Isaiah 42: 1-4, Acts 10: 34-38; Psalm 29: 1-10; Mt 3: 13-17

a Spirit
descends
like a dove
and favor
rests
upon
a chosen one
bringer of peace
doer of good
healer of wounds
a voice
calls over the water
glory thunders
as a sky opens
to a beloved
the Spirit of God
blesses the people
with God’s justice
God’s love of all
bringing peace
to our hearts

Do you experience the peace of Christ?
Do you live in and spread the peace of Christ?
Do you see God’s love as justice?

1John 5: 14-21; Psalm 140: 1-9; John 3: 22-30

sing
be glad
dance
and praise
with thanks
for the living God
of love
who protects
us from evil
and hears
our prayers
immerses us
in the Spirit
of Truth
no longer
of a world
that separates us
with sin
and death
we belong
to life
eternal
and goodness

Do you have confidence that God hears your prayers?
Do you ask according to God’s will?
What is God’s will?

1John 5:5-13; Psalm 147: 12-20; Luke: 5: 12-16

Jesus
withdrawing
to pray
hears the Spirit
testify
in truth
to all
that is
God’s will
for love
and healing

we turn
in prayer
and worship
with Him
to give
thanks
for all
the blessings
given
and all
that we might give
through God’s love

Do you withdraw with Jesus to pray?
What do you hear?

1John4: 19-5:4; Psalm 72: 1-2, 14-17; Luke 4: 14-22

loved
by God
we are freed
to love
one another
no longer
in bondage
to hatred
and lies
and covetousness
we have all
we need
in this love
in the power
of the Holy Spirit
always
with us
we pray
always
and bless
as we are
blessed
amazed at
God’s gracious words
in love
we follow

Do you feel loved by God?
Do you love others with this love?

1John 4:11-18; Psalm 72: 1-2,10,12-13; Mark 6:45-52

He comes
across the waters
of our raging seas
bringing calm
and perfect love
that drives out
the fears
of our hardened hearts
saving
the poor
and the afflicted
through the work
of God’s hand
in us

Do you believe that perfect love drives out fear?
How do you experience perfect love?

1John 4: 7-10; Psalm 72: 1-8; Mark 6: 34-44

God’s love
sees our hunger
and our need
and calls out
to us
that we might
share
what we have
with another
our little
with God’s blessing
becomes
the miracle
of abundance
and we have
more than enough
for all
in God’s mercy
and love

Do you feel the call of God’s love?
Do you see that your “little” is enough?
What do you have to share?

1John 3:22-46; Psalm 2:-8,10-12; Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

knowing
the Spirit of God
who calls us
we turn away
from false prophets
and deceivers
to those who speak
of God’s love
for all
setting us free
to embrace
a way of life
far from war
and greed
murder
and jealousy
to one
of healing
and compassion
breaking down
the barriers
in our hearts
with His Word

How do you know the Spirit of God?
Have you embraced the way of God’s love?

Isa 60.1-6; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Eph 3.2, 3, 5, 6; Matt 2.1-12

seeking distant stars
we travel
wanderers
weary of dark
seeking to know
who we are
made in longing
we are needy
poor
as we hunger
for truth
for freedom
oppressed by greed
we know we are more
waiting
longing
watching
biding our time
then other travelers
come
to tell us
the time is here
no longer a distant star
no longer a distant time
the gift has been given
the sight of Him
who inspires
an open heart
we open to a love
beyond the boundaries
of what we have known
first
God within us
then among us
in each other
even into the boundaries
of our enemy
“then you shall be
radiant in what you see
your heart shall throb and overflow”

What is your treasure that you would give?

1John 3:7-10; Psalm 98:1,7-9; John 1:35-42

let no one
deceive you
with thoughts
of division
and hatred
for we have heard
God’s saving words
of love
for all
given
in freedom
as justice
come
and you will see
a way of Being
that embraces
all that is
each a part
received
as harmony
in a new song

Do you know your part?
Do you let yourself be deceived?
Do you see God’s love for all?

Birthday of St Paul of the Cross
Founder of the Passionists

Let everything in creation
draw you to God.
Refresh your mind
with some innocent
recreation
and needful rest,
if it were only to saunter
through the garden
or the fields,
listening to the sermon
preached by the flowers,
the trees,
the meadows,
the sun,
the sky,
and the whole universe.
You will find
that they exhort you
to love
and praise God;
that they excite you
to extol the greatness
of the Sovereign Architect
Who has given them
their being.

-St Paul of the Cross