Isaiah 58: 9-14; Psalm 86: 1-6; Luke 5: 27-32

crying out
into the darkness
of God
whom we
trust
as good
and kind
forgiving
and merciful
we are answered
with light

healed
we see
the hungry
and poor
homeless
and oppressed
and respond
restoring
and repairing
all that
was lost
and broken
His spirit
our guide

How has God answered your cry?
How do you respond?

Isaiah 58: 1-9; Psalm 51: 3-10; Matthew 9: 14-15

a contrite heart
that sees the other
in their hunger
in their homelessness
in their nakedness
in their oppression
and shares
shelters
clothes
and releases
not turning their back
to their own
enters the light
that breaks forth
like the dawn
where healing comes
and God says
“I am here”

How do you experience a contrite heart?
How do you experience compassion?

Dt 30:15-20; Psalm 1:1-6; Luke 9:22-25

today
is set before us
life and death
we choose life
in Him
who even though He endured
many sufferings
rose to new life
in the Spirit of God-
law of the Lord
written
in our hearts
we stand
like a tree
planted near
running water
meditating on
God’s love
day and night
with love’s fruit
yielding
in due season
with leaves
that will never fade

What do you choose?

Joel 2:12-18; Psalm 51:3-6;12-17; 2Cor 5:20-21; Mt 6:1-18

with our
whole heart
we return
to God
made from
love
for love
we have
no other reason
to live
but to give
what has been
given us
not for gain
or show
or profit
but to be
who we are
in God–
loved

Have you returned to God with your whole heart?
What has God called you to be?

Sirach 2:1-11; Psalm 37:3-40; Mark 9:30-37

come
as a child
with wonder
and awe
and trust
the God
who guides
our minds
and hearts
who is with us
at all times
even in the harshest adversity
keep a sincere
and steadfast heart
listening always
for God’s word
of Life
and be enlightened
in grace
mercy
and love

Do you come to God with wonder and awe?
Do you listen always for God’s word in your life?

Sirach 1:1-10; Psalm 93:1-5; Mark 9:14-29

from God’s abundance
wisdom comes-
poured out
from the one
who stands firm
in love
and compassion
for all

created
in the Holy Spirit
healing comes
at the sight of Him
and we are freed
as every prayer
is answered
from our faith
where we have
no other need
than this love
revealed
at wisdom’s root
to love
as we are loved

Do you experience God’s Wisdom poured out in love and compassion?
Do you experience Justice as God’s love for all?

Matthew 5: 43-48

You say
“Love your enemies.”
I say
“What is love?”
You say
“Seeking the good
of another.”
I say
“What is good?”
You say
“Only God is good.”
I say
“Who is my enemy?”
You say
“Anyone who threatens
or seeks to harm you.”
I say
“Seek God’s goodness
for one who would harm me?”
You say
“Yes.”
I say
“How?”
You say
“Follow me.”
I say
“Yes”

How do you “love your enemy”?

Hebrews 11:1-7; Psalm 145:2-11; Mark 9:2-13

transfigured
we see something
new
something
other
a Glory
in our Being
not seen
in the day to day
but only with eyes
willing
to go
to the mountaintop
to hear God’s voice
to see beyond
suffering
to see beyond
death
with a faith
in the invisible love
from where
all things come

Do you allow yourself to see?

Mark 8:34-9:1

what self
denied
what life
is lost
what cross
taken up
who do we
follow
when the nation
confounds
the name
of Him
who came
to save
what is the design
of God’s heart
as we are called
to a life
that is true
and good

“What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?”

 Mark 8: 27-33

As He asks
“who do you say I am”
we say
“love”
even as we recoil
from its suffering
we turn
and trust in God’s knowing
not our own

Who do you say He is?