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?

Isaiah 1: 10-20; Psalm 50: 8-23; Matthew 23: 1-12

you say
open
your mind
and your heart
and your soul
to God’s
instruction
learn
what is good
and make
justice-
God’s love
of all-
your own
serve this
love
always
and evil
will cease

How do you serve justice?
How do you set things right?

Dn 9:4b-10; Psalm 74:8-13; Luke 6:36-38

the measure
of our giving
returns
to us
overflowing
from a God
of abundance
giving all
even as we
see all
of our own transgressions
and sinfulness
we give them
as well
to a mercy
and kindness
that forgives
returning to us
an unfathomable
love

Do you give yourself completely to God’s love?

Genesis 15: 5-12, 17-18; Psalm 27: 1,7-9,13-14; Phil 3:17-4:1; Luke 9: 28-36

we walk among
the severed pieces
seeing
who we are
without God
and set
our hearts
with courage
waiting until
our bodies
are transformed
transfigured
in God’s Glory–
no longer lost
in the God
of shame
but found
in the Light
that shines through
the empty spaces
of us
flaming torch
God’s face
is seen
our path
is shown
in the land
of the living
we are
as many
as the stars

Do you dwell in the land of the living?
Do you know the light of mountaintops?
Have you seen the transfigured Lord?

Dt 26: 16-19; Psalm 119: 1-8; 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”?

Ez 18: 21-28; Psalm 130: 1-8; Matthew 5: 20-26

you call us
to a greater
good
higher
than we can imagine
leaving
our fuel
of anger
to one
of compassion-
virtue
our choice
for life or death
living
in the consequences
of grace
we enter
the impossible
forgiven
and forgiving
where we are saved

How do you leave your anger?
How do you forgive?
Do you live in the consequence of grace?

Esther C:12, 14-16,23-25; Psalm 138:1-3,7-8; Matthew 7:7-12

we ask
and it is given
we seek
and find
we knock
and the door
is opened
to all
that we need
when we see
and know
that God
is all we need
and is given
freely
in love
for all

For what do you seek?
For what do you ask for?
On what door do you knock?

Jonah 3:1-10; Psalm 51:3-4,12013, 18-19; Luke 11:20-32

listening
to the prophet’s
warning
we change
our ways
with contrite heart
and contrite spirit
we are renewed
and led
by the Holy Spirit
needing
no sign-
for something
greater
is here
a Knowing
beyond knowing
in which we move
and have our being

Have you heard the prophet’s warning?
Where do you move and have your Being?

Isaiah 55:1-11; Psalm 34:4-7,16-19; Matthew 6: 7=15

His word goes out
like rain and snow
and will not return
to Him void
but with harvest
of His will for Love–
close to our broken hearts
and our distress
our prayers
are answered
and we are radiant
with joy
as God’s kingdom comes
God’s will is done
and our daily bread
is received
all trespasses
forgiven
we are delivered
from evil
and live in peace

Have you received His word into your heart?
How do you live out God’s words?

Lv 19: 1-2, 11-18; Psalm 19: 8-15; Matthew 25: 31-46

God’s words
are spirit
and life
showing us
the way
to go
in thought
in words
and deeds
seeing God
in every need
of hunger
thirst
welcoming
clothing
caring
and compassion
showing
no partiality
justice
is God’s love
for all

Where do you see Him?
Are His words Spirit and Life for you?