Tuesday in the First Week of Lent

Isaiah 55:1-11; Psalm 34:4-7,16-19; Matthew 6: 7=15

His word goes out
like rain and snow
and will not return
to Him void
but with harvest
of His will for Love
close to our broken hearts
and our distress
our prayers
are answered
and we arradiant
with joy
as God’s kingdom comes
God’s will is done
and our daily bread
is received
all trespasses
forgiven
we are delivered
from evil
and live in peace

Have you received His word into your heart?
How do you live out God’s words?

First Sunday of Lent

Dt 26:4-10; Psalm 91: 1-2; 1-2,10-15; Romans 8-13; Luke 4: 1-13

we cry out
in our deserts
for you oh Lord
afflicted
oppressed
you hear
our cry
and lift us up
with a strong hand
and outstretched arm
we feel
the power
that is you
bringing us
into your land
your spirit
your Son
where no temptation
has power
no bread
above you
no kingdom
but yours
no need
to test
our trust
complete
we bring
the first fruits
to your altar
rejoicing
for all the goodness
that is You

Do you take the outstretched hand?
What are your temptations?
Do you bring your first fruits to God?

Friday after Ash Wednesday

Isaiah 58: 1-9; Psalm 51: 3-10; Matthew 9: 14-15

a contrite
heart
that sees
the other
in their hunger
in their homelessness
in their nakedness
in their oppression
and shares
shelters
clothes
and releases
a heart that 
turns back
to their own
enters
the light
that breaks forth
like the dawn
where healing comes
and God says
“I am here”

Do you hear the cry of the poor?
How do respond?

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Dt 30:15-20; Psalm 1:1-6; Luke 9:22-25

today
is set before us
life and death
we choose life
in Him
who even though He endured
many sufferings
rose to new life
in the Spirit of God-
law of the Lord
written
in our hearts
we stand
like a tree
planted near
running water
meditating on
God’s love
day and night
with love’s fruit
yielding
in due season

with leaves
that will never fade

What do you choose?

Ash Wednesday

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?

Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

1Peter1:3-9; Psalm 111:1-2,5-6,9-10; Mark 10:17-27

no money
can buy
the indescribable
and glorious joy
attained
by faith
in God’s saving
power
a love
springing forth
from our poverty
bearing fruit
from His guiding commands
alive
in the promise
of His covenant
we give thanks
always
with all
of our heart
for all things
are possible
in God

Do you experience God’s love springing forth from your poverty?

Sunday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Sirach 27:4-7; Psalm 92:2-16; 1Cor 15:54-58; Luke 6:39-45

thirsting
for a word
what do we hear
at the break of dawn
a word
of judgement
blinded
by ignorance
of who we are
or love
incorruptible
given freely
in a mercy
of grace?

Of what do we speak
do we bring life
or death
through our words
that come
from the fullness
of our hearts
bearing the fruit
of who we have become?

Of what do we do
with what we have been given
so freely?
What devotion
brings us home?