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

I lift my eyes
and feel the blessing
of the stars
as my burden
is lifted
by the Spirit’s wings
yoked
to a love 
eternal
my strength 
is renewed
in a Hope
I dared not have
until the one
who names the stars
called to me…
Come!

What blessings come as you lift your eyes to the stars?
What “rest” do you find in God’s love?
How does God renew your strength?

Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 96:1-13; Matthew 18:12-44

found
we rejoice
and sing
with the breath
of God
on our voices
grateful for life
and love-
though
we are as the grass
that withers
and the flower
that wilts
our soul
finds its home
in God’s Spirit
and living
word

Where do you find your home?
What song do you sing?

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?

(painting by Adam Morse)

Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72: 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Romans 15: 4-9; Mt 3:1-12

God,
source of all patience
and encouragement,
you set your root
into our lives—
branching out
a Spirit of wisdom
and understanding,
counsel
and strength.

Peace
flourishes
in your tree of life,
rising from
the holy mountain
where justice grows
and all the earth
is filled
with your knowing.

As the One
leads us—
through a baptism
of fire,
through the clearing
of what is false—
into your heights,
one heart,
one voice,
where there shall be
no harm or ruin,
for all
that cannot bear
your truth
will fall away.

Will you follow the Child to God’s holy mountain?
Will you bear the fruit born of the Spirit?

Isaiah 30: 19-26; Psalm 147: 1-6; Matthew 9:35-10:1-8

no longer
will our teacher
hide himself
hearing us
when we cry out
we will see him
and a voice
from behind
will sound
in our ear
“This is the way
walk in it”
healing our broken heart
binding our wounds
we are sustained
and follow
to labor
in God’s field
cleansing
curing
raising the dead
and bringing new life

Do you hear his voice?
Where do you see him?
How do you follow?

Isaiah 29:17-24; Psalm 27: 1,4,13-14; Matthew 9:27-31

waiting
for the dawn
believing
in Him
our eyes
are opened
to a Light
of Love
that saves
gazing
on loveliness
we see
God’s bounty
in the land
of the Living
and are in awe
given
courage
and patience
our fear
dissipates
and we become
the day

What do you see at the dawning of the day?

 

Isaiah 26:1-6; Psalm 118:1,8-9,19-21,25-27; Matthew 7:21,24-27

hearing God’s word
and acting on it
we build
a solid foundation
of God’s love
our house
stands firm
even as storms come
and winds blow
for God’s peace
dwells here
in the secure trust
of His Being
with us
a refuge
and home
of God’s pure light
that shines
for all

Where have you built your foundation?
Do you dwell secure in God’s love and peace?

Isaiah 25: 6-10; Psalm 23: 1-6; Matthew 15: 29-37

the veil lifted 
we see
a banquet
before us
our Spirit
restored
we see
the love of the God
and feel God’s saving power
there is nothing more
we shall want
as goodness
and kindness
pursue us
and feed us
the blind see
the lame walk
the deaf hear
death is destroyed
every tear
wiped away
we rejoice
and praise
as we live in hope
with Him

How do you experience God’s light and love?
How do you experience God’s saving power?
Do you rejoice in God’s love of all?

Isaiah 11:1–10; Psalm 72; Luke 10:21–24

spirit resting
upon us
a child
to guide us

we see
we hear
what prophets
longed to behold

His love for all—
a justice
that flourishes
into peace

spirit of wisdom
and understanding
spirit of counsel
and strength

we stand in awe
as wolf and lamb,
lion and calf,
lie down together—
and no ruin comes

the cries
of the poor
are heard
and healed

a shoot rises
from the stump of Jesse
a bud
a blossom
opening in us

we rejoice

Do you see?
Do you hear?
Do you rejoice?

Only say the word….
Isaiah 4:2-6; Psalm 122:1-9; Matthew 8:5-11

a faith
that asks-
a faith
that listens-
a faith
that believes
in God’s goodness
welcomes
God’s word
and we follow
rejoicing
in our return
to the One
who shelters us
heals us
and brings us
peace
praying
for our good
and the good of others
we live
in the Light
of God’s love

Where is your faith?
What do you believe?
What healing word do you hear?