Acts 3:1-10; Psalm 19:2-5; Gal 1:11-20; John 21:15-19

Sitting
at the beautiful gate
He comes
healer of mind
and soul
and heart
lifting us
from all our infirmities
dread and despair
the world lays upon us
bringing us
to knew life

A message poured out
the word of day
night of knowledge
to all the earth
not of human knowledge
but the Holy Spirit of God
calling us through grace
to speak the Good News
of love only
God’s love for all

Haunting words of aging
stretching out our hands
where someone else
will dress us
and lead us where we
do not want to go

What is this place
beyond the beautiful gate you call us
even as we fear it
we trust the path you lead
having known us even from our mother’s womb

Does He meet you at the beautiful gate?
When He asks if you love him what do you say?
What do you do?

Genesis 18:1-15; Luke 1:46-55; Matthew 8:5-17

our spirit
rejoices
as our soul
proclaims
the greatness
of the Lord
God our savior
letting go
of all that burdens
and imprisons us
as our faith
in His healing love
restores us
we arise
and tend
to a world
in need
with joy

Does your soul proclaim the goodness of the Lord?
Does your Spirit rejoice in God your Savior?

Ez 34:11-16; Psalm 23:1-6; Romans 5:5-11; Luke 15:3-7

lost
we are found
strayed
we are brought back
sick
we are healed
the love
we long for
is poured out
into our hearts
from the Holy Spirit
of God
bringing kindness
and goodness
to us
and all others
we live
and rejoice
in God’s mercy
and love

Do you experience God’s love pouring into your heart?
Do you see and love others with God’s love?

Genesis 16: 1-16; Psalm 106: 1-5; Matthew 7: 21-24

not in
words
of prophecy
not in
driving out
demons
not in
mighty deeds
alone
do we enter
his kingdom
but by
hearing
God’s will
God’s love
for all
and
acting
on it
building
a house
on this rock
not shifting sands
so when the storms come
we stand secure
in solidarity
with God

On what do you build your foundation?
How do you hear God’s will and act on it?

Genesis 15:1-18; Psalm 105:1-9; Matthew 7:15-20

aligned
with God’s grace
we bear
the fruit
of God’s Goodness
wary
of false prophets
wolves
in sheep’s clothing
we keep
our eyes fixed
on the one
who keeps
His covenant
and shows us
the way
through our anxiety
to the peaceful way
of Truth

How does God show you the way through your anxiety?
What is your daily bread?
How do you bear God’s fruit?

Solemnity of John the Baptist
Luke 1:57-66,80

formed
in our mother’s womb
we know
who we are
as we are called
into the light
and named
by the one who loves us
we embrace
the journey
of our lives
with all of its mystery
joys and sorrows
being lead
through our questions
that are answered
through God’s love

What are your questions?
Who answers?
What does God ask of you?

Genesis 12: 1-9; Psalm 33: 12-22; Mt 7: 1-5

speak
the truth
and set
it free
not with judgment
but with vision
setting a path
to a promised land
where
all needs
are met
in kindness
generosity
and gentleness
when
the violence
of greed
is left behind

Have you left the violence of greed?
Do you judge yourself before you judge another?
How do you follow His words not to judge?

Genesis 14: 18-20; Psalm 110: 1-4; Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 9: 11-17

eyes
raised up
to heaven
 blessing
 our scarcity
we become
enough
through His life
to feed ourselves
and others
 through His love
as a new covenant
is written in our hearts
we remember
who we are
in our hunger
we are fed by Him
in the bread we eat
in the cup we drink
and
the life we share

Do you see God’s love in every meal?
Do you share God’s love through all you do?

Matthew 6:24-34

serving idols
we lose our way
given over
to worry
of what we are
to eat
and drink
and wear
lost in tomorrow
we have forgotten
who we are today
in this kingdom of God
made for love
and kindness
sharing
and giving
we have become
hoarders
and possessed
by what we own
divided by our thoughts
and ideologies
as we seek power
not seeing what unites us
only what divides
until He comes
to remind us who we are
and opens our minds
to another way
where all is forgiven
and a new path
to love begins

What are the idols in your life?
What opens up God’s love in your life?
What is the kingdom of God?

Matthew 6: 19-23

heaven
among us
we seek
our treasure there
not in things
where moth
and decay
destroy
or thieves
steal
but in love
and joy
and peace
eternal
patience
kindness
generosity
and compassion
the fruits
of heaven
given
freely
to all

Where does your treasure lie?
Do you find your treasure in the Light of Christ?