Jeremiah 18; 18-20; Psalm 31: 5-10; Matthew 20: 17-28

suffering—
servant—
slave—
we recoil
from these words
in our desire
for the comfort
of high places
yet something
calls us
as Goodness
unfolds
devoted
and guided
to its cause
we serve
and strangely
our slavery
to its influence
becomes
our freedom
as we surrender
to the one
we trust
knowing
our spirit is
ever safe
in God’s hands

How do you hear the words servant and slave?

Isaiah 1: 10-20; Psalm 50: 8-23; Matthew 23: 1-12

you say
open
your mind
and your heart
and your soul
to God’s
instruction
learn
what is good
and make
justice-
God’s love
of all-
your own
serve this
love
always
and evil
will cease

How do you serve justice?

Daniel 9: 4-10; Psalm 79: 8-13; Luke 6: 36-38

we listen
we hear
through
God’s compassion
be merciful
stop judging
stop condemning
forgive
give

creating
our own
measure
we do
as we would
have done
to us
yet without
self interest
but for
love’s sake
for God’s sake
alone

Do you see with God’s eyes of compassion?

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 good
for 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
forgiving
and forgiven
we are saved

How do you leave your anger?
How do you forgive?

Esther C: 12, 14-16, 23-25; Psalm 138: 1-8; Matthew 7: 712

ask
and
it will
be given
to you
seek
and
you will
find
knock
and
the door
will be
opened
to you

For what have you asked?
For what do you seek?
What have you found?

Jonah 3: 1-10; Psalm 51: 3-4, 12-13, 18-19; Luke 11: 29-32

a word
is spoken
from a
reluctant
voice
to turn
from
evil ways
and avoid
destruction
with
contrite hearts
turned
to the One
who calls
we hear
we listen
we respond
and
are saved

What do we do with our salvation?

Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 34: 4-7; 16-19; Matthew 6: 7-15

God’s word
upon us
bearing fruit
we are
radiant
with joy
as hearts
are healed
and
crushed spirit
saved
we know
who we are
and enter
God’s will
we receive
and give
our daily bread
forgiving all
resisting evil
all by
God’s grace

Do you know who you are?

Lv 19: 1-2, 11-18; Psalm 19: 8-15; Matthew 25: 31-46

your words
are Spirit
and life
showing us
the way
to go
in thought
in words
and deeds
seeing you
in every need
of hunger
thirst
welcoming
clothing
caring
and compassion
showing
no partiality
your justice
is your love
for all

Where do you see Him?