Hosea 13: 2-10; Psalm 81: 6-17; Mark 12: 28-34

spirit upon us
like the dewfall
we hear
love God
first
with all
your heart
and mind
and soul
let no strange God
come among you
and take
the love
of neighbor
from you
forgive
and let love
blossom
as freely
as the lilies
casting
as wide
a fragrance
as the cedars
and splendor
of the olive branch

Has a strange God come among you to take the love of your neighbor?

Jeremiah 7:23-28; Psalm 95:1-9; Luke 11:14-23

today
we hear
His voice
and open
our hearts
singing joyfully
as we know
who we are
in the undivided
love of God
treasuring
the words
of the prophets
and the healing touch
of Christ
living always
in God’s presence
in our heartbeat
and breath

Do you open your heart to God’s voice?

Dt 4: 1, 5-9; Psalm 147: 12-20; Matthew 5: 17-19

He comes
to fulfill
a law
once
written
in statues
and stone
to one
that lives
in hearts
of flesh
breath
and bone
Spirit of love
once given
to a chosen few
now
given to all

Where does God live in you?
How do you share this love?

Dn 3:25,34-43; Psalm 25:4-0; Matthew 18:21-35

our hearts
troubled
by the ways
of the world
we look to God
and are answered
by the Holy Spirit
who lifts us up
we remember
the ways
of kindness
goodness
compassion
and truth
always merciful
to the contrite heart
we forgive
as we are forgiven
and embrace
the Light

Where do you look when your heart is troubled?
Do you forgive as you have been forgiven?

2Kings 5: 1-5; Psalm 42: 2,3; 43: 3-4; Luke 4: 24-30

blinded
by familiarity
wealth
and power
yet longing
for healing
and thirsting
for the living God
we dare
to enter
our poverty
relinquishing
all
we enter
the light
and love
of God
seeing
God’s face
we are healed
and sing
in our gladness
and joy

Do you dare relinquish all for the mystery of God’s love?

Exodus 1: 3-7; Ps 95: 1-9; 2Romans 5: 1-8; John 4: 5-42

with no need
of worthiness
the water
and grace
of life
flows upon
the wanderers
whose hearts are open-
ready to receive
the woman
hears
her Truth
and a heart of stone
melts
into a heart
of love
singing
joyfully
knowing
that salvation
has come
to the weary ones
to the outcasts
all are loved
in this Spirit
and Truth

Do you tell God all of your needs?
Do you worship God in Spirit and Truth?

Mi 7:14-20; Psalm 103:1-12; Luke 15:1-32

coming home
to the embrace
of the Beloved
all is forgiven
and forgotten
as we celebrate
and renew
our life
in the Spirit
of kindness
and mercy
even as another
may envy
the compassion given
a greater love
has taken us
beyond
what could be
imagined

Can you imagine a welcoming love that forgives all?

Genesis 37:3-4,12-12, 17-28; Psalm 105:16-21; Matthew 21:33-46

rejecting
who God has sent
our course
of destruction
is set
as we think
we know
what is best
in our envy
and jealousy
and greed
yet what is rejected
becomes
the cornerstone
of new life
opposing forces
create
a new way
a new path
for eyes
and hearts
and minds
that are open
and set free

What is the path to freedom?

Jeremiah 17:5-19; Psalm 1:1-6; Luke 16:19-31

blessed
is the one
who can see
across
the great chasm
that divides
to see
another
in need
and respond
with the love
of God
our Beloved
given
to share
with all
in a justice
that has
no impartiality
or boundaries

Have your eyes been opened?
Has your heart been touched?

Jeremiah 18:18-20; Psalm 31:5-6,14-16; Matthew 20:17-28

leaving behind
our desire
for honor
and place
we enter
a mercy
and justice
that offers
refuge
for our soul
we trust
in God’s province
of Light
that brings
love
life
and truth
to darkness
deceit
and death
we breath
a purity
that grounds
our Being

Have you found a refuge for your soul in God’s light?