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.