Mt 13:1-12

the Baptist’s head
served up
on a plate
gives pause
to the morning prayers
filling me
with questions
of our capacities
as we listen
to commands
and desires
to please
ourselves
or another
some fear
of shame
rejection
or retribution
praying
deeply
into the Spirit
our God
who saves us
from ourselves

How do you feel intimidated by the world’s demands?
How do you respond to human cruelty?
Are you open to God’s mercy?

Mt.13:54-58

losing sight
in the familiar
we do not see
what is
in front of us
God working
in all of God’s ways
for Good
following
the sacred path
we journey
with others
singing
with joy
to God
who is our help

Where do you see God in the familiar?
Where do you see God in what is in front of you?

Jeremiah 18:1-6; Psalm 146: 1-2,3-4,5-6; Matthew 13:47-53

in God’s hands
we are clay
fashioned
by a Will
and Spirit
for good
putting not
our trust
in princes
and men
for salvation
but in the Presence
we have come
to know
as the God of love
our Creator
and Savior

How do you experience your creator?
How do you experience being clay in the potter’s hands?

Jeremiah 15:10,16=21; Psalm 59:2-18; Matthew 13:4-46

this pearl
of great price
demanding all
this kingdom
of heaven
within
we sell all
we have
for it
and offer
our repentance
to a mercy
beyond
our means
bringing forth
what is precious
from the mouth
of God

What is your treasure?
How do you bring forth what is precious?

Matthew 13:36-43

sowing
the good seed
that brings life
to our world
we tend
the soil
of God’s love
and compassion
even as weeds
are sown
we trust God
to harvest
our goodness
with mercy
for us all

Do you trust God’s mercy and love?
How do you tend the good seed God has sown in the world?

Memorial of Martha and Mary
Luke 10:38-42

putting away
our anxieties
and worries
of the day to day
we take the time
to listen
to His words
of love
guiding us
along the path
to truth
and freedom
letting go
of our judgements
and our need to control
we see something
essential
in our being
the beauty of our soul
that says we are enough
even more than enough
in God’s love

What do you hear when you listen to His words?
What is the most essential thing

2 Kings 4: 42-44; Psalm 145: 10-11, 15-18; Eph 4: 1-6; John 6: 1-15

“The hand of the Love feeds us. God answers all our needs”

one body
one spirit
we gather first fruits
and feed
one another–
as ancient prophets
and Jesus
are one with us
we know
there is
enough
in open hands
the justice of God
pours out
to satisfy
the desire
of every living thing–
to be king
was not the answer
but to know God
and each other
heart to heart
and call upon God
for Truth
the one who is just
in all ways.

Do you call upon God for Truth?
Do you believe you have enough and share?
Do you live with open hands?

Jeremiah 7:1-11; Psalm 84:3-11; Matthew 13:24-30

our heart
and soul
cry out
for the dwelling place
in God
that gives us
our strength
to live
and shelter
the needs
of others-
living
among
the weeds
and wheat
we pray
to not be uprooted
so that what is good
in us
may flourish
in its due time

What is it to live among the weeds and the wheat?

Matthew 13:18-23

sower
of seed
you seek
the fertile heart
open
to your word
where love
can take root
and bear fruit
not snatched away
in lack
of understanding
fallen away
amidst trial
or choked away
in the thorns
of the worlds’s anxiety
but pruned
and tended
with a love
not our own

Do you have an open heart?

2Cor 4:7-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Matthew 20:20-28

given freedom
we rejoice
as though
dreaming
having sown
and toiled
in tears
we are filled
with laughter
and joy
for though
afflicted
perplexed
persecuted
and struck down
we have not
been constrained
abandoned
destroyed
or left in despair
we are raised up
by the God
who raised him
our treasure
found
in these
earthen vessels

Have you found freedom?
Where?