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. 

11/17/24 Through 11/23/24

 11/17/24 Through 11/23/24

Sunday

We all await the days to come

But horror and disgrace for some

No game is this for temporal gain

But fear of everlasting pain

The goodness we reject below

Eternally in death will show

And unrepented sin shall be

Disgrace for all eternity.

But those who call for mercy now

And turn from sin through grace somehow

Will shine like stars arrayed in gold

When welcomed into Heaven's fold.

So, wait no longer, risk no more

True wealth awaits in Heaven's store

Let fall away polluted dross

For Earthly gain is Heaven's loss.

Monday

If only I could see dear Lord

And be with You in one accord

Aligned within Your holy will

My joy and love, my perfect fill.

My ways have proven wrong, perverse,

My will of selfishness much worse

Your eyes of perfect love I need

To form my will and soul to feed.

I need Your light to show the way

To be my guide throughout the day

For on my own, I tumble down

But with Your light, I find a crown

Tuesday

Our blindness to our blindness shows

When wealth and self-assurance grows,

When we forget that all we own

Has come from God and God alone.

When faith becomes a tepid pool

The soul becomes a fetid fool

The hot nor cold are good for naught

When all they have no gold has bought.

Yet some are wise enough to see

They need a boost and climb a tree

Then from the greater height they learn

To Christ alone we all must turn.

And when He comes with man to dine

They see His plan for wealth Divine

To scatter seed and leaven dough

That love of God all men would know.

Wednesday

See Heaven's door is open wide

And beckoning, come up inside

Come hear the trumpet blast declare

What day and night is constant fare.

That Holy!  Holy!  Holy, Lord!

His praise forevermore outpoured

His glory far exceeding all

While creatures all before Him fall

There's One alone so worthy now

Yet in His presence, man somehow

Before Him on the throne is found

With grace and mercy, love unbound.

Thursday

Oh, purest Mother undefiled

Come rescue now your little child

Lead all to follow well the Lamb

And come to know the Great I AM.

Not one but you can make the claim

Of pure and undefiled fame

Be model, help, and constant guide

And lead us to the Savior's side.

Your yes we see at every turn

Form you the humble servants learn

That every breath is praise because

In every way you heed His laws.

Oh Seat of Wisdom, Virgin Blest

Lead weary souls to peace and rest

Queen of Heaven, Mystical Rose

Lead me to choose the way you chose.

Friday

How sweet in the mouth, but sour it turns

When weight of the word the prophet then learns

The sweetness of justice and truth is assured

But sour the weight of the torture endured.

The wicked not easily give up their ways

They cling to the honor and power that pays

The prophet will suffer when truth he proclaims

But better on Earth than eternal in flames.

Delight of the soul is a word from the Lord

So precious that silver and gold is ignored

The decree of my Counselor's faithful and true

Refreshing a desert, like morning with dew.

Awaiting each word and His every command

The Gospel is spread by His people as planned

In spite of the burden that comes with the word

Its sweetness exceeds persecution it stirred.

Saturday

The witness suffers here below

But oh, what comfort he will know

At resurrection from the dead

When every evil crime is shed.

Like sparks amid the stubble dry

They kindle flames that rising high

Remove the dross to show the gold

And Christ as King we all behold.

A witness all are called to be

Both strong and fit, or weak like me

The Lord provides the grace we need

To speak the truth and plant a seed.

11/10/24 Through 11/16/24

 11/10/24 Through 11/16/24

Sunday

Till all is gone He calls for more

No need for faith with much in store

The empty are the ones He fills

The anxious heart with love He stills.

But less than all, He cares for naught

We need the faith the widow's got

To trust He will provide our need

When daily on His bread we feed.

Monday

Don't lead the little ones astray

Don't cause their sin along the way

But teach them virtue here below

That Christ forever they would know.

These tender hearts are yours to mold

To make them members of the fold

Give them the tools to choose what's right

To navigate through dark of night.

Like you and I, they're free to choose

But from their elders take their cues.

Our actions more than what we say

Will lead to dark or light of day.

Don't be a one to cause them sin

But let the sacrifice begin

The more in love we give they see

The way each man was meant to be.

Tuesday

All men should be temperate, under control

Sound in their faith with endurance the goal.

Their duties in mind without care for acclaim

Resolute in their kindness, no evil to blame.

The women so reverent, moderate, trained

Not slanderous gossips by calumny stained.

Teaching the younger the skills of their trade

Good wives and good mothers, their disciplines made.

None boastful of doing their duties at all

Just faithful to answering daily His call

As servants just faithful to duties we own

Unworthy of all of the kindness He's shown.

Wednesday

Salvation is a wondered grace

A fine and dainty work of lace

A work of art that's woven by

The Master knowing all on high.

He interweaves our varied lives

To show that only love survives

And all that here we think we own

Is nothing more than that on loan.

Thursday

So, what if any is our own?

The all we have through love was shown

We have no claim on any here

Our only claim is One so dear.

So dear to give a beating heart.

So dear to every grace impart

One lighting every darkened way

With lightning flashes bright as day.

Not slaves, but freedmen faring well

With life anew of which to tell

Once worthless, now of value high

That lo the Kingdom's drawing nigh.

Friday

One rule alone that Jesus gave

One rule to every sinner save

No list of pious corporal deeds

One rule our Lord and Master heeds.

To love in all we do and say

Is following the Master's way

That final day He wants us one

As Father, Spirit, and the Son.

No looking back to days of old

When selfishness and greed took hold

But eyes we've trained to look ahead

To resurrection from the dead.

The time for preparation's now

The hand that's placed upon the plow

Must not look back and mourn the loss

Ahead is gold, behind is dross.

Saturday

(Can be sung to the tune of "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus")

Lord, I dare not seek Your justice

Let me only mercy plead

Mine are many sins amongst us

Sins of thought and word and deed.

Justice is a condemnation

Many failures on the way

Spare this soul and spare the nation

Mercy grant us on that day.

Justice good, but mercy greater

Much more needed here below

If my wishes You would cater

Mercy only I would know.

11/3/24 Through 11/9/24

 11/3/24 Through 11/9/24

Sunday

In summary, it's just these two

They make sufficient guide for you 

They show that love's the master key

Unlocking life for you and me.

Love God and neighbor every day

And you will find the narrow way

These two commandments capture all

No evil there could then befall.

So simple yet so hard to do

But these create a life anew

For this, the heart is yearning now

Oh help me learn to love somehow.

Monday

Let not the ego reign so high

You fail to see the passers-by

The poor and weak, the blind and lame,

The lowly ones for whom He came.

Tuesday

Rejecting not the Master's call

We so avoid a fatal fall

He offers man the way of love

That leads to peace and joy above.

Yet often man can't see that far,

He's blinded by a sinful scar

A scar that keeps his eyes on Earth

Instead of seeking second birth.

We must remove the scales and see

The glory He has waiting thee

If we but trust and then obey

Each word of love we hear Him say.

Wednesday

Anything that's less than all

Is turning from the sacred call

For anything but all our best

Means failure on the final test.

His grace will flow to willing hearts

Without His will no gift imparts

But docile souls conform and see

The many gifts He has for thee.

The feast awaits a ready soul,

A goodly measure packed and full

While unprepared lie cold and damp

Like virgins with an empty lamp.

Thursday

All that I've had and all that I own

Can never compare to the One that I've known

The mercy He's shown to a sinner so great

The rescue He made from a terrible fate.

I pray that someday I'd atone for it all

But I know in my heart that again I will fall

So great is my Savior, His mercy remains

All possessions are loss, but His mercy my gains

Friday

This body one day will conform to Your love

In the land of the living that lies far above

No longer the stomach be lord of this place

Then Love be the Master who's filling with grace.

No longer the hoarding or grasping for more

But giving of love from the limitless store

Stand firm in the way of the Lord every day

His word be your guide what to do and to say.

Saturday

The unity that Christ demands

Far more than what man understands

One faith He calls for all to be

Not fractured by disunity.

One stream that from His temple flows

And life on desert land bestows.

One faith that men should all confess

One Church to feed and heal and bless.

Oh Lord, how far that man has strayed

Because Your word was not obeyed

Now help us turn in love to see

How much we need Your unity.

One Lord, One God, One Father known

One faith for all to call their own

Then fruit abundantly would grow

And better witness we would show.

10/27/24 Through 11/2/24

 10/27/24 Through 11/2/24

Sunday

So, do we really want to see,

Or is our blindness found to be

Convenient reason for our sin

And that which keeps us far from Him?

Blindness of spirit is common today

The blind are the ones refusing to say

They know what is right and will choose what is true,

Their blindness is chosen to mask what they do.

But blind as we are, one day we will see

Quite clear what the cause of our blindedness be.

When choosing the darkness the light is obscured

But turning to light our blindness is cured.

Monday

An Apostolic faith we claim

Twelve ordinary men who came

To follow Christ and spread His word

Till every soul on Earth has heard.

These men of low and humble state

When Spirit-filled become ones great

Who offered as their Savior did

And never from His light they hid.

They spread His message far and wide

And for their faith in Jesus died

Not one when faced with death would sway

And that's the Catholic faith today.

Tuesday

Husbands love your wives and find

A mystery of the highest kind

That when the two in flesh are one

They then in truth reflect the Son

Who gave His all to save His Bride

Rejecting every hint of pride

In humble service scourged and crowned

True Love upon the Cross was found.

And there upon the Cross must be

The man to love his wife and see

By showing love, submission gained

And every blessing so obtained.

Wednesday

Submission to authority

Is how we learn the best to see

It's how we come to understand

And how we live as God has planned.

Some choose their way apart from Him

To follow on their every whim

They call themselves "good people" though

They have no clue which way to go.

They give appearance of the good

But follow not the way they should

They work for glory of their own

Instead of praising Christ alone

And such as these in final days

When all they have is selfish praise

Will find the narrow gate is closed

To whom the Father's will opposed.

So, turn to Him as Mary did

In love to all the angel bid

His will exceeds in every case

The empty show the others chase.

Thursday

Oh Jesus keep me standing firm

Your ways of love and kindness learn

Unmoved by evil's constant blows

With faith Your mighty shield that shows.

With truth the guard to save my soul

And playing well my given role

By doing all You ask of me

To so Your strength and glory see

In readiness to move the way

Your voice would lead me come what may

With lips confessing You as Lord

Your Spirit as my trusted sword.

Friday

On our journey to the Father

May we with the scripture bother.

His sacred word our guiding light

Our pathway through the dark of night

So far beyond the mind of man

Lies that within the Father's plan

There where every wrong is righted

Every act of love requited.

Saturday

Chastised a little and greatly blest

Afflicted on Earth now passes the test

Proved in the furnace as gold in the fire

Melting away every base desire.

Now comes the time for their shining as light

As sparks in the stubble in darkness of night

Those who have trusted will Truth understand

In the presence of God as the Father has planned.

With Him as their Shepherd and nothing in want

They walk past the wicked who threaten and taunt

No fear shall accost all the days of their lives

In the land where all goodness and holiness thrives.

Christ comes for the sinners to heal and to save

His life for the sinner, on Calvary gave.

He said He would rise, and it's so that He did

No longer the way to the Garden is hid.

In giving of self we obtain what is all

He's lifted the curse we obtained at the Fall

Resurrection no less for the faithful He gives

For Goodness thought dead, forever now lives.