Isaiah 2: 1-5; Psalm 122: 1-9; Romans 13: 11-14; Mt 24: 37-44

now is the hour
to wake
from sleep
rejoice
and cast off
deeds of darkness
beat our swords
into plowshares
and pruning hooks
for we
shall go
to the house
of the Lord
where peace
shall be with us
quarreling
lusting
and jealousy
past
we put on
the light
of Christ
radiant
with love

Are you ready for peace and light?
Are you willing to shed your weapons?
Are you awake and watchful for the Lord?

Rev 22:1-7; Psalm 95:1-7; Luke 21:34-36

the end
of one year
flowing into
another
comes with
harvest
and foreboding
with a song of joy
and a warning
stay firm
and planted
by the life giving waters
where his word
bears fruit
keep hearts
awake
and sober
do not give into
the anxiety
of daily life
but pray always
standing before
the Son of Man
the Light
in our darkness
the way of Truth

How do you experience the Son of Man?

(Son of Man painting from En-Gedi Resource Center)

Rev 20: 1-4; 11-21:2; Psalm 84:3-8; Luke 21:29-33

shrouded words
of mystery
coming to the end
of this heaven
and earth
while fires
burn in Israel
we wait
our hearts
crying out
to the Living God
for peace
for justice
for a new heaven
and a new earth
recreated
in God’s Living Words
of Love

Do you have faith and patience in the waiting?

Philippians 4:6-9

Do not be anxious about anything,
but in every situation,
by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable—
if anything is excellent
or praiseworthy—
think about such things…
and give thanks.

What are you thankful for today?

Rev 15:1-4; Psalm 98:1-9; Luke 21:12-19

what are
these words
of revelation
ominous
shrouded
in the language
of dreams
what are these fearful
prophetic words
of seizing
persecution
and betrayal
all intermingled
with songs
of praise
and reassurance
who are we
that live among
webs of lies
and deceit
yet are held together
with divine threads
of love
and breathed
with Spirits breath
and embraced
in Holy grace
i stand in awe
i stand in wonder
letting the silence speak

What do you hear in the Silence?

Rev 13:14-10; Psalm 96: 10-13; Luke 21:5-11

heavens
glad
earth
rejoicing
sea
and what fills it
resounding
the plains
joyful
trees of the forest
exulting
at the time
of harvest
a coming
judgement
we know not
when
living not
from threats
or promises
but from God’s eternal love

How do you live with uncertainty?

Rev 14:1-3,4B-5; Psalm 24:1-6; Luke 21:1-4

gesture
of courage
and hope
from a poverty
that knows
its need
she places
all she has
as offering
to the one
who holds
her belief

Do you offer all you have to what you know and believe?

2 Samuel 5: 1-3; Psalm 122: 1-5; Col: 1: 12-20; Luke 23: 35-43

bone and flesh
first born
of all
we become
new
in you
things visible
and invisible
thrones
dominations
principalities
and powers
are reconciled
we rejoice
in the house
of the Lord
far from mocking
far from killing
gone from death
we are
remembered
in you
as peace
flows through
the blood
of the cross
we embrace
paradise
with you

Can you see peace flow through the cross?
Can you see your being through Him?
Can you see with his light?

Rev 11:4-12; Psalm 144:1-20; Luke 20:27-40

prophets
incite
with words
that prick
conscience
and challenge
accepted ways
inciting
anger
murder
and torture
upon themselves
as their words
are received

yet even in death
God’s breath
breathes them
the heaven
that lived
within them
lives still
rising
like angels
their Truth
has no boundaries

Do you hear the words of the prophets?
How do you receive them?

Rev 10:8-11; Psalm 119:14,24,72,103,111,131; Luke 19:45-48

where
is truth
to be found
in these days
of story spinners
and money changers
cluttering
the sacred temples
of our minds
and hearts
changing
the sweetness
of God’s word
into bitter prophecy

in the stillness
we wait
in a cloud of unknowing
our soul
begging the silence
for the voice
of Truth

Who will clear our hearts and minds and soul for Truth?
What is Truth?