2 Chron 36:14-17,19-23; Ps. 137: 1-6; Eph 1: 4-10; John 3: 14-21)

light of God
gift
for eyes of darkness
to see
the truth
revealed
that ALL is gift
to us
and for those
who seek love
an answer
a Son
raised up…
returning
from our exile of
infidelity
having been lulled
to forgetfulness
we remember
as the call
to hearts
from God
is heard…
nothing earned
only the purity
of love
that is not currency
but grace
fills and inspires
our works
that live in
the light of God.

Do you believe that all is gift?
Do you let God’s light into your darkness?

Hosea 6:1-6; Psalm 51:3-4,18-10, 20-21; Luke 18:9-14

we stand
in opinion
above another
proclaiming
a righteousness
we deem
our own
unaware
it is our humility
that brings us
home
knowing
our frailty
and our need
we open
to God’s presence
and love
Holy Spirit
and guide
we find
our way

Do you see your need?

Dt 4: 1, 5-9; Psalm 147: 12-20; Matthew 5: 17-19

He comes
to fulfill
a law
written
in statues
and stone
to one
that lives
in hearts
of flesh
breath
and bone
Spirit
of love
once given
to a chosen few
now
lives in
all

Where does God live in you?

Dn 3:25,34-43; Psalm 25:4-0; Matthew 18:21-35

our hearts
troubled
by the ways
of the world
we look to God
and are answered
by the Holy Spirit
who lifts us up
we remember
the ways
of kindness
goodness
compassion
and truth
always merciful
to the contrite heart
we forgive
as we are forgiven
and embrace
the Light

Where do you look when your heart is troubled?

2Kings 5: 1-5; Psalm 42: 2,3; 43: 3-4; Luke 4: 24-30

blinded
by familiarity
wealth
and power
yet longing
for healing
and thirsting
for the living God
we dare
to enter
our poverty
relinquishing
all
entering
the light
and love
of God
seeing
God’s face
we are healed
and sing
in our gladness
and joy

Do you dare relinquish all for the mystery of God’s love?

Exodus 20: 1-17; Psalm 19: 8-11; 1Cor 1:2-25; John 2:13-25

Christ crucified
God’s folly
to we who long for
power and wealth
signs and wisdom
yet hearts swept clean
see His death
reveals
the true temple
of God
not made
of human hands
but the Spirit of God
in love
forged in human flesh
and beating heart
do we dare
believe
who we are
law revealed
in Spirit
setting us free
to love God
to love one another
above all
freed from the marketplace
freed from lies
freed from murder
freed from stealing
freed from unfaithfulness
eyes ever fixed on
Christ crucified
love beyond
our greatest fear
of death
we hear the words
of everlasting life.

What do you hear in God’s law?
What do you see in Christ crucified?

Micah 7: 14-20; Psalm 103: 1-12; Luke 15: 1-32

lost
from our
squandering
we return
with a servant’s hope
yet find
instead
the wide embrace
of love
that pardons
and heals
and crowns us
with kindness
and compassion
even as it
offends
the self-righteous
nothing
can stop
its flow

Does your God delight in mercy and forgiveness?

Genesis 37: 3-28; Psalm 105: 16-21; Matthew 21: 33-46

in the darkness
of our heart
possessed
by jealousy
and envy
a plot
unfolds
against
our brother
ignoring
all pleading
selling him
to an enemy
losing sight
of who provides
we claim
what is not
ours to claim
and issue
murder
upon the
rightful one
the one
who will
draw fruit
from our
famine

For what are you entrusted?
Do you see the gift you are given?

Jeremiah 17: 5-10; Psalm 1: 1-6; Luke 16: 19-31

trusting
completely
in you
our eyes
are opened
to Lazarus
and we know
our need
grounded
in the dark root
of your love
nourished
by waters
unseen
there is nothing
not of you
impassable
chasms
disappear
and the poor
are lifted up
as we
see you
there

Do you see Lazarus at your doorstep?
What is your blind spot?

Jeremiah 18; 18-20; Psalm 31: 5-10; Matthew 20: 17-28

suffering—
servant—
slave—
we recoil
from these words
in our desire
for the comfort
of high places
yet something
calls us
as Goodness
unfolds
devoted
and guided
to its cause
we serve
and strangely
our slavery
to its influence
becomes
our freedom
as we surrender
to the one
we trust
knowing
our spirit is
ever safe
in God’s hands

How do you hear the word servant and slave?