(Mark 3-20-21) Prayer – O Jesus, help me to stand firm. Imagination: – (Picture Jesus surrounded by the crowd and his family.) Context: This text contrasts the crowds, and the relatives. The crowds hardly know Jesus, and yet they acclaim him. His relatives, who think they know him, have the …
(Mark 3:13-19) Prayer – O Jesus, help me to respond to your call. Imagination: (Picture Jesus on the mountain calling his twelve apostles.) Context: The mountain top symbolizes Jesus’ closeness to the Father and the great importance of this decision. These twelve apostles represent the new twelve tribes of Israel. …
(Mark 3:7-12) Prayer: Draw near, O Lord, so I can touch you in faith. Imagination: (Picture Jesus surrounded by the crowds who are healed as they touch him.) Context: In this section, Mark pauses. Jesus tries to get out of the limelight by spending time with his disciples. However, his …
(Mark 3:1-6) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Give me faith in Jesus’ powers. Imagination: (Picture Jesus healing the man with the withered hand.) Context: For a while, Jesus continues his ministry within the synagogue. Unfortunately, this great healing of a withered hand is overshadowed by a controversy. This leads to the …
(Mark 2:23-28) Prayer: O Jesus, be the Lord of my life. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with his disciples in the grain fields.) Context: This controversy is not about picking off heads of grain, (which was an accepted practice), but about picking them on the Sabbath. This controversy allows Jesus to pronounce …
(Mark 2:18-22) Prayer: O Holy Spirit, make me a new creation. Imagination: (Imagine Jesus with the disciples and the Pharisees.) Context: Jesus uses two images of cloth and wineskins to show that his Kingdom demands a totally new way of acting and thinking. Nobody sews new cloth on old garments …
Prayer: O Mary, my mother, you help me in all my trials. Imagination: (Picture Mary with Jesus at the wedding feast.) Context: This is an extremely important story because it spells out John’s theme. The hour of the passion, when Jesus sheds his blood, is the world-saving moment. The new …
