Category: Week Eighteen

Prayer: O Jesus, set me free from the Evil One. Imagination: (Picture the boy’s father pleading with Jesus.) Context: The disciples are regressing. Formerly, they had great success in driving out demons. Now, they are total failures. Jesus gets exasperated at their lack of faith. The father is different. He …

Prayer: Jesus, how greatly I desire eternal life. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching his disciples) Context: Jesus has just predicted his passion, death and rising. Now he extends this mystery to everyone. Every disciple can rise with Jesus. They need only to deliberately take the same path. The choice is extremely …

Prayer: O Jesus, help me to die with you. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching in the Temple) Context: When Jesus enters Jerusalem for the final time, some sincere Greek-speaking Jews ask to see him. Their appearance is a sign to Jesus that his death, (the hour of glorification) is at hand. …

Prayer – O Jesus, let me persevere in seeking your blessings. Imagination – (Picture Jesus confronted by this mother.) Context: This story occurs in Gentile territory with a Gentile mother and shows that the Kingdom will break out of its Jewish beginnings and spread to the whole world. Jesus allows …

Prayer: O Jesus, give me total faith in you. Imagination: (Picture the disciples in their boat, surprised by Jesus’ visit.) Context: After multiplying food, Jesus orders his disciples to get in a boat. This prepares for the miracle of walking on the water. Jesus even communicates this power to Peter …

Prayer: O Jesus, you feed me with the finest food. Imagination: (Picture Jesus feeding the 5,000.) Context: When Jesus heard of John’s death (told immediately before this story) he crosses to the eastern bank of the Sea of Galilee (Gentile territory). Jesus was already known among the Gentiles for his …

Prayer – O Jesus, reveal to me your heavenly glory. Imagination- (Picture Peter, James and John witnessing the glory of Christ.) Context: These three apostles witness both Jesus’ glory on the mountain and  his agony in the Garden. Mark always links Jesus’ suffering with his glory,  telling his persecuted Christians to persevere in their sufferings  because their reward is great. The vision also includes Moses and Elijah,  the two great Old Testament personalities. Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud) Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain by themselves. He was transfigured before them and his clothes became dazzlingly white. Elijah appeared to them along with Moses and they spoke with Jesus. Peter said,  “It is good for us to be here. Let us make three tents, one for you,  one for Elijah and one for Moses.” However, he did not really know what  to say for he was filled with awe. A cloud overshadowed them and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Looking up, they saw no one. Only Jesus was with them. Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.) To bestow the experience, Jesus must withdraw the apostles to the mountain’s solitude. When they see Jesus’ heavenly glory, they are overwhelmed. Jesus is the central figure. Moses and Elijah are at his side. The events overwhelm the usually talkative Peter. He can only exclaim, “It is good to be here.” The cloud paralyzes them, making them completely attentive to the Father’s words, “This is my Beloved Son. Listen to him.” When the vision is over, they see only Jesus. He is the beginning and the end of all creation. Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.) O Lord, invite me to your mountain of prayer. I will leave behind this valley of darkness. O Jesus, Your glory is great. My poor faculties cannot grasp your light. Let your divine cloud descend over me. You, O Lord, are the center of all history. In you, I discover who I am. Jesus, you are “the Beloved Son”. I will listen to you. I will keep my eyes only for you, Jesus. Resolution: (Possibly you might want to make your own.) Many times today, I will find a moment to climb the mountain of prayer. I will value the riches which Christ offers to me. Thought for the day: (To recall your meditation) Looking up they saw Jesus in all his glory.