(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 …
(Matthew 1:1-17) Prayer: O Lord, I thank you that you have created me. Imagination: (Picture Joseph and Mary at Bethlehem with the child, Jesus). Context: Matthew traces the genealogy of Jesus through St. Joseph back to Abraham. He divides these ancestors into three groups, from Abraham to David (1000 …
(Matthew 11:28-30) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Help me to take up Jesus’ easy yoke and light burden. Imagination: (Picture Jesus inviting all his disciples to come to him.) Context: The burdened are those who cannot seem to get out from under. Jesus is one of them. He carries the whole …
(Matthew 15:29-37) Prayer: O Jesus, let me hunger for your food. Imagination: (Picture Jesus and his disciples with the hungry crowds.) Context: The multiplication of food is the only miracle told in all four gospels. It is preceded by multiple healings. These stories highlight the Advent season when we await …
(Luke 21:12-19) Prayer: O Jesus, help me in the moments of my trials. Imagination: (Picture Jesus explaining to the disciples their future difficulties) Context: After discussing all the wars and famines and earthquakes that will occur, Jesus turns to two other difficulties. The disciples will find themselves hauled into court. …
(Luke 19:12-27) Prayer: O Jesus, make me your faithful servant to whom you can entrust your blessings. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching his disciples.) Context Jesus tells this parable to the disciples because they falsely believe that the reign of God is about to appear. The parable stresses the personal initiative …
(Luke 17:11-19) Prayer – Come, Holy Spirit. Fill me with a spirit of thanksgiving. Imagination: (Picture the one leper returning to give thanks) Context: This story is somewhat like a parable, ending with Jesus pronouncing the Samaritan’s saving faith. Obviously, the group consisted of nine Jewish lepers and one Samaritan. …
(Luke 14:28-32) Prayer: O Jesus, help me to persevere until the finish line. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching the crowds.) Context: Jesus is dealing here with enthusiastic disciples who cannot see the tremendous hardships that lie ahead. So, Jesus gives two examples which entail great difficulties. A farmer needs a tower …
(Luke 13:24-30) Prayer – O Jesus, you are my Lord and Saviour Imagination: (Picture Jesus with His disciples.) Context: By this parable, Jesus confronts his hearers. They understand, all too well, what He means. He comes to their villages, preaches in their streets and eats with them. Yet, they do …
(Luke 12:41 – 48) Prayer – O Jesus, make me your faithful servant. Imagination – (Picture Jesus teaching Peter and the others.) Context: This parable deals with handling responsibility, with being a good servant, whether in the Church or in daily life. The owner is extremely fair and generous but …
(Luke 11:42-46) Prayer – O Jesus, cleanse me so you cannot condemn me. Imagination – (Imagine Jesus at table with the Pharisees and lawyers.) Context: Jesus is familiar with the Pharisees’ teaching. They are confused. They put the wrong obligations first, and cause many religious problems. Jesus must clear away …
(Luke 11:1-4) Prayer – O Lord, engrave these petitions in my heart. Imagination – (Picture Jesus teaching his disciples to pray) Context: Understanding the Our Father will surprise you. It is a heavenly prayer which opens our eyes to Jesus’ Second Coming and prepares us for the end of the …
(Luke 9:57-62) Prayer – Come, Holy Spirit. Jesus calls and I must not delay. Imagination: – (Picture Jesus with the disciples and the crowd.) Context: Journeying to Jerusalem seems glamorous. To set aside these false ideas, Luke places three sayings of Jesus at the very start of the journey. Discipleship …
(Luke 9:1-6) Prayer – O Holy Spirit, anoint me with your powers. Imagination: (Picture Jesus sending forth his 12 apostles) Context: This text looks forward to the Church, when the Holy Spirit will send the apostles to the whole world. Jesus’ words reflect what actually happened. The small Church communities …
(Luke 7:31-35) Prayer – O Jesus, prepare me for the moment when you come to me. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with his disciples) Context: Besides proclaiming salvation, the parables warn us of judgment and call us to repentance. This parable has the cutting edge of urgency. This parable shows hostility toward …
(Luke 6:20-26) Prayer – O Jesus, let me seek your ever-abundant blessings. Imagination – (Picture Jesus teaching his disciples.) Context: To understand the gospels, look carefully at the audience. When Jesus teaches the crowds, he is inviting them to join his Kingdom. When Jesus teaches his disciples, he explains the …
(Luke 4:38-44) Prayer: O Jesus, use your powers for me. Then, I will follow you wherever you go. Imagination: (Picture Jesus healing the sick.) Context: This text manifests Jesus’ great powers but it also shows his desire to avoid the limelight and to preach in other towns to complete his …
(Matthew 23:29-36) Prayer: O Jesus, free me from my blindness. Let me see the truth. Imagination: (Picture Jesus confronting his contemporaries.) Context: This is the longest of seven woes pronounced by Jesus. He prophesies his own death and the persecution of the Early Church. Gospel Text (Read slowly, possibly aloud.) …
(Matthew 20:1-16) Prayer: O Jesus, You are a generous employer. Let me serve you faithfully. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with his disciples.) Context: This parable is about the Kingdom. As the day goes on, the men grow discouraged. They stop seeking work and “sit around idle.” The owner’s constant going to …
(Matthew 18:15-20) Prayer: O Jesus, always join me with others so you will be in our midst. Imagination: (Picture Jesus gathered with his disciples.) Context: Jesus has just spoken of the shepherd seeking out the wandering sheep. This sheep represents a disciple who has left the church and the Church …
