Rev 3:1-6, 14-22; Psalm 15:2-5; Luke 19:1-10

Set fire to your heart
And know me
God of all
Living flame of love

Set down your arms
Put aside your anger
And see beyond
What you can know

Force of the universe
Power of an undying love
I breathe you
And beat into your heart
A steady rhythm of concern

The air you breath
Belongs to all
The water you drink
Flows for all
Your earth
Has no boundary or wall

Looking intently
Through your microscope
Searching widely
Through your telescope
You miss the binding love

Even your words divide
Each utterance a moment
Of capture and division
Only silence tells the truth
And belongs to all

Your damage is done
Your choices made
Yet once again I say choose
And set yourself free

Set fire to your heart and soul
And know me
God of all
Living flame of love.

What do you choose?
What sets your heart on fire?

Rev 1:1-4, 2:1-5; Psalm 1:1-2,3,4, and 6; Luke 18:35-43

What is this first love
Of which we are called to return
All the deeds of our lives
Seem to amount to nothing
Without it
What was first love
That softened opened heart and mind
Ready to give and receive
Not hardened by any injury
Pure and full of hope
What was this first love
Ready to disappear
Into the promises of everlasting
Before tarnished by any doubt
What was this first love
That we would follow anywhere
Make any sacrifice
Relinquish all for its sake
Years pass
The specialness
Becomes the ordinary
The bright colors fade
In the desperation to renew
We lose our way
Where is this first love
When nothing mattered but this
When all questions were answered
In the story of your eyes
Everyday an expectation
Of care and concern for each other
Nothing more important than this
The promise of devotion and fidelity
For better or worse
Richer or poorer
In sickness or health
A marriage of heaven and earth
You say repent
And follow the blind man
Who calls out to see
In a faith that will heal
Our hearts awaken
To your words
And turn to you again
In first love’s zeal
All the deeds of our lives
Turn sacred with our lost love found

What is this first love of which we are called to return?

Proverbs 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31; Psalm 128; 1 Thess 5:1-6; Mt 25: 14-30

people
of Light
we turn
from darkness
awake
to God’s
power
in our life
the work
of our hands
God’s love
reaching out
to the poor
the needy
to all
we give
generously
not hiding
our gifts
but sharing
with joy

Do you share your gifts generously?
Do you live in the light?

3John 5-8; Psalm 112: 1-6; Luke 18:1-8

pray
always
without
becoming
weary
for truth
and justice
in the land
though hidden
behind
the unscrupulous
it will reveal
itself
through
our persistence
and faith
in God’s goodness
and love

Do you pray always and persist in goodness?

2John 4-9; Psalm 119: 1-18; Luke 17:36-37

taken up
we see
a love
that heals
the great divide
one in Christ
who needs
no name
living among us
within us
all worldly powers
and enemies
disappear
in the silence
of God’s knowing
moving quietly
tending
nurturing
and giving hope
and courage
in times of distress
and fear

Where do you find hope and courage in these times of stress?

Philemon 7-20; Psalm 146: 7-10; Luke 17:20-25

the kingdom
of God
among us
feeding
freeing
restoring sight
bringing justice
to every
open heart
asking
the impossible
of our humanity
in its call
for forgiveness
mercy
and compassion
possible
as we are absorbed
into goodness
and love

Do you accept the invitation to be absorbed into goodness and love?

Luke 17:11-19

in all
circumstances
we give thanks
to our God
who offers
goodness
and love
joy and peace
healing
our lives
keeping us firm
even as we feel weak
and uncertain
showing compassion
and kindness
that we return
this day

How are you thankful in all circumstances?
How do you show your thankfulness?

Titus 2:1-8; 11-14; Psalm 37:3-4,18 and 23, 27 and 29; Luke 17:7-10

obliged
by the goodness
and love
we serve
wisdom
the gift of age
encouraging
others
to see
the spiritual gifts
surrounding us
embracing
dignity
hope
faith
and temperance
living
in the simplicity
and joy
of knowing
who we are

Do you live in the simplicity of knowing who you are?

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Readings: 1Ez: 47:11-12; Psalm 46: 2-3, 5-6, 8-0; Cor: 3:9C-11, 16-17; John 2: 3-22

we are
the temple of God
risen with Him
Spirit in-dwelling
cleansed of all
that would defile
we flow
with God’s living water
from this sanctuary
living in God’s will
that all should live
and flourish
with God in our midst
we shall not
be disturbed
God is our help
at the break
of dawn
we rejoice
at the astounding things
God has wrought
upon the earth

Do you experience yourself as the temple of God?
Do you experience God’s presence?

Wisdom 6: 12-16; Psalm 63: 2-8; Thess 4: 13-17; Mt 25: 1-13

oil ready
lamp full
we wait
for You
thirsting
hoping
seeking
believing
in your Wisdom
that gives
Life
do not turn
from us
barring
the door
see us
have mercy on us
our spirit
held down
by the dead
we long
to rejoice
in the shadow
of your wings
resurrected

Is your soul thirsting for God?
Are your eyes open?
Is your lamp oil ready?