he was rich. In contrast, Peter is a model disciple who has set all aside. Jesus spells out the rewards, in this life and in eternity. …
Prayer: O Jesus, you have given Mary to me as a mother. Imagination: Picture Jesus on the cross and Mary with the Beloved Disciple at his feet. Context: How important is the word Woman signifying Mary’s cosmic role in world affairs. The Bible begins with a Woman whose child would crush the serpent (Gen 3:150 …
Prayer: O Jesus, give me the Living Water of the Holy Spirit. Imagination: Picture Jesus teaching in the Temple. Context: On the seventh (final) day of the Feast of Tabernacles, a vessel of water from the pool of Siloam is brought to the temple and poured out before the altar of burnt offerings. Using this …
Continue reading “May 28, 2023 – PENTECOST SUNDAY – The Living Waters (Jn 7:37-39)”
Prayer: O Jesus, draw me to your heart. Imagination: Picture Jesus speaking with Peter. Context: This is the final story in John’s gospel and defines the relationship between Peter and the Beloved Disciple. The Church needs authority (Peter) and faithful disciples (John). Both will remain until the end of time. Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.) …
Prayer: O Jesus, fill my heart with love so I can serve you. Imagination: Picture Jesus speaking with Peter on the share of Galilee. Context: This text is extremely important. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus gives Peter the Keys to the Kingdom. In this passage, Jesus also gives Peter authority, using the image of “feeding the …
Continue reading “Seventh Week of Easter – Friday, May 26th – Jesus Questions Peter (Jn 21:15-19)”
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 Church. If …
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 world to preach. …
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. He reveals …
Continue reading “Seventh Week of Easter – Tuesday, May 23rd – The Hour Has Come (Jn 17:1-11)”
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 they will …
The Hour Has Come (Jn 17:1-11) 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 …
Speaking Plainly (Jn 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 …
Continue reading “Sixth Week of Easter – Saturday, May 20th”
In a Little While (Jn 16:20-23) 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 …
The Final Command (Mt 28:16-20) Prayer: O Jesus, send me to the nations. Imagination: Picture Jesus on the mountain with his disciples. Context: This is Jesus final appearance to the disciples. Even now, some still doubt his resurrection. Even with their unbelief, Jesus chooses them as his messengers to preach to the whole world and …
The Spirit Teaches (Jn 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 …
Continue reading “Sixth Week of Easter – Wednesday, May 17th”
The Spirit’s Tasks (Jn 16:5-11) 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 …
When the Paraclete Comes (Jn 15:26-16:4) 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 …
No Longer Orphans (Jn 14:15-21) Prayer: O Jesus, send me the Spirit of Truth. Imagination: Picture Jesus at the Last Supper with the apostles. Context: Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will abide among his apostles, but only if they keep his commandments. The apostles will even know the Spirit who abides with them. Through …
Our Lady of Fatima The World’s Hatred (Jn 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 …
Continue reading “Fifth Week of Easter – Saturday, May 13th”