1Cor 11:17-26,33; Psalm 40:7-17; Luke 7: 1-19

one bread
one cup
given to all
not as sacrifice
but as love
beyond
our worthiness
authority
or ability
resting
in God’s generosity
a life
given
as gift
received
as love
we give
as love
from God’s
overflowing cup

What is Christ’s gift to you?
How do you share this gift?

Isaiah 50:4-9; Ps 116: 1-9; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35

taking up
our cross
we follow
we leave
a certain life
behind us
as we are
saved into
a gospel life
of faith
where each work
of life
is renewed
with Truth
and Love
we walk
in the land of
the living
freed
from death
freed
from tears
freed
from stumbling
we face
hardship
and suffering
knowing
that God is our help
we reach towards
each other
as God’s mercy
reaches
to us

Do you take up your cross and follow?
Do you experience God with you?

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 78:1-38; Phil 2:6-11;John 3:13-17

this God
of love
coming down
with words
of life
for us
pouring himself
into our humanity
that our hearts
and minds
might be opened
his cross
a door
to a risen life
that we follow
though a mystery
we understand
through the language
of suffering
through the language
of compassion
through the language
of love

What do you find in the cross?
Do you find love there?

Luke 6:39-42

leaving
ignorance
and blind guides
we follow
the one
who sees
and knows
the love
of God
not seeing
our faults
in another
but in ourselves
we seek
counsel
in the place
of mercy
and are shown
the path
to life
and joy

Have you been shown the path of life?
Who is your teacher?

1Cor 8:1-7, 11-13; Psalm 139:1-3,13-14, 23-24; Luke 6:27-38

being known
in our inmost being
by God
we are shown
a love
that surpasses
our understanding
and knowledge
putting on
heartfelt compassion, 
kindness,
humility, 
gentleness, 
and patience,
bearing with one another 
and forgiving one another–
a love
that extends
even to our enemies
that gives
beyond our measures
that lives
beyond our judgement
as it embraces
all of life

We stand in awe of this love.

1Cor7:25-31; Psalm 45:11-17; Luke 6:20-26

poor
hungry
weeping
excluded
we turn
our ear
to another
who offers
something
beyond
our means
reaching
into our poverty
we find
blessing in the Holy Spirit
and live
in the paradox
of Christ

Do you find the blessing in your poverty through the Holy Spirit?
What is your poverty?

1Cor 6:1-11; Psalm 149:1-9; Luke 6:12-19

praying
through the night
we are strengthened
by God’s word
coming into the day
with new knowledge
and understanding
we join
the community
of healers
who bring
suffering
to God’s love
and compassion
leaving judgement
and offering
only mercy
we sing for joy
of God’s saving power

What comes to you as you pray through the night?
Do you join the healing community of Christ?

Luke 6:6-11

we stretch
out our hand
and are healed
by the one
in whom
all the
treasures
of wisdom
and knowledge
are hidden
who would
save life
rather
than destroy it
letting go 
of envy
and pettiness
we are
brought
together
in love
chosen
to make
manifest
the light
of the Christ
in us
laboring
and struggling
with His power
working
within

Do you experience the power of Christ in you

Isaiah 35:4-7; Psalm 146:1, 7-10; James 2:1-5; Mark 7: 31-37

burning sands
become pools
chosen poor
become rich
in faith
eyes and ears
are opened
to a wealth
beyond riches
we praise
the Lord
whose streams
burst forth
in deserts
to quench
our thirsting souls
to save us from
our fears
our hunger
setting us free
from injustice
we are
beggars
for God’s word
God’s Truth
God’s touch

Have your eyes been opened?
Have your ears heard?

Luke 6: 1-5

not bound by law
but by love
we are reconciled
to God
all is sacred
and held
in reverence
firmly
grounded
in faith
as we persevere
keeping
all hope
in the Gospel
where
every creature
under heaven
preaches
the Good News
of God’s love

Do you see the sacredness of all God’s creation?
Are you bound by law or God’s love?