Zep 3:1-2, 9-13; Psalm 34: 2-23; Matthew 21:28-32

close to
the brokenhearted
close
to those
crushed in Spirit
he saves
we look to
God’s Presence
that we may be
radiant
with joy
as we see
the light
shine
in our darkness
love’s
pure
light

Do you feel God’s presence?

Rev 11:19a, 12:1-10; Zec 2:14-17; Jdt 13:18-19; Luke 126-38

stirring forth
heaven opened
a sign in the sky
a child born
to a woman
full of grace
unafraid
of saying yes
to angels
a Holy Spirit
descends

our miracles
occur
in our opened
eyes
and hearts
opened
to God’s
loving embrace

Are your eyes and heart opened?
What does your soul proclaim?

Isaiah 35: 1-6; Psalm 146: 6-10; James 5: 7-10; Mt 11: 2-11

we are patient
our hearts are steady
for we see
and we hear
and we walk
we are raised
from the dead
for our Lord is here
to save us
strengthening
our feeble knees
offered firm hands we rise
the desert
and parched land
within us
receives rain
and our soul
rejoices
and blooms
with justice
and love
and song
we have seen
the coming of the Lord
and know
peace

Have you seen His coming?

Sir 48:1-4,9-11; Psalm 80:2-19; Matthew 17:9-13

to what
mountaintop
would we ascend
that vision
would bring us all
to truth
that all ages
would stretch
before us
and the dead
become living
and knowing
in a moment
of transfiguration
is this our soul
of morning prayer
darkness
our mountaintop
light
descending
word made flesh
to walk
upon the earth

Where is your mountaintop?
What do you see?

Isaiah 48:17-19; Psalm 1:1-6; Matthew 11:16-19

Wisdom
vindicated
by Her works
shows the way
to Goodness
those who follow
have the Light
of Life
delighting
in her ways
we meditate
day and night
reaching out
in blessing
as we are blessed
river and stream
waves of the sea
planted tree
by the running water
bearing fruit
we orbit
in an unbounded love
pleasing
only Her

When she played the flute for you did you dance?
When she sang a dirge for you did you mourn?

Genesis 3:9-15,20; Psalm 98: 1-4; Ephesians 1:3-6,11-12; Luke 1:26-38

what angel would come
with a voice of knowing
to tell you
who you are to be
mother of a savior
to a world in need
chosen for
some immaculate conception
engineered
in a distant heaven
you are outside
the realm of our humanity
unreachable
from our perceptions
distant mother
how are we to live
without a guidance
we can understand
born not immaculate
and can you know us
who put you there
by what decree
are you the other
that we cannot know
or is perhaps
some “yes”
passed through the ages
from the foundation
of time
the purifying agent
releasing you
and Him
and all of us
into our eternal home

Mary, full of grace, who are you now?

Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said…
come to me
all you who labor
and are burdened
and i will
give you rest
take my yoke upon you
and learn from me
for i am meek
and humble of heart
and you will find rest
for you soul
for my yoke is easy
and my burden light

Where does you soul find rest?

Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 96:1-13; Matthew 18:12-44

found
we rejoice
and sing
with the breath
of God
on our voices
grateful for life
and love
though
we are as the grass
that withers
and the flower
that wilts
our soul
finds its home
in God’s Spirit
and living
word

Where do you find your home?

Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 85:9-14; Luke 5:17-26

with the aid
of friends
we are brought
to God’s Presence
we rise
and walk
healed of all
that cripples us
and keeps us
paralyzed
walking now
in God’s Presence
we see a Glory
formerly hidden
streams
burst forth
in the desert
joy and gladness
awaken
sorrow and mourning
flee
as kindness
and Truth meet
justice and peace
embrace
we live in the awe
of Grace

Do you allow friends to help you into God’s Presence?
Do you allow yourself to be healed?

Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72: 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Romans 15: 4-9; Mt 3:1-12

God
source
of all patience
and encouragement
you set
your root
into our lives
branching out
a spirit of wisdom
and understanding
counsel and strength
peace flourishes
in your tree
of life
set upon
a holy mountain

the child
shall lead us
through a baptism
of fire
to your heights
one heart
one voice
where there
shall be
no harm
or ruin
all that
is not true
falling away

Will you follow the child to God’s holy mountain?
Will you bear his fruit?