Gen: 22:1-2,9-13,15-18; Psalm 116 10,15-19; Rom 8:31-34, Mark 9:2-10

Abraham
man of listening heart
you hear
the sacrifice of the son
in your heart
and not sparing your own
climb mountains
in faith
not knowing
it was God’s own
to be called–

hard words
for hardened hearts
we recoil at the test
until we know
a God of mercy
whose endless bounds
can see a precious death
unknown to us—

we are taken
to mountain tops
to see life spared
life transfigured
to more
in hearts
that can hear
eyes that can see–

what is this we see
in awe
we see a Son
so far beyond
what we can know
Light of God
we are called to
listen to Him
risen from the dead
who crucified
by human hands
is not destroyed
we offer all…
living body
to living spirit
living love
in Him

What are you called to sacrifice?
What have you seen on the mountaintop?

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?

Jonah 3:1-10; Psalm 51:3-4,12013, 18-19; Luke 11:20-32

listening
to the prophet’s
warning
we change
our ways
with contrite heart
and contrite spirit
we are renewed
and led
by the Holy Spirit
needing
no sign-
for something
greater
is here
a Knowing
beyond knowing
in which we move
and have our being

Have you heard the prophet’s warning?
Where do you move and have your Being?

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 are radiant
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?

1Peter 5:1-4; Psalm 23:1-6; Matthew 16:13-19

we come
to the church
of mercy
and dwell
within its house
tasting
the goodness
of God
we are rested
and refreshed
goodness
and kindness
are shown to us
we willingly
and eagerly
serve
the love
we have found here
in this church
of mercy
where all are welcome

Have you found the church of mercy?

Genesis. 9:8-15; Psalm 25:4-9; Pt 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15

this is our time
a time fulfilled
as floods of destruction
turn to waters of baptism
we see God
and have no wish
to destroy
but to save-
God’s promise
in our hearts
we follow
to the desert
tempted
by worldly visions
of power
and wealth
and pleasure
we resist
and turn to
God’s ways
of love and truth
kindness
compassion
and goodness
sustained
by the Spirit
we go out
with Good News

By what are you tempted?
How do you resist?

Isaiah 58: 9-14; Psalm 86: 1-6; Luke 5: 27-32

crying out
into the darkness
of God
whom we
trust
as good
and kind
forgiving
and merciful
we are answered
with light

healed
we see
the hungry
and poor
homeless
and oppressed
and respond
restoring
and repairing
all that
was lost
and broken
His spirit
our guide

How has God answered your cry?
How do you respond?

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
not turning their back
to their own
enters the light
that breaks forth
like the dawn
where healing comes
and God says
“I am here”

Do you have a contrite heart?
Where is your compassion?