WEEK ELEVEN – SATURDAY – JUNE 24, 2017 FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY (LK 2:41-51) AND SOLEMNITY OF NATIVITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST (LK 1:57-66)

Prayer: Come, Holy Ghost. Help me to search for the True Heart of the Temple. Imagination: (Picture Mary and Joseph hurrying to look for Jesus). Context: When Jesus was twelve years old, He, Mary and Joseph travelled with others to the temple in Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Passover, a thanksgiving to God for …

WEEK ELEVEN – FRIDAY – JUNE 23, 2017 FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART – A REVELATION TO THE LITTLE ONES (MT 11:25-27)

Prayer: O Jesus, help me to know the mysteries of the Kingdom. Imagination: (Picture Jesus praising God for His disciples) Context: Jesus has just reproached those towns that did not repent. Now, he looks at his disciples and sees that they have been faithful and that the Father has revealed the Kingdom to them. Gospel …

WEEK ELEVEN – THURSDAY – JUNE 22, 2017 HOW TO PRAY (MT. 6:7-13)

Prayer: O Jesus, teach me to pray as you prayed. Imagination (Picture Jesus teaching His disciples the Our Father.) Context: The Lord’s prayer has seven petitions. The first three – “hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done” are really the same, asking Jesus to return in glory. The last four petitions …

WEEK ELEVEN – WEDNESDAY – JUNE 21, 2017 ACTING IN SECRET (MT 6:1-4)

Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Teach me to act in secret. I do not want to lose my reward. Imagination (Picture Jesus teaching the disciples how to gain their reward.) Context: Jesus contrasts Christian goodness with the goodness of the Pharisees. He highlights doing good deeds in secret, with purity of intention. Gospel Text (Read slowly, …

WEEK ELEVEN – TUESDAY – JUNE 20, 2017 LOVE YOUR ENEMIES (MT 5:43-48)

Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Make me perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect. Imagination Picture Jesus asking the disciples to imitate the Father. Context: Jesus continues his demands concerning goodness towards enemies. He contrasts his disciple with the pagans and demands a greater holiness. At the end, Jesus reveals his goal. He wants the disciple …

WEEK ELEVEN – MONDAY – JUNE 19, 2017 RELATIONSHIPS (MT 5-38-42)

Prayer – Come, Holy Spirit. Teach me how to love as a disciple should. Imagination- (Picture Jesus teaching kindness to his disciples.) Context: The Jewish law to take only “An eye for an eye” was actually merciful in Jesus’ time. It limited the amount of revenge. Jesus goes beyond this legal mercy. The disciple must …

JUNE 18, 2016 – WEEK ELEVEN – SATURDAY – TRUSTING THE FATHER

(Matthew 6:30-34) Prayer: Come, Holy Ghost. Help me to seek first the Kingdom of heaven. Imagination: ( Picture Jesus teaching His disciples about the Father’s care for them.) Context: Having told the disciples not to store up earthly treasures, Jesus responds to their questions about gaining the necessities of life. Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly …

JUNE 17, 2016 – WEEK ELEVEN – FRIDAY – LAYING UP HEAVENLY TREASURES

(Matthew 6:19-23)  Prayer: O Jesus, teach me to treasure heavenly riches. Imagination   (Picture Jesus teaching His disciples to treasure heaven.) Context: These sayings of Jesus have a common theme. He wants the disciples to have a singleness of purpose, totally serving God and not being distracted by earthly cares. Gospel Text (Read slowly, possibly aloud.) …

JUNE 16, 2016 – WEEK ELEVEN – THURSDAY – HOW TO PRAY

(Matthew 6:7-13) Prayer: O Jesus, teach me to pray as you prayed. Imagination (Picture Jesus teaching His disciples the Our Father.) Context: The Lord’s prayer has seven petitions. The first three – “hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done” are really the same, asking Jesus to return in glory. The last …

JUNE 15, 2016 – WEEK ELEVEN – WEDNESDAY – ACTING IN SECRET

(Matthew 6:1-4) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Teach me to act in secret. I do not want to lose my reward. Imagination   (Picture Jesus teaching the disciples how to gain their reward.) Context: Jesus contrasts Christian goodness with the goodness of the Pharisees. He highlights doing good deeds in secret, with purity of intention. Gospel Text …

JUNE 14, 2016 – WEEK ELEVEN – TUESDAY – LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

(Matthew 5:43-48) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Make me perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect. Imagination  Picture Jesus asking the disciples to imitate the Father. Context: Jesus continues his demands concerning goodness towards enemies. He contrasts his disciple with the pagans and demands a greater holiness. At the end, Jesus reveals his goal. He wants …

JUNE 13, 2016 – WEEK ELEVEN – MONDAY – RELATIONSHIPS

(Matthew 5-38-42) Prayer – Come, Holy Spirit. Teach me how to love as a disciple should. Imagination- (Picture Jesus teaching kindness to his disciples.) Context: The Jewish law to take only “An eye for an eye” was actually merciful in Jesus’ time. It limited the amount of revenge. Jesus goes beyond this legal mercy. The …

JUNE 12, 2016 – WEEK ELEVEN – SUNDAY (C) – THE TWO DEBTORS

(Luke 7:36-50) Prayer: O Jesus, you have forgiven me much. Let me love you much. Imagination: (Picture Jesus at table with Simon, the Pharisee.) Context: Jesus’ parable centers upon the creditor who forgives both debtors. Where can such a man be found? He is Jesus’ example of God’s inconceivable goodness. The woman understands this goodness. …