Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17; Psalm 25:4-9; Matthew 21:23-27

we listen
to the utterance
of one
whose eye
is true
who hears
what God says
in love
and kindness
and compassion
author
of Life
we follow
this path
set free
from delusions
of our mind
we live
in God’s
Holy Spirit

What do you listen to?

Isaiah 35: 1-6; Psalm 146: 6-10; James 5: 7-10; Mt 11: 2-11

we are patient
our hearts are steady
for we see
and we hear
and we walk
we are raised
from the dead
for our Lord is here
to save us
strengthening
our feeble knees
offered firm hands we rise-

the desert
and parched land
within us
receives rain
and our soul
rejoices
and blooms
with justice
and love
and song
we have seen
the coming of the Lord
and our hearts
know peace

Have you seen His coming?

Sir 48:1-4,9-11; Psalm 80:2-19; Matthew 17:9-13

to what
mountaintop
would we ascend
that vision
would bring us all
to truth-

that in a moment
of transfiguration
all ages
would stretch
before us
and the dead
become living
and knowing

is this our soul
of morning prayer
is this darkness
our mountaintop
where light
descends
and word
is made flesh
to walk
upon the earth

Where is your mountaintop?
What do you see?

Isaiah 48:17-19; Psalm 1:1-6; Matthew 11:16-19

like a tree
planted
by running water
we are nourished
by the flow
of God’s grace
living law
guiding
the way
to wisdom
we stretch
and grow
and breathe
into God’s presence
sending down
deep roots
yielding fruit
in accord
with God’s nature
of loving kindness

Are your roots planted deeply into God’s love?
Do you stretch and grow and breathe into God’s Presence?

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Zec 2:14-17; JDT 13: 18, 19; Lk 1: 26-38

the messenger
appears
“I have come to
dwell among you”
greatly troubled
and pondering
we hear
“do not be afraid”
for God
has found favor
with you
Holy Spirit
upon you
a Son
conceived within
a light to you
and all
the nations
bringing peace
and love to all
that dare to hear

Sing and rejoice!!!

Do you experience the message as your own?

Isaiah 40: 25-31; Psalm 103: 1-4, 8 and 10; Mt 11: 28-30

laboring
we are burdened
having lost
sight
of our God
we are weak
and fainting
leading lives
of destruction
until we hear
His voice
“Come to me”
and we enter
His rest
and learn
from Him
we lift our eyes
and see our Creator
our strength renewed
in our hope
in Him
His kindness
and compassion
beyond
our imagining
we soar

Have you grown weary and burdened in your labor?
Where do you find rest?
Does your hope in God give you strength?

Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 96:1-13; Matthew 18:12-44

found
we rejoice
and sing
with the breath
of God
on our voices
grateful for life
and love-
though
we are as the grass
that withers
and the flower
that wilts
our soul
finds its home
in God’s Spirit
and living
word

Where do you find your home?

Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72: 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Romans 15: 4-9; Mt 3:1-12

God
source
of all patience
and encouragement
you set
your root
into our lives
branching out
a spirit of wisdom
and understanding
counsel and strength
peace flourishes
in your tree of life
set upon a holy mountain

the child
shall lead us
through a baptism of fire
to your heights
one heart
one voice
where there
shall be
no harm
or ruin
all that
is not true
falling away

Do you let God’s word take root in your life?
How will it bear fruit?

Isaiah 30: 19-21, 23-26; Psalm 147:1-6; Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5-11

no longer
hidden
we see
with our eyes
and hear
with our ears
“This is the way
walk in it”
the kingdom
of God
is at hand
received
without cost
we are to give
without cost
from God’s abundant love
the hungry are fed
the thirsty
are satisfied
the brokenhearted
healed
the sick
cured
as we walk
in His ways

Do you hear Him say “This is the way, walk in it”?
What is the way?