Prayer: O Jesus, fill me with faith in all that you can do. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with the Centurion.) Context: This Gentile centurion is the great model of faith. He believed that Jesus could heal at a distance (unheard of in Judaism). Even Jesus proclaims his extraordinary faith. Gospel Text: …
Prayer: O Jesus, help me to believe that you can cleanse me. Imagination: (Picture Jesus cleansing the leper) Context: Jesus has just finished his great discourse on the mountain. As he descends, he quickly encounters the real life difficulties of illness, diabolical possessions and storms at sea. In this story, …
Prayer: O Jesus, teach me to be on guard lest I be deceived. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching his disciples.) Context: Matthew tries to protect and form his church members. He protects them by warning against false prophets who can lead them astray. He forms them by demanding a life that …
Prayer: O Jesus, teach me to enter by the narrow gate of selflessness and walk the narrow Road that leads to life. Imagination: (Picture Jesus warning his disciples about the conditions for eternal life.) Context: Matthew writes for his Church members who have chosen the Kingdom. They want eternal life, …
Prayer: O Jesus, teach me compassion and forgiveness to improve my relationships with others. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching His disciples not to judge.) Context: Jesus praised the meek and the peacemakers. In these words, Jesus explains how to fulfill those roles. Not to judge other disciples is meekness and to …
Prayer: O Jesus, free me from fear so I acknowledge to all that I am your disciple. Imagination: (Picture Jesus speaking with his apostles). Context Jesus is sending his apostles to preach the Kingdom. This is all new for them. Jesus foresees that they will be persecuted and could easily …
(Matthew 8:5-11) Prayer: O Jesus, fill me with faith in all that you can do. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with the Centurion.) Context: This Gentile centurion is the great model of faith. He believed that Jesus could heal at a distance (unheard of in Judaism). Even Jesus proclaims his extraordinary faith. …
(Matthew 8:1-4) Prayer: O Jesus, help me to believe that you can cleanse me. Imagination: (Picture Jesus cleansing the leper) Context: Jesus has just finished his great discourse on the mountain. As he descends, he quickly encounters the real life difficulties of illness, diabolical possessions and storms at sea. In …
(Matthew 7:21-24) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Teach me to do the Father’s will. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching His disciples true devotion.) Context: The disciples in Matthew’s Church exercised many charismatic powers (as seen in this gospel). Here, Matthew issues a severe warning. These powers do not get the disciple into …
(Matthew 7:15-20) Prayer: O Jesus, teach me to be on guard lest I be deceived. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching his disciples.) Context: Matthew tries to protect and form his church members. He protects them by warning against false prophets who can lead them astray. He forms them by demanding a …
(Matthew 7:6 & 12-14) Prayer: O Jesus, teach me to enter by the narrow gate of selflessness and walk the narrow Road that leads to life. Imagination: (Picture Jesus warning his disciples about the conditions for eternal life.) Context: Matthew writes for his Church members who have chosen the Kingdom. …
(Matthew 7:1-5) Prayer: O Jesus, teach me compassion and forgiveness to improve my relationships with others. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching His disciples not to judge.) Context: Jesus praised the meek and the peacemakers. In these words, Jesus explains how to fulfill those roles. Not to judge other disciples is meekness …
(Luke 9:18-22) Prayer: O Holy Spirit, open to my heart the mystery of Jesus Christ. Imagination – (Picture Jesus with his disciples) Context: At the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus proclaimed what he would accomplish for Israel. This gospel reveals even more. Jesus is Israel’s Messiah. At this point, only the …
