Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11; Lk 1:46-50, 53-54; 1Thess 5:16-24, John 1:6-8; 19-28

waiting
preparing
for Him to come
bearer of Spirit
Truth and peace
a world at war
with itself
awaits-
our prayer
will not cease
holding fast
to what is good
we test everything
in light of Him
whose mercy
holds no bounds
our broken hearts
will be healed
prisoners
will be set free
our hunger filled
a new garden grown
in his light
justice and praise
spring forth
my soul rejoices
in my God

Do you dare hope?
Do you pray always?

Sirach 48: 1-4; 9-11; Psalm 8: 2-3, 15-16, 18-19; Mat 17: 9-13

unknowing
unseeing
in fear
we destroy
that which would save us
Lord make us turn
to you
let us see
your face
and know
your care
and protection
as you bring
new life to us
we turn with you
from our wrath
to love
and rest
in your friendship
and peace

Do you recognize Him?
Can you turn from your violence?
Have you turned your heart to God?

Isaiah 48:17-19; Psalm 1:1-6; Matthew 11:16-19

like a tree
planted
by running water
we are nourished
by the flow
of God’s grace
living law
guiding
the way
to wisdom
we stretch
and grow
and breathe
into God’s presence
sending down
deep roots
yielding fruit
in accord
with God’s nature
of loving kindness

Are your roots planted deeply into God’s love?
Do you stretch and grow and breathe into God’s Presence?

Isaiah 41: 13-26; Psalm 145: 1 and 9, 10-11,12-13; Mt 11: 11-15

in the flourishing of earth
we will see Him
redeemer
the one who says
“fear not
I will help you”
the waters will flow
and the desert
will flower
we will see
and understand
that Elijah has come
no longer subject
to the violence of men
we live
under the power of love
and faithfulness
we know
our true God
through his Son
and remain
in his goodness
and compassion
to all

Do you hear the prophets?
How do you know your true God?
Do you experience the abundance of God’s love and mercy?

Isaiah 40: 25-31; Psalm 103: 1-4, 8 and 10; Mt 11: 28-30

laboring
we are burdened
having lost
sight
of our God
we are weak
and fainting
leading lives
of destruction
until we hear
His voice
“Come to me”
and we enter
His rest
and learn
from Him
we lift
our eyes
and see our Creator
our strength renewed
in our hope
in Him
His kindness
and compassion
beyond
our imagining
we soar

Have you grown weary and burdened in your labor?
Where do you find rest?
Does your hope in God give you strength?

Zec 2:14-17; JDT 13: 18, 19; Lk 1: 26-38

the messenger
appears
“i have come to
dwell among you”
greatly troubled
pondering
we hear
“do not be afraid”
for God
has found favor
with you
Holy Spirit
upon you
a son
conceived
within
a light
to you
and all
the nations
bringing peace
and love
to all
that dare
to hear

Sing and rejoice!!!

Do you experience the message as your own?

Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 85:0-14; Luke 5:17-26

looking into
our hearts
He sees
our fear
and doubt
and enters
the place of
our faith
that seeks
God’s presence
in a moment
of encounter
we awaken
to the healing power
of God’s love
we see
we hear
and rise up
rejoicing
becoming
who we were meant to be
in God’s love
saying to hearts
that are frightened
fear not
be strong
our God is here

Does He speak to your fear and doubt?
Do you experience His healing Presence?

Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11; Ps 85: 9-14; 2Peter 3:8-14; Mark 1: 1-8

he shows
generous patience
in his time
a thousand years
as one day
while the way
is prepared
for a
a new heaven
a new earth
that will be shown
by the one
who sees
as God
through love

kindness and truth
shall meet
justice and peace
shall kiss
and comfort
shall come
to a people
baptized in spirit
knowing their salvation
as Truth springs
from the earth
no more shall we withdraw
from this new life given
we shall call
upon his name.

How do you wait for his coming?
Do you see as God sees through love?

Isaiah30:19-21; 23-26; Psalm 147; Matthew 9: 35-10:1

hearing
your cry
he will answer
your hunger
your thirst
no longer hidden
his voice
is heard
“this is the way
walk in it”
the wounds
of the broken hearted
healed
the earth
flourishing
as waters flow
we follow
healing
as we have been healed
giving
without cost
what we have been given
freely

Have your cries been heard?
What have you received?
What do you give?

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary
Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Psalm 98: 1-4; Eph 1: 3-6,11-12; Luke 1: 26-28

Mary
Holy Spirit
upon you
you trusted
as though through
the eyes
of one
without sin
without separation
from God
and conceived
within your being
a Son
who would bring
light
to our eyes
and to the world…
with a song
upon our lips
we see
and rejoice

Do you say “yes” to the Spirit?
What do you say “yes” to?
What Light is born through you?