Prayer: O Jesus, help me to believe that you are the resurrection and the life. Imagination: (Picture Martha and Mary speaking with Jesus.) Context: Jesus speaks individually with Martha and Mary. In this way, each could express their faith that Lazarus would not have died, if Jesus had been there. Martha also expresses her faith …
Category Archives: Week Sixteen
WEEK SIXTEEN – FRIDAY – JULY 28, 2017 THE SOWER PARABLE EXPLAINED (MT. 13:18-23)
Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Let your Kingdom bring forth a harvest. Imagination: (Picture Jesus explaining the parable to his disciples.) Context: In this text, Jesus applies the parable. The original story highlighted the power of the Kingdom. This explanation highlights the ground’s ability to receive the seed and bring a harvest. Gospel Text (Read slowly, …
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WEEK SIXTEEN – THURSDAY – JULY 27, 2017 THE PURPOSE OF PARABLES (MATT 13:10-13)
Prayer: O Jesus, reveal to me the mysteries of the Kingdom. Imagination: (Picture Jesus explaining to his disciples the mystery of parables.) Context: All the gospels speak of “insiders” (the disciples) and “outsiders” (those who have not yet accepted Jesus and his Kingdom). Jesus has offered to these outsiders, (called “Them”) the Kingdom but they …
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WEEK SIXTEEN – WEDNESDAY – JULY 26, 2017 THE SOWER (MT 13:1-9)
Prayer – Jesus, plant the powerful seed of your Kingdom in my heart. Imagination: (Picture Jesus preaching to the crowds). Context: This parable contrasts the difficult beginning of the seeds and the glorious fulfillment of the harvest. The beginning has multiple frustrations. The end has gigantic results. Jesus’ ministry is experiencing many obstacles. The disciples …
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WEEK SIXTEEN – TUESDAY – JULY 25, 2017 Feast of St. James, Apostle THE MOTHER OF AMBITIOUS JAMES AND JOHN (MT 20:20-28)
Prayer – Come, Holy Spirit. Reveal the glory you have prepared. Imagination – (Picture James and John seeking favors from Jesus.) Context: Jesus has just told the apostles about his future sufferings. The mother of James and John, however, is interested in her sons’ glory. Jesus talks about the “cup”, which means both the …
WEEK SIXTEEN – MONDAY – JULY 24, 2017 A GREATER THAN JONAH OR SOLOMON (MT 12:38-42)
Prayer – O Lord, I seek no sign or wonder. I seek only you. Imagination – (Picture Jesus speaking to the crowds.) Context: Jesus’ enemies ask for a sign but Jesus addresses this teaching to the crowds. He cites two Old Testament examples of foreigners having a change of heart. When Jonah preached in Nineveh …
WEEK 16 – SUNDAY – A – JULY 23, 2017 THE WHEAT AND THE WEEDS (MT 13:24-30)
Prayer: O Jesus, I will use my life your Judgment. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with His disciples.) Context: In Jesus time, three groups tried to form the perfect religious community of Israel – the Pharisees, the Essenes, and surprisingly, John the Baptist. All of Jesus’ actions went against this idea. For Jesus, God’s community on earth …
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JULY 19, 2016 – WEEK SIXTEEN – TUESDAY – HAVING A NEW FAMILY
(Matthew 12:46-50) Prayer – O Jesus, I will be your brother (sister). Imagination:(Picture yourself in the crowd with Jesus saying “These are my brother and sister” Context: Often, Mark begins a story, tells another story and then completes the first story. In this text, Mark concludes the story of Jesus’ family. Mark uses the key …
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JULY 23, 2016 – WEEK SIXTEEN – SATURDAY – THE WHEAT AND THE WEEDS
(Matthew 13:24-30) Prayer: O Jesus, I will use my life your Judgment. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with His disciples.) Context: In Jesus time, three groups tried to form the perfect religious community of Israel – the Pharisees, the Essenes, and surprisingly, John the Baptist. All of Jesus’ actions went against this idea. For Jesus, God’s community …
Continue reading “JULY 23, 2016 – WEEK SIXTEEN – SATURDAY – THE WHEAT AND THE WEEDS”
JULY 22, 2016 – WEEK SIXTEEN – FRIDAY – THE SOWER PARABLE EXPLAINED
(Matthew 13:18-23) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Let your Kingdom bring forth a harvest. Imagination: (Picture Jesus explaining the parable to his disciples.) Context: In this text, Jesus applies the parable. The original story highlighted the power of the Kingdom. This explanation highlights the ground’s ability to receive the seed and bring a harvest. Gospel Text …
Continue reading “JULY 22, 2016 – WEEK SIXTEEN – FRIDAY – THE SOWER PARABLE EXPLAINED”
JULY 21, 2016 – WEEK SIXTEEN – THURSDAY – THE PURPOSE OF THE PARABLES
(Matthew 13:10-13) Prayer: O Jesus, reveal to me the mysteries of the Kingdom. Imagination: (Picture Jesus explaining to his disciples the mystery of parables.) Context: All the gospels speak of “insiders” (the disciples) and “outsiders” (those who have not yet accepted Jesus and his Kingdom). Jesus has offered to these outsiders, (called “Them”) the Kingdom …
Continue reading “JULY 21, 2016 – WEEK SIXTEEN – THURSDAY – THE PURPOSE OF THE PARABLES”
JULY 20, 2016 – WEEK SIXTEEN – WEDNESDAY – THE SOWER
(Matthew 13:1-9) Prayer – Jesus, plant the powerful seed of your Kingdom in my heart. Imagination: (Picture Jesus preaching to the crowds). Context: This parable contrasts the difficult beginning of the seeds and the glorious fulfillment of the harvest. The beginning has multiple frustrations. The end has gigantic results. Jesus’ ministry is experiencing many obstacles. …
Continue reading “JULY 20, 2016 – WEEK SIXTEEN – WEDNESDAY – THE SOWER”
JULY 18, 2016 – WEEK SIXTEEN – MONDAY – A GREATER THAN JONAH OR SOLOMON
(Matthew 12:38-42) Prayer – O Lord, I seek no sign or wonder. I seek only you. Imagination – (Picture Jesus speaking to the crowds.) Context: Jesus’ enemies ask for a sign but Jesus addresses this teaching to the crowds. He cites two Old Testament examples of foreigners having a change of heart. When Jonah preached …
Continue reading “JULY 18, 2016 – WEEK SIXTEEN – MONDAY – A GREATER THAN JONAH OR SOLOMON”
JULY 17, 2016 – WEEK SIXTEEN – SUNDAY – C – MARY & MARTHA
(Luke 10:38-42) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Make Jesus the center of my attention. Imagination: (Picture Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet.) Context: Luke places this story right after the Good Samaritan to emphasize that the disciple must first love Jesus. Serving others is important (like the Good Samaritan) but not enough to be a disciple. Gospel …
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