Proverbs 21:1-6,10-13; Psalm 119:1,27,30,34,35,40; Luke 8:19-21

to hear
the Word
and act on it
proves
a heart
set right
in God’s eye
not our own
far from
haughtiness
arrogance
and pride
we listen
and meditate
on the Truth
set before us
living
and breathing
Justice

Are you open to God’s word and act on it?

Proverbs 3:27-34; Psalm 15:2-5; Luke 8:16-18

words of wisdom
flow
for our benefit
proverbs
for life
to hearts
full of fear
of death
and sickness
sorrow and
ignorance
igniting a Light
that cannot be
hidden
or extinguished
for God sees
into our hearts
knowing
our longings
healing
in His time
and wisdom
through our faith
that we may endure

Where is your faith?

Amos 8: 4-7; Psalm 113: 1-8; 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 16: 1-13

God
you are
One
all is yours
do not forget us
you who lift up
the poor
break
our chains
lead us
to your peace
and tranquility
that we
may see
one another as
not for sale
not for use
but for love
in every
small thing
we work
for you
giving all
we have
gaining
your trust
we lift our hand
freed from anger
freed from dissension
freed to love

Do you try to buy another or truly give?
Do you try to use another or truly share?
Do you see that you are one in God?

1Cor 15:35-37, 42-49; Psalm 56:10-14; Luke 8:4-15

seed sown
within
we are
more
than our body
that perishes
Spirit
that breathes
and guides us
protecting us
from all
that would steal
our soul
and mind
a rich soil
that nourishes us
we set out roots
deep
into
God’s presence

Are your roots drawn deeply into God’s loving presence?

1Cor15:12-20; Psalm 17:1-8,15; Matthew 11:25

resurrected
we see
the light
of Christ
healing touch
of love
and mercy
in a world
of desperate need
content
we work
for peace
within
His peace
always mindful
of God’s presence

Are you always mindful of God’s presence?

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

1Cor 15:1-11; Psalm 118:1-2,16-17,28; John 19:25-27

helpless
before
the world’s
sin
suffering
and death
she beholds
her son
given over
for us
mother of sorrow
mother of compassion
with us
in a binding love
to God
to all
for a salvation
freely given
that we only need
to accept
and give thanks

Do you accept the salvation given freely?

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

WHY THIS CROSS?

why this cross
this ornament of human suffering
in comfort and complacency
it can seem quite out of place
yet let one moment of tragedy
need or desperation come and
this cross is no longer a foreign land
but a shelter and home
a passage of power
and transformation–
is it magic–some talisman-
so it would seem
as it is forged in gold
carved in wood and fashioned in beads
strung on necks and molded on rings
held up to recoiling vampires —

yet kneeling
silently
before the cross
I hear
the whispers
and struggle
of the world
as it wrestles with its horror
its daily news
of evil and death
cruelty and selfishness
politics and greed
ideological slaughter
and mass destruction
our grieving and loss
our starvation and calamities–
earths quake and worlds fall
within the cross

we are free to place our burden there
and leave as though it were some receptacle
some garbage pit or scapegoat

yet not for long
for His whispers
and movement and life
are too compelling

He calls
over and over
to visit
this strange
place of death
that leads to Life

entering the suffering
the solitude
the darkness
of his outstretched tomb
we answer his call
to pray
to trust
to stay
until wisdom
whispers
the promise
of new life

how
long is
our
suffering-

it is
a moment
of grace—

then there is
no time
at all
no need-
we are completed
resurrected
in His love

–Susan Morse

1Cor 12:12-14,27-31; Psalm 100:1-5; Luke 7:11-17

from sorrow
and death
we arise
at His command
one body
in Christ
each a gift
received
to give
again
healing
assisting
teaching
interpreting
feeding
a world
in desperate need
with kindness
compassion
and love
we sing
God’s praises
everyday
with a joyful song

What is your gift?

1Cor 11:17-26,33; Psalm 40:7-17; Luke 7: 1-19

one bread
one cup
given to all
not as sacrifice
but as love
beyond
our worthiness
authority
or ability
resting
in God’s generosity
a life
given
as gift
received
as love
we give
as love
from God’s
overflowing cup

What is Christ’s gift to you?

Exodus 32: 7-14; Psalm 51: 3-4, 12-13, 17-19; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15: 1-32

lost
he seeks us
with light
with calling
with patience
waiting
for the turning
of our hearts
we cry out
for mercy
as we hear
His truth
cry out
for clean hearts
to be present
in His sight
relenting
from punishment
He is
the open arms
we seek
the homecoming
the joy
the celebration
of return
with contrite heart
to Love

Do you allow yourself to be found?