Solemnity of Saint Joseph
2Samuel 7: 4-16; Psalm 89: 2-5; 27 and 29; Matthew 1: 16-24

through her
the Holy Spirit
brought life
she followed

to Him
the Holy Spirit
brought life
he followed

through Him
the Holy Spirit
brings us life
we follow

How do you follow?

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
jealously
of a brother
he is sold
yet God
in mercy
uses
even our sin
to save

How has God used His 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
we breath
a purity
that grounds
our Being

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

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?
How do you set things right?

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?

Genesis 15: 5-12, 17-18; Psalm 27: 1,7-9,13-14; Phil 3:17-4:1; Luke 9: 28-36

we walk among
the severed pieces
seeing
who we are
without God
and set
our hearts
with courage
waiting until
our bodies
are transformed
transfigured
in God’s Glory–
no longer lost
in the God
of shame
but found
in the Light
that shines through
the empty spaces
of us
flaming torch
God’s face
is seen
our path
is shown
in the land
of the living
we are
as many
as the stars

Do you dwell in the land of the living?
Do you know the light of mountaintops?
Have you seen the transfigured Lord?

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 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”?

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
forgiven
and forgiving
where we are saved

How do you leave your anger?
How do you forgive?
Do you live in the consequence of grace?

Esther C:12, 14-16,23-25; Psalm 138:1-3,7-8; Matthew 7:7-12

we ask
and it is given
we seek
and find
we knock
and the door
is opened
to all
that we need
when we see
and know
that God
is all we need
and is given
freely
in love
for all

For what do you seek?
For what do you ask for?
On what door do you knock?