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

Category: Meditations

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2024 (Memorial of St. John Neumann, Bishop)

A TRUE ISRAELITE (JN 1:43-51) Prayer: O Jesus, call me into your presence. Imagination: Picture Jesus with his early disciples. Context:             Peter, Andrew, Philip and Nathaniel are all from Bethsaida.  Philip leads Nathaniel to Jesus.  This dialogue reveals much of Jesus’ identity. It alludes to Jacob who was filled …

THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024 (Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious)

THE EARLY DISCIPLES (JN 1:35-42) Prayer:  Jesus, I will be your disciple and follow you everywhere. Imagination:  Picture Jesus with his three new disciples. Context:             John’s gospel gives some details about the call of the first apostles.  Andrew, and another, were originally disciples of John the Baptist, who told …

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2024

FAILING TO RECOGNIZE JESUS (JN 1:29-34) Prayer: O Jesus, come to me. When you come, help me to recognize you. Imagination:  Picture John at the Jordan River, seeing Jesus among the crowd. Context:             John never describes Jesus getting baptized.  Instead, the Baptist recognizes Jesus and introduces him to the …

TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2024 Memorial of Sts. Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen

THE BAPTIST’S FULL IDENTITY (JN 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 …

MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 2024 SOLEMNITY OF MARY

THE SHEPHERDS’ RESPONSE (LK 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 …

Friday, December 29, 2023

Simeon’s Inspired Words (Lk 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 …

Tuesday, December 26, 2023, St. Stephen, Martyr

Persecutions (Mt 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, …

Sunday, December 24, 2023 – See Also December 24 Christmas Vigil Readings Fourth Sunday Of Advent

Mary’s Questioning And Acceptance (Lk 1:26-38) 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 …

Saturday, December 23, 2023 Week Three Of Advent

The Birth Of John The Baptist (Lk 1:57-66) 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 …

Friday, December 22, 2023 Week Three Of Advent

Mary’s Magnificat (Lk 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 …

Thursday, December 21, 2023 Week Three Of Advent

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 …

Wednesday, December 20, 2023 Week Three Of Advent

Mary’s Questioning And Acceptance (Lk 1:26-38) 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 …

Tuesday, December 19, 2023 Week Three Of Advent

Zechariah’s Doubting Faith (Lk 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 …

Monday, December 18, 2023 Week Three Of Advent

Joseph’s Dilemma (Mt 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 stories focus on Joseph’s dilemma. How does an upright …