Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Job 7.1-4,6,7; Psalm 147: 1-6; 1 Cor 9.16-19,22,23; Mark 1.29-39

Job
you speak of
our drudgery
our slavery
our misery
troubled nights
restless until dawn
we wake in hopelessness
and despair
our life
like the wind
come and gone
our happiness
with it

for this
our poverty
we wonder
who will
answer our cries?

into this void
this dark night
we call

we pause

for soul speaks
from the dark
a song of praise
arises
in the void before
creation
our God
answers

we praise
as goodness comes
we praise
His graciousness
we praise
His gathering
His rebuilding
we praise
Him healer of broken hearts
wound binder
we praise
caller of stars by name
He fills our
empty space
we praise

we come before Jesus
our broken hearts
demons and illness
in hand
the truth of God’s love
heals us
alive within us
we move with Him
to the lonely places
in deep silence
our Jesus heart
restored

word upon our lips
compelled
we must speak
of such great love
a charge given
in spirit
imageless love
flows
to the present need
all things to all
we rise from the dead
to serve
what has loved us
to life

Of what are you compelled to speak?

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Mal 3: 1-4; Psalm 24: 7, 8, 9, 10; Hebrews: 2: 14-18; Luke: 2: 22-40

 one
we have longed for
who saves us
from our fear
of death
and the sin
that enslaves us
hearts opened
and revealed
we endure
the purifying
flame of love
and mercy
through His tested faith
and give thanks

Do you see His Glory?
Do you experience His saving power?
How are you guided by the Holy Spirit?

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dt. 18: 15-20; Psalm 95:1-9; 1Cor 7:32-35; Mark 1:21-28

a prophet raised up
with God’s words
on his lips
speaks of love
and mercy
to hearts
that long to hear
driving out the demons
that keep us from knowing
who we are
our hearts and minds
are softened
opening to the Light
that surrounds us
with Love

and fills us
with song


What are you demons?
What happens to your heart when you hear God’s words of love and mercy?