12/31/23 Through 1/6/24

 12/31/23 Through 1/6/24

Sunday

The family the basic cell

Where first the Gospel words we tell

The place where children learn to love

A sacrificial place thereof.

The spouses, permanent and true

Within the covenant renew

Their bonds of love and multiply

With little ones to edify.

Monday

Mary, far above all others

Mary, like no human others

Virgin filled with endless graces

In all times and in all places

Beauty far beyond all telling

Deep within the Godhead dwelling

Overshadowed by the Spirit

Teaching children not to fear it.

We His children, like our Mother

Must adore Him, not another

He will lift the lowly higher

Saving them from dreaded fire.

Help me to become so lowly

So, like Mary, I may know Thee

Help Your weakly servant grow

One overshadowed in Your glow.

Tuesday

If someone asks you, "Who are you?"

Would you know what to say or do?

Is your purpose clear and fruitful,

Is it something folks find useful?

Each with purpose in the planning

O'er the ages many spanning

Each with his own to carry out

Each with the need to be devout.

To find which what and who apply

We must commune with God most high.

The silence in the desert sand

Is where we learn what Master planned.

For in the silence there, He speaks

With little nudges, interest piques

And if our pride be set aside

You'll find the who, by Him supplied.

Wednesday

So, what is in that Holy Name

The One of everlasting fame

.What power spread when uttered well 

To all His praise and glory tell.

No other name in power bound

On Earth or Heaven ever found.

A name to make the demons flee

A name to set the captives free.

No other freely nailed to wood

No other speaks such truth and good

No other, sins can all forgive

No other died that all might live.

How foolish to profane this name

Of purest Love, from whence He came.

The only name to save the soul

And make the broken sinner whole.

Revere and cherish every sound

Where Jesus on the lips is found

So, praise His name and open wide

And welcome Purest Love inside.

Thursday

The Lord supplies a change of name

When changing rules within the game

When love becomes the rule of rules

Christ shows He's using different tools.

As Simon changed to Peter then

The work was shown as different when

The King becomes the Servant One

The lowliest, His Mighty Son.

So, confirmation means a change

Priorities to rearrange

A name to choose to guide the way

To serve Him in our special way.

The name of Joseph held appeal

A man of strength both true and real.

A worker who accomplished much

But held at bay desired touch

He gave up good for better still

And followed well the Master's will.

A builder in his chosen trade

With pride in what his hands had made.

So, this is why that name I chose

As Joseph from the rest of those

For me, he's been a kindred soul

Inspiring and making whole.

Friday

When all we have is all we need

The wealth of earth can ne'er exceed

The joy of Jesus in the soul

Refreshing love and making whole.

If we have it all, but Him

Our happiness is weak and slim

For only Christ can satisfy

And promises of wealth belie.

No greater emptiness be known

Than wealth abundant and alone

While love abounds within their view

Among the ones with blessings few.

Saturday

That you may know beyond a doubt

What loving God is all about

I write confirming what is true

That Jesus gave His life for you.

His love for you makes others pale

For on the Cross, He tore the veil

That separated God from man

Revealing God's salvation plan.