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
we enter
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 1: 3-7; Ps 95: 1-9; 2Romans 5: 1-8; John 4: 5-42

with no need
of worthiness
the water
and grace
of life
flow upon
the wanderers
with open
heart
ready to receive
the woman
hears
her Truth
and
a heart of stone
melts
into a heart
of love
singing
joyfully
knowing
that salvation
has come
to the weary ones
to the outcasts
all are loved
in this Spirit
and Truth

Do you tell God all of your needs?
Do you hear and respond to truth spoken into your heart?

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

coming home
to the embrace
of the Beloved
all is forgiven
and forgotten
as we celebrate
and renew
our life
in the Spirit
of kindness
and mercy
even as another
may envy
the compassion given
a greater love
has taken us
beyond
what could be
imagined

Can you imagine a welcoming love that forgives all?

Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13,17-29; Psalm 105:16-21; Matthew 21:33-43,45-46

we treat
what is
only given
to care for
as our own
denying
a share
denying
a harvest
living in
jealousy
of a brother
he is sold
and abandoned
yet God
in mercy
uses
even our sin
to save

How has God used mercy to save you?

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

blessed
is the one
who can see
across
the great chasm
that divides
to see
another
in need
and respond
with the love
of God
our Beloved
given
to share
with all
in a justice
that has
no impartiality
or boundaries

Have your eyes been opened?
Has your heart been touched?

Jeremiah 18:18-20; Psalm 31:5-6,14-16; Matthew 20:17-28

leaving behind
our desire
for honor
and place
we enter
a mercy
and justice
that offers
refuge for our soul
we trust
in God’s province
of Light
that brings love
life and truth
to darkness
deceit and death
then breathe
a purity
that grounds
our Being
in Him

Have you found a refuge for your soul in God’s light?

Isaiah 1:10,16-20; Psalm 50:8-9,16-17,21,23; Matthew 23:1-12

not to be seen
but for some
greater good
we offer
works
as a sacrifice
of praise
to the one
called Love
caring for orphan
and widow
and one another
being exalted
in the humbleness
of our ordinary time

Do you perform good works to be seen?
Do you practice what you “preach”?

Dn 9:4b-10; Psalm 74:8-13; Luke 6:36-38

the measure
of our giving
returns
to us
overflowing
from a God
of abundance
giving all
even as we
see all
of our own transgressions
and sinfulness
we give them
as well
to a mercy
and kindness
that forgives
returning to us
an unfathomable
love

Do you give yourself completely to God’s love?
How do you follow the command not to judge?
What is your measure?