of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
(Mark 6:45-52) Prayer: O Jesus, come to me when the waves threaten my boat. Imagination: (Picture the disciples in the boat, seeing Jesus on the water.) Context: These early stories of Mark’s gospel reveal to the disciples who Jesus is. However, even as they see the miracles, they do not understand. For some reason, their …
Continue reading “JANUARY 6, 2016 – WEDNESDAY AFTER EPIPHANY – WALKING ON THE WATER”
(Mark 6:34-44) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Multiply your gifts within me. Imagination: (Picture Jesus feeding the crowds.) Context: This is the first of two multiplications of food in Mark’s gospel. (This one is for a Jewish crowd and the other is for Gentiles). This miracle is told in all four gospels and six times altogether, …
Continue reading “JANUARY 5, 2016 – TUESDAY AFTER EPIPHANY – FEEDING THE FIVE THOUSAND”
(Matthew 11:2-6) Prayer: O Jesus, let me always believe in You. Imagination: (Picture John’s disciples questioning Jesus.) Context: John, in prison, heard about the works Christ performed and sent two disciples to Jesus to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or do we look for another?” Jesus said, “Go back and …
Continue reading “JANUARY 4, 2016 – MONDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY – MESSENGERS FROM JOHN”
(Matthew 2:1-12) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Give me your light to search for the Christ Child. Imagination: (Picture the three Magi worshipping Jesus in Bethlehem.) Context: Since the Magi were not Jewish, Epiphany is called the Gentile Christmas, a symbol that Christ is for all the world. Magi were a learned priestly class of Persia, …
(John 1:19-28) Prayer: O Jesus, help me to find my identity in you. Imagination: (Picture John preaching at the Jordan River.) Context: The gospel of John focuses on Jesus’ identity. This gospel clarifies the Baptist’s identity so he is not confused with the messiah. John also distinguishes their two Baptisms. Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly …
Continue reading “JANUARY 2, 2016 – THE BAPTIST’S FULL IDENTITY”
(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 they saw and heard. Gospel …
Continue reading “JANUARY 1, 2016 – SOLEMNITY OF MARY THE SHEPHERDS’ RESPONSE”
(John 1:1-14) Prayer: O Jesus, thank you for leaving the Father’s side and becoming a man. Imagination: (Imagine Mary telling the angel, Gabriel, that she would be God’s mother.) Context: Mark begins his gospel with John the Baptist. Matthew and Luke begin their gospels with infancy stories. John begins his gospel in heaven. Quickly, the …
Continue reading “DECEMBER 31, 2015 – THE WORD BECAME FLESH”
(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 Simeon’s story. She is a …
(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 the Holy Spirit was with …
Continue reading “DECEMBER 29, 2015 – SIMEON’S INSPIRED WORDS”
(Matthew 2:13-18) Prayer: O Lord Jesus, I would love to shed my blood for you. Imagination: (Picture Mary, Joseph and the Child fleeing into Egypt.) Context: In Matthew’s gospel, Joseph is the central person in the infancy stories and God’s usual way of communicating with him is by an angel in his dreams. Historically, Herod …
Continue reading “DECEMBER 28, 2015 – THE HOLY INNOCENTS) – HEROD’S MASSACRE”
(Luke 2:44-52) Prayer: O Lord, may I always seek to find you. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with his parents in the Temple) Context: Luke uses this story, when Jesus is twelve years old, as a bridge between the infancy stories and the public ministry (when Jesus was thirty). It portrays the transition from being Mary’s son …
Continue reading “DECEMBER 27, 2015 – HOLY FAMILY SUNDAY (C) – SEARCHING FOR JESUS”
(Matthew 10:17-22) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, Strengthen me in moments of trial. Imagination: (Picture Jesus preparing His disciples for persecution.) Context: Jesus has just commissioned his apostles and sent them out to preach. He warns them of difficulties. Matthew’s Church also sent out missionaries who faced the same persecutions, both from Jews and Romans. Gospel …
Continue reading “DECEMBER 26, 2015 – ST. STEPHEN, MARTYR) – PERSECUTIONS”
(John 1:1-14) Prayer: O Jesus, thank you for leaving the Father’s side and becoming a man. Imagination: (Picture Mary giving birth to Jesus, the Word made Flesh.) Context: Mark begins his gospel with John the Baptist. Matthew and Luke begin their gospels with infancy stories. John begins his gospel in heaven where the Word was …
Continue reading “DECEMBER 25, 2015 – CHRISTMAS (DURING THE DAY) -THE WORD BECAME FLESH”
(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, possibly aloud) Zechariah, his father, …
(Matthew 1:18-25) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Give to me Joseph’s fidelity to God’s plan. Imagination: (Picture Joseph receiving the angel’s message). Context: Luke tells us about Mary accepting her role as Mother of God. In Matthew’s gospel, the infancy stories focus on Joseph’s dilemma. How does an upright Jewish man resolve the dilemma of a …
Continue reading “DECEMBER 24, 2015 – CHRISTMAS VIGIL – JOSEPH’S DILEMMA”
(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. In this text, Zechariah is …
Continue reading “DECEMBER 23, 2015 – THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST”
(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 even greater joy of conceiving …
(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 filled with the Holy Spirit. …
Continue reading “DECEMBER 21, 2015 – MARY VISITS ELIZABETH”
(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, she quickly consents. Gospel Text: …
Continue reading “DECEMBER 20, 2015 – MARY’S QUESTIONING AND ACCEPTANCE”
(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 later reversed when he names …
Continue reading “DECEMBER 19, 2015 – ZECHARIAH’S DOUBTING FAITH”