10/15/23 Through 10/21/23

 10/15/23 Through 10/21/23

Sunday

Why refuse the banquet table

Well prepared with all delights

More than just a storied fable

Here are slaked all appetites.

Yet invited guests refuse Him

Each with duties pressing more

Thinking trifles well excuse him,

But condemn him evermore.

Come and don the wedding raiment

Leave what's plain and base behind.

Lo, the Groom has made the payment

For His bride to be refined.

Monday

There's something far greater than Solomon here.

So, why do you not carry out what you hear?

Why do you listen and fail to obey?

Why must you always be going astray?

Your chances are many, but not without end.

Don't think there will always be time to amend.

At a time unexpected, Judgment will come.

All our deeds then displayed in the light of the Son.

Repent as in Ninevah ages ago

When all through the city the prophet would go

Giving light in the dark and calling for change

Our ways of the world we must all rearrange.

It's simple enough just to hear and obey

By giving Him time in the morn of the day.

By training to act at the sound of His voice,

Making always His will, the will of our choice.

Tuesday

Philosophers who cannot see,

So stupid they refuse to see

What's plain and simple, clearly seen

That Christ, our saving Love has been.

He shows us all what must be clean

The heart within is what I mean.

Far more than ritual can do

To make a worthy gift of you.

If you persist He'll grant your way

And let you sink in deep decay

Until at last all glory's gone

And all is darkness, never dawn.

Wake up and cleanse what's deep within.

Remove the stain of graft and sin

Repent and find His healing rays

Which light our everlasting days.

Wednesday (Feast of St. Luke)

Luke's Gospel of love and mercy so kind

The place where a Prodigal Son we can find.

Zacchaeus the traitor was taxing the Jew

But Jesus took time to create him anew.

A Samaritan neighbor with generous heart

Exalted as one who was doing his part.

A thief on a cross who surrenders his soul

Becoming the first to in Heaven enroll.

A Gospel for sinners, for lost and astray

A Gospel that all can use on their way.

For mercy he shows as our Lord's greatest gift

To rescue the sinner and downtrodden lift.

Thursday

The saints we honor here today

Gave witness to God's love each day

Their testimony rang so true

That many towards the Father drew.

Within their lives, they did not see

Much fruit upon their planted tree

But as they watered it with blood

The barren tree began to bud.

For faithful to the call were they

We honor on this special day.

In time, their perseverance showed

The many graces God bestowed.

And still we honor them today

For how they'd listen and obey.

The total gift of self they made,

A bounty for the Church has paid.

Friday

No more secrets, all be known

Let the truth for all be shown

None are righteous, all have sinned

Priest and penitent chagrined.

From the housetops there proclaimed

Every mortal now ashamed

Deepest secrets known to all

Evidence that all men fall.

Those the body only kill 

Let no doubt or fear instill

Fear a just and Holy One

Fear the Father's only Son.

Saturday

A loving father try to be

Who always seeks what's good for thee

Who always shows the righteous way

And teaches others how to pray.

Lead not by force or way of whim

But draw the others close to Him

Then honor God in every case

And every cross from Him embrace.

Turn not away when challenged here

And face accusers without fear

For you that honor Him on earth

Will find in Heaven joy and mirth.

Remembered will each witness be

Who on the Earth spoke well of He

For there in Heaven on that day

Will hear our Jesus proudly say,

This one bore witness down below

So here in Heaven I would know

So welcome him with open arms

Where nevermore the evil harms.