1/14/24 Through 1/20/24

 1/14/24 Through 1/20/24

Sunday

In ages past, the path unclear

Not often did His voice we hear,

But in this age, we're clearly told

The way salvation shall unfold.

The Son of God has come to Earth

The Noble One took humble birth

To show all men God's holy will

And how their thirst for love to fill.

If when He calls we answer well,

And of His love and glory tell

Though pain and sorrow come our way

His peace cannot be pulled away.

Through sacrifice, mankind was saved.

In sacrifice, our path is paved.

He calls us all to freely give

And learn through sacrifice to live.

So, listen and you'll hear today

His voice that says, "This is the way."

It's not for later, but for now

So listen and obey somehow.

You'll not be disappointed then

Like all the prideful, sinful men,

For dutiful shall find new birth

And humble shall inherit Earth.

Monday

Far better than sacrifice, follow His word

You may keep what you have but do as you've heard.

Reject Him and find that in life you have failed,

The flesh o'er the spirit, to death has prevailed.

For all He has banned, He finds worthless to all,

So why disobey and not answer His call?

The Giver of Good has our interest at heart,

So why from the plan of the cleansing depart?

What His justice demands we none can afford

But repentance can fix our mistakes with the Lord

So, turn from the sin to be healed and renewed

\Let obedience only from now be our food.

Tuesday

Not as man, God's glory sees

He has not chosen one of these

He puts His seal on humbly blest

For He can see within the breast.

The heart He knows that's good and pure

The one whose trust will long endure

Don't look at stature, brain, or brawn

Not these, His choice depended on.

Look deep inside for there reveals

What brain and brawn, in truth, conceals.

The heart and soul most blessed when

They're found within the humble men.

Wednesday

A withered hand no use to me,

I may as well be blind, you see

I need both hands to ply a trade

And honor Him in what I've made.

Thursday

Death is evil's darkest deed

The only way it can succeed

It rages in the soul of man

To ply the devil's evil plan.

Our suffering's a call to join

And make our lives, to Christ adjoin

Uniting trials in the cross

To make the Devil's gain his loss.

In Christ we see an empty grave

A resurrected One to save

On Perfect Love we can depend

This world's grave is not the end.

So, join your suffering to Him

Let not your face be dark and grim,

But know your cross will lead to life

And suffer well your every strife.

Friday

The circumstances will arise

When we can choose who lives or dies

When enemies are in our hold

And we must act as one controlled.

A one controlled by higher ways

With love and patience ruling days

Without the vengence evil craves,

But rather humble love that saves.

The way we choose can set the course

Toward humble love, or great remorse

In retrospect I think I've shown

Both ways of wise and fools I've known.

When wisdom ruled, twas grace alone

That light amid the darkness shone,

And in the times of foolish pride

I set the light of grace aside,

May nevermore I foolish be

For Christ, my Lord has rescued me.

A wretched sinner, fool, depraved, 

But hopefully, a sinner saved.

Saturday

Young David mourns for what is lost

His King and brother too.

The price of sin a higher cost,

But still, do fools pursue.

Someday we'll see that all we chased

Was worthless, vain pursuit.

So much of time that we did waste

Just like a senseless brute.

Awake and look around to see

What truly you have gained.

Can any face eternity

In all you have obtained?

They called Him crazy, mad, insane,

But look at what He won

It's on the cross is where we gain

A kinship to the Son.

1/7/24 Through 1/13/24

 1/7/24 Through 1/13/24

Sunday

Far in east, a star arises

Few discern its gloried guises.

Here but three discern its wonder

Born all time to set asunder.

Still today the wise will seek Him.

Faithful servants still bespeak Him.

All men can see His shining star,

But only wise come near or far.

Make of me one wise and humble,

Guide my feet to never stumble.

Let me offer worthy praises,

Spark a fire in me that blazes.

Let me be the wise to witness,

Make me one of perfect fitness.

Ready always here proclaiming,

Jesus Christ the Savior naming.

Monday

Flowing water cleansing tide

Wash the stains of sin aside.

Let me rise afresh and new,

Detached from sin and much like You.

The freedom that the Spirit gives

Enables righteousness that lives

Within a broken world to see

The goodness God intended thee.

Far more than just an outward sign

They truly cleanse in His design

And give the freedom all should know

To evermore in love to grow.

Tuesday

Anxieties we daily bring

With hopeful heart before the King.

The King that fashioned all that is,

Who chose us as a child of His.

The humble heart He hears with joy,

And messengers in His employ

He sends to bring Good News to they

Who walk along His narrow way.

In righteousness and constant hope

They walk in faith to help them cope

Both trusting that which can't be seen,

And shunning all that's found unclean.

Lord, help me be like those who win

Rejecting every thought of sin,

Accepting all You ask to bear,

To someday in Your glory share.

Wednesday

Have you heard His voice today,

Or have you taken time to pray?

Perhaps His word is close at hand

If we but followed His command.

We crowd the beach to build on sand

Not caring what the Lord had planned.

Our fancies chased at every whim,

Instead of listening to Him.

In silence of the early morn

Is where the Blessed Christ was born.

Most sleeping in their comfy bed

Not seeing in the cattle shed.

So too, it happens every day,

So few will make the time to pray,

And miss the wonder waiting near

If they would take the time to hear.

The storms are brewing all around

But few, on rock, are firmly found.

And what a fall awaits for they

Who make not daily time to pray.

Daily Word is always needed

Often though it is not heeded.

Teach me to listen and obey

By daily making time to pray.

Thursday

The shout goes up, "Unclean! Unclean!"

The wretched state of sin is seen

Decaying flesh and stench of sin

Describes the state the soul is in.

All lepers in the sight of God,

The righteous man no less a fraud.

For all have sinned and turned away,

His touch alone can save the day.

An overflowing joy abounds

When sinners freed make joyful sounds.

But He that healed, our cross assumed 

To save the lost and free the doomed.

So, learn to love in Godly ways

And give Him all your thanks and praise.

For freedom comes so highly-priced,

Just look upon the Cross of Christ.

Friday

One King alone I wish to serve

None other loyalty deserve.

One King alone shall free the slave.

One King alone whose Son He gave.

No other love like His is known.

No other purest love has shown.

One King alone is true and wise

One King is God in man's disguise.

Saturday

Doctors for the sick are needed,

Only well, the law have heeded.

Those who see their lives as moral

With the Man of Mercy quarrel.

Blinded by their own behavior

Think they needn't need a Savior.

But object in sinful measure

To the choice of Mercy's pleasure.

Might we too be quite like them

Who wish to other ones condemn?

We build ourselves by tearing down

Then in our ways offend the Crown.

In the eyes of One who made us

Have we done what He has bade us?

Far from such, we all have drifted

Only humble ones get lifted.

12/31/23 Through 1/6/24

 12/31/23 Through 1/6/24

Sunday

The family the basic cell

Where first the Gospel words we tell

The place where children learn to love

A sacrificial place thereof.

The spouses, permanent and true

Within the covenant renew

Their bonds of love and multiply

With little ones to edify.

Monday

Mary, far above all others

Mary, like no human others

Virgin filled with endless graces

In all times and in all places

Beauty far beyond all telling

Deep within the Godhead dwelling

Overshadowed by the Spirit

Teaching children not to fear it.

We His children, like our Mother

Must adore Him, not another

He will lift the lowly higher

Saving them from dreaded fire.

Help me to become so lowly

So, like Mary, I may know Thee

Help Your weakly servant grow

One overshadowed in Your glow.

Tuesday

If someone asks you, "Who are you?"

Would you know what to say or do?

Is your purpose clear and fruitful,

Is it something folks find useful?

Each with purpose in the planning

O'er the ages many spanning

Each with his own to carry out

Each with the need to be devout.

To find which what and who apply

We must commune with God most high.

The silence in the desert sand

Is where we learn what Master planned.

For in the silence there, He speaks

With little nudges, interest piques

And if our pride be set aside

You'll find the who, by Him supplied.

Wednesday

So, what is in that Holy Name

The One of everlasting fame

.What power spread when uttered well 

To all His praise and glory tell.

No other name in power bound

On Earth or Heaven ever found.

A name to make the demons flee

A name to set the captives free.

No other freely nailed to wood

No other speaks such truth and good

No other, sins can all forgive

No other died that all might live.

How foolish to profane this name

Of purest Love, from whence He came.

The only name to save the soul

And make the broken sinner whole.

Revere and cherish every sound

Where Jesus on the lips is found

So, praise His name and open wide

And welcome Purest Love inside.

Thursday

The Lord supplies a change of name

When changing rules within the game

When love becomes the rule of rules

Christ shows He's using different tools.

As Simon changed to Peter then

The work was shown as different when

The King becomes the Servant One

The lowliest, His Mighty Son.

So, confirmation means a change

Priorities to rearrange

A name to choose to guide the way

To serve Him in our special way.

The name of Joseph held appeal

A man of strength both true and real.

A worker who accomplished much

But held at bay desired touch

He gave up good for better still

And followed well the Master's will.

A builder in his chosen trade

With pride in what his hands had made.

So, this is why that name I chose

As Joseph from the rest of those

For me, he's been a kindred soul

Inspiring and making whole.

Friday

When all we have is all we need

The wealth of earth can ne'er exceed

The joy of Jesus in the soul

Refreshing love and making whole.

If we have it all, but Him

Our happiness is weak and slim

For only Christ can satisfy

And promises of wealth belie.

No greater emptiness be known

Than wealth abundant and alone

While love abounds within their view

Among the ones with blessings few.

Saturday

That you may know beyond a doubt

What loving God is all about

I write confirming what is true

That Jesus gave His life for you.

His love for you makes others pale

For on the Cross, He tore the veil

That separated God from man

Revealing God's salvation plan.

12/24/23 Through 12/30/23

 12/24/23 Through 12/30/23

Sunday

What kingdom lasts forever here

Where men grow old and death is near?

Like grass, they wither, flower fade

They last a while, then pull the shade.

But promise made him long ago

Within the hearts remained aglow

Somehow they knew the promise made

Would somehow in some way be paid.

A Virgin chosen who obeys

Who ponders in her heart and prays

To bear the One both God and man

To somehow reign forever can.

For this is One death cannot hold

Not bound by sin as kings of old.

One Holy King forever crowned

To free what chains of sin had bound.

Monday

What can I say that's left unsaid?

The Babe that's born will soon be dead

In all the world of ages past

There's nary but one thing to last.

Such love that God became a man

To show how much the mortal can

Be like unto the God above

If man would simply learn to love.

In manger lies the Prince of Peace

Whose love for man shall never cease.

His poverties endured for man

To show His love since time began.

Today we celebrate this gift

And praise unto the Savior lift

But lest our joy misunderstood

Recall to mind the sacred wood.

Tuesday

Jesus grants His grace to martyrs

Not the sort of thing one barters

But a gift that's freely given

To repentant and forgiven.

Love's the key to man's heroics

Love inspired martyred stoics

If we learn to love when steady

Grace will come when time is ready.

Love the neighbor brash and vicious

Though he be one found pernicious

Love is that which softens stone

And that which changes hearts alone.

Willingness to suffer hearkens

All whom pride and envy darkens

When they see love has no ceiling

Then the love becomes their healing.

Wednesday

What I've seen, what I've heard

What I know without a doubt

Him the Light, Him the Word

Him the prophets spoke about.

Now is risen who was dead

Now ascended to the throne

By His body we are fed

So to never be alone.

Be a lover, a disciple

Come and meet the Lord of love

He the One, the archetypal

From the Father up above.

Of the Father's love begotten

Co-eternal is the Son

Precious souls are not forgotten

Shown the way to be as one.

In His presence peace of mind

One contented, satisfied.

In His holy place we find

He, The Risen, Who once died.

Come and see, come and hear

Come to know whom I have known

Come in faith, not in fear

Let Him make you now His own.

Thursday

How well do I listen, how well do I hear?

Do I act out of wisdom, or act out of fear?

Am I tuned to the channel of Almighty God,

Or listening to that devilish fraud?

Is my self in the way of what's commonly good?

Do I act in the ways that I know that I should?

Do I care for the poor and the needy I see,

Or just pass them by thinking only of me?

Do I honor what's good and what's holy and pure?

Do I falter in trial, or do I endure?

Is commitment much deeper than surface that's seen,

Or all but a shell that disguises unclean?

You know me far better than even I know,

And that's why I ask, that You answer me so.

For blinded are many I see all around

And rarely those sighted with truth may be found.

So speak to me loudly, and speak to me clear

My hearing and seeing are faulty I fear

Sometimes I sure know as the Blessed Lord lives

That I need the persuasion a two-by-four gives.

Friday

Now let Your servant go in peace

Your word has been fulfilled

Your presence here shall now increase

Just as the Father willed.

The Light has come and darkness fades

Your glory now be known.

Let in the light, remove the shades

Soon Truth to man be shown.

Saturday

Things pondered in the Virgin's heart

Are just a way for man to start

To see with eyes of Heaven's gaze

And clear away the earthly haze.

What Earth can offer cannot fill

It's only in the Father's will

That satisfaction comes to man

In ways no Earthly chattel can.

12/17/23 Through 12/23/23

 12/17/23 Through 12/23/23

Sunday

Food in hunger, drink in thirst

Light in darkness on us burst.

Parched and weary, watered well

Lost in prison, freed from cell.

Brokenhearted healed at last

Poverty of lowly past.

Tidings glad proclaimed to poor

Vindication day for sure.

Lowly looked upon as blessed

High exalted o'er the rest.

Well-remembered promise kept

Mercy on the ones who wept.

Crying voice in wilderness

Water used to cleanse and bless

Though not worthy to untie

Sandals of the One on high.

He is coming, now is here

John His prophet standing near.

Seek and you shall find Him soon

One from purest Love that's hewn.

Monday

Protector and provider named

Loyal Joseph, faithful famed

One who heard and thus obeyed

Whose faithful trust would never fade.

Dear Joseph, make my heart like yours

A one the Holy Child adores

A one to sacrifice my will,

And learn to love Him better still.

A man of patience, honor bound

Who perfect love and beauty found

Whose manhood brightly lights the way

Without a word to ever say.

Tuesday

Men of strength in sacrifice

Passing by what things entice

Gain their strength in self-control

To carry out their special role.

Demons lead to vain distraction,

Angels to decisive action.

Freeing those bound up in chains

To now pursue the higher gains.

Grace for sure the greatest measure

Of their strength and inner treasure,

The grace accepted and embraced

In every earthly trial faced.

Grace that's always freely given

From His open hand, not riven.

All must learn to see the good

Then freely choose it as they should.

Wednesday

Ask for a sign as deep as the sea

High as the mountains, or high as can be.

If God is the giver of all that is good

And made by His hand, both the meadow and wood.

The stars of the sky and the worlds far away

All speak of His glory and holding of sway.

The tiniest things like the atom or cell

The Lord has designed and knows them so well.

Every turning of time, every memory made

Every shining of sun, or cool of the shade

Every darkness and light, every heat and the chill

Exist by the Word of the almighty will.

There's naught in your mind can conceive what He's done

And yet not all minds of the mortals are won.

The sin of our pride is a baffling thing

for it uplifts the creature instead of the King.

Oh, give me a heart like the Mother of God,

One pure and one docile with no trace of fraud.

A gift of such value that none can afford

But that is the sign that I seek from You Lord.

Thursday

What joy that day on earth was found

When Mary, with the Lord, came round.

To greet the barren one with child

Declaring, free the long-exiled.

When heard, the voice of Virgin sound

The babe within the womb did bound

And leap for joy as ne'er before

To King of kings within adore.

So too, if we could recognize

The King of kings before our eyes

Within the ones we see each day

And learn to love, and teach, and pray.

He wants to occupy each soul

To heal the sick and make them whole

But we, like Mary, must obey

And say, "Not mine, but Lord Your way."

Friday

One set apart for holiness

One sent to cure, and heal, and bless.

One answering the cries of poor

One sent to lowly ones assure.

What greatness in the soul proclaims

And how His love, the heart enflames

To offer all I have to He

Who shows such love for lowly me.

I do not know why I am saved

And many others left depraved

No earning of this love sublime

That pulls me from the filth and slime.

But only joy can fill my heart

When grace as such He does impart

And somehow opens eyes to see

How far away I've strayed from He.

Saturday

Prepare the way in me oh Lord

And grant what I cannot afford

The grace to see and recognize

The treasure here before my eyes.

The grace You granted sinful men

To call them time and time again

And then, at last, to send Your Son

Who on the Cross our vict'ry won.

Refining fire and fuller's lye

Our sinful hearts to purify

Remove the dross and clear the stain,

By love is every evil slain.