Eph 6:1-9; Psalm 145:10-14; Luke 13:22-30

we cannot
bear
the thought
of being
turned away
from a love
we thought
we knew–
what is this
narrow gate
to God
that will
save us
this obedience
that will
guide
our hearts
and minds
and steps
and lift us
when we have fallen
raise us
when we are bowed down?

Who will open the door for us?

Ephesians 5:21-33; Psalm 128:1-5; Luke 13:18-21

seed planted
yeast
folded in
we surrender
to the power
of new life
within us
growing
yielding
to a promised
heaven
already here
waiting
for our consent
reclaiming
what is lost
through
the world’s deceptions
we begin again
in the Light
of Truth

Do you believe in the power of the mustard seed?

Ephesians 4:32-58; Psalm 1:1-6; Luke 13:10-17

set free
of infirmity
we live
in the Spirit
of God
moving
with kindness
compassion
and forgiveness
not held down
by immorality
impurity
greed
or believing
empty arguments
but embracing
the Light of Truth-
firmly planted
like a tree
near running water
we bear fruit
in due season
rejoicing
in our freedom

From what have you been set free?

Sirach 35: 12-18; Ps 34: 2-3; 17-19; 23; 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18; Luke 18: 9-14

we pray
that God be
close to
the brokenhearted
that those crushed
in Spirit
he save
that the Lord
hear
the cry
of the poor
not turning
a deaf ear
to the wail
of orphans
to the wail
of widows
that he hears our cries–

piercing the cloud
humbled
we know
ourselves
as sinners
and await
mercy
for not having
done enough
and turn
our lives
over to God
waiting for
His love
to show us
the way

Do you hear the cries of the poor?
Do you know mercy?
To whom do you pray?

Eph 4:7-16; Psalm 122:1-5; Luke 13:1-9

tossed
by waves
swept along
by every wind
of teaching
human trickery
and cunning
in interests
of deceitful
scheming
we are rescued
by Truth
its beacon
shining
in His light
above all others
creating
a unity of gifts
as we minister
to each other
rejoicing
in the Spirit
who believes
in us
who gives
us faith
and love
to endure

Do you experience God’s faith in you?
Where do you seek Truth?

Eph 4:1-6; Psalm 24:1-2,3-4;5-6; Luke 12:54-59

“live
in a manner
worthy of the call
you have received
with all humility
and gentleness
with patience
bearing
with one another
through love
striving
to preserve
the unity
of the spirit
through the bond
of peace
one body
and one Spirit
as you were also called
to the one hope
of your call
one Lord
one faith
one baptism
one God
of all
who is over all
and through all
and in all”

How do you experience the unity of the Spirit?
Do you live in a manner worthy of the call you have received?
Do you know how to interpret the present time?

Ephesians 3:14-21; Psalm 33:1-5,11-12,18-9; Luke 12:49:53

strengthened
with power
through
His Spirit
within
our inner self
our hearts
are designed
for God’s justice
goodness
and hope
in kindness
we are ablaze
in the autumn glory
of God’s love
even as we
experience
harsh divisions
we hope
in his healing
as we send roots
deeply
into Christ’s love
where
we imagine
the unimaginable

How do we heal our divisions?

In Memory of My Sister Marie Joyce

The Ache of Autumn

The trees grow more restless;
October wind weaves through them:
they shake their arms in dismay
as if to fight the coming cold
and the grief of leaves going.

Autumn air does a heart-dance
on branches already gone barren:
the misty air clings to golden leaves.
making the trees bend even lower.

It is a season to hold the trees close,
to stand with them in their grieving.
It is a time to open our inner being
to the misty truths of our own goodbyes.

Autumn comes. It always does.
Good-bye comes. It always does.
The trees struggle with this truth today
and in my deepest of being, so do I.

Every autumn, nostalgia fills me:
every autumn, yearning holds me.
I cling to the ripeness of summer,
knowing it will be many long months
before I can catch a breath of lilac,
or the green of freshly mown grass.

And so I begin my fallow vigil,
remembering the truth of the ages.
Unless the wheat seed dies
it cannot sing a new birth,
Unless summer gives in to autumn
springtime will never embrace me.

-Joyce Rupp

Ephesians 3:2-12; Isaiah 12:2-6; Luke 12:39-48

awake
we see
God’s coming
Spirit’s
ever present
in Christ’s
healing power
strengthening us
encouraging us
moment
to moment
with joy
we draw water
from the springs
of salvation
our hearts
become full of song
gratitude
and praise

Are you awake to God’s presence?

2Timothy 4:10-17; Psalm 145:10-18; Luke 10:1-9

sent out
to labor
as lambs
among wolves
the harvester
carries
no money
no sack
no sandals
depending
on the kindness
of strangers
curing the sick
revealing
a kingdom
of God
within
and among us
to all who
have eyes
to see

What do you depend on?