12/15/24 Through 12/21/24

12/15/24 Through 12/21/24 

Sunday

What must we do, Lord?  What must we do?

What action will bring us much closer to you?

So simple the word to just hear and obey

But so often we hear and then just turn away.

Your coming announced over many the years

At last, is the time for the drying of tears.

The mountains cut down and the valleys filled in

He comes with a pathway away from our sin.

So, make your request to the greatest of Kings

For healing and life, His benevolence brings.

With judgment removed and your enemies gone

Your hearts shall be glad for the Savior has come.

Monday

The heart that's unprepared to hear

Will never know when Christ is near

It takes a time of desert dearth

To know that Christ has come to Earth.

A time of silent loneliness

To see His love and holiness

Where God alone can stir the soul

And Christ the Son can make us whole.

One must prepare to clearly see

And let His word take root in thee

For He whom humble meet with joy

The proud and haughty men destroys.

The desert humbles men of greed

Provides the silence that they need

To hear the One who calls their names

To save from everlasting flames.

So, find your desert place and go

That well His voice you too would know

Then as you listen and obey

His light will shine to show the way.

Tuesday

When justice shall flourish... It sounds like a win.

But oh, if we haven't repented of sin!

It's justice we want for the wrongs we receive

But mercy we need for all wrong we conceive.

That justice may flower and not be my end

Oh Lord, it's Your mercy that on I depend.

Your Son be my King who is mighty and strong

The sweetest of melodies set to my song.

The Lion of Judah we see in the creche

Has come down to Earth so to offer His flesh.

The scepter He holds is a reed from above

The thorns in His crown are a sign of His love.

His line is from man who's imperfect, you see.

The scoundrels abound on His family tree.

But here He would show what we're all meant to be

When offering all, He stretched out on the Tree.

Wednesday

Oh righteous shoot of David

To you a Son is born

Conceived, but not created

A righteous, holy One.

Your bride the trusted Virgin

The Holy, Spotless One

That whom within would burgeon

God's true and only Son.

Those two of highest praises

Whose yeses history changed

Docility amazes

Salvation now arranged.

Yes to God is all it takes

To turn the ship around

Rectify your past mistakes

Let holiness be found.

Thursday

Two women well-advanced in years

Had sought an end to all their tears

Their prayers were heard when thought too late

But sons they bore with missions great.

To start a time for Israel

Which still the ancient stories tell

Of how their freedom came to be

And what that freedom means for me.

Both sons were blessed with mighty power

To meet the challenge of the hour

One faltered first, by pride was mamed.

But in repentance strength regained.

The other in humility

Spoke truth to great authority

He lost his head, but Christ proclaimed

This one, the greatest prophet named.

His greatness came from how he prayed

And how each word he well-obeyed.

We too should pray and listen well

Then watch His many graces swell.

Friday

That simple word, her "Yes" to God

Eternally will men applaud

For by that word salvation came

And God, as man, on Earth became.

So many "nos" He hears each day

By even those who often pray

We see our selfish whims as need

And fail His holy word to heed.

Saturday

Oh, what grace His presence gives

To every heart within He lives

To every soul whom He receives

And everyone His word believes.

This world cannot contain His love

Nor all the heavens up above

By love, all creatures here were made

For love, but only man was bade.

This one alone must give consent

Of all their sin must men repent

For pure and holy, spotless, true

Is how our God intended you.

Don't choose the worthless sinful way

As Eve once did that fateful day.

But choose Hs way so ever right

Your soul to then with God unite.

12/8/24 Through 12/14/24

 12/8/24 Through 12/14/24

Sunday

I pray that love in you increase

And you discern what's true

What hold's its value ne'er to cease

And righteousness comes through.

For this alone will lead to joy

All others, worthless dross

Don't with the passing pleasures toy

And find that all is loss.

Monday

Conceived without sin His Mother must be

No spot or no wrinkle that Satan could see

No way to corrupt a one who's so pure,

A vessel that's perfect to carry the Cure.

Her radiant beauty, the image of man

The Star of Creation in God's holy plan.

Our model who shows what the Garden once lost

The price that our lack of obedience cost

The singular boast of the whole human race

The Virgin Most Holy, Dispenser of Grace.

Oh, Mother of Mercy and Star of the Sea

Obtain every grace of conversion for me.

Then bring me along to the place of your Son

Our King who on Calvary victory won

Where light dispels dark and love banishes hate

Where God ever merciful opens the gate.

Monday Evening

Immaculate she was conceived

But not that you should be deceived

She had to choose still every day

To follow on the Father's way.

She lived amid a world of sin

Yet never turned her heart from Him

She pondered that not understood

But trusted that His way was good.

A vessel pure and undefiled

Who bore the tender little child

As free of sin as one could be

One filled with grace and fully free.

Tuesday

The mountains trimmed, the valleys filled

Our time on Earth at last fulfilled

A single breath shall wilt and fade

The every shelter man has made

It's time His glory be revealed

At last the land be cleansed and healed

Cry out! Cry out!  The Lord is near

At last your recompense is here

He's come to gather all His fold

So too, the stray out in the cold

He hearkens to their bleating sound

Rejoicing when the lost is found.

Wednesday

Lift up your eyes and see the stars

For such a One this God of ours

To orchestrate their nightly dance

And place the mortal mind in trance.

He knows them all in each detail

Both strong and mighty, weak and frail

Why think that you might hide your ways

From such a One who made these days?

Have you not seen or ever heard

What He can do with just a word?

He made the all that you can see,

The flesh and soul of you and me.

No bound to what His strength can do

His works are always fresh and new

He strengthens those about to fall 

If they but hearken to His call

When hope is placed in Him alone

His love and care are clearly shown

With strength renewed and weary gone

Those trusting Him will carry on.

Thursday

God's temple was opened, the Ark could be seen

Clothed with the Sun, on the Moon was the Queen

With Child She wailed, as She labored in pain

For soon to be born was the greatest of gain.

And so, then another appeared in the sky

A dragon intent that the Child should die

The Child appeared but was caught up by God

The Woman, to safety, was taken abroad.

So, now that salvation and power have come

A gift from the Father, anointed His Son.

It's up to the faithful to hear and obey,

To treasure each word that our Savior will say.

To hastily go to the person in need

And carry within the Divine Living Seed.

To ponder within and to cast away fear

Always trusting His mercy and power are near.

This Mother of ours is a gift from above

A Tower of Ivory, a Temple of Love.

A Mirror of Mercy, a Radiant Light

Dispelling the shadows and darkness of night.

The Father Himself said to honor this one

Made Mother of All on the Cross by His Son

So, now we rejoice on this heavenly feast

He has humbled the proud and exalted the least.

Friday

No matter what you choose to say

Excuse is found along the way.

To turn from that which You desire

And wallow in our selfish mire.

You prosper man in simple ways

If he but listens and obeys

Prosperity will flow for all

Who hearken to Your sacred call.

Like wave on wave from endless sea

The grace would flow from You to me.

The grains of sand my progeny

Would never then depart from Thee.

Saturday

Elijah, John and maybe you

Are called to mighty actions do.

Their work which saved so many souls

Not man, but only God extols.

Obedience to every word

That came from God the prophets heard

Would mark their mission every day

And guide them on their sacred way.

So too could be a one like you

To seek his will in all you do,

To follow well each word you hear

And others to this treasure steer.

12/1/24 Through 12/7/24

 12/1/24 Through 12/7/24

Sunday

Anticipation marks each day

But those between know not which way

The ebb and flow of life on Earth

Confuses men to what has worth

The world is ever passing by

Some living low, some living high

But few can see what comes at last

And many to the temporal cast

But we must look beyond the veil

Where all the Earthly wealth will fail

To see our risen Christ as King

And all the joy that He will bring.

But with the joy is judgment too

And so our faith we must renew

Repenting of our sinful ways

To make it through those final days.

Monday

It's all about obedience

Conformance to the word

The way of most expedience

To get complacent stirred.

Many people climb the mountain

Instructions to be heard

To find the flowing fountain

Of His most holy word.

Then war shall end and peace shall reign

The sword and spear removed

They pruning hook and plowshare deign

More useful they are proved.

Tuesday

Though many desired to see what you see

Their vision was darkness and darkness would be

Their path through the forest, a wandering way

In search of the light to brighten their day

But lo, in the fullness of time there would come

A Spirit of Knowledge and Counsel for some

Of Wisdom and Fear of the Lord to delight

Understanding to light up the dark of the night.

Justice would be the great mark of this Man

To rescue the poor and afflicted His plan

Bringing peace to the Earth in a way never seen

With Jews as a light, and Gentiles made clean.

So, now that you see it, just what will you do?

What is hidden from wise is open to you

Don't squander the chance to be faithful and true

For great is the gift of Himself given you.

Wednesday

On this mountain He provides

The food that here on Earth divides

The food that gives new life to man

The food which time and space will span

The flesh and blood of Perfect Man

The only One since time began

The Spotless, Sinless, Sacrifice

Who paid redemption's awful price.

The cure for every ill on Earth

Man's key to knowing second birth

The King of kings and Lord of lords

Whose love for man new life affords.

With every malady made new

This feast of juicy food for you

With choicest wine to slake your thirst

And curse of Adam's sin reversed.

So, come receive this Holy Bread

Let all the blind and lame be fed

For that we see as bread and wine

Is truly Flesh and Blood Divine.

Thursday

In footsteps of the low

The lofty city lies

Once high, now brought below

The dwelling of the flies.

His word quite clear, ignored

No time to just obey

All selfishness explored

To waste the time away.

Waters rush against thee

No hold that's firm and true

Too late to try and flee

A judgment rests on you.

Friday

All around the eyes are clearing

See the truth and worship You

So the deafened ears are hearing 

Understanding all that's true

Hardened hearts of stone made humble

Fertile ground for planting seed

Nevermore to trip and stumble

Faithful then in word and deed

Soon the lowly all rejoicing

Evil men no more in charge

Mute a joyful song now voicing

Victory now looming large.

One alone to lead deserving

One alone our Lord and King

Truth and Love Himself unswerving

One to whom we praises sing.

Saturday

The every star He knows by name

His Wisdom too, a source of fame

Our every need He sees and knows

No limits where His mercy flows

No praise sufficient to explore

The glimpse we see whom we adore

Our wounded flesh He aims to heal

And on the forehead place His seal.

11/24/24 Through11/30/24

11/24/24 Through11/30/24

Sunday

Christ is King over all the Earth

All His people of noble birth.

A cross of love His mighty throne

A love like His before unknown.

Monday

Marked with His seal, the brand of the Lord

Key to the place where graces are stored

Singing their song up above at the throne

In harmony making His praises be known.

Trailing the Lamb everywhere that He goes

First fruit of the race that His deity knows.

Willing to give the last penny they've got

Salvation the prize that their pennies have bought.

Tuesday

With crown of gold, sickle in hand

There is He, like a Son of man

For now, the time to reap has come

Joy for faithful, terror for some.

Sharp the sickle and ripe the field

Blest the ones on the forehead sealed.

Day though unknown, time drawing near

Terror for some, faithful no fear.

Wednesday

Oh, the blindness here below

So many faith will simply throw

Aside as foolish crutch for weak

And never One transcendent seek.

So shallow in their thinking now

That all the beauty here somehow

Just came to be from simple slime

And fail to see His grand design

.But those with eyes that truly see

Will wonder at the majesty

And shout His praise for that revealed

Which unto prideful is concealed.

Thursday

All that's here will pass away

In fear, will come that final day

When all our towers tumble down

And none can save our helpless town

His many gifts we squandered here

But now we stand as poor in fear

Let gratitude be on our lips

Before it all in ruin slips.

His gifts beyond all numbers range

His love for man will never change

But prideful man must see at last

That all he has, from God was passed.

Let eyes be opened, sin no more

Let rich and poor on Earth adore.

For all we have is gift from You

To You all praise and thanks are due.

Friday

Reality, is death will come

A time of joy, but not for some

The humble who repent of sin

In joy will be those welcomed in.

But those who cling to all that's wrong

Are told that they do not belong

The place for them is down below

Where all the fools and wicked go.

Don't be that fool who fails to turn

And suffers everlasting burn

When all you need, is own your sin

And ask His pardon to come in.

His mercy far exceeds our sin

His cross our only path to win

Repentance pleads His precious blood

Releasing mercy as a flood.

That God is God, and we are not

By man should never be forgot

For Heaven's real and Hell is too

Repent and pray it's not for you.

Saturday

I want to answer well the call

But time and time again I fall

My weakness shames my inner soul

But once again You make me whole.

Oh, make this servant Yours alone

Grant fruitfulness to what You've sown

Make me a one who suffers well

And save me from the grips of Hell.

Lord, let me see beyond the pain

And make me strive for lasting gain

A mission You have given all,

Please help me answer well the call

 

What a Mystery, What a blessing

 11.05.24

What a Mystery, What a Blessing

(To the tune of Alleluia Sing to Jesus)

What a mystery, what a blessing

What a gift of flesh and blood

What a mercy Christ caressing

In a holy loving flood.

Here the gift of life eternal

Here the gift of love sublime

With a look of bread external

Help for man to Heaven climb.

Nay a wafer only showing

What remembering must be

Christ Himself as bread bestowing

Truest flesh and blood is He.

God for man in humble dwelling

All for hungry souls to feed

On the tongue, the heart now swelling

Lord of lords, my God indeed.