8/14/22 Through 8/20/22

 8/14/22 Through 8/20/22

Sunday

The fire burns away the dross

Some look on this as on a loss,

But that's how souls are purified

To be with Him one unified

The fire feared, and yet desired

Let all men know is that required

To find One holy, good, and true

Who, in His love has fashioned you.

Be not afraid to enter in

And use your will to conquer sin

How true, the flame will scorch and sting

But in the end will freedom bring.

A freedom to His purpose see

The happiness He meant for thee.

Within His will all good contained

Alas, the unity obtained.

Monday

Most beautiful of all the earth

Who gave our blessed Savior birth

Oh, blessed, pure, and undefiled

Help me to know your Holy Child.

Resplendent as the light of day

Around your head the stars array

The moon beneath your feet may glow

But not your taste of glory know.

His lowly servant ever blest

In finest garments ever dressed

Great glory to the Mother Queen

As none before have ever seen.

Lowly now, so high exalted

Never once before was faulted

Purity beyond all knowing

Truth and Love within her growing.

Bearing patiently all sorrow

Trusting always on the morrow

At the cross her station keeping

O'er His bloodied body weeping.

Here before the Blessed Mother

Pure and true, and like no other

I ask, dear Mother, plead for me

To Jesus, be the way for me.

Tuesday

When all are gods and none are gods

Pure chaos rules the day

When e'er we look are false facades

Then lost becomes our way.

Humility will turn the tide

And open up the eyes

We'll see how much the riches lied

And none, of value, buys.

Wednesday

We look for more for doing less

To find some way to cheat

Instead of finding ways to bless

And others' needs to meet.

Thursday

Your flesh unworthily received

By selfishness and sin deceived

Your offering in every day

Must be for me what rules my day.

So wash me clean of every sin

Replace the stone that's deep within

With one of flesh that I may live

And all my praise to Thee may give.

Friday

With all your heart, with all your soul,

With all your mind then be made whole.

No more the bones be dry and dead

If by His word you're daily fed.

Your neighbor too, as love demands

Beloved as you, by His commands.

As sinew joins and flesh gives shape

We stand in awe with mouths agape.

For when with spirit You adorn

A mighty army there is born.

And then the land shall be restored

For thus I saith, as the Lord.

Your dead be raised and life anew

Your land be given back to you.

My Spirit dwelling in your soul,

Alive forever, fully whole.

Saturday

Do as they say, not as they do

For that, my friend is good for you.

Not practicing the things they preach,

A quicker way to hell they teach.

They choose the glory here and now

Above the way of life somehow.

Exalted here, but humbled then

They go the way of foolish men.

The greatest must the servant be

To follow closely after Me.

And find in humble service then

The goal of all the righteous men.

8/7/22 Through 8/13/22

 8/7/22 Through 8/13/22

Sunday

When much is given much is required

Greatest of gifts is faith inspired.

The reason follows if we see

His grand design in all that be.

Not here as simply odds of chance

In nature's brilliant daily dance

But given will to steward well

Our gift, and generations tell,

Of One who loves beyond the stars

Whose body's marked with many scars

Who calls to sinners, "Follow Me,

And I will make you truly free."

Free to love and sacrifice much

Free to stand, or walk without crutch.

For He provides for all our needs

And with His very flesh, He feeds.

Monday

While fishing for the temple tax

Great wonders cross his mind

And then at once a fish attacks

The hook upon his line.

So once again we clearly see

No ordinary man

This Jesus Christ, Messiah be

With quite a different plan.

The One without a trace of sin

Was planning yet to give

His life upon the cross to win

New life for man to live.

Both baffled and bewildered by

His new and different way

To show how far we've gone awry

And wandered far away.

But humble words and ways of love

The soul cannot resist

In truth, He comes from far above

As God within our midst.

Tuesday

Open wide and thus receive

Far more than mortal mind perceives

Turn not aside from what is true

A call awaits for such as you.

A call awaits and you will see

That love can turn the dead to be

Alive with vigor, truth, and wise.

A one with seeing truthful eyes.

One childlike that humble be

Whose angels daily speak with Me

And does the will of God above

In humble, trusting, patient, love.

Wednesday

The gift of all is all I need

A multitude that I might feed.

For grain that's scattered soon will grow

And harvest plenty, you will know.

But hoarded for a rainy day

Will rot and mold without delay

You're meant for passing on this way

Not holding what will pass away.

Then what we pass along will thrive

And you will more than just survive.

For he that gives is given more,

And no request will God ignore.

For grace, He gives to suffer well

To those who will His story tell.

And model lives like His that give

So all on earth might truly live.

Thursday

This poverty I dread as loss

A heavy and appalling cross.

But that is where my actions lead

If I can't hear the humble plead.

So much received, so little shared

By riches now the heart ensnared.

When all one day will naked be

It seems as foolishness to me.

Yet very short the eye can see

The here and now alone can be

The overwhelming care for me

Ignoring those in poverty.

Forgive me Lord my many wrongs

Where charity and love belongs.

I substituted greed and lust

And now alone in mercy trust

Lord make me wise enough to learn

Such mercy, I must too return

If I expect to one day be

With You for all eternity.

The poverty I dread so much

Enables me to feel Your touch

And when I share what I receive

I show I truly do believe.

Friday

In purity may love be found

By modest dress, the heart is bound

The eyes of purity will show

Where truest peace and love will grow.

In mystery, her beauty shines

And ready smile kindness signs.

Her spoken word so soft and sweet

A beauty grand, from one petite.

Saturday

Let the children come to me

Be touched, of sinfulness set free.

No longer tied to ways of sin

Passed on by their ancestral kin.

Lord, lay Your hands on me and pray

That change be in my heart today

And ever firmly tied to You

Be sanctified the things I do.

7/31/22 Through 8/6/22

 7/31/22 Through 8/6/22

Sunday

Oh vanity of vanities

How little that we know

For all we gain upon the earth

Will one day have to go.

For none survive that final day

When life on earth shall cease

For then our money holds no sway

And fear will much increase

The stores we need are not obtained

By toil here below

But prayerfully is mercy gained

As treasure where we go.

Monday

Woe to those who make their truth

When all is but a lie

Who lead astray the tender youth

In wickedness to die.

Idolatry is hard to see

When god I make is me

In pride, our blindness, we can't see

If mirrored only me.

But humble see the naked truth

As plain before their eyes

And care about the tender youth

So lift the poor disguise

It's better known, the righteous way,

As hard as it may seem.

For truth alone will rule the day

And Christ alone redeem.

Tuesday

Here He comes across the water

Walking as upon the land

Surely this is He the Potter

Calling on to water stand.

Save me Lord for I am sinking

In the tempest all around

Faith be yours instead of thinking

I will save and you not drown.

Wednesday

Mercy for the huddled masses

Mercy for contemptible

With the Lord are no more classes,

Knowing Him attemptable.

Restoration of the nation

Even dogs will have their day

Give His mercy loud ovation

Mighty gifts for those who pray.

Thursday

If truly in our hearts His way,

Then why do we react this way?

We see the good and choose the bad

As if we never truth have had.

The whisper from the garden still 

Inviting man to choose his will

To act not as we know we should

And turn from beauty, truth, and good.

Even those that know Him well

Will try to sacrificing quell

And choose a wider easy way

O'er sacrifice, and go astray.

But Lord receive me back again

With tears of sorrow swelling then

Humility in lieu of pride

With eyes affixed upon the prize.

Friday

Our actions account for the end of us all

Both wicked and virtued who answer His call.

The call is to make, His will first in our land

To love one another and live as He planned.

But selfish and perverted ways have crept in

And common in lives of the masses is sin.

So common the weakest are torn limb from limb

In name of our freedom, or just on a whim.

The cries of the children, the silence that screams,

How have we arrived at such wicked extremes?

Both mother and butcher proceed as they planned

Unknowing that doom is so quickly at hand.

Repent while the reaper is still on his way

there's still time for mercy, but do not delay.

Repentance must happen before that we die

Or sealed is our fate and forever we fry.

Saturday

Transfigured there before our eyes

No more a veiled or dim disguise

We fall before the glory seen

And try, but fail our sin to screen.

A light refulgent comes from Him

No cloth or cloud could ever dim.

It shines within, revealing there

How much we need our Father's care.

So let Your glory shine on me

Transfigured then my soul would be

With mercy granting eyes to see

The splendor of the Trinity.

7/24/22 Through 7/30/22

 7/24/22 Through 7/30/22

Sunday

Abundance in Your every word

Is daily in the scriptures heard

A little morsel, but a crumb,

when given ear, will more become.

We chew upon this bread and eat

A tender, hearty, juicy meat

And as we savor, sweetness grows

Then all around us fades and slows.

The Father's love becomes the air

With every thought directed where

His mercy wipes away our sin

And life eternal starts with Him.

Monday

Here as Servant, not as served

All receive what's well-deserved.

We must receive and nurture well 

The faith of which Apostles tell.

Not life of ease nor honor high

But life poured out, prepared to die.

To give the measure full and true

Whenever it is asked of you.

Receive His word and pass it on.

Be like the drenching dew at dawn

Refreshing who throughout the day

You'll pass along the winding way.

Tuesday

The weeds and wheat together grown

But in the end, is clearly shown.

The fruit of each displayed to show

The end to which they each will go.

Each seed will choose to bear its fruit

Displaying well the heart's pursuit,

And those that live for selfish gain

Will end within eternal pain.

But those who bear great fruit in love

And draw their strength from God above

Will share with Him eternal bliss

Quite far above the great abyss.

Wednesday

The hiding place that's best of all 

Is one within the sight of all.

A one we see in every day

And pass but never stop to pray.

The corner where the church is found

In every city, burg, or town

Wherein a sanctuary flame

Can hearts both cold and dead reclaim.

Here where daily bread is broken

Seen by most, a merely token

Lies a pearl for humble wise

That hides within a bread disguise.

A Pearl to set the heart aflame

To place upon the soul a claim

But far too often few can see

That here is where the treasure be.

Search and share, then see when finished

Broken yet is undiminished

Treasure there for ones that see

Disguised as bread is truly Thee.

Thursday

The fear and trembling of that day

When Potter looks upon the clay

To see how well the clay provides

And then eternal home decides.

Or when at last, the net hauled in

And naked there in front of Him

He separates the good from bad,

The bass and perch, from carp and shad.

No life such scrutiny could stand

And all once here would there be banned

Except that Mercy has stepped in

To wash away a life of sin.

But cleansing must each soul attain

If Heaven's bliss it hopes to gain

For there eternally with Him

No trace of sin may enter in.

So, clean me Lord both here and now

Forgive my sad and broken vow.

Your grace I need and will to turn,

For death alone is what I earn.

Friday

Though many sacrifices made

Another yet by Him was bade.

To come and listen well awhile

And see if not, the time worthwhile.

For care is shown in temporal chores

But love, in quiet calm explores

The depth of every spoken word

And there is deep affection stirred.

So do your chores, but don't forget

In silence where His Heart you met.

Let not the temporal rule the day,

But let eternal hold the sway.

Saturday

Death awaits with life anew

For those with courage preaching You

Abandonment unto Your will,

Will lead to life for those they kill.

Give courage Lord, for I am weak

And cower when I ought to speak.

For left unchallenged, lies will stand,

But Truth will show they're built on sand.

The revolution women sought

With lie on lie, the movement fraught.

The more they seek that they be "free"

The more objectified they be.

7/17/22 Through 7/23/22

 7/17/22 Through 7/23/22

Sunday

What was it like to dine with Him,

This sacred guest you welcomed in?

The conversation and the food,

A melting of the heart ensued

His eyes so clear that pierced within

Illuminating every sin

Yet mercy flowing from above

As He reveals the Father's love.

Each word that penetrates the soul,

Not to condemn, but to console.

Describes a love beyond what's known

And feeds the hunger of the bone.

This meal is offered every day

But oh, so many stay away.

Let me receive this day anew

The sacred chance to dine with You.

Monday

The greatest mystery I know

Is why, on earth, we grace forego?

Abundantly it's offered yet

Ignored as if an idle threat.

A threat to make one good and pure,

A threat to all the sinful cure.

For grace would mean response to Him

And not consent to every whim.

The men of Ninevah could see,

So why so blinded folks like me?

And Sheba's queen could recognize

Great wisdom there before her eyes.

Yet often near the Font of Grace

I fail to holiness embrace

Then feed the flesh and not the soul

When grace would make this sinner whole.

The will, oh Lord, I wish to change,

Priorities to rearrange.

That I would answer yes to you

And let you make me fresh and new.

Tuesday

Sins into the ocean cast

Now see the future, not the past.

No longer slowed by weight of sin

Repentant sinners welcomed in.

Who but God alone is good,

Who hung our sins upon the wood,

And paid the price for man to live,

Who wishes only more to give?

Clemency no god has known,

For such belongs to God alone.

No gift of His held in reserve,

He gives far more than we deserve.

Wednesday

He wishes all would prophets be

With open eyes that clearly see,

That recognize the sin that kills,

And calls to what the Father wills.

He wishes all would prophets be

That humble selves to clearly see.

That God is God, and they are not

And all they have, from God they got.

He wishes all would prophets be

Repentant of their sins to see

Great mercy and great love provide

Forgiveness for our love denied.

He wishes all would prophets be

To light the way so others see

Their sin will lead to deep despair

When evil does the soul ensnare.

He wishes all would prophets be

That in the midst of calm they see

The storm that's brewing just ahead

And how the masses are misled.

He wishes all would prophets be

And in the mirror clearly see

The sinner with this sacred call

Must be corrected first of all.

Thursday

In parables that symbolize

The truth is spread before their eyes,

But blind they be and deaf to hear,

They cannot see the Lord is near.

I don't know why He's chosen me,

But know He's granted eyes that see.

What many miss and never know,

To me somehow the truth will show.

Yet words are feeble when I try

To speak to those who truth deny.

The mind is locked and closed the door.

They know not what they're looking for.

Somehow, I pray in stories told

One day they'd stumble on the gold.

And then that sparkle catch their eye

And they repent before they die.

For mercy is the season now

But all before the King will bow

And on that day will judgment be.

Oh God, be merciful to me.

Friday

Repentant of her many sins

A life with Jesus she begins

The love that draws her to the cross

Proclaims all other loves as loss.

There beneath the cross she stood

Her greatest love affixed to wood.

The future joy that she would know

Must first through horrid torment go.

A First Communion in the Blood

From Him the flowing crimson flood.

She tasted of the life Divine

From bruised and bloody fruitful vine.

The lifeless body laid to rest

Upon the Mother's tender breast

As many pondered moments swell

And of the sword that pierces tell.

Beyond the Sabbath she avowed

To come again without the crowd

To care for Him one final way

But found the stone was rolled away.

She peered inside and angel said

Why seek the living with the dead?

He goes before to Galilee

And there Apostles all shall see.

Saturday

The weeds among the wheat shall grow

But vastly different places go.

At harvest time when gathered in,

To fire those entrapped in sin.

But gathered in the Master's store

The wheat that bore good fruit and wore

The seal of Him who paid the price

And followed perfect true advice.

The ground receives both wheat and tare

And nourishes while waiting there

For each to yield its fruit and see

If good for bread or fire be.