9/10/23 Through 9/16/23

 9/10/23 Through 9/16/23

Sunday

Repentance is the greatest gift

For any to receive

Correcting one that’s gone adrift

To sin now well-perceive.

So, let me see and let me hear

Rebuke with open mind.

Forgive me then and draw me near

That I, true joy may find.

Monday

Withered, misshapen, and useless are we,

In need of a Savior to set our hearts free.

Forgiving and loving of weak and depraved

Freeing of those who to sin are enslaved.

They long for the day they can walk for the lame

And leap like a stag at the sound of their name.

The deaf and the dumb are expecting the days

When they hear and they sing in the choir of praise.

So, free us no matter the day or the hour

We long for Your presence and word to devour.

Self-righteous may see an injustice by You

But Father and I have a far different view.

Tuesday

As Mary, none was ever known

As sinless and as holy shown

The purity and beauty there

Are such that man cannot compare

For there upon her tender breast

The King of kings would lay to rest

And One who made the earth and sky

Would meet her gaze with eye to eye

The Babe in arms, her little child

The greatest One, so meek and mild,

Has chosen her as Full of Grace

The fairest of our human race

Wednesday

When all of truth is thus revealed

No more lies and filth concealed.

We’ll see that blessed are the poor,

The meek and humble ones for sure.

For truth reveals the inner core,

The lustful greedy, grasping more.

The poor and meek and humble too,

Who put their faith and trust in You.

No more facades of acting plays

For truth is seen in lighted days,

And none that day, with Him compare

And none our weight of sin can bear.

But then a humble Lamb once slain

Appears to help the poor regain

The glory once in garden lost

To warm the heart and melt the frost.

For rich and haughty then will learn

The weight of what their works did earn,

Eternity where darkness reigns

And none but evil there remains.

Thursday

The cross, far more than any sign

The greatest gift for all mankind.

Such love beyond our mortal minds

The one who contemplates it finds.

There, suffering and pain is found

To loose the chains with which we're bound,

For when we gaze on love Divine

We see the Cross does love define.

As serpent on the pole was raised

And saved were all who on it gazed

The Son of God became our sin

So we might His salvation win.

So, lift it high, this Cross of love

For none on earth and none above

But One alone has conquered sin

Defeating death, so we might win.

Friday

Oh Mother of Sorrows, oh, Virgin of Grace

Please grant me a home in that heavenly place.

The years of His growing and nightly embrace

No cross, or no sorrows could ever erase.

So, confirmed in His love and convinced of the good

You trusted Him always, as always we should.

Obeying in spite of the hurt and the pain

Forever quite focused on heavenly gain.

Obtain for me now such a grace that I seek

That in time of my trial, you'll strengthen the weak,

So one day I'll look at the trial that's passed

And see that in truth, it was gold that was cast.

Exalted the ones who endure to the end

When lies are abounding, the truth they defend.

When all are the wrong, still they stick to the right

When all are in darkness, they offer the light.

You are the icon, the window above

To the land of His glory, and mercy, and love.

Make of me now an obedient child

Cleansed of my sin and all that defiled.

Saturday

For sinners all, He came to save

For there His flesh and blood He gave

And taught them how to dig below

For solid ground on which to grow.

For if we listen and obey

No flood can ever wash away

What's built with love on solid ground

For there our refuge safe is found

9/3/23 Through 9/9/23

 9/3/23 Through 9/9/23

Sunday

At some point, every man will see

How worthless things on earth can be

Without lasting satisfaction

All on earth will lose attraction.

Only that which lasts forever

Worthy of our life's endeavor

Cross and glory come together

Like the flight of bird, and feather.

Shun not that which leads to glory

Suffering for love's the story

That redeemed the souls forever

With a love no sin can sever.

Born anew as once in Garden

Let His love, your sins all pardon

And then in turn repeat the word

Until all men on earth have heard.

Monday

Among the common, lies the gem

The heavenly, from earthly stem

But those familiar cannot see

For blinded by their pride they be.

Upon this One, the Spirit rests

By every measure passing tests

But obstinate, will not believe

And so no miracle receive.

\Persistent to this very day

The disbelieving have their way

And proudly by the diamond pass

Assuming it no more than glass.

Believers though can recognize

The truth and love within His eyes

And see the many facets there

That prove His love beyond compare.

Monday in Adoration

I'm here to hear Your word today

To listen well and then obey

I come with trepidation for

I know You always ask for more.

But two can play that game as well.

I've read where You would people tell

To ask and seek and search and find

And so, Your precious gifts be mined

So, here I am imploring You

To make my will afresh and new

Accord with Yours in every way

Detached from all that holds my sway.

Tuesday

The thief has come to steal

What He cannot possess

The demons, they are real

With mortals they contest.

Jealousy the motive

Shared misery the goal

Lies that are emotive

And sway a weakened soul.

Alert and sober be

Awake at every turn

For traps they set to see

And unto God return

Wednesday

Read again My Gospel story

See in there My Road to Glory

Days are filled with mercy granting

Seeds of love in masses planting

Do as I would do each morning

With my silent prayer adorning

Come and seek My Father's yearning

There His will and favor learning

There one poor and wretched seeming

Finds His love in torrent streaming

Grace for every daily trial

Help to walk the extra mile

Thursday

The deeper the water the bigger the fish

A catch that's beyond the best that you wish

So do as He says and "put out in the deep".

For that's where the catch of your life you will reap.

The cowardly stay in the boat near the shore

But longing, and yearning, and craving for more.

They heard, but afraid, of the call He has made

The gift of their all, that to all He has bade.

So, trust and obey for the net that you cast

Is eternity bound and forever will last

It's required of all that the All be obeyed

For nothing they'll have, where the cowardly stayed.

Friday

King of all kings, to be born such a way

With naught for a bed, but a manger with hay.

And Queen of the angels and saints up above

What a one of obedience, patience, and love!

The great and the powerful, bending so low

That all ever living should know where to go.

To meet with Queen Mother who stands at His side

And asks us to all come along for a ride.

The path where He leads us, with trial is fraught

But then, in the end, to glory we're brought.

By trusting His love every step of the way,

Like Mary, we're led to that manger with hay.

To the lowly abode where All Holiness reigns

Where obedience leads us through sorrows and pains

To find that self-giving, as odd as it seems,

Will lead in the end, to the land of our dreams.

So, come with the Mother to worship the Son

If the stirring of faith in your heart has begun.

And learn from the lowly, the way of on high,

Where the joy of the Savior forever is nigh.

Saturday

Lord of the Sabbath and Lord of my life

Lord in the plenty and Lord in the strife

Lord in the good times when all is at peace

Lord when the trials seem never to cease.

The Lord of all lords, and King of all kings

In times of calamity, comfort He brings

The Lord of the sea, and Lord of the sky

The Lord for the faithful, and those who deny

No matter our poverty, wealth, or our fame

The Lord is our Lord, forever the same.

Unmoving, unchanging, and loving for all.

Why is it so few ever answer His call?

8/27/23 Through 9/2/23

 8/27/23 Through 9/2/23

Sunday

Who do you say that I am?

A prophet; a king; just a man?

Your answer will be quite revealing to Me

so answer as best as you can.

Monday

You hypocrites and blinded guides

You see not what the Lord provides

Your eyes and ears to earth are tuned

while Truth before you stands impugned

The light of day your deeds abhor

Phylacteries your teachers wore

Produce but filth and selfish gain,

To greed and pride, they simply train

You fail to see the light of day

Or recognize the Holy Way

Before your eyes and calling you

To turn from sin to life anew.

Tuesday

Arise and speak what I command

My words can heal this wicked land

Repentant souls can be made new

If you, My will, would simply do.

I call and yet so few will hear

The loss of worthless bling they fear

When what I offer shall endure

But what they have they feel is sure

They fail to see what long endures

And choose to grasp for sudden cures

But satisfaction slips away

As dew in the approaching day

So, you must be My voice to them

This tide of wickedness to stem

A window clear that all might see

The satisfaction found in Me.

Wednesday

All whitewashed tombs with dead men's bones

He calls the Pharisee who moans

Of how He cures on Sabbath rest

And tries to put Him to the test.

Such pride He sees as filth and rot

The sum of all the teacher's got.

Gnats they strain and camels swallow,

But the Word they never follow

So, do as said, and not as done

For such as they did prophets shun

By acts of love, the true are known

And opposite, are wicked shown.

Thursday

Always here and always ready

In a way that's clear and steady

Well aware to hear His bidding

Evil in our lives forbidding

Such is how His faithful living

All their lives attuned to giving

Work until His final entry

In His way, so elementary

But the fool that drags and dawdles

And for young, the vices models

Risks the loss of treasure mounting

By the Master's will discounting

Simple find the right direction

In their humble way's perfection

Simply do what He's commanding

And you'll find rewards outstanding

Friday

Many times the wise and foolish

Look the same in outward ways

Wise the docile, fools the mulish

In the Lord's perceiving gaze

One has come without preparing

One is ready, come what may

In the time of need no sharing

What you'll want that final day

Fond relationship one building

One concerned with only me

Hurried bling the foolish gilding

Wise, a well-made prize for Thee

Final day approaches steady

Be no fool that's unprepared

Be the virgin wise and ready

With the groom, the banquet shared

Saturday

The talents wasted bear no fruit

No benefit in our pursuit

Of lofty status there beyond

Where everlasting light has dawned

Each gift was meant for use below

To help the wand'ring children know

That God exists, and loves us so

He wishes each of us to grow

The status quo is wickedness

A stagnant swamp of uselessness

But flowing streams are not withdrawn

And grow along the path they're on

Accountable, each one shall be

To turn a profit here for Thee

So, let us bury not the gold

But use it well to more behold

8/20/23 Through 8/26/23

 8/20/23 Through 8/26/23

Sunday

This house of Mine is made for all

Who listen well, and heed My call

For every tribe and every race

Accepting of My holy grace.

For eye is not the ear, you see

And hand, a foot, can never be

They all are one as made by Me

Their prayer I hear as well as thee

So welcome with a ready smile

Your kindred of a different style

The salad made of all mankind

Is one in heaven you shall find.

Monday

So, sell it all and follow Me

For that's the way you're truly free

And here's the wealth you really need

To plant and grow that precious seed.

True wealth so few can recognize

Though here each day before our eyes

With arms outstretched to welcome home

The wayward ones that far do roam

Oh, keep me Lord not far from You

And guide my heart in all I do

So if somehow I start to stray

Your love would draw me back to stay.

Tuesday

The lowly chosen by the King

To peace and joy and vict'ry bring

He uses those on earth so small

Who answer well His simple call.

He asks for everything we own

For then His will is clearly shown.

And those who answer, "Let it be."

Are those who lead to victory.

Wednesday

When called, I pray to answer well

Without excuses then to tell

To use His every granted gift

To seek the good, and common sift.

To labor well for just reward

With grateful heart unto my Lord

What better way to sing His praise

Than follow Him through all my days

Attentive to His every word

No hesitation e'er incurred.

But one so willing all to serve

With nothing held as in reserve.

Thursday

For what a great foundation laid

With blood and tears Apostles paid

To lay the stones still here today

That teach us how to live and pray

The men that walked His path each day

And listened to the words he'd say

They gave them root so deep within

That all would lose their life for Him

No other held so deep a sway

No comfort could deter the Way

The fire of love that burned within

Was Jesus Christ, who conquered sin.

We too, must spread the word each day

And faithful be, if come what may.

For trial attends the word of love

But leads us to our home above.

Friday

A loyalty uncommon then

Was shown by Ruth to mother when

She chose to stay to be her aide

And calls to leave could not persuade.

Her gods of former days were gone

The One True God she counted on

She left behind her home and kin

To life anew with God begin.

Saturday

Humble let Your servant be

By placing souls in front of me

By putting others 'fore my will

And making love my nature's fill

For You who made the earth and sky

So humble, came to earth to die

To show what man was meant to be

When sin was conquered on the Tree.

No greater sign could e'er be known

Than Jesus on a cross-shaped throne.

Our King in all humility

Who suffered there and died for me.

Oh, let me share that grace, Divine

And place Your will ahead of mine

If that be suffering and pain

Grant all for my eternal gain.

The lowest place above with Thee

So far exceeds where I should be

But in Your love, the lost is found

So hear my humble pleading sound.

John Vianney

 John Vianney

The miracles attained in Ars

The lifting of so many scars

Come through prayer and sacrifice

Through humble priest with good advice.

His littleness well-known before

Is that which gave him wings to soar

The humble heart's appeal is heard

When in submission to His word.

8/13/23 Through 8/19/23

 8/13/23 Through 8/19/23

Sunday

Never on the water walking

Rather in the boat and talking

Never in the whisper finding

Always in the storm so binding

Stop and listen for the calling

Not the sound of tempest bawling

Leave the boat or shelter where

Appears the safe, but lies the snare.

Or you'll miss the Voice of favor

Calling you to sip and savor.

What joys the Master has for thee

If docile, one like you would be.

Monday

The law He gives is for our good

So, follow it all faithful should

We needn't fall to depths of sin

If we but listen well to Him.

It's not that hard to peace enjoy

If we but truth and love employ

If we but turn from selfish lust

And in the Savior place our trust.

If we admit the wrongs we do

His mercy's there to make us new

Then persevering in His way

We find His peace throughout the day.

Tuesday

Blest womb that bore and breasts that nursed

Most ancient curse of sin reversed

Not just because of whom she bore

But what she conquered in the war.

Sinless Mother of Divine

Come and touch this heart of mine

Let me know the Father's Son

And someday be with Him as one.

Your blessings through obedience

The way of all expedience

To find His blessings here below

True peace and happiness to know.

There the happy, there the blest

There you find eternal rest

All who do the Father's will 

So too, can have their blessing fill.

Wednesday

If two or three are gathered here

To them He shall be very near

Presenting to the Father's will

For Him to every need fulfill

So, join with me in prayer today

To help me recognize the way

To seek His will in all I do

And meet Him face to face with you.

Thursday

With forgiveness evil flees

Remember not our evil deeds

For if each deed were recompensed

The fire of hell would be dispensed.

We see in ever clearer light

Our evil done in dark of night

And only mercy clears the way

For us to have eternal day

Friday

Recalling all that God has done

And how He came to make us one

Through trials in the desert waste

With miracles when Pharoah chased

With daily manna there to feed

And from the mount, give rules to heed

He cared for those He called His own

And brought them to their promised home.

Saturday

As for me and my house, the Lord we will serve

No other my honor or praise shall deserve

Be gone, to the gods of pleasure and lust

There's only One True that is righteous and just

The Lord of all lords, and King of all kings

By Cross and by Blood, salvation He brings

With heart widely opened, arms spread to receive

The Cross and the grave, to surprise did conceive

The dawn of the new everlasting embrace

The age of His glory, and honor, and grace.

The time when His wonders are seen every day

When gold is contained in the vessels of clay.

So, humble thyself to receive from the Lord

What the rich and the haughty could never afford.

A life that is rich in the market of love

One destined to find it's homeland above