Luke 19:41-44

we are
weeping
with you
Jesus
as you look
over the city
that cannot find
its way
to peace
that does not see
the hour
of its visitation
calling harm
upon itself
with war
and division

yet we wait
standing our ground
with you
in God’s enduring love
with songs
of praise
and hope
and faith
undiminished

Do you weep with Jesus over the city?
Do you stand in God’s love with hope and faith?

Revelations 4:1-11; Psalm 150:1-6; Luke 19:11-28

Who am I to praise
Who is this king
To whom I bow
And sing and dance
Give my whole being
Holding back nothing
From a life given to me
And clearly not my own
First and last breath
A gift and grace

Raised in a kingless world
In a country
Of rejection
Of thrones
Who are we now
In an age that bows down
To no authority
Officials unworthy
Of praise

My heart
And mind
And soul
Reach out in prayer
To one who is worthy
Even as I have no understanding
Or worthiness
Blaming our creator
For all that has gone wrong

Only in prayer
Do I find the one
Worthy of praise
A door opened into the divine
I see a goodness
I can believe in
A Heaven
Coming to earth
A crown of glory

Ancient words
Of salvation
And righteousness
Come alive in me
As he appears
And calls me friend
A candle
Waiting for flame
He strikes a match
My soul a fire
Ignited in praise
Glowing in peace

Who do you find worthy?
To what do you bow down and praise?

Rev 3:1-6, 14-22; Psalm 15:2-5; Luke 19:1-10

Set fire to your heart
And know me
God of all
Living flame of love

Set down your arms
Put aside your anger
And see beyond
What you can know

Force of the universe
Power of an undying love
I breathe you
And beat into your heart
A steady rhythm of concern

The air you breath
Belongs to all
The water you drink
Flows for all
Your earth
Has no boundary or wall

Looking intently
Through your microscope
Searching widely
Through your telescope
You miss the binding love

Even your words divide
Each utterance a moment
Of capture and division
Only silence tells the truth
And belongs to all

Your damage is done
Your choices made
Yet once again I say choose
And set yourself free

Set fire to your heart and soul
And know me
God of all
Living flame of love.

What do you choose?
What sets your heart on fire?

Rev 1:1-4, 2:1-5; Psalm 1:1-2,3,4, and 6; Luke 18:35-43

What is this first love
Of which we are called to return
All the deeds of our lives
Seem to amount to nothing
Without it
What was first love
That softened opened heart and mind
Ready to give and receive
Not hardened by any injury
Pure and full of hope
What was this first love
Ready to disappear
Into the promises of everlasting
Before tarnished by any doubt
What was this first love
That we would follow anywhere
Make any sacrifice
Relinquish all for its sake
Years pass
The specialness
Becomes the ordinary
The bright colors fade
In the desperation to renew
We lose our way
Where is this first love
When nothing mattered but this
When all questions were answered
In the story of your eyes
Everyday an expectation
Of care and concern for each other
Nothing more important than this
The promise of devotion and fidelity
For better or worse
Richer or poorer
In sickness or health
A marriage of heaven and earth
You say repent
And follow the blind man
Who calls out to see
In a faith that will heal
Our hearts awaken
To your words
And turn to you again
In first love’s zeal
All the deeds of our lives
Turn sacred with our lost love found

What is this first love of which we are called to return?

Malachi 3:19-20; Psalm 98: 5-9; 2 Thess 3: 7-12; Luke 21: 5-19

by patient
endurance
we live
take care
not to be misled
or deceived
by war and insurrection
earthquake
famine and plague-
wait upon
the Lord
work quietly
for justice
sing praise
sing joyfully
let the sea
and what fills it
resound
let the world
and those who dwell in it
clap their hands
let the rivers
and the mountains
shout with them for joy-
for those who fear
His name
there will arise
the sun
of justice
with its healing rays

Are you patient?
Are we misled by the ways of the world?
Can you endure in your faith?

3John 5-8; Psalm 112: 1-6; Luke 18:1-8

pray
always
without
becoming
weary
for truth
and justice
in the land
though hidden
behind
the unscrupulous
it will reveal
itself
through
our persistence
and faith
in God’s goodness
and love

Do you pray always and persist in faith for God’s goodness?

2John 4-9; Psalm 119: 1-18; Luke 17:36-37

taken up
we experience
a love
that heals
the great divide
one in Christ
living among us
within us
all worldly powers
and enemies
disappear
in the silence
of God’s knowing
moving quietly
tending
nurturing
and giving hope
and courage
in times of distress
and fear

Where do you find hope and courage in these times of stress?
Do you experience God’s healing love?

Philemon 7-20; Psalm 146: 7-10; Luke 17:20-25

the kingdom
of God
among us
feeding
freeing
restoring sight
bringing justice
to every
open heart
asking
the impossible
of our humanity
in its call
for forgiveness
mercy
and compassion
possible
as we are absorbed
into God’s goodness
and love

Do you accept the invitation to be absorbed into God’s goodness and love?

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Readings: 1Ez: 47:11-12; Psalm 46: 2-3, 5-6, 8-0; Cor: 3:9C-11, 16-17; John 2: 3-22

we are
the temple of God
risen with Him
Spirit in-dwelling
cleansed of all
that would defile
we flow
with God’s living water
from this sanctuary
living in God’s will
that all should live
and flourish
with God in our midst
we shall not
be disturbed
God is our help
at the break
of dawn
we rejoice
at the astounding things
God has wrought
upon the earth

Do you experience yourself as the temple of God?
How do you experience God’s presence?

Titus 2:1-8; 11-14; Psalm 37:3-4,18 and 23, 27 and 29; Luke 17:7-10

obliged
by the goodness
of God’s love
we serve
wisdom
the gift of age
encouraging
others
to see
the spiritual gifts
surrounding us
embracing
dignity
hope
faith
and temperance
living
in the simplicity
and joy
of knowing
who we are

Do you live in the simplicity of knowing who you are?
Do you experience the Wisdom of age?