NOVEMBER 5, 2016 – WEEK THIRTY-ONE – SATURDAY – SERVING GOD OR MONEY?

(Luke 16:9-15) Prayer: O Jesus, let my heart be totally set upon you. Imagination: (Picture Jesus instructing his disciples.) Context: Jesus has just told the parable of the dishonest steward. Now, he speaks of how a believer should use his money to gain God’s blessings. The second part contains a serious warning. No one can …

NOVEMBER 4, 2016 – WEEK THIRTY-ONE – FRIDAY – THE UNJUST STEWARD

(Luke 16:1-8) Prayer: O Jesus, wake me up to the imminence of the Kingdom, so I respond fully. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with His disciples) Context: The parable uses real-life details. Rich owners often lived at a distance and depended on stewards who held promissory oaths of debtors. The steward wants the changes put into the …

NOVEMBER 3, 2016 – WEEK THIRTY-ONE – THURSDAY – THE LOST SHEEP AND THE LOST COIN

(Luke 15:1-10) Prayer: O Jesus, show me how precious I am to you. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with His disciples.) Context: These twin parables are closely connected to the Prodigal Son parable. A hundred sheep was a medium sized flock. The shepherd must have been poor, unable to pay a helper. Luke’s gospel centers on God’s …

NOVEMBER 2, 2016 – WEEK THIRTY-ONE – WEDNESDAY – THE TOWER AND THE WAR

(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 for his grain, but the …

NOVEMBER 1, 2016 – WEEK THIRTY-ONE – TUESDAY – THE GREAT SUPPER

(Luke 14:15-24) Prayer: O Jesus, let me respond now to your banquet invitation. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with His disciples.) Context: In Jesus’ time, a popular, story told about a tax collector who decided to invite all the prominent people to a banquet. Naturally, these prominent people did not want to attend. The tax-collector then decided …

OCTOBER 31, 2016 – WEEK THIRTY-ONE – MONDAY – FEAST OF ALL SOULS

(John 6:37-40) 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 Jesus. Because the children cannot …

OCTOBER 30, 2016 – WEEK THIRTY ONE – SUNDAY (C) THE MAN UP IN THE TREE

(Luke 19:1-10) Prayer: O Jesus, come and stay in my house this day. Imagination: (Picture Jesus finding Zaccheus in a tree.) Context: Zaccheus is the second wealthy man to receives an invitation from Jesus. He accepts the gift and uses his wealth to restore justice. This story highlights Jesus as the saviour of all, even …

NOVEMBER 7, 2015 – WEEK THIRTY ONE – SATURDAY – SERVING GOD OR MONEY?

(Luke 16:9-15) Prayer: O Jesus, let my heart be totally set upon you. Imagination: (Picture Jesus instructing his disciples.) Context: Jesus has just told the parable of the dishonest steward. Now, he speaks of how a believer should use his money to gain God’s blessings. The second part contains a serious warning. No one can …

NOVEMBER 6, 2015 – WEEK THIRTY ONE – FRIDAY – THE UNJUST STEWARD

(Luke 16:1-8) Prayer: O Jesus, wake me up to the imminence of the Kingdom, so I respond fully. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with His disciples) Context: The parable uses real-life details. Rich owners often lived at a distance and depended on stewards who held promissory oaths of debtors. The steward wants the changes put into the …

NOVEMBER 5, 2015 – WEEK THIRTY ONE – THURSDAY – THE LOST SHEEP AND THE LOST COIN

(Luke 15:1-10) Prayer: O Jesus, show me how precious I am to you. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with His disciples.) Context: These twin parables are closely connected to the Prodigal Son parable. A hundred sheep was a medium sized flock. The shepherd must have been poor, unable to pay a helper. Luke’s gospel centers on God’s …

NOVEMBER 4, 2015 – WEEK THIRTY ONE – WEDNESDAY – THE TOWER AND THE WAR

(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 for his grain, but the …

NOVEMBER 3, 2015 – WEEK THIRTY ONE – TUESDAY – THE GREAT SUPPER

(Luke 14:15-24) Prayer: O Jesus, let me respond now to your banquet invitation. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with His disciples.) Context: In Jesus’ time, a popular, story told about a tax collector who decided to invite all the prominent people to a banquet. Naturally, these prominent people did not want to attend. The tax-collector then decided …

NOVEMBER 2, 2015 – WEEK THIRTY ONE – MONDAY – FEAST OF ALL SOULS

(John 6:37-40) 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 Jesus. Because the children cannot …

NOVEMBER 1, 2015 – WEEK THIRTY ONE – SUNDAY (B) – FEAST OF ALL SAINTS

(Matthew 5:1-12)  Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Form my heart according to Jesus’ teaching. Imagination:   (Picture Jesus teaching the crowds.) Context: Jesus calls various groups “blessed”. However, anyone can choose to belong to these groups. A person can be poor in spirit, meek, mourning over the world’s sins, and hungering for justice. So, the door is …