Exodus 20: 1-17; Psalm 19: 8-11; 1Cor 1:2-25; John 2:13-25

Christ crucified
God’s folly
to we who long for
power and wealth
signs and wisdom
yet hearts swept clean
see His death
reveals
the true temple
of God
not made
of human hands
but the Spirit of God
in love
forged in human flesh
and beating heart
do we dare
believe
who we are
law revealed
in Spirit
setting us free
to love God
to love one another
above all
freed from the marketplace
freed from lies
freed from murder
freed from stealing
freed from unfaithfulness
eyes ever fixed on
Christ crucified
love beyond
our greatest fear
of death
we hear the words
of everlasting life.

What do you hear in God’s law?
What do you see in Christ crucified?

Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13,17-29; Psalm 105:16-21; Matthew 21:33-43,45-46

we treat
what is
only given
to care for
as our own
denying
a share
denying
a harvest
living in
jealously
of a brother
he is sold
yet God
in mercy
uses
even our sin
to save

How has God used His mercy to save you?

Jeremiah 17:5-19; Psalm 1:1-6; Luke 16:19-31

blessed
is the one
who can see
across
the great chasm
that divides
to see
another
in need
and respond
with the love
of God
our Beloved
given
to share
with all
in a justice
that has no impartiality
or boundaries

Have your eyes been opened?
Has your heart been touched?

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?
Do you see justice as God’s love of all?

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?

Gen: 22:1-2,9-13,15-18; Psalm 116 10,15-19; Rom 8:31-34, Mark 9:2-10

Abraham
man of listening heart
you hear
the sacrifice of the son
in your heart
and not sparing your own
climb mountains
in faith
not knowing
it was God’s own
to be called–

hard words
for hardened hearts
we recoil at the test
until we know
a God of mercy
whose endless bounds
can see a precious death
unknown to us—

we are taken
to mountain tops
to see life spared
life transfigured
to more
in hearts
that can hear
eyes that can see–

what is this we see
in awe
we see a Son
so far beyond
what we can know
Light of God
we are called to
listen to Him
risen from the dead
who crucified
by human hands
is not destroyed
we offer all…
living body
to living spirit
living love
in Him

What are you called to sacrifice?
What have you seen on the mountaintop?

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?