1Kings 19:9-16; Psalm 27:7-14; Matthew 5:27-32

not in the wild wind
not in the earthquake
but in a whisper
God came to the one
who longed to hear
who longed to see
God’s face
waiting
with courage
and hope
we listen
deeply
and thoughtfully
for God’s word
knowing
how our thoughts
take root
and guide
our actions
we seek
to be
God’s love

Where do you hear God’s word?
How does it take root in your life?

Matthew 5:20-26

letting go
of all anger
and judgment
we are
reconciled
and set
each other free
for a greater love
of God
source
of all life
who sets to seed
softens with showers
nurtures
and harvests
a goodness
to be shared
by all

How can we set each other free?

1Kings 18:20-39; Psalm 16:1-11; Mt 5:17-19

fulfilling
the law of love
we see
the kingdom of heaven
as we follow
the path of life
living
in God’s presence
each moment
we move
and have our being
no longer feeling
separate
and afraid
but as part of God’s goodness
where our Spirit
is safe and secure

How do you see the law of love working in your life?

1Kings 17:7-16; Psalm 4:2-8; Mt 5:13-16

hungry
you feed us
and provide
gladness
into our heart
as your light
shines upon us
a love
and joy
greater than
we could imagine
comes to us
as we allow ourselves
to see your face
in all we do
even as the cares
and darkness
of the world
tries to diminish
your light
it shall not be contained

Does God hear your cry of distress?
How do you experience being loved by God?

Genesis 3:9-20; Psalm 87:1-7; John 19:25-34

standing by the cross with Mary
sharing the burden
of our separateness
our sinfulness
we see His cross
His thirst
and enter the mystery
of suffering
speaking a language
beyond our understanding
yet reaching a place
of knowing in us
where we live with Him
in the Holy Spirit
in God’s love
and say with him
“it is finished”
releasing our Spirit
to heaven’s joy

How do you experience the cross?
How do you respond to His thirst?

Readings for Vigil Mass
Ezekiel 37: 1-14; Psalm 104; Romans 8:22-27; John 7:37-39

groaning in our
agony of waiting
we knew not
how to pray
lifeless
as in a grave
we were lost
we have been
dry bones
walking
with no spirit
until He is set
upon us–
called
from the four winds
the Spirit comes
and breathes us
into Life
tongues of fire
ignite us
our imagination soars
one moment
changes all
as one we thought gone
appears
rattling bones
come together
bone joining bone
enfleshed–
we speak
with passion
the new language
of love

Can these dry bones come to life?
Is your imagination alive with His spirit?
Are you a living flame of Love?

Acts 25:13B-21; Psalm 103:1-2,11-12,19-20; John 21:15-19

becoming
the Light
He saw
His life
and proclaimed
the kingdom of God
whose searching
glance
is upon us
always
seeking love
and justice
guiding us
into Truth
hating violence
embracing peace
and calling us home

What do you see that you have become?

Acts 25:13-21; Psalm 103:1-2,11-12,19-20; John 21:15-19

the one
who was thought
to be dead
is alive
in the love
we proclaim
in the feeding
and tending
we do
seeing
another way
of Life
in the Holy Spirit
that cannot
be bought
or sold
contained
or controlled
by human means
an immeasurable
justice
called mercy
an immeasurable
kindness
called Love

Do you experience Him alive?

Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; Psalm 16:1-11; John 17:20-26

deep within me
the love of God
resides
showing me
a path
of Life
where all
are One
far beyond
the world’s strife
and peril
yet close at hand
a Glory given
in the silent
workings
of the day to day
seen by all
who would dare
to look
and surrender
heart and soul
to the Truth
of God’s love

Does your heart and soul rejoices in God’s love?

Acts 20:28-38; Psalm 68:29-36; John 17:11B-19

we live
in the power
that is God’s alone
each breath
a gift
we receive
and give
singing
a song of praise
for the goodness
within our reach
each moment
that is justice
we pray
for one another
that we not
be lead astray
but remain
always
in God’s Truth

Do you pray always?
Is your breath a prayer?