Prayer:
O Holy Spirit, open to my heart the mystery of Jesus Christ.
Imagination:
Picture Jesus with his disciples.
Context:
An earlier gospel showed what the Father wanted Jesus to accomplish for Israel. This gospel answers a deeper question. What is Jesus’ relationship to the Father and to Israel. At this point, only the apostles must know. The crowds would misinterpret this truth and make him a king.
Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)
- When Jesus is at prayer, he sees clearly the Father’s will.
- The disciples, also, are especially blessed when they join Jesus in prayer.
- The world cannot comprehend who Jesus is or what he accomplishes.
- Jesus’ direct question to the disciples fills Simon Peter with faith and revelation.
- Jesus is the Messiah sent by God to fulfill his divine plan.
- Surprisingly, the Father wills that Jesus suffer, die and rise from the dead.
Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
- Jesus, my human intelligence cannot understand who you are and what you will do for me.
- Give me the light of prayer. I will understand my task.
- Fill me with faith. Reveal your mysteries. Draw me to yourself.
- You are the Messiah sent by God to save me.
- I will follow you into the great mystery of your death. You will raise me from the dead also.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ By daily mental prayer, I will get to know Jesus Christ.
+ I will thank Jesus who suffered and died for me.
Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)
You are the Messiah of God.