Christian discipleship, according to the Gospel of St Mark, means 'being with Jesus and sharing in his ministry'.

We are helped to 'be with Jesus' by traditional devotions like the 'Rosary' and the 'Stations'. These are pauses for the time it takes to say a vocal prayer or two  in the presence of this or that mystery of the Life of Christ given to us in the Gospels. We find pausing difficult. We rush on through life like non-stop trains unable to stop at stations.

We make use of our imagination. We don't have to try to imitate this beautiful image though it can help us to focus by driving out other images that are not helpful. Images focus us with great power and the Gospel images can help us to 'see Jesus more clearly, to love him more dearly, to follow him more nearly'.

Some people imagine they are without imagination; but they cannot help noticing their image, say, of the Crucifixion is quite unlike the image given here.

Having learnt to pause at stations in the presence of this or that mystery of Jesus' life try pausing at the mysteries of my own life by reflecting for 15 minutes before supper on the striking 'highs' and 'lows' of the day. I'm a labourer in the Lord's vineyard. What account am I to give back to the Lord of the vineyard who has given me this day?

Write the down the highs and the lows of the day A bill. Good news. A row. A job lost. A window of opportunity. A relationship healed. An exam passed. Dinner with a beloved, etc

Pray over these: some prayings in praise and thanksgiving; some in sorrow; Don't hurry from event to event; the whole time may be taken up seeking further light on some decision.

What has my experience of today taught me about how I will use tomorrow in praise of the Lord and service of others? and I end my 15 minutes with an Our Father.

Click Irish Jesuit Sacred Space for a well known prayer website; click Gerald FitzGibbon to email me. May God be with you.