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

Category: Meditations

MAY 26, 2016 – WEEK EIGHT – THURSDAY – THE BLIND BEGGAR

(Mark 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 …

MAY 25, 2016 – WEEK EIGHT – WEDNESDAY – AMBITIOUS JAMES AND JOHN

(Mark 10:35-40) 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 about his future sufferings. James and John, however, are only interested in their own glory. Jesus talks about the “cup”, …

MAY 24, 2016 – WEEK EIGHT – TUESDAY – RECEIVING THE HUNDRED-FOLD

(Mark 10:28-31) 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 …

MAY 23, 2016 – WEEK EIGHT – MONDAY – THE RICH YOUNG MAN

(Mark 10:17 – 27) Prayer – Come, Holy Spirit. Let me sacrifice everything to follow Jesus. Imagination: (Picture the young man asking Jesus about eternal life.) Context: The gospel begins “As Jesus set out”. This sets the scene. Jesus is on a journey and the young man will be invited …

MAY 22, 2016 – TRINITY SUNDAY (C) – THE SPIRIT TEACHES

(John 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 …

MAY 21, 2016 – WEEK SEVEN – SATURDAY – THE LITTLE CHILDREN

(Mark 10:13-16) Prayer: O Jesus, I will accept your Kingdom like a little child. Imagination: (Picture Jesus surrounded by children and the disciples.) Context: Right after Jesus’ teaching on the permanence of marriage, Mark places this story of children (the fruit of marriage). Earlier, Jesus spoke of not scandalizing the …

MAY 20, 2016 – WEEK SEVEN – FRIDAY – LET NO MAN SEPARATE

(Mark 10:1-12) Prayer: O Jesus, you have come to restore creation as it was in the beginning. Imagination: (Picture Jesus explaining his ideals to his disciples.) Context: Jesus believes that through the power of the Kingdom of God, all creation can be restored to God’s original plan. His critics cite …

MAY 19, 2016 – WEEK SEVEN – THURSDAY – RESPONSIBILITIES OF A DISCIPLE

(Mark 9:41-50) Prayer: O Jesus, help me to live according to your highest ideals. Imagination: (Picture Jesus explaining his ideals to his disciples.) Context: These teachings deal with moral life in the Christian community. First, disciples must give good example to the “little ones” (the newer members). Secondly, they must …

MAY 18, 2016 – WEEK SEVEN – WEDNESDAY – AGAINST EXCLUSIVITY

(Matthew 5:38-48) Prayer: O Jesus, overcome in me any desire to exclude others. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching John and the other Eleven) Context: Jesus has just spoken about service within the Christian community. He now teaches about relating to those outside the Community. Jesus rejects a close-mindedness that would result …

MAY 17, 2016 – WEEK SEVEN – TUESDAY – THE EXTRA MILE

(Mark 9: 30-37) Prayer: Jesus, teach me to be a little one, living in the simplicity of a child. Imagination: (Picture Jesus, with his arms around a child, teaching his disciples.) Context: The disciples have just failed to drive out a demon. Now, they do not understand Jesus’ teaching about …

MAY 16, 2016 – WEEK SEVEN – MONDAY – THE BOY WITH A DEMON

(Mark 9:14) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Set me free from the Evil One. Imagination: (Picture the boy’s father pleading with Jesus.) Context: The disciples are going backward. Earlier, they had great success in driving out demons. Now, they are total failures. Jesus gets exasperated. The difficulty is their lack of …

MAY 15, 2016 – PENTECOST SUNDAY (C) – JOHN’S PENTECOST

(John 20:19-23) Prayer: Jesus, breathe upon me and send your Holy Spirit. Imagination: (Picture the Risen Jesus appearing to the fearful disciples.) Context: Jesus comes to the frightened disciples on Easter Sunday night. This is “John’s Pentecost”, because Jesus bestows the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost, Luke speaks of the disciples …

MAY 14, 2016 – SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER – SATURDAY – PART TWO – PETER AND THE BELOVED DISCIPLE

(John 21:20-25) Prayer: O Jesus, help me to find my call. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with Peter and the Beloved Disciple) Context: Tomorrow is the feast of Pentecost. So today’s gospel brings an end to the Easter visions. The story of the two apostles closest to Jesus are Peter and the …

MAY 14, 2016 – SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER – SATURDAY – PART ONE – VOCATION OF THE BELOVED DISCIPLE

(John 21:20-25) 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 …

MAY 13, 2016 – SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER – FRIDAY – JESUS QUESTIONS PETER

(John 21:15-19) 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 …

MAY 12, 2016 – SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER – THURSDAY – JESUS’ PRAYER FOR FUTURE BELIEVERS

(John 17:20-26) 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, …

MAY 11, 2016 – SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER – WEDNESDAY – JESUS’ PRAYER FOR THE APOSTLES

(John 17:11-19) 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. …

MAY 10, 2016 – SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER – TUESDAY – THE HOUR HAS COME

(John 17:1-5) 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 …

MAY 9, 2016 – SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER – MONDAY – THINKING THEY UNDERSTAND

(John 16:29-33) 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 …

MAY 8, 2016 – SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (C) – JESUS’ PRAYER FOR FUTURE BELIEVERS

(John 17:20-23) 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, …