Birthday of St Paul of the Cross
Founder of the Passionists

Let everything in creation
draw you to God.
Refresh your mind
with some innocent
recreation
and needful rest,
if it were only to saunter
through the garden
or the fields,
listening to the sermon
preached by the flowers,
the trees,
the meadows,
the sun,
the sky,
and the whole universe.
You will find
that they exhort you
to love
and praise God;
that they excite you
to extol the greatness
of the Sovereign Architect
Who has given them
their being.

-St Paul of the Cross

1John 2:22-28; Psalm 98:1-4; John 1:19-28

John knew
who he was
the voice
of one
crying out
in the desert
to make straight
the way
of the Lord

Jesus knew
who he was
Son of God
Son of Man
Love and Light
Truth
and The Way
Bread for our hunger
Healer
and Friend
ushering the way
to a place
called Heaven
through the eyes
of eternity

Do you know who you are?

Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 67: 2-3,5-8; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21

her heart
listens
her heart
reflects
treasuring
the gift
of her womb
a child
who knows
God as His father
who blesses
and keeps us
shines His face
upon us
with grace
and kindness
mercy and peace
we know
we are loved
and that salvation
has come
our hearts
rejoice with her

Do you treasure all these things and listen to them in your heart?
Do you feel his face shine upon you?
Do you receive his blessing?

1John 2:18-21; Psalm 96:1-2,11-13; John 1:1-18

in the beginning
His Word
came to Life
as Light
to a world
in darkness
bringing Truth
to all
that is not-

incarnate God
we live in faith
in the joy
of your song
where the heavens
are glad
and the earth
rejoices
the sea
and all that fills it
resounds
the trees exalt
before the Lord
and God’s Love
as Justice
rules the earth

What Light fills your darkness?
What song fills your heart?

1John2:12-17; Psalm 96:7-10; Luke 2:36-40

wisdom of age
in fast
and prayer
she waits
for the one
who will bring
Light and Life
the birth
of knowing
the Child
who sees past
illusion
deception
and the world’s
enticements
to God’s
essential Being
God’s will
for Love
flowing within
and among us
in Peace

For what do you wait?
What do you see?

Sirach: 3:2-6, 12-14, Ps 128: 1-5; Col 3: 12-21, Luke 2: 22-40

kindness
to a father
comfort
to a mother
will not be
forgotten
a wife
a fruitful vine
children blessings
our family
clothed in heartfelt
mercy
kindness
humility
patience
we bear
with one another
forgive
one another
we put on
love
Christ’s peace
the prayer
of our heart
dedicated to
thankfulness
we sing
and give thanks
to God
and one another
in a world
of desperate need

Is God’s love the root of your family?
Does Christ’s peace reign in your heart?

1John 1:5-2:2; Psalm 124:2-8; Matthew 2:13-18

blinded
in darkness
we do not
act in truth
our soul
a bird
caught
in the fowler’s snare
until the dawn
of God’s loving light
appears
and frees us
the snare
broken
we soar
in love’s
embrace
in God’s
love of all

Do you experience the healing light of God’s love?
Does it set you free?

1John 1: 1-4; Psalm 97: 1-2, 5-6, 11-12; John 20: 1-8

no longer
entombed
the Word of Life
is made visible
seen and heard
touched
with our hands
we are
the ones
he loved
we rejoice
as the light
dawns upon
our hearts
giving
thanks
no longer
locked
in time
we enter
His eternal life

Do you experience yourself as the one he loves?
Do you love others with this love?

Acts 6:8-10,7:54-59; Psalm 31: 3-8,16-17; Matthew 10:17-22

Holy Spirit
guide
of our every step
your face
shines upon us
a Light
to show the way
even when it feels
no one
can be trusted
we take refuge
in you
commending
our Spirit
into your hands
we see
your Glory
in our giving
enduring
to the end
in your saving Grace

To whom do you entrust your Spirit?

Isaiah 52: 7-10; Psalm 98:1-6; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1: 1-18

His feet
upon the mountains
we hear glad tidings
and a song sung
to the saving power
of God’ living word
reflecting God’s glory
our sins are healed
in His dwelling
among us
with enduring love
heals our fragments
and varied ways
united by Him
we come into being
He is the light in our darkness
revealing
God to us
revealing
God with us
revealing
God in us
in His fullness
we all have a share
love following
upon love

Do you accept the gift of this day?
Do you hear His new song in you?