2Kings 17:5-8,13-18; Psalm 60:3-5, 12=13; Matthew 7:1-5

the shadow
cast over
my own eyes
blinds me
to God
and others
i judge
unmercifully
until
mercy
finds me
in the eyes
of one
who is love

Have the eyes of mercy found you?

Jeremiah 20: 10-13; Ps 69 8-10, 14, 17, 33-35; Rom 5: 12-15; Mt. 10:26-33

do not be afraid
as the light
will reveal
itself
from darkness
Truth of Christ
of love
of life
from the God who probes
the mind
and heart
sees
and rescues us
answering
our prayers
the prayers
of the poor
with mercy
and love

How does the truth of Christ give you life?
How do you speak of His truth?

Luke 2:41-51

seeking Him
in a time
of diversion
from Truth
I will persist
in pondering
God’s words of love
in my heart
whether convenient
or inconvenient
with the Holy Spirit’s help
I will stay awake
to God’s Presence
praising
with music
and song
scripture
and poetry
compassion
and love
that bring forth
joy in my heart

How do you persist in pondering God’s words of love in your heart?

Matthew 11:25-30

sacred heart
filled with love
we have all
we need
letting go
of guilt
and anger
greed
and jealousy
we live
in the freedom
of God’s grace
forgiving
giving
and celebrating
we come
to Him
who will give us
rest

How do you experience the sacred heart of Jesus?

Matthew 6: 7-15

faithful
in Christ
we pray
to our father
in heaven
whose name
is holy
whose will
shall be done
on earth
as in heaven
who gives
our daily bread
who forgives
as we forgive
who leads us not
into temptation
but delivers us
from evil
to our God
whose love
is justice
and truth
we give thanks

Do you give thanks for all things?
Do you forgive everything?

2Kings 2:1,6-14; Psalm 31:20,21,24; Matthew 6:1-6,16-18

we go
to the inner room
of our heart
and shut the door
and pray
to the one
who knows us
and sees
all of our needs
no longer
trying to impress
or perform
we give
and receive
through His love
and mercy
and grace
true source
of our being
our hearts
take comfort
in God’s constant presence

What do you hear in your inner room?

1Kings 21:17-29; Psalm 51: 3-6,11,16; Matthew 5:43-48

asking
for mercy
we are given
reprieve
as the love of God
opens
to us
seeing all
as held in this Love
seeking our care
even to our enemy
who shows us
our own heart
we pause
from our greed
to see a new way
to live
giving thanks
for all
that is before us

Do you pause to give thanks to God?
Do you seek mercy?

Matthew 5: 38-42

letting go
of the violence
of possession
we give
our coat
and walk
the extra mile
giving
to the one
who asks
enduring
in affliction
and hardship
with patience
and kindness
and love
seen as poor
and sorrowful
or dying
we live
in joy
having
all we need
in God
we sing
and rejoice

Have you let go of the violence of possession?
When have you walked an extra mile with someone?

tested
in the wilderness
we see
the nature
of our being
hungry
alone
wandering
then
fed by God
we are free
in manna
we rise up
and behold
the bread
of life
Christ of all
one bread
one body
our bones
our blood
in God’s love
we move
and have
our being

How are you fed by God?
Do you move in God’s ways
in the wilderness

1Kings 19:19-21; Psalm 16:1-10; Matthew 5:33-37

saying yes
when we mean yes
and no
when we mean no
we follow
God’s counsel
with God’s love
set ever before us
knowing
who we are
we leave all
behind
and enter
God’s joy
abiding
in the confidence
of His Presence

What have you left behind to follow?
To what do you say “yes”?
To what do you say “no”?