1/12/25 Through 1/18/25

 1/12/25 Through 1/18/25

Sunday

"You are My Beloved Son"

This grace of graces Jesus won

The Perfect One of sinless stripe

Was born to Earth when time was ripe

One born a man in Bethlehem

The Promised One of Jesse's stem

One donning flesh and blood to show

Adopted brothers where to go.

He showed what's possible for man

That humble love and mercy can

Renew a world that's lost in sin

If we but let His Spirit in.

With grace received in Sacrament

Each Baptised soul, by Heaven, sent

To spread the news, God's precious Son

Upon the Cross, our victory won.

Monday

In days of old were people told

In riddles and in ways.

But now so bold, all men behold

The King of all the days.

He comes to show what people know

Is far from all that's true

He comes to sow and make us grow

Into the life anew.

A dozen men were chosen when

His time to preach began

The word back then, and now again

Confounds the common man.

His way declares that one who dares

To love will find the way

The Cross He shares with one who cares

To listen and obey.

So far again from thoughts of men

This sacrifice of love

But as back then, He shows again

The way to home above.

Tuesday

He taught as with authority

As One who knows what's good for thee

As One who sees the hidden things

And light to darkened spaces brings.

As none before, His word would pierce

But not as Master strong and fierce.

As One with love ne'er seen before

As One of goodness to the core.

His way of touching human hearts

A flood of Heaven's grace imparts

A vision true and clear as day

He paints for faithful to obey.

Not like the others, crass and loud

Who speak among the gathered crowd

His voice allures the thoughtful mind

To open eyes which 'fore were blind.

Wednesday

Getting up before dawn His voice can be heard

In quiet and stillness the Spirit is stirred

Alone with our Lord before breaking of day

The ears are attuned to the things He will say.

Much busyness blinds to the world that's unseen

In quiet and stillness much Wisdom we glean

Our lives can pass by in the blink of an eye

And there's nothing beyond that money can buy.

Stock up on the currency needed above

The tender beyond, of forgiveness and love.

Make time to commune with the Maker of all

Without taking long, you'll be hearing His call.

If then you would answer, "To me let it be."

His glory, and power, and might you would see.

His will is the life and the truth and the way

Our joy is to listen and then to obey.

So simple the path we can follow to win

But often we're tempted away into sin

Still worse, is indifference, not thinking we need

A will but our own in this life to succeed.

Just try it.  I beg you  to sit there alone

And see if His will not to you is made known.

There's none persevering who hear not His voice

But to hear and obey is always your choice.

He always will give us what freely we choose

But choosing our will over His we will lose

His will is the best as the eons have shown

So quiet yourself, let His will be made known.

Thursday

The leprosy is but a sign 

Of how we stray from His design

He wishes cleanliness for all,

But we must hearken to His call.

Not if, but when He calls to you

The grace to hear and act pursue.

For when we act on what we hear

We know His Spirit hovers near.

So when He calls be hardened not

The docile one is not forgot

He feeds with every grace we need

To in His mind of love succeed.

His way may seem a total loss

Akin to One upon the Cross

His ways so far above our ways

We see as through a milky haze.

But when the morning sun shall rise

We'll see with ever clearing eyes

His way of love has conquered sin

It's time to let the sunshine in.

Friday

A wayward and rebellious one

Will not be there when day is done

For only faithful find the way

To rest with Him at close of day.

His works are brought to mind each day

Another step along the way

In Him alone, our hope abides

In flesh and blood, our God resides.

Too hard for some to so believe

But they, of love, are so naive

No bound'ries for this love sublime

Eternity who enters time.

Forgiving sins and healing lame

To call the sinners forth, he came

To bring His Kingdom here on Earth

And offer man a second birth.

Our God has come within our midst

But many here, His presence missed.

Remember all our Lord has done

You too, can be to Him, a son.

Saturday

Him to whom we all must give

Account for how we work and live

Sees all as naked and exposed

There's none to Him is undisclosed.

So let us hold to what we know

And follow where we're called to go

Our every weakness He has known

And how to overcome has shown.

With confidence approach the throne

Our God is God and God alone

All grace and mercy finding there

With peace and love beyond compare.

The words, "Come follow." clear are heard

But some consider this absurd

For who with sinners here would dine,

For sure no king or god of mine?

But so it is our humble King

To every kind of man will bring

The words to set the captive free

The words for you and words for me.

Come follow where the Master trod

The Humble One our Lord and God

Scourged and naked, hanging there

Crowned and beaten, man to spare.

1/5/25 Through 1/11/25

 1/5/25 Through 1/11/25

Sunday

Why is it some can clearly see

And so, some others blinded be?

What calls the one from far away,

Or leads the other one astray?

A will that's free was given all

But some will hear and some will fall.

Why is the evil one so loud

To turn the weak and fool the proud?

But far away if we are still

We see the beauty of free will

For love is only love when free

And only eyes of love can see.

The Magi watched the stars at night

But Herod looked to pick a fight

The Magi gold and myrrh would bring

But Herod to his wealth would cling.

The quiet ones could hear the call

But loud and boisterous ones would fall.

For in the noise, the evil nears

But stillness is where love appears.

Monday

Repent for the Kingdom is here

Our God in the flesh has come near

The darkness of death overshadowed by light

The Son has arisen to banish the night.

Rejoice oh lands so far away

At last has come the promised day

His Kingdom has come and the sick all around

All rejoice because now our King has been found.

Tuesday

God is love, so easy said

He takes the form of simple bread

But when we see what love demands

We often have a change of plans

He came to Earth in human form

To ways of sin and death reform

He gave us all He had to give

To show the masses how to live.

But we, like those who've gone before,

We see that Love is at the door

And often just ignore the knock

Refusing to the door unlock.

The choice is present every day

To welcome in, or turn away.

In little ways we choose our path

To peace and love, or rage and wrath.

Wednesday

The perfect love which drives out fear

Seems far away and rarely near

I think of judgment yet to come

And how, to sin, I still succumb.

How undeserving I must be

And why such Love would care for me.

My understanding clearly shows

A fear of all the Earthly woes

But Earthly woes cannot compare

To joy and beauty seen up where

His love alone shall reign supreme

And sinful souls are all made clean.

To trust in love would drive out fear

Make Earthly wealth, as dross appear

The shadows sin would try to cast

Within Love's light would never last.

For sure a judgment there awaits

But Perfect Love our sin abates.

Thursday

We all must see in every man

The work of art the Father can

If we expect to see our Lord

His way of love must be explored.

Not lips alone can make it so

But words of love that all may know

The world is subject to our will

And faith provides our daily fill.

No way to love except in Him

And shed His light where dark and dim

Not burdensome His loving way

But joy for all who would obey.

Friday

"If You wish, You can make me clean"

My wrong that all before has been

I want no more the ways of sin

I want to welcome Jesus in.

The filth and rot which wrack my bones

A hoard of choices bad bemoans.

Another chance, a soul made clean

By One behind the simple screen.

A gift so great that all should know

But few, at best, will choose to go.

So many think they're pure and clean

With all their filth and rot unseen.

The Savior shines a piercing light

On all the deeds of darkest night

There's none can stand when Truth reveals

What pride and selfishness conceals.

So, why not be that leperous soul

Who pleads to be a one made whole,

Who wants to shed his life of sin

And so, a life of love begin?

Saturday

We come in repentance to worship the Lord

The graces of Christmas by humble explored.

For all of us sinners must turn to His way

Allowing The Potter to fashion the clay.

We must be on guard against idols of stone

And trust that it's true, there is One God alone.

Then know that our brothers once lost in their sin

With repentance can turn and a new life begin.

We pray that Baptism, the gift of our King

Would wash away sin and humility bring

For Christ must increase if we hope to survive

When self is abandoned, it's then we're alive.

12/29/24 Through 1/4/25

 12/29/24 Through 1/4/25

Sunday

Our goal, a holy family here

A place of love and blessed cheer.

A refuge from the stormy blast,

Our light when skies are overcast.

A home where peace and stillness reign

A place where wisdom all can gain.

Forgiveness there our daily food

Where kindness, grace, and love are brewed.

A work of art in many ways

Well-crafted when each one obeys

By placing other's needs ahead

And walking where, by love, we're led.

With faith and trust in God alone

And strengthened by the love He's shown

We walk by faith and not by sight

With Jesus Christ our guiding light.

His gift of self our model now

To change the course of Earth somehow

As one by one, we learn to give

And show our world just how to live.

Monday

I write to you because you're strong

I write because you suffer long

I write because you know Him well

I write because He's conquered Hell

Don't make your own pretentious way

Don't love enticements of this day

For if you love this world below

The Father's love you'll never know.

His will alone must be your care

Within His will alone is where

We find eternal peace and rest

With head upon His holy breast.

Tuesday

Through Moses came the Jewish Law

But rules were all the people saw

While rules cannot a new life give

They offer frame in which to live.

If man could see the source of law

To whom these rules were meant to draw

Perhaps they'd recognize it's true

For good His law was given you.

But blind we are so many ways

We grope around throughout our days

In hope somehow we satisfy

The thirst within we can't deny.

Since law alone could not convince

He sent His only Son, The Prince.

The source of love, the Truth, the Way

The perfect mold of simple clay.

His light illumined well the Law

And now its love the people saw.

The Sacrificial Lamb was slain

For all the world this love to gain.

Wednesday

Mother of God a great title for man

A creature so holy in God's gracious plan

A one to reflect and to ponder anew

Such creatures so humble are only a few.

One rises above even only the few

The one we call Mother of me and of you.

She wields in her love the greatest of power

Her yes always ready whatever the hour.

So close to the King that her mind is like one

Within her was made a room for the Son.

A Temple of Hope for a world in distress

Exemplar of love that would heal and would bless.

A Mother so close as one ever could be

That when looking at Her it's Jesus we see.

Dispenser of grace to the world below

May love for your Son in the world ever grow.

Be model to follow for all of mankind

That all, before dying, His graces would find

To repent of their sin and to turn on the way

Where beauty is found for the ones who obey.

Thursday

Here is the Truth and there is a lie

Remain in the faith if you hope to get by

The greatest of Kings made a throne of the Cross

Life everlasting was gained from His loss.

His promise was made to the ones who believe

A cursing awaits for the ones who deceive

The longing of hearts no riches can heal

But find your relief at His sacred meal.

Remain in His love and great confidence gain

He'll stay with you there whatever the pain.

Self-sufficiency used as The Liar's great tool

Indifference the mark of the consummate fool.

Friday

See what love He has bestowed

In tender virgin womb He sowed

The Seed of Love who man became

To children of the Father claim.

The Word of Life in human form

That all might see and so reform

To let their sins be washed away

And supple be this lump of clay.

Saturday

The call when heard must be obeyed

They looked to see just where He stayed

No fancy home or posh estate

But words that pierce the heart await.

This Teacher pointed out by John

Is He, the One they've waited on

For generations, forty-two

To save both Gentile and the Jew?

But captivating, every word!

And something deep within was stirred

In parables He taught His way

And how the Enemy to slay.

No chariot, or shield, or sword

But love of God and man implored

How could One so simple be

The One to rule in majesty?

But still this day, two eons passed

His simple words have shown they last.

They pierce the heart and stretch the mind

They cure the sick, the lame, the blind.

The same today as way back then

The ones who hear are humble men

Who see their sin and wish to turn

And so, the ways of love to learn.

This day could be the start for you 

To turn and live a life anew

To see your poor and humble need

To daily on His word to feed.

12/22/24 Through 12/28/24

 12/22/24 through 12/28/24

Sunday

Within the womb there lies concealed

Love's mystery to be revealed

The life within the barren one

Could recognize the Father's Son.

We too should see this little babe

As who He is, our One to save

Our humble King becomes a man

To execute the Father's plan.

Monday

The way prepared is pure and clean

Refining fire often seen

There's quiet needed much by all

To hear and answer well His call.

The call is turn away from sin

To gain a healing deep within

To feel within His warming glow

And so, that inner quiet know.

A restful heart and tranquil peace

Will fill the soul and never cease

When well we follow on His way

Despite the clamor of the day.

Tuesday

The Virgin now in fullest bloom

Could find no inn to spare a room

A stable where the stock was fed

Would be the humble Savior's bed.

Not one prepared to meet this child

Within our world by sin defiled

All busy with their present care

Yet of the Savior, unaware.

But how are you this present day?

Is busyness your chosen way, 

Or have you taken time to see

His quiet love that calls to thee?

We still can make His manger there

A place of love, though simple fare.

Just change what needs a different view

And see that change is good for you.

Wednesday

Creator of the stars at night

You came to bring a lasting Light

You came in newborn flesh and blood

With love to thirsty desert flood.

There laid amid the hay and corn

Is Christ the Savior, humble born.

The stable bright as day with joy

Our God has come a little boy.

Entrusted to the Virgin's womb

In poverty this sacred bloom

To light the world afire with love

And show the way to home above.

The shepherds and the humble see

This Light unto eternity.

A light no dark can overcome

A depth of love no mind can plumb.

Thursday

A birth for death the other day

A death for birth we cheer today

One flesh He took to heal our sin.

One flesh forsook to be like Him.

Don't think of how or what to say

The Spirit speaks that fateful day.

Your blood will water well the field

And those once hard, to Christ shall yield.

There's nothing here that satisfies

All pleasure simply thin disguise.

What Earth can offer pales when seen

Against the light of Heaven's sheen.

So, follow Him in all you do

A cross is also meant for you

But that is how you enter in

And leave behind the ways of sin.

Friday

Beloved one of Earthly fame

Whose love alone ignites a flame

A flame so ages hence would know

The love that Christ our Lord would show

Twas you among His chosen band

Beneath the Cross alone would stand

And share His suffering and pain

To Mother and a Brother gain

The word abides, your pen has shown

Through you the love of God is known

You wrote so joy complete may be

And purest Love all men could see.

Your vision of the wedding feast,

The angels and the ugly beast

Help men to see the fight we're in

Is one of good that battles sin

Through persecution, strife, and pain

The perseverant shall obtain

The life eternally above

For those who live the life of love.

Saturday

Like Bethlehem where Rachael mourns

A deathly pallor here adorns

The ones who see the treasure lost,

Abortion's high and deadly cost.

Not given chance to breathe the air

But swept aside by temporal care

Here thousands every day are killed

To satisfy those selfish willed.

Before too late, I pray they see

The horror of this tragedy

Then turn to God in great remorse

His law of love to then endorse.

The pain of loss won't go away

But hope in yet a brighter day.

The ones that nay could breathe the air

Are offered everlasting fare.