Gal:3:7-14; Psalm 111:1-6; Luke 11:15-26

counting
blessings
as numerous
as the stars
that shine
through our faith
we journey
united
not by law
but love
in a vision
that keeps
the demons
that would divide us
at bay
and embraces us all
in the mercy
of God’s justice

Is your house divided?
What vision unites it?

Gal 3:1-5; Luke 1:69-75; Luke 11:5-14

asking
we receive
seeking
we find
all that we need
from God’s Holy Spirit
given
freely
for our benefit
and the good
of all
persistent
in prayer
we see
a way
for peace
and love
healing
and forgiveness
in a desperate
world

Do you ask?
Do you seek?
Do you find?

Galatians :1-2,7-14; Psalm 117:1-2; Luke 11:1-4

each day
given
our daily bread
as word
of the Spirit
guiding us
contrary to ways
that separate us
from God
drawing
heaven to earth
with each breath
we speak
each word
with reverence
and thanks
and ask forgiveness
for our forgetting
and embrace
remembrance

Do you breathe heaven to earth through God’s word?

Gal 1:13-24; Psalm 139:1-15; Luke 10:38-42

called
through grace
from our mother’s womb
to know you
as you know us
guiding us
through thoughts
and ways
of our inmost being
bringing to light
the love
in the depths
of our soul
relieving us
from the world’s worry
and anxiety
to live
in what is
essential
your love
of all

How do you experience what is essential?

Gal 1:6-12; Psalm 111:1-10; Luke 10:25-37

not of human origin
a gospel
given
to hearts
that can hear
ones
not currying favor
from human beings
or pleasing people
but serving
the vision
of God
revealed
in the love
and care
of another
not passing by
not crossing the street
but embracing
and caring
for the wound
and need
of another
with mercy
and love

What does your heart hear?
What do you do?

Gen 2:18-24; Psalm 128: 1-2,3-6; Heb 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16

man and woman
made from one
returned
in marriage
we see the
love of God
that works
between
within
the spaces of us
blessing
each other
the recesses of our home
are filled with love
and children
we learn to die
for each other
even as we rejoice
we suffer for
the Truth
we find here
no one can break
what God has joined
in faith to each other
we learn
the faithfulness
of God
in relationship
we see
what God desires

Do you trust the love of God in relationship?
Do you see God’s fidelity in your own faithfulness?
Do you die to your selfishness to love?

Job 42:1-17; Psalm 119: 66,71,75,91,125,130; Luke 10:17-24

silenced
by all
that is
in existence
before me
turning
at the will
of another
we put aside
our angst
and embrace
the life
given
being with
the grace
of our names
written
in heaven
with love
by a pen
in God’s hand

Have you embraced life?

Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5; Psalm 139: 1-3,7-14; Luke 10:13-16

from the dwelling place
of light
to the woe
of our forgetting
you bring us back
to the abode
of darkness
where you formed
our inmost being
knitting us together
in our mother’s womb
fearfully
and wonderfully made
we are in awe
of our creation
that each day
takes our breath
and inspires
love
above all
before this
we are silent

Has God embraced the woe of your forgetting with love?

Job 9:1-12; Psalm 88:10-15; Luke 9:57-62

who are we
before creation
stars
and sun
and moon
to ask
what are you doing?
in morning prayer
we wait
upon you
to answer
our plea
you say
follow
into your mystery
homeless
and single-hearted
letting the dead
bury the dead
and not
turning back

Are you single-hearted in your following?

Memorial of the Guardian Angels
Job 3:1-3,11-17,20-23; Psalm 88:2-8; Luke 9:51-56

despair
brings us
down
closer
to death
close
to the grave
as though
some comfort
some peace
lay there
beyond our toil
and worry
how do we look
into this
dark abyss
that holds
every unanswered
question
every unanswered
prayer
standing
waiting
as a candle
waits for the flame
as the night
waits for dawn
we return
to the wonder
of the child
to the beginning
of love
and trust
in the guarding angels

Where is love?