2/1/26 Through 2/7/26

 2/1/26 Through 2/7/26

Sunday

All that we suffer will work to our gain

Even when robbed and beaten or slain

The ones who will love in the darkest of days

Discover the secret of worship and praise.

The Lord is our Master and Maker, you see

He knows what is best and redeeming for thee

All suffering comes as result of our sin

And patient endurance is needed to win.

It's hard to explain what appears to be wrong

Like a note out of place in a spiritual song.

When good people suffer, and hungry need fed

We must tune our ears to what Jesus has said;

See who gets the Kingdom, see who gets the land

See who at last is satisfied, and who at last will stand.

The span that we must measure is far beyond this Earth

The truest form of treasure is found in second birth.

Monday

Obey and then prosper, how simple it seems

Be one as was Joseph, obeying of dreams

Not just the dreams, but the voice of the Lord

Calling that self be forever out-poured.

Knowing a sword will be coming our way

But still always choosing to hear and obey

If it is so simple, then why do I fail?

Because, on the truth, you have lowered a veil.

A veil made of sinfulness, power, and greed

That says, "I'm a king who has all that I need."

So, why be one humble and meek who obeys

When all of my comforts will last all my days?

The veil has so darkened how far you can see

Perverting the concept of one that is free.

All that you have is all passing away

Just look around, for it's true what I say.

For death comes to all, and then what shall be?

You must have the light, for beyond death to see.

With light you can see that when sacrifice looms

Self-giving brings love, but selfishness dooms.

Tuesday

For all is by faith and nothing by fear

Just touching the hem, and drawing so near

Releases the love that changes the day

Allowing the healed to go on their way.

Even once death has entered the scene

No traces of doubt or despair should be seen

Expelling the doubt with the fear and despair

The child is raised with the tenderest care.

So be it today when we come to the Lord

With much that we ask, but faith is ignored

Doubters are cast to the outer domain

Faithful find hope and relief from the pain.

Wednesday

Though all along his word has led

Why choose another way to tread?

Why choose to think it's you that won

And not acknowledge all He's done?

For all has come from Providence

Just look and see the evidence.

No way your skill could match the Lord

Or one with stone, defeat the sword.

The vict'ry comes from God alone

But haughty spirits men have grown

They seek His glory as their own

And then their weakness, well, is shown.

So, don't let pride conceal the truth

And move beyond your foolish youth

To recognize His hand in all

And thank Him for your humble call.

Thursday

Be manly and take courage

Observe the Lord's commands

Your witness will encourage

The people of the lands

His law will be your guidance

To lead your people home

But if you choose subsidence

Another takes the throne

Receive a throne united

And follow in His way

With wisdom, you're invited

To seize your every day.

But folly chooses failing

To walk upon His way

The selfish voice prevailing

And wisdom flies away.

The kingdom soon divided

In lust and selfish greed

By those who then decided

His statutes not to heed

But God alone was steady

And made His word come true

A Savior He made ready

To save both me and you

A King to reign forever

Upon the sacred throne

To falter, He shall never,

But lead us to our home.

Friday

The bear and the lion the shepherd boy slayed

Protecting the sheep as they frolicked and played

The giant, he too, as a boy, would defeat

His faith and his trust in the Lord was complete.

But not free of sin, soon he faltered and fell

And then when the prophet, his sin would re-tell,

Great sorrow would come with regret for his sin

Repenting, he prayed that forgiveness he'd win.

A far greater King was to come here one day

A prophet would baptize and straighten the way

Who preached of repentance to save us from sin

Forgiveness and mercy, the humble would win

Our Savior would enter as such into time

Exhorting us all to obedience, climb

To listen then act on the word He will send

And then to the last, for the truth to defend

Saturday

He asked for wisdom, which You gave

But that alone, no man can save

The will to follow all You say

Must pair with wisdom on the way

Intelligence is good, we say

But only when it knows the way

The way of humble servitude

And daily, where to find its food.

In quiet places where he speaks

Among the valleys and the peaks

In times of plenty and of need

To ask His will, and that to heed.

So, yes, a fool, the wise can be

By not conforming all to Thee

Obedience, you see, is wise

And not the lustful, greedy eyes

So, seek with all your heart, His will

And know that in your sorrow still,

He gives all wisdom that you need,

But you must listen well and heed.

1/25/26 Through 1/31/26

1/25/26 Through 1/31/26 

Sunday

Do not empty the Cross of its meaning

For to do so would be quite demeaning

The people must see that in Christ you agree

And none, to the world, are leaning.

For Jesus is light and salvation

He came to release every nation

From slavery to sin and their confidence win

By leading to joy and elation

So, repent for the Kingdom's at hand

A great light has been shown on the land

Overshadowed by death, now breathe of His breath

Upright, now the cripple can stand.

Monday

Each was created for work of some kind

For each, a vocation to seek and to find

Each called by our Lord in some special way

To carry the torch and light up the day

Darkness is lurking wherever you turn

Aflame with the light of the Spirit, you burn

A gift of yourself to bring warming and light

The Sword of the Spirit, to win you the fight.

Don't shy from assaults, as surely they come

Don't cry in your beer, looking pittied and glum

The Spirit you have is detachment from all

Empowering grace when you answer the call.

Enslaved unto Christ, by a choice that you made

In awe of His love and the price that He paid.

He'll never abandon His Church in her need

Each martyr she claims is a life-giving seed.

Take courage as such, knowing all that you do

Is fodder that's feeding successors of you

The city beyond, in the skies up above

Is a city of peace and of brotherly love.

Tuesday

A dance of joy before the Lord

A cup of blessing, Christ out-poured

He showed the way for men to be

Adopted sons, in love with Thee.

His family does the Father's will

Each making sacrifices still

To place the other one above

And build the Paradise of love.

Lord, let me see and know Your will

Then with Your love, my quiver fill

That every arrow meet its mark

And all Your light dispel the dark.

It's discipline that brings the joy

The will, we must, all times deploy

Conforming ours to Thine alone

And making love to others known.

Wednesday

No house of cedar, stone, or gold

Could such a mighty Savior hold

The house He builds is that of men

Revealing all His glory when:

The weakling conquers over might

And poor and humble win the fight

When wicked men, the fools, are shown

And through the righteous, wisdom known

The Cornerstone He laid is Christ

Whose sacrifice alone enticed

The common man, to love embrace,

And trials, like our Savior, face.

It's such a house will never fail

And mansions of the earth but pale

When seen beside the house of love

That He prepares for you above.

Thursday

Now bless, oh Lord, your servant's house

My progeny, and yea, my spouse

With faith that's strong and true in You

And always giving rightful due.

For all I have are gifts You sent

To love You more, each gift is meant

I pray that all would follow well

And of the Gospel story tell.

What e'er I have, I now return

And offer all to someday learn

Your depth of love for all mankind

And life eternal, with You find.

So, let Your light within me shine

And let me, on Your flesh, Lord dine.

So all that I've received from you

I pass along to others, too.

Friday

Once sin is chosen over good

The heart is hardened, much like wood

Then, as we choose for self alone

The heart will soon become like stone.

Then sins which once the heart abhorred

Become the only crew aboard

Then sin, it seems, is all we know

And lost into the depths we go.

But just as sin was started small

Repentance helps us hear our call

And as we turn the ship around,

The truth of love is what is found.

As little sins all led to more,

So, little vict'ries win the war.

Each time we turn to what is true

We see a little more of You.

The beauty seen in sacrifice

Will more and more, to love entice

Then small beginnings start to bloom

And sweetness fills our every room

Saturday

Oh, what a shock when our sin is revealed!

The sin which we thought so well, we concealed.

With One who's all-knowing and sees every deed

The lies of the guilty will never succeed.

For wasting away when concealed in the heart

Repenting is always the way we must start

Confessing our sin and admitting our guilt

In only this way is a sturdy house built.

When seen in the light, every sin is quite dark

Greed, envy, and pride, always missing the mark

Our gluttony, lust, and our avarice, too,

Ever pulling us down and much further from You.

So, walk in the light knowing there you're secure

By doing what's needed to keep the heart pure.

Don't sin in the storm, but rely then on He

Who speaks and gives orders to wind and to sea.

It's Jesus alone who's forgiving of sin

His working alone, our salvation can win

So, give Him your heart in repentance each day

And turn from the sin that has darkened your way.

However Amateur

 However Amateur

However amateur, I sound

There's something real and true I've found

He speaks to me in what I pen

And when I read, He speaks again.

He turns my heart in many ways

And so, I've come for many days

In early morn before the dawn

His word, to chew and ponder on.

The scripture readings of the day

Will always have something to say

They teach and touch the parts within

Exposing pride, and greed, and sin.

They call for change that I must heed

They clearly show where strength I need

They show how weak I truly am

If I, but conscience, would exam.

They call for greater love each day

To sacrifice, and turn away

From all that draws me dark and low

To find the narrow way to go.

1/18/26 Through 1/24/26

 1/18/26 Through 1/24/26

Sunday

For I have seen and now I know

There is no other way to go

His word to me demands reply

And I must be prepared to die.

No more a concept needing proof

Or thought beyond, and far aloof

His word has been made here and now

And that, I must obey somehow.

For once I know what's good and true,

I must, at once, come follow You.

I must be searching every day

To find and take the narrow way

Monday

Obedience o'er sacrifice

The Lord would choose each day

For such alone sufficient price

To keep us on the way

He cares not for a plundered gift

When His the victory

The best of bad if we uplift

Is contradictory.

To offer what we know is banned

Is mocking to our Lord

Far better, heed to His command

And make His name adored.

To those who follow well His word

Salvation, they shall see

For only doing as we've heard

Will safe, the people be.

Tuesday

He chooses one with warts and all

To answer to His loving call

He looks within the heart to find

A one who's humble, meek, and kind.

He sees not as the world sees

Not lofty height, or looks shall please.

A steadfast heart will win the prize

And open up our blinded eyes

Not perfect yet, by any means

But one the evil often cleans

By turning from the ways of sin

And welcoming the Spirit in.

It's true, that all will fall from grace

But if we, too, would just embrace

Repentance as our victory,

His boundless love, then we would see.

Wednesday

A single stone, a giant slain

A withered hand, made new again

A word of truth destroys the lies

And on the Cross our Savior dies.

How could it be that one so small

Defeats a giant nine feet tall;

A withered hand that's lost for years,

When made anew is drawing sneers;

A Cross of mockery and shame

Bring One to everlasting fame?

The word of God alone can do

Such marvels then, and now for you.

The lies prefer the dark of night

But truth will thrive in endless light.

You cannot conquer light with dark

But darkness flees from just a spark.

That spark within we all receive

And truth is what we must believe

For if we choose the darkness here

Forever from the light we steer.

Thursday

They target innocent for death

Before they fill their lungs with breath

Before their eyes have seen the light

The end for them, their mothers write.

No breast to suckle, sweet and warm

No soft caresses of their form

No tender kisses on their cheek

No loving word to ever speak.

How has this heinous crime become

Acceptable, and good to some?

There's naught I've seen or ever known

Where greater selfishness is shown.

The truth concealed by wicked men

And lies repeated o'er again

To keep their sacred calf alive

Allowing selfishness to thrive.

Our sin so callous has become

The norm of everyday for some

This evil now described as choice

Deprives the weakest of their voice

It's truth alone can turn the tide

And wake the will to love inside

We must encounter love to know

The far, far better way to go.

Friday

Anointed to a holy task

We all should do as God would ask

Apostles, prophets, healers all 

Should answer when they hear the call.

He's chosen you some special way

To serve Him in this place today.

No other gifts will work as well

To tell the story, you must tell.

He draws us to the lofty height

And gives the gifts to win the fight.

Not to destroy our enemy

But sway his heart to love like thee.

Just who I am we all should know

And which direction we should go

To get to where we want to be

Both now, and in eternity.

Don't waste your time on jealousy

But find the you you're meant to be.

There's not one better fits the bill

Than one who does the Father's will.

Saturday

Alas, defeated, cold, and dead

His soldiers all had run and fled

The glory that at once had been

Was lost because of all the sin.

There's always more than meets the eye

If we just slow and ask Him, why.

For then, in silent prayer we see

It's we who strayed away from He.

His love for others, so profound

The average man would so confound

His relatives and friends would say,

I think the Master lost His way.

Saul, too, was one who could not see

How far he strayed away from Thee.

His battle plan was all his own

And so, his folly there was shown.

1/11/26 Through 1/17/26

 1/11/26 Through 1/17/26

Sunday

A voice that thunders from above

The Spirit lighting as a dove,

He came to show repentance is

The way of life anew of His.

A daily change within the heart

To cling to Him and not depart

To seek His grace in all we do

And make His voice our guiding cue.

That sign once placed upon the soul

Bespeaks of grace to make us whole

But grace must be accepted or 

We lose the battle and the war.

But long as breath is still around

A full repentance may be found

Don't wait until it's far too late

And wake to find they've locked the gate.

Monday

Amid an ordinary day

The call was made to come His way

To turn from barrenness to Him

Repenting of our ways of sin.

He wants to have us fish for men

To recognize just how and when

To speak His word and share the news

That Christ has come, the King of Jews.

For faithfulness alone brings joy

And all the schemes that men employ

Apart from Him to find their way

Will only lead the more astray.

So, follow Him in all you do

And spread the news to others, too.

For all are called to bear much fruit

While on our Heavenly pursuit.

Tuesday

Amid the plain, He saw the hills

Among the One who saves, who kills.

The Healer of a diff'rent kind

Within their midst, the people find.

A One with grand authority

Unlike the ones that oft we see.

The evil spirits flee away

If just a simple word You say.

The prayer of humble heart is heard

So many times has this occurred

We've come to see it as the norm

When Christ within the heart is born.

Wednesday

He calls to all, but few will hear

For only wise will tune the ear

And wise alone will listen well

Then of the Father's glories tell.

Don't be the fool who passes by

A time to chat with God Most High.

To do His will is my delight

For so, the fires of love ignite.

Our happiness is Him alone

So, when we stray, on ways our own

We fall for glittered, shiny bling

That only grief and heartache bring.

Your word, oh Lord, and that alone

Must be our Rock and Cornerstone

Our guiding light when all is dim

Our steady aid to shore and shim.

You heal the sick and raise the dead

As all the Gospel stories said

So, why don't all believe and hear?

Because they've turned a deafened ear.

To do Your will requires a shift

No more allowing life to drift

But focusing on where You lead

And how to best, Your teaching heed.

Thursday

Because of Your mercy, redeem us, oh Lord

Our army's disgraced and defeated by sword.

We're plundered at will by this pagan regime

We need One forgiving to heal and redeem.

We're mocked and maligned in the news of the day

They say only weaklings need take time to pray.

They laugh, and they laugh at our pleas made to You

While knowing our flesh is opposing of You.

Our souls may be bent, and our bodies are bowed,

But somewhere within, there's a seed that You sowed.

Though none are deserving, redeem all the fold

That someday the light of Your love we behold.

Friday

You want us Lord, to rule our own

To show that in Your light, we've grown.

From those controlled by flesh alone,

To those great self-control have shown.

But, yea, we choose another way

To be like pagans of the day

With king to rule and fight for them

And make a slave of all the men.

So few can find the will inside

To let You be their loving guide

To turn away from temporal things

And see what joy the Father brings.

It's He who knows our every need

And He who wants us to succeed

His self-control and discipline

Will freedom for the humble win.

Saturday

The righteous ones remain uncalled

For they, at Him, remain appalled

By eating in the sinner's lair

And showing public sinners care.

A tax collector chosen here 

A one of whom the people fear.

No love for such a traitor kind

Could anyone among them find.

But Christ could see what lies within,

Profound repentance for his sin.

So, love and mercy made him new

And so, for you, would Jesus do.

No magic here, but love alone

Great mercy for the sinner shown

But only those with humble heart 

Who wish to make another start.

So, frequently, we must repent

And course-correct to where we're sent

For always in His love is where

We find that grace and mercy rare.

The call is there in every day

To follow Him, or go our way

Will you the tax collector be, 

Or just another Pharisee?

1/4/26 Through 1/10/26

 1/4/26 Through 1/10/26

Sunday

Epiphany is when we see

A wonder, always there

Exposed by such a simple key

Though many unaware

A kindly act, a simple word

A quiet look of love

A way in which the Spirit stirred

To turn the mind above.

If once we see, no more can be

Excuses for our sin

When meeting Thee, we bend the knee

And life anew begin.

Monday

The Spirit of God is One readily seen.

When right is upheld, it's especially keen

You see in the fruit and the goodness it brings

It honors dear Jesus as King of all kings.

He teaches us all of the teachings of Christ

And why, on the Cross, was the Lamb sacrificed.

To sanctify man as a child of the King

Forgiving our sins and removing the sting.

Beloved, don't trust every spirit you see

For only the true are possessing the key.

The ones who acknowledge dear Jesus as Christ

And not those by earthly possessions, enticed.

Tuesday

In Him our hunger satisfied

The One who on the Cross has died

The loaves and fish may last a while

But earthly food will just beguile.

We need the food from up above

The sating food of selfless love

The Bread of Life that came to Earth

To offer man a second birth.

The manna in the desert showed

We must be in a trusting mode

Relying on His daily care

To taste delights of Heaven's fare.

The manna, simple hunger, cured

But nay a one that long endured.

For lasting satisfaction, see

The One who died and rose for thee.

Wednesday

I wish to be as John would say,

One confident on Judgment Day

By love, perfected in His sight,

Without a trace of sinners' fright.

It seems a lofty, far-off goal

But only love can make us whole

For love thinks not of selfish gain,

And willingly will suffer pain.

When e'er another one's in need

The one who loves will always heed

And offer what he has to heal,

Be that a coat, or bed, or meal.

Or maybe just a list'ning ear

To comfort one and dry a tear.

A kindly word to spirits raise

Or hand to hold when down the days.

Thursday

Today, this Scripture, at last, is fulfilled

By one who acts as the Father has willed

The blind now can see, the captive now free

The poor given hope for what's coming to be.

Each day, can that Scripture be true once again

If we are but docile, obedient men.

The timing is such that the fool passes by,

But wise clearly see that the Kingdom is nigh.

He comes in the Bread and the Wine every morn

At Mass, they are changed, and the Savior is born.

Yet very few see in the Wine and the Bread

The Son of the Father, by whom we are fed.

Come see and be challenged, accept and believe

It's truly His Flesh and His Blood we receive.

Not merely a symbol, or faith-building sign,

But Christ here among us, the Father's design.

Friday

Undying faith I have in Thee

For only You can set me free

It's only You can cleanse my soul

And You alone that I extol.

Though much I want to break these chains,

My wretched state of sin remains.

But You alone can make me clean

With just a touch for me to glean.

My every weakness, Lord, You know

And these are where I need to grow

I want to look beyond the now

And focus down the road somehow.

Lord, let me see beyond the grave

And so, this woeful sinner, save.

For that beyond, so far exceeds

What I perceive as earthly needs.

I need a change that's deep within

To shed proclivity to sin.

To change my very heart's desire

And walk amid Your cleansing fire.

A word from You, and so it is

My leprosy is much like his

Your cleansing word for one in need

Can make this wretched sinner freed.

Saturday

Increase, oh Lord, in me each day

Let not Your servant go astray

Make me one humble, docile, true

A one with all devoted You

I care not for what lies below

For You alone I hope to know

I marvel at Your every deed

And daily on Your flesh I feed

Within the form of bread and wine

You bid that faithful all would dine

Upon Your flesh that's truly food

And find their hearts, with grace imbued

This simple gift You grant each day

Would change the world if men would pray

And come receive Your flesh indeed

To daily on Your graces feed.