Gal 1:6-12; Psalm 111:1-10; Luke 10:25-37

not of human origin
a gospel
given
to hearts
that can hear
to ones
not currying favor
from human beings
or pleasing people
but serving
the vision
of God
revealed
in the love
and care
of another
not passing by
not crossing the street
but embracing
and caring
for the wound
and need
of another
with mercy
and love

What does your heart hear?
What do you do?

Habakkuk 1:2-4; Ps: 1-2,6-7, 8-9; 2Timothy 1:6-14; Luke 17: 5-10
A prayer for courage and strength

increase our faith
as violence presses
around us
we feel your absence
in raging wars
let us hear your voice
that our hearts may
not be hardened
stir the flame
that is You in us
for You did not give
a spirit of cowardice
but strength
and love
and wisdom
that may bear
the hardship
of war, violence and evil
not stealing
your peace
and spirit of love
but doing the work
that needs
to be done
for the vision
still has its time
pressing on
to fulfillment

Can you wait in faith for God’s fulfillment?
What strength and courage has God given you?

Job 42:1-17; Psalm 119: 66,71,75,91,125,130; Luke 10:17-24

silenced
in awe
by All
that is
before us
we turn
in love
at the will
of another-
we put aside
our angst
and embrace
the life
given
being with
the grace
of our names
written
in heaven
by the God
who loves us

Have you embraced the life given by the God who loves you?

Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5; Psalm 139: 1-3,7-14; Luke 10:13-16

from the dwelling place
of light
to the woe
of our forgetting
you bring us back
to the abode
of darkness
where you formed
our inmost being
knitting us together
in our mother’s womb
fearfully
and wonderfully made
we are in awe
of our creation
that each day
takes our breath
and inspires
love
above all
before this
we are silent

Has God embraced the woe of your forgetting with love?

Feast Day of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels

Daniel 7:9-10,13-14; Psalm 138:1-5; John 1:47-51

longing
for a new vision
we see heaven opened
in awe
of what we see
the work of the angels
complete
we see
a place of no duplicity
or cynicism
a place of harmony
a place of love
working
one for the other
with no discord
a glory of voices
each knowing
their part in
the most beautiful music
ever heard

Can you see this place called heaven?

Job 9:1-12; Psalm 88:10-15; Luke 9:57-62

who are we
before creation
stars
and sun
and moon
to ask God
what are you doing?
in morning prayer
we wait
upon you
to answer
our plea
you say
follow
into your mystery
homeless
and single-hearted
letting the dead
bury the dead
and not
turning back

Are you single-hearted in your following?

Luke 9:51-56

the living God
with us
within us
we follow
turning from violence
revenge
and death
to life
embracing all
the Holy Spirit offers
with compassion
love
joy
peace
kindness
generosity
patience
self-control
gentleness
even as we may face
terror, sickness and darkness
we are strengthened
with the light
of God’s courage

How do you turn away from revenge and violence?
How do you embrace the living God?

Job 1:6-22; Psalm 17:1-7; Luke 9:46-50

receiving Him
we receive
the One
who sent Him
opening
our heart
to His searching
healing
light
though tested
we remain
firm in His word
through storm
sickness
and even death
we have a refuge
our prayers
are heard
and answered
in God’s time
and love

Do you live in God’s time and God’s love?

Amos 6:1, 4-7; Psalm 146: 7-10; Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16: 19-31

seeking
our own comfort
above all
leaves us blind
to the cries
of the sufferings
of the poor
even as we are never
satisfied –
are we too
beggars of life
as our minds
are clouded
by delusion
searching for meaning
and truth
in all the wrong places

What angel will carry us to freedom?
What word will bring us truth?

Eccl 11:9-12:8; Psalm 90 3-17; Luke 9:43-45

numbering
our days
we gain
wisdom
of heart
humbly
know we belong
to another
who owns
our breath
cherishing
the vision
of our youth
before
the trials
and testing
of age
we find refuge
in God’s grace
and care

Where do you find refuge?