Memorial of Martha and Mary
John 11:19-27

putting away
our anxieties
and worries
of the day to day
we take the time
to listen
to His words
of love
guiding us
along the path
to truth
and freedom
letting go
of our judgements
and our need to control
we see something
essential
in our being
the beauty of our soul
that says we are enough
even more than enough
in God’s love

What do you hear when you listen to His words?
What is the most essential thing?

Jeremiah 18:1-6; Psalm 146: 1-2,3-4,5-6; Matthew 13:47-53

in God’s hands
we are clay
fashioned
by a Will
and Spirit
for good
putting not
our trust
in princes
and men
for salvation
but in the Presence
we have come
to know
as the God of love
our Creator
and Savior

How do you experience your creator?
How do you experience being clay in the potter’s hands?

Matthew 13:44-46

we find
a pearl
of great price
in God’s word
leaving all
to follow
what we see
as Truth
not turning back
we are drawn
by the radiance
of God’s presence
and love

What draws you to God?
What calls you to follow?

Jeremiah 14:17-22; Psalm 79: 8-13; Matthew 13:36-43

you plant
your seed
within us
your Word
that gives
Life
we tend
its soil
with love
and compassion
yielding
its weeds
to you
for rooting up
and pruning
then offering
first fruits
to the Light
of Glory

Who tends to your heart?

2Cor 4:7-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Matthew 20:20-28

given freedom
we rejoice
as though
dreaming
having sown
and toiled
in tears
we are filled
with laughter
and joy
for though
afflicted
perplexed
persecuted
and struck down
we have not
been constrained
abandoned
destroyed
or left in despair
we are raised up
by the God
who raised him
our treasure
found
in these
earthen vessels

Have you found freedom?
Where?

Jeremiah 7:1-11; Psalm 84:3-11; Matthew 13:24-30

our heart
and soul
cry out
for the dwelling place
in God
that gives us
our strength
to live
and shelter
the needs
of others-
living
among
the weeds
and wheat
we pray
to not be uprooted
that what is good
in us
may flourish
in its due time

What is it to live among the weeds and the wheat

Jeremiah 2:1-3,7-8,12-13; Psalm 36; Matthew 13:10-17

in your light
we see
light
the place
of mercy
the place
of justice
the place
of love
source
of the living waters
we enter
a garden
full of the hope
in faithfulness
to your word
nourishing us
with daily bread

By what light do you see

Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10; Psalm 71; Matthew 13:1-9

the sower
comes
with word seeds
scattered
in our heart
some bird comes
to steal–
some sun
to scorch–
some thorns
to choke–
yet some
find their way
into the rich soil
where they set
deep root
and grow
into
the tree of Life
bearing
great fruit

Have you opened your heart to God’s word seeds?
Where do they take root?

Matthew 12:46-50

he tells us
who we are
what family
we belong…
those who know
and do
the will of God
as if it is
an easy thing
a given thing-
yet over and over
in a world of seeming chaos
and suffering
and struggle
we ask 
whose will is this?

answered
only in mystery
we suffer all the more-
until a moment of dawning
within our soul
a transcendent moment
beyond all 
that can perish-
we see a love
that we can embrace
that answers all
questions
with no words
a knowing
that lets us bear all things
believe all things
hope all things
endure all things
a love that never ends

Is this the gift of faith?
Where does it come from?
How do you find it?
Who is your family?

Micah 6:1-4;6-8; Psalm 150; Matthew 12:38-42

we seek
no sign
only
to do
the right
love goodness
and walk
humbly
with our God

What do you seek?