Genesis. 9:8-15; Psalm 25:4-9; Pt 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15

this is our time
a time fulfilled
as floods
of destruction
turn to waters
of baptism
we see you
have no wish
to destroy
but to save
God’s promise
in our hearts
we follow
to the desert
tempted
by worldly visions
of power
and wealth
and pleasure
we resist
and turn to
God’s ways
of love and truth
kindness
compassion
and goodness
sustained
by the Holy Spirit
we go out
with Good News

By what are you tempted?
How do you resist?

Isaiah 58: 9-14; Psalm 86: 1-6; Luke 5: 27-32

crying out
into
the darkness
of God
whom we
trust
as good
and kind
forgiving
and merciful
we are answered
with light

healed
we see
the hungry
and poor
homeless
and oppressed
and respond
restoring
and repairing
all that
was lost
and broken
His spirit
our guide

How has God answered your cry?
How do you respond?

Isaiah 58: 1-9; Psalm 51: 3-10; Matthew 9: 14-15

a contrite heart
that sees
the other
in their hunger
in their homelessness
in their nakedness
in their oppression
and shares
shelters
clothes
and releases
not turning their back
to their own
enters the light
that breaks forth
like the dawn
where healing comes
and God says
“I am here”

Do you have a contrite heart?
Where is your compassion?

Dt 30:15-20; Psalm 1:1-6; Luke 9:22-25

today
is set before us
life and death
choose life
in Him
who endured
many sufferings
at the hands
of men
but rose to life
in the Spirit of God
law of the Lord
written
in our hearts
we stand
like a tree
planted near
running water
meditating on
God’s love
day and night
love’s fruit
yielding
in due season
with leaves
that will never fade

What do you choose?

Joel 2:12-18; Psalm 51:3-6;12-17; 2Cor 5:20-21; Mt 6:1-18

with our
whole heart
we return
to God
made from
love
for love
we have
no other reason
to live
but to give
what has been
given us
not for gain
or show
or profit
but to be
who we are
in God

Have you returned to God with your whole heart?

Sirach 35:1-12; Psalm 50:5-8,14,23; Mark 10:28-31

releasing
all attachments
we see
into the Presence
of God
source
of our Being
all Love
Kindness
and Goodness
returning
not empty handed
but with all
that has been given
we are thankful
we offer praise
we are at peace

What do you see when you release all attachments?

Sir 17:20-24; Psalm 32:1-7; Mark 10:17-27

glad cries
of freedom come
as we let go
of error
and fault
and enter into
the Truth
of God’s presence
before our breath
before our thoughts
loving us
into existence
we are full
of thanks
and praise
leave all
the unnecessary
to follow
His path
to Goodness
where all things
are possible
in God

Have you entered the freedom of God’s presence?
What do you find there?

Sirach 27:4-7; Psalm 92:2-16; 1Cor 15:54-58; Luke 6:39-45

thirsting
for a word
what do we hear
at the break of dawn
a word
of judgement
blinded
by ignorance
of who we are
or love
incorruptible
given freely
in a mercy
of grace?

of what do we speak
do we bring life
or death
through our words
that come
from the fullness
of our hearts
bearing the fruit
of who we have become?

of what do we do
with what we have been given
so freely?
what devotion
brings us home?

Sirach 17:1-15; Psalm 103:13-19; Mark 10:13-16

in fear
we come
as a child
seeking comfort
and find instead
a love
that seeks only
our good
kind
and compassionate
we live in a presence
of beauty
and truth
ever grateful
for this blessing
of wonder
and awe
we release our life
to God’s grace

Do you approach God with fear?
Does it turn to love?

Sirach 6:5-17; Palm 119:12-35; Mark 10: 1-12

“A faithful friend
is a sturdy shelter;
she who finds one
finds a treasure.
A faithful friend
is beyond price,
no sum can balance her worth.
A faithful friend
is a life-saving remedy…”

Who is your friend?
Who are you a friend to?