of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
(Mark 6:30-34) Prayer: O Lord, pour out your mercy and draw me close to your heart. Imagination: (Picture Jesus surrounded by the apostles and the crowds.) Context: For a brief moment, Jesus wants to be alone with his disciples. This foreshadows the second half of the gospel where Jesus spends much time teaching the disciples. …
Continue reading “FEBRUARY 6, 2016 – WEEK FOUR – SATURDAY – SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD”
(Mark 6:14-29) (Due to its length, this text is shortened) Prayer – Lord Jesus, let me not be swerved by the opinions of others. Imagination – (Picture Herod with his party guests) Context: This section is an interlude, which Mark inserts between the sending of the Twelve and their return. It is the only story …
(Mark 6:7-13) Prayer – O Jesus, send me forth to bring your gospel to the whole world. Imagination – (Picture the Twelve gathered around, listening to Jesus’ instructions.) Context: Jesus does not have enough time to evangelize all of Israel. So, he sends out the Twelve. This is totally his initiative. He summons, instructs, and …
Continue reading “FEBRUARY 4, 2016 – WEEK FOUR – THURSDAY – SENDING OUT THE TWELVE”
(Mark 6:1-6) Prayer – O Jesus, I honor you as the true prophet who has come into the world. Imagination: (Picture Jesus in the synagogue at Nazareth) Context: Jesus returns to Nazareth, accompanied by his disciples. After his teaching, the crowd asks itself three questions which summarize Mark’s gospel. Jesus has shown authority, wisdom and …
Continue reading “FEBRUARY 3, 2016 – WEEK FOUR – WEDNESDAY – REJECTED BY HIS OWN PEOPLE”
(Mark 5:21-24; 35-43) Prayer – O Jesus, raise me to new life in Your Holy Spirit. Imagination – (Picture Jesus raising the girl to life.) Context: Mark carefully notes that Jesus returns to Jewish territory and the atmosphere is filled with faith. At Jairus’ home, however, people have little faith. So Jesus casts them out. …
Continue reading “FEBRUARY 2, 2016 – WEEK FOUR – TUESDAY – PART ONE – RAISING A GIRL TO LIFE”
(Mark 5:25-34) Prayer – Lord Jesus, let me touch you in faith so your power goes out to me. Imagination – (Picture the crowds pressing upon Jesus while the woman touches his garment.) Context This story has so many details (bleeding, twelve years, many doctors, wasted money and even the woman’s thoughts), that the …
Continue reading “FEBRUARY 2, 2016 – WEEK FOUR – TUESDAY – PART TWO – A TOUCH OF FAITH”
(Mark 5:1-10) Prayer – Lord Jesus, set me free in the power of your name. Imagination: (Picture the possessed man coming to Jesus and his disciples.) Context: Although this story seems strange, biblical scholars agree that it happened. (Although it probably is two stories joined together). Jesus began his ministry to Israel with an exorcism. …
Continue reading “FEBRUARY 1, 2016 – WEEK FOUR – MONDAY – PART ONE – POWER OVER SATAN”
(Mark 5:11-20) Prayer – O Jesus, one word from you and I will be restored. Imagination – (Picture Jesus with the freed man. He is now clothed and at peace.) Context: The gospels contain those stories which were easily remembered by the early Church. The unique feature of pigs running over a cliff makes this …
Continue reading “FEBRUARY 1, 2016 – WEEK FOUR – MONDAY – PART TWO – SENDING JESUS AWAY”
(Luke 4:21-30) Prayer – O Lord, never let me reject you. Imagination– (Picture Jesus confronted by the angry citizens of Nazareth.) Context: The mood of the crowd changes suddenly from acceptance to rejection because they want to see miracles. Jesus recounts two stories in which the prophets worked no miracles for Jews, but did help …
Continue reading “JANUARY 31, 2016 – WEEK FOUR – SUNDAY – C – REJECTION AT NAZARETH”