Sirach 35: 12-18; Ps 34: 2-3; 17-19; 23; 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18; Luke 18: 9-14

we pray
that God be
close to
the brokenhearted
that those crushed
in Spirit
he save
that the Lord
hear
the cry
of the poor
not turning
a deaf ear
to the wail
of orphans
to the wail
of widows
that he hears our cries–

piercing the cloud
humbled
we know
ourselves
as sinners
and await
mercy
for not having
done enough
and turn
our lives
over to God
waiting for
His love
to show us
the way

Do you hear the cries of the poor?
Do you know mercy?
To whom do you pray?