of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
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 Kingdom and its glorious fulfillment. The beginning has multiple frustrations. The end has a gigantic harvest. Jesus’ ministry is experiencing many obstacles. The disciples see failures, …
Continue reading “WEEK TWENTY FOUR – SATURDAY – SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 THE SOWER (LK 8:4-15)”
Prayer – O Jesus, let me accompany you all the days of my life Imagination: (Picture Jesus with these special disciples, both men and women.) Context: Only Luke has this section which highlights the role of women in a ministering role for the Kingdom. Jesus had helped each of these women. After being blessed by …
Continue reading “WEEK TWENTY FOUR – FRIDAY – SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 THE SPECIAL DISCIPLES (LK 8:1-3)”
Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Let me respond quickly to Jesus’ call. Imagination: (Picture Jesus at table in Matthew’s house). Context: This text has 2 parts. First, Matthew responds to Jesus’ call and then he invites Jesus to his house. Since Matthew is a sinner (collecting taxes for Romans) his friends are also “sinners”, so the …
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 agree, their …
Prayer – Lord, in your compassion, give me life. Imagination: (Picture Jesus standing with the widow by the funeral) Context: Luke regularly stresses Jesus’ compassion and care for women. Naim is located just 3 miles away from Nazareth with a cemetery that has been used for centuries. The story obviously looks forward to Jesus’ resurrection. …
Continue reading “WEEK TWENTY FOUR – TUESDAY – SEPTEMBER 19, 2017 THE GRIEVING WIDOW (LK 7:11-17)”
Prayer – Lord, fill me with faith in your power. Imagination: (Picture the centurion showing great faith in Jesus’ power to heal.) Context: The Gentile centurion sends Jewish friends to seek the favor. As Jesus approaches, this Gentile is concerned that Jesus would contract ritual impurity if he entered his house. Jesus notes that he …
Prayer: O Jesus, fill my heart with the Holy Spirit of mercy towards others. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with his disciples.) Context: The parable is about the Last Judgment and highlights the deepest secret of discipleship, the need to forgive. The warning is serious. God, who has granted the disciple forgiveness will revoke that forgiveness if …
(Luke 8:4-15) 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 Kingdom and its glorious fulfillment. The beginning has multiple frustrations. The end has a gigantic harvest. Jesus’ ministry is experiencing many obstacles. The disciples …
Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 17, 2016 – WEEK TWENTY-FOUR – SATURDAY – THE SOWER”
(Luke 8:1-3) Prayer – O Jesus, let me accompany you all the days of my life Imagination: (Picture Jesus with these special disciples, both men and women.) Context: Only Luke has this section which highlights the role of women in a ministering role for the Kingdom. Jesus had helped each of these women. After being …
Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 – WEEK TWENTY-FOUR – FRIDAY – THE SPECIAL DISCIPLES”
(Luke 7:36-50) Prayer – O Jesus, even though I am a sinner, I will approach you. Imagination: (Picture Jesus at table with the woman at his feet.) Context: The central figure is the creditor who forgives both debtors. Where can such a man be found? He is God with his inconceivable goodness. The woman understands …
Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 – WEEK TWENTY-FOUR – THURSDAY – THE PARABLE OF THE TWO DEBTORS”
(Luke 7:31-35) 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 …
(Luke 7:11-17) Prayer – Lord, in your compassion, give me life. Imagination: (Picture Jesus standing with the widow by the funeral) Context: Luke regularly stresses Jesus’ compassion and care for women. Naim is located just 3 miles away from Nazareth with a cemetery that has been used for centuries. The story obviously looks forward to …
Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 – WEEK TWENTY-FOUR – TUESDAY – THE GRIEVING WIDOW”
(John 3:16-21) Prayer: O Jesus, you were lifted up on the cross to save me. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching Nicodemus) Context: This gospel contains the famous John 3:16 verse about God so loving the world. It explains that god’s motive was to save, not to condemn. However, anyone who rejects this light is subject to …
Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 12, 2016 – WEEK TWENTY-FOUR – MONDAY – EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS”
(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 …
(Luke 8:4-15) 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 Kingdom and its glorious fulfillment. The beginning has multiple frustrations. The end has a gigantic harvest. Jesus’ ministry is experiencing many obstacles. The disciples …
Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 – WEEK TWENTY FOUR – SATURDAY – THE SOWER”
(Luke 8:1-3) Prayer – O Jesus, let me accompany you all the days of my life Imagination: (Picture Jesus with these special disciples, both men and women.) Context: Only Luke has this section which highlights the role of women in a ministering role for the Kingdom. Jesus had helped each of these women. After being …
Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 – WEEK TWENTY FOUR – FRIDAY – THE SPECIAL DISCIPLES”
(Luke 7:36-50) Prayer – O Jesus, even though I am a sinner, I will approach you. Imagination: (Picture Jesus at table with the woman at his feet.) Context: The central figure is the creditor who forgives both debtors. Where can such a man be found? He is God with his inconceivable goodness. The woman understands …
Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 17, 2015 – WEEK TWENTY FOUR – THURSDAY – THE PARABLE OF THE TWO DEBTORS”
(Luke 7:31-35) 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 …
(Luke 7:11-17) Prayer – Lord, in your compassion, give me life. Imagination: (Picture Jesus standing with the widow by the funeral) Context: Luke regularly stresses Jesus’ compassion and care for women. Naim is located just 3 miles away from Nazareth with a cemetery that has been used for centuries. The story obviously looks forward to …
Continue reading “SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 – WEEK TWENTY FOUR – TUESDAY – THE GRIEVING WIDOW”
Prayer: O Jesus, you were lifted up on the cross to save me. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching Nicodemus) Context: This gospel contains the famous John 3:16 verse about God so loving the world. It explains that God’s motive was to save, not to condemn. However, anyone who rejects this light is subject to God’s judgment. …