Jesus, son of David, have pity on me. – Mark 10:47 In the early days of the faith, Christianity was called “The Way.” In our Gospel passage for Sunday (Mark 10:46- 52), Blind Bartimaeus “followed Jesus on the way” after his healing. He became a disciple! Bartimaeus recognized his need for a savior. He knew he couldn’t save or heal himself. He cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.” What a good…
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” Mark 10:21 Changing up different styles of prayer is one way to encounter Jesus in new, unexpected ways. This week, I decided to use visio divina to help me think about our Gospel passage for this Sunday on the…
“And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him.” –Mark 7:32 In our Gospel passage today, Jesus healed a man who could not hear or speak. He was essentially cut off from communicating with others. But Jesus was able to communicate His healing touch to the man. Notice that Jesus took the man aside privately. Healingis one-on-one work. Then Jesus touched the…
“When the afflicted man called out, the Lord heard, And from all his distress he saved him.” Psalm 34:4 Have you ever cried out to God in the midst of suffering? I certainly have, and it can feel so difficult, because even though God is always with us (Matthew 28:20), our human senses fail us. We cannot see Him, touch Him, or hear Him reply to our cries. We can sometimes feel like Job, who…
Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them… -Mark 9:2 The Transfiguration of Jesus (Mark 9:2-12) is an astonishing event to consider. It might seem so fantastical that it’s difficult to get your mind around what happened that day on Mt. Tabor. Or maybe you’ve heard this passage so many times that some of the wonder and awe have worn off,…
“And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’” – Matthew 25:40 Happy feast of Christ the King! This week, I want to walk you through some imaginative prayer with Sunday’s Gospel passage on the Great Judgement, Matthew 25:31-46. First, take some time to prayerfully read the passage, focusing your attention on Jesus’ words; try…
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts. – Isaiah 55:8-9 Parables, like the one we have for our Gospel reading today of the generous landowner (Matthew 20:1-16), are an excellent way to encounter God through imaginative prayer. St. Ignatius of Loyola believed that…
The rosary is an ideal tool for spiritual warfare. When the Israelites marched against their enemies, they carried the Ark of the Covenant with them, blowing trumpets announcing the Lord’s presence: “So Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, ‘Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord.’ And he said to the people, ‘Go forward;…
“…love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father.” – Matthew 5:44-45 Who is the person that comes to mind when you read this Scripture passage? Just who are your enemies? You may have a person that comes to mind, such as someone who bullied you in school or someone who treated you unfairly at work. Perhaps it is someone who mocked you, stole something…
Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. – Luke 18:1 Have you ever imagined what your soul looks like? It is eternal, so of course you cannot see it. But play along with me here. Close your eyes and imagine the hidden yet very real part of you. Is your soul strong and thriving? Is it weary? Thirsty? Sin-sick? Wounded? St. John Henry Cardinal Newman…