Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 6:1-8; Ps 138: 1-8; 1Cor 15: 1-11; Luke 5: 1-11

we are struck
with awe
by who
you are
and who we are
created
in you
we feel
the smallness
of our being
our undeserving
nature
yet
you call
and lift us
to you

hot ember
on our unclean lips
angel of God
you free
our mouth
for words
of love
you ask
“who shall I send?”
risen
in your love
no longer afraid
we say
“Here I am.
I shall go”

Have you felt the hot ember of God upon your lips?
The awe of God’s presence?
The peace that God brings?

Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Mal 3:1-4 ; Psalm 24: 7-10; Hebrew 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40

Holy Spirit
preparing
the way
guiding our lives
opening
our praying eyes
to Glory
we see the one
we have longed for
who saves us
from our fear
of death
and sin
and suffering
that enslave us
our hearts opened
and revealed
we endure
the purifying flame
of love
and mercy
through His tested faith
and give thanks

Do you see God’s glory?
Do you experience His saving power?
How are you guided by the Holy Spirit?

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Cor 13:4-13

Brothers and sisters:
Love is patient, love is kind.
It is not jealous, it is not pompous,
it is not inflated, it is not rude, 
it does not seek its own interests,
it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,
it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.
If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing;
if tongues, they will cease;
if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing.
For we know partially and we prophesy partially,
but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
When I was a child, I used to talk as a child,
think as a child, reason as a child;
when I became a man, I put aside childish things.
At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror,
but then face to face.
At present I know partially;
then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.
So faith, hope, love remain, these three;
but the greatest of these is love.

How have you experienced God’s love?

Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

2Samuel 12:1-7a, 10-17; Psalm 51:12-17; Mark 4:35-41

we see
who we are
through wisdom’s mirror
in need
of a renewed spirit
we pray
for a willing spirit
to sustain us
and bring back
our joy

caught
in the storm
we are tossed
and turned
by our fears
and anxiety
crying out
we hear
“Be still”
and all that seemed
beyond us
that is beyond us
is calmed

facing all
with God
we learn
mercy
and grace

What has taught you mercy and grace?