Genesis 49:2,8-10; Psalm 72:1-17; Matthew 1:1-17

Where is the day
of justice?

Where is the day
of peace?

How are our hearts
not shattered
by the daily news?

Who hears the cry
of the poor?

Who defends
the afflicted?

as the names
of saints
and sinners
roll down
the ages
where is our savior?

How do we know
we are loved?

How do we know
we are safe?

How do we know
we have everything
we need
in God’s love
and care?

“God is my strength
and my shield,
my heart trusts in God
and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks
to God in song.” Psalm 28:7

Isaiah 56:1-8; Psalm 67:2-8; John 5:33-36

we do what is right
we do what is just
as we live
in the world
as a house
of prayer
sacred beings
sacred land
and sea
letting God’s face
shine upon us
as the sun
growing fruits
of love
patience
and peace
even as storms
challenge us
our roots grow
ever deep
cherishing the air
we breathe
and the song of joy
on its breath
we give thanks
for Life

Do you see the earth as a house of prayer?

Isaiah 54:1-10; Psalm 30:2-13; Luke 7:24-30

the dawn
brings
rejoicing
after a night
of mourning
we awake
to the Presence
of God

beloved
of God
we will not
be forsaken
or abandoned
as we may be
by the world

for our souls
are safe
in the steadfast
love
and care
of His Being

Do you feel safe?

Isaiah 45:6-8,18,21-25; Psalm 85: 9-14; Luke 7:18-23

where is
the one God
of whom
there is no other
forming light
creating darkness
making well being
creating woes
doing all things

where is the justice
that descends
like the dew
like gentle rain
that the earth
opens to
and salvation
buds forth

where is the justice
that springs up

do the blind see?
do the deaf hear?
do the poor hear good news?

where is the God
we turn to
to be safe

Where is our faith?

Zep 3:1-2, 9-13; Psalm 34: 2-23; Matthew 21:28-32

close to
the brokenhearted
close
to those
crushed in Spirit
he saves
we look to
God’s Presence
that we may be
radiant
with joy
as we see
the light
shine
in our darkness
love’s
pure
light

Do you feel God’s presence?

Rev 11:19a, 12:1-10; Zec 2:14-17; Jdt 13:18-19; Luke 126-38

stirring forth
heaven opened
a sign in the sky
a child born
to a woman
full of grace
unafraid
of saying yes
to angels
a Holy Spirit
descends

our miracles
occur
in our opened
eyes
and hearts
opened
to God’s
loving embrace

Are your eyes and heart opened?
What does your soul proclaim?

Isaiah 35: 1-6; Psalm 146: 6-10; James 5: 7-10; Mt 11: 2-11

we are patient
our hearts are steady
for we see
and we hear
and we walk
we are raised
from the dead
for our Lord is here
to save us
strengthening
our feeble knees
offered firm hands we rise
the desert
and parched land
within us
receives rain
and our soul
rejoices
and blooms
with justice
and love
and song
we have seen
the coming of the Lord
and know
peace

Have you seen His coming?

Sir 48:1-4,9-11; Psalm 80:2-19; Matthew 17:9-13

to what
mountaintop
would we ascend
that vision
would bring us all
to truth
that all ages
would stretch
before us
and the dead
become living
and knowing
in a moment
of transfiguration
is this our soul
of morning prayer
darkness
our mountaintop
light
descending
word made flesh
to walk
upon the earth

Where is your mountaintop?
What do you see?

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

Wisdom
vindicated
by Her works
shows the way
to Goodness
those who follow
have the Light
of Life
delighting
in her ways
we meditate
day and night
reaching out
in blessing
as we are blessed
river and stream
waves of the sea
planted tree
by the running water
bearing fruit
we orbit
in an unbounded love
pleasing
only Her

When she played the flute for you did you dance?
When she sang a dirge for you did you mourn?

Genesis 3:9-15,20; Psalm 98: 1-4; Ephesians 1:3-6,11-12; Luke 1:26-38

what angel would come
with a voice of knowing
to tell you
who you are to be
mother of a savior
to a world in need
chosen for
some immaculate conception
engineered
in a distant heaven
you are outside
the realm of our humanity
unreachable
from our perceptions
distant mother
how are we to live
without a guidance
we can understand
born not immaculate
and can you know us
who put you there
by what decree
are you the other
that we cannot know
or is perhaps
some “yes”
passed through the ages
from the foundation
of time
the purifying agent
releasing you
and Him
and all of us
into our eternal home

Mary, full of grace, who are you now?