Joel 2:12-18; Psalm 51:3-6;12-17; 2Cor 5:20-21; Mt 6:1-18

with our
whole heart
we return
to God
made from
love
for love
we have
no other reason
to live
but to give
what has been
given us
not for gain
or show
or profit
but to be
who we are
in God–
loved

Have you returned to God with your whole heart?
What has God called you to be?

Sirach 2:1-11; Psalm 37:3-40; Mark 9:30-37

come
as a child
with wonder
and awe
and trust
the God
who guides
our minds
and hearts
who is with us
at all times
even in the harshest adversity
keep a sincere
and steadfast heart
listening always
for God’s word
of Life
and be enlightened
in grace
mercy
and love

Do you come to God with wonder and awe?
Do you listen always for God’s word in your life?

Sirach 1:1-10; Psalm 93:1-5; Mark 9:14-29

from God’s abundance
wisdom comes-
poured out
from the one
who stands firm
in love
and compassion
for all

created
in the Holy Spirit
healing comes
at the sight of Him
and we are freed
as every prayer
is answered
from our faith
where we have
no other need
than this love
revealed
at wisdom’s root
to love
as we are loved

Do you experience God’s Wisdom poured out in love and compassion?
Do you experience Justice as God’s love for all?

Matthew 5: 43-48

You say
“Love your enemies.”
I say
“What is love?”
You say
“Seeking the good
of 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”?

Hebrews 11:1-7; Psalm 145:2-11; Mark 9:2-13

transfigured
we see something
new
something
other
a Glory
in our Being
not seen
in the day to day
but only with eyes
willing
to go
to the mountaintop
to hear God’s voice
to see beyond
suffering
to see beyond
death
with a faith
in the invisible love
from where
all things come

Do you allow yourself to see?

Mark 8:34-9:1

what self
denied
what life
is lost
what cross
taken up
who do we
follow
when the nation
confounds
the name
of Him
who came
to save
what is the design
of God’s heart
as we are called
to a life
that is true
and good

“What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?”

 Mark 8: 27-33

As He asks
“who do you say I am”
we say
“love”
even as we recoil
from its suffering
we turn
and trust in God’s knowing
not our own

Who do you say He is?

Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22; Psalm 116:12-19; Ephesians 1:17-18; Mark 8:22-26

brought to God
in a Spirit of Love
our blindness
is gradually
healed
by His touch

grateful
we proclaim
God’s goodness
as even
in death
we see how precious
we are to His eyes
that have given us
sight

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to his call.
Ephesians 1:17-18

Mark 8: 14-21

Do you not see?
Do you not hear?
Do you not understand?
there is enough
do not let
your hearts
be hardened
by the religion
of the Pharisees
and the politics
of Herod
but live
in the holy spirit
who guides us
to share in faith
with love and joy
patience and peace
kindness and gentleness
for the common good
in God’s justice
God’s love for all

Is your heart troubled and hardened by religion and politics?
Do you see the path of the Holy Spirit?
Do you follow?

Genesis 4:1-15,25; Psalm 50:1 and 8, 16-17, 20-21; Mark 8:11-13

what sign
but breath
that we live
in grace
given

what darkness
in us
that we should
rise against
another
in word
and deed
betraying all that we are
in envy
murder
and greed

drawn up
before our eyes
we see
all we wish
not to be
but given God’s love
and strength
we become
who we are
meant to be

What does your breath tell you?