Matthew 13:18-23

sower
of seed
you seek
the fertile heart
open
to your word
where love
can take root
and bear fruit
not snatched away
in lack
of understanding
fallen away
amidst trial
or choked away
in the thorns
of the worlds’s anxiety
but pruned
and tended
with a love
not our own

Do you have an open heart?

John 20:1-2, 11-18

no longer
in flesh
do we hold him
but in
Spirit
alive
in our being
knowing
His Presence
in the bread
we receive
and give
day by day
never abandoned
we have
all we need
and give thanks

Do you have all you need?
Do you give thanks?

Exodus 16:1-15; Psalm 78:18-28; Matthew 13:1-9

our daily bread
we are nourished
and given
all we need
for the journey
to life
from death
we are
the rich soil
ready and waiting
for the seed
of God’s word
to grow
in our lives
protected
from all
that would
scratch
or scorch
we resist
all that would choke out
God’s love
for us
and in us
and God’s love for all

Do you have ears to hear God’s word?
How does God’s love grow in your life?

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?

Exodus 14:5-18; Ex 15:1-6; Matthew 12:38-42

demanding signs
we show
our unfaithfulness
to love
not believing
its ever-presence
in our lives
until the voice
of the transcendent
appears
among us
calling us
to turn
our lives around
and hear
and see
what is
and has always been
among us

What signs of love do you seek?

Jeremiah 23: 1-6; Psalm 23: 1-6; Eph 2: 13-18; John 6: 1-5)

a voice calls
through the maze
of our deceptions
to follow
to learn
to speak
of ways
known and born
of Truth
breaking down
the barriers
that keep us
from peace
we walk
through this dark valley
and fear no evil
with courage to live
in oneness
in love
and in peace

Do you hear and follow the voice of God?
Do you have the courage to live in peace?
Do you want only God’s love for all?

Exodus 12:37-42; Psalm 138: 28-34,10-12,13-15; Matthew 12:14-2

reconciled
to God’s love
through
mercy
we are
drawn
in and through
all
that would harm us
to the place
where
we know
who we are
people
of God
and Goodness
the work
of His hands

Do you know who you are?

Exodus 11:10-12:14; Psalm 116:12-18; Matthew 12:1-8

desiring
mercy
not sacrifice
we are lead
to act
with freedom
from God’s
unconditional love
giving food
shelter
comfort
forgiveness
and kindness
offering
ourselves
to what is needed

How do you respond to the need for mercy in the world?

Exodus 3:13-20; Psalm 105:1, 5,8-9,24-27; Matthew 11:28-30

with a promise
of rest
from our burdens
we are yoked
with one
who knows
where peace resides
deeper
than the world
can offer
a love
beyond
conditions
and judgement
a love
deep within
that says
“I Am”

Where does your love reside?
How do live out this love?

Matthew 11:25-27

with
child-like
wonder
and awe
we see you
as your light
reveals
God’s splendor
to us
hidden
in every
being
and leaf
and grain
of sand
shimmering
with a love
we cannot
refuse
to accept
or give

Do you see with child-like wonder?