Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary
Genesis 3:9-15,20; Psalm 98:1-4; Ephesians 1:3-6,11-12; Luke 1:26-38
a garden lost
a nakedness exposed
enmity created
we live in its aftermath
fallen
yet promised

the gift and curse
of choosing
living deeply
in consequence
we must answer “where are you?”
even as our creator knows

journeying through the maze
and darkness of unknowing
we follow the haunting tune of grace
to the impossible
womb of Mary
where “yes”
contradicts the fall
and becomes the answer
with love’s pure light

bearing the weight
of heaven
we follow her
through the birth
and death
and rising
of Him
the haunting tune of grace
becomes a joyous song of Glory

Where are you?
To what do you say “yes”?

Baruch 5:1-9; Psalm 126: 1-6; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6

I take off my robe
of mourning
and misery
for winding ways
have been made straight
as the love
of God abounds-
the harvest
of justice
ripened in Christ
comes to me
in peace…

remembered by God
I am filled
with laughter
and joy
as the love
that was sown
in tears
reaps rejoicing
in the light
of His glory come

Can you let go of your mourning and misery?
Do you remember God as God remembers you?
How do you experience the light of His glory?

Isaiah 30: 19-26; Psalm 147: 1-6; Matthew 9:35-10:1-8

no longer
will our teacher
hide himself
hearing us
when we cry out
we will see him
and a voice
from behind
will sound
in our ear
“This is the way
walk in it”
healing our broken heart
binding our wounds
we are sustained
and follow
to labor
in God’s field
cleansing
curing
raising the dead
and bringing new life

Do you hear his voice?
Where do you see him?
How do you follow?

Isaiah 29:17-24; Psalm 27: 1,4,13-14; Matthew 9:27-31

waiting
for the dawn
believing
in Him
our eyes
are opened
to a Light
of Love
that saves
gazing
on loveliness
we see
God’s bounty
in the land
of the Living
and are in awe
given
courage
and patience
our fear
dissipates
and we become
the day

What do you see at the dawning of the day?

Isaiah 26:1-6; Psalm 118:1,8-9,19-21,25-27; Matthew 7:21,24-27

hearing God’s word
and acting on it
we are challenged to build
a solid foundation
with God’s love
our house
stands firm
even as storms come
and winds blow
for God’s peace
dwells here
in the secure trust
of His Being
with us
a refuge
and home
of God’s pure light
that shines
for all

Is God’s love your foundation?
How are you challenged by Jesus words to do the will of His father in heaven?

Isaiah 25: 6-10; Psalm 23: 1-6; Matthew 15: 29-37

the veil lifted
we see
a banquet
before us
our Spirit
restored
we see
the love of the God
and feel God’s saving power
there is nothing more
we shall want
as goodness
and kindness
pursue us
and feed us
the blind see
the lame walk
the deaf hear
death is destroyed
every tear
wiped away
we rejoice
and praise
as we live in hope
with Him

How do you experience God’s light and love?
How do you experience God’s saving power?
Do you rejoice in God’s love of all?

A Prayer to See and Hear and Rejoice

Isaiah 11: 1-10; Psalm 7: 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Luke 10: 21-24

spirit resting
upon us
a child
to guide us
we see
we hear
what prophets
longed for
His love for all
a justice
that flourishes
into a time
of peace
spirit of wisdom
and understanding
spirit of counsel
and strength
we are in awe
as wolf and lamb
lion and calf
lie together
and no ruin comes
the cries
of the poor
are heard
as a shoot sprouts
from the stump of Jesse
a bud
a blossom
we rejoice!

Do you see?
Do you hear?
Do you rejoice?

A Prayer for Healing and Peace
Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122: 1-9; Mt 8: 5-11

instructed
in His ways
walking
His path
we beat our swords
into plowshares
our spears
into pruning hooks
we walk
in His light
no longer
training for war
no longer
raising our sword
we go rejoicing
to the house
of the lord
a house
of love and peace-
feeling unworthy
He brings
worthiness
and healing
by our faith
in His words of Life

Do you have faith in His word?
Do you walk in His love and light?
Have you put down your sword?

Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10; 1Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36

signs in the sun
and moon
and stars appear
we wait in anguish-
distraught
at the roaring seas
the heavens shake
we die in fright
at what is coming
upon the earth—
then hope remembered
a promise fulfilled
a shoot raised up
this Son of Man will come
we know not when
only that
each heart will
know Truth-
God’s overflowing love
will strengthen
our weakness
and our soul shall be lifted
to paths of kindness and justice
goodness and compassion
freed from over indulgence
and worldly care
we will embrace
love’s longing of our heart
and dwell secure

Will you know Him when he comes?
Do you know Him with you now?

Feast of St. Andrew
Romans 10:9-18; Psalm 19:8-11; Matthew 4:18-22

called
we follow
the one
who refreshes
our soul
whose decrees
are trustworthy
and true
giving wisdom
and rejoicing
our heart
more precious
than any other thing
we leave all
behind
and begin
each day
anew
with Him

How do you begin each day?
Where do you hear God calling?