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
it’s flow

Does your God delight in clemency?

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?

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
the poor
are lifted up
as we
see you
there

Do you see Lazarus at your doorstep?

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 words servant and slave?

Isaiah 1: 10-20; Psalm 50: 8-23; Matthew 23: 1-12

you say
open
your mind
and your heart
and your soul
to God’s
instruction
learn
what is good
and make
justice-
God’s love
of all-
your own
serve this
love
always
and evil
will cease

How do you serve justice?

Daniel 9: 4-10; Psalm 79: 8-13; Luke 6: 36-38

we listen
we hear
through
God’s compassion
be merciful
stop judging
stop condemning
forgive
give

creating
our own
measure
we do
as we would
have done
to us
yet without
self interest
but for
love’s sake
for God’s sake
alone

Do you see with God’s eyes of compassion?

Gen: 22:1-2,9-13,15-18; Psalm 116 10,15-19; Rom 8:31-34, Mark 9:2-10

Abraham
man of listening heart
you hear
the sacrifice of the son
in your heart
and not sparing your own
climb mountains
in faith
not knowing
it was God’s own
to be called–
hard words
for hardened hearts
we recoil at the test
until we know
a God of mercy
whose endless bounds
can see a precious death
unknown to us—
we are taken
to mountain tops
to see life spared
life transfigured
to more
in hearts
that can hear
eyes that can see–

what is this we see
in awe
we see a Son
so far beyond
what we can know
Light of God
we are called to
listen to Him
risen from the dead
who crucified
by human hands
is not destroyed
we offer all…
living body
to living spirit
living love
in Him

What are you called to sacrifice?
What have you seen on the mountaintop?

Dt 26: 16-19; Psalm 119: 1-8; Matthew 5: 43-48

you say
“love your enemies”
i say
“what is love”
you say
“seeking good
for another”
i say
“what is good”
you say
“only God is good”
i say
“who is my enemy?”
you say
“anyone who threatens
or seeks to harm you”
i say
“seek God’s goodness
for one who
would harm me”
you say
“yes”
i say
“how?”
you say
“follow me”
I say
“yes”

How do you “love your enemy”?

Ez 18: 21-28; Psalm 130: 1-8; Matthew 5: 20-26

you call us
to a greater
good
higher
than we
can imagine
leaving
our fuel
of anger
to one
of compassion
virtue
our choice
for life
or death
living
in the
consequences
of grace
we enter
the impossible
forgiving
and forgiven
we are saved

How do you leave your anger?
How do you forgive?

Esther C: 12, 14-16, 23-25; Psalm 138: 1-8; Matthew 7: 712

ask
and
it will
be given
to you
seek
and
you will
find
knock
and
the door
will be
opened
to you

For what have you asked?
For what do you seek?
What have you found?