7/12/26 Through 7/18/26

 7/12/26 Through 7/18/26

Sunday

His word achieves its stated goal

To heal, to comfort, and console

Correct, admonish, and advise

To punish, censure, and chastise

It scatters far and wide to find

A soil of the fertile kind

Where it may flourish, bearing fruit

Achieving there its main pursuit

But even seed among the stones

Not lasting long, a little owns

A job to show the cold and dead

How from the soil rich, they're fed

On path, in thorn, or rocky ground

Though yet, conditions right not found

The seed it gives a chance to choose

Be fertile or this chance you lose

So many seeds are thrown our way

We've no excuse to stay this way

For we could change to fertile ground

If we but stop and turn around.

Monday

The humble one, alone, He hears

The little one, alone, He nears

The sacrifices made by men

Disgust the Lord of Glory when

They come with self, exalted high

While poor ignored and left to die.

The orphan left in dire straits,

And hungry left with empty plates.

A one who loves what's here below

Will not the Lord of Glory know

But love His Son above the rest

And find your every action blest.

He's there amid the poor and lame

The outcast and the low to claim,

Who lose their lives will find the Lord

A treasure wealthy can't afford

Tuesday

Woe to the people who see and have heard

But still they refuse to follow His word

Far better it be on the day of the Lord

For those who repented from all He abhorred

Great sinners forgiven, if just they repent

But smug, to the fire, with devils are sent

We see in reflection our so many sins

And sorrow for them is where healing begins

He comforts the humble who hear and obey

But those who won't listen, He just turns away

They're left in their selfishness, failing to turn

Firm grip on the rails that will lead them to burn

Wednesday

I praise you Lord for hidden things

For what Your word and action brings

An understanding far beyond

What on the wise and learned dawned

The little and the childlike

A vein of golden treasure strike

For when You speak, they hear and know

The way in which they're meant to go

You show the father's care for man

Which o'er the many ages span

And how, when time was fully crowned

The Lamb, upon the Cross, was found

Our sacrifice to save the soul

The Lamb consumed to make us whole

The Bread of Life to nourish well

And miracle of love to tell

The wise and learned, nay, can see

Forgiveness, offered them, by Thee

For in their eyes, they have no need

And so refuse to mercy plead

Thursday

Come to Me who labor

Come to Me and rest

Let me bear your burden

Come and be My guest

Find in Me your refuge

Find in Me your home

Nevermore you wander

Nevermore alone

Soon the pain abating

Soon the child is near

Gone will be the waiting

Gone will be the fear

Beauty in the offing

Glory in the morn

O'er the Tiber crossing

Where new life is born

Find the sweet surrender

Lay your weapons down

Be a truth defender

Wear the victor's crown

Friday

Far greater here before your eyes

The Son of God in thin disguise

So well you know the scriptures, though

Your understanding yet is slow

You fail to see what's plain as day

And carry on your wicked way

The signs are not some magic trick

Of mending lame, and healing sick

There's something Sabbath far exceeds

And something every good Jew needs

Messiah's here in plainest view

So, pull the blinders off of you.

Saturday

The wicked glories in his greed

His coveting is much to feed

The proud, with trickery, harass

The ones they see as lower class

A mouth of cursing, bitter lies

The evil tongue, our God defies

The innocent are murdered where

The poor and sick lie in despair

Why, oh Lord, are You aloof,

Not rescuing to offer proof?

We, too, have sinned, who better knew

And turned our face away from You

So, humbled now, we turn again

As poor and helpless, beaten men

You see our misery and grief

So, come now, Lord, and bring relief.

7/5/26 Through 7/11/26

 7/5/26 Through 7/11/26

Sunday
The wise and learned fail to see
What little ones have found in Thee

The Father's love, unmatched below

The Son has come to clearly show.

How One so lofty, high above

Should show this pure and perfect love

For sinners that the Son would die

His merits, but to man, apply

So humble when of crimes accused

When spat upon and badly bruised.

The lash He suffered silently

And thorns were placed so violently

Each nail to pierce the hands and feet

With patient love did Jesus meet

A meekness never known before

And love enough to win the war.

His yoke is easy, smooth, and light

No burden but a pure delight.

To Him, one bound by loving thong,

To heal the sick and right the wrong.

Monday

So far away is perfect love

And perfect faith as well

So many generations of

The ones the story tell

Those searching for what's good and true,

The beautiful as well

All found the three fulfilled in You

And there they chose to dwell.

I, too, have seen and heard enough

To know You are the King 

The hot, the cold, the smooth, the rough...

From all I've learned to sing

But still, I'll never know until

The final day is here

Have I conformed unto Your will

Enough to banish fear?

We never know, but trust in grace

And mercy to the end

He'll bring us to His dwelling place

If we, on Him, depend.

Tuesday

One God alone is in control

Yet lesser gods we still extol

So foolish when we see what's true

But fail to follow after You.

When lacking love, we focus in

And fail to see our selfish sin

We leave the harvest in the field

And fail to give a proper yield.

We need more laborers with love

Who focus on the time above,

And share the news with all below

So, many more, the King would know.

No longer mute, but speaking well 

And not afraid of who we tell

That Jesus Christ is Lord and God

And lesser gods are but a fraud.

Wednesday

The Kingdom is coming quite soon

To signs, we should all be attuned

Repent and be clean, too often it's seen

We're well into late afternoon

Don't call for the cover of stone

One left in the open alone

Must call for the King, His mercy to bring

All evil, at last, overthrown.

What terror that day will invoke!

How true, what the prophet had spoke!

As blessings increased, our greed never ceased

But wealth is now all up in smoke.

Too late for His mercy that day

In justice, the evil then pay

Turn and repent, or to Hades be sent.

It's time that you hear and obey.

Thursday

Unburdened by the daily cares

The faithful witness freely shares

The Gospel story, plain and true,

And such is what He asks of you.

No money, food, or clothing, spare

But just the word of life to share

His love suffices every need

To make the Father's plan succeed

A humble soul is what it takes

A one not bothered by mistakes

A one forgiveness freely gives

A one who, in the Master, lives

Our every need He meets each day

In new and unexpected way

Our trust He wants, to power show

For trust it is, that makes us grow

Friday

Success, we may not ever see

But faithful, all are called to be

We've seen and know what's good and true

So, worry not when suffer you

The trials come in many ways

The family breaks amid the haze

Some choose the here and now to win

But others turn away from sin.

Though wolves devour the sheep and doves

The docile one, the Father loves

He gives them words they need to hear

So wolves, may too, be drawing near.

Some day He'll show us how He used

Our suffering, to save confused.

We'll see in trials bravely faced

The lines of love, our efforts traced.

Saturday

No secrets on the final day

For then we all will know the way

To where our many choices lead

Then, Mercy! Mercy! Lord, we plead.

If we repent before that time

Then heavenward, the soul may climb

But not the proud who never turn,

They head where they forever burn.

6/28/26 Through 7/4/26

 6/28/26 Through 7/4/26

Sunday

Alive no more, but dead to sin

The room made there for Christ within

The dead with Christ shall also rise

And also every sin despise.

Our love must every love exceed

The Love on whom the faithful feed

When love for Christ, all love exceeds

Our love for others, too, succeeds.

Monday

But who do you say that I am?

A prophet, the king, or the Lamb?

The Christ, the King, The Son of God

And nothing less, You are no fraud.

By Heaven, such a truth revealed

For many, though, the truth concealed

Each must encounter God within

And break from lives of sordid sin.

It's then the chains will fall away

To bring about a brighter day

Where freedom from all sin is known

And Christ, as King, to all is shown.

Then fear of death cannot take hold

Where love is taught so clear and bold

Then martyr's blood will seed the ground

And faith for many there be found.

Tuesday

Prepare to meet your God, he said

For many, now already dead

Who heard but failed to Him obey

To lion roars, have fallen prey.

A One of mercy, it is true

But One of justice, He is, too

And all who mercy will reject

His justice, only, can expect.

The One whom wind and sea obey

Can rest in peace amid the fray

But men of little faith, in fear

Now tremble for the Lord is near.

The storms are meant to make us strong

And teach us how to suffer long.

Throughout the storms, to rest in peace

And trust His love will never cease.

Wednesday

They're fit for pigs, but not for man

All demons in the evil clan

But when they're cast into the sea

Then people voice their plea to Me.

To leave them in their filthy state

And not a newness there create

Their sin, the comfort all they need

Forever lost, and never freed

So many choose the chains of sin

Refusing light, and dark within

The Savior, then, will move along

And let them go where they belong.

A tragedy this is for those

Who spurned the Lord, and evil chose

They'll never find the peace they seek

Without allowing God to speak

A change must happen deep inside

To draw them to the other side

The heart must beat, but not as stone

The heart must beat for God alone.

Thursday

I just obey my Lord and King

And so, this message, here I bring.

Repent, because away you've strayed

Or just into the darkness fade.

What's true and good must be revered

The people, to the Lord, be steered.

But you let evil guide your way

So, now, be exiled far away.

Don't let such ways repeat for you

But think of Him in all you do

So, listen now, and then obey

By doing so, you'll never stray.

Friday

Doubt will plague us at all times

Those writing prose, or making rhymes

But then just think a little while

And see the proofs of love compile.

The blessings 'round us everywhere

Should make the doubter well aware

Of love of God for simple man

To carry out salvation's plan.

To take our flesh in humble birth

Then labor here upon the Earth

To bring His kingdom here below

And every Doubting Thomas show.

How much He cares for everyone

Through what was suffered by the Son

To win their freedom from the sin

And life anew, with Him begin.

Saturday

With freedom comes a scary thought

Of what it takes to live

Within the framework, love has bought

And what we're called to give.

For freedom is the fruit of love

Where all have what they need.

Reflection of the life above

Where goodness all must heed.

The common good, the measure for

All things we say and do

The self a gift to peace restore

When lovers found too few.

It can't survive in selfish lands

Where gods are made of thee

It needs the Rock, not shifting sands,

Foundation for the free.

The common good must be our goal

To make this land survive

The aim of every heart and soul

To keep our land alive.

6/21/26 Through 6/27/26

 6/21/26 Through 6/27/26

Sunday

No reason man should be afraid,

It is for him that Jesus prayed.

The everlasting Son of God

Now reigns above with iron rod.

Though body be destroyed below,

The faithful of His glory know

He rose again, and so shall we

His Sacrifice, our victory.

The final word was spoken when

He suffered under sinful men

Yet spread His arms to so receive

The faithful who, in Him, believe.

Forgiveness He will offer all

Who answer to His loving call

And speak the truth where lie prevails

Regardless of what that entails.

The wicked may the flesh defeat

But that is not the word complete

For resurrection comes to all

And woe to them by whom they fall.

For on that day the Lord denies

The wicked with their filthy lies

But honors those who claim His name

With everlasting, holy fame.

Oh, help me Lord, to always be

Devoted wholly unto Thee

When trial comes to double down

And claim my everlasting crown.

Monday

Indeed, the will of God is best

No matter what He makes our test.

He calls us more and more to love

To fit the narrow gate above.

Not passing judgment here below

No man, another's heart, may know

Forgiving as our Lord forgave

To give us vict'ry o'er the grave

First, cleaning house within my soul

To be a one, at last, made whole

The beam removed to clearly see

The speck in you, annoying me.

Remember death will come to all

So, answer to His loving call

The options lying straight ahead

Are only two when lying dead.

The Cross will bring us life beyond

But not if all our wealth is pawned

For temporal pleasure here below

In league with our eternal foe.

The beam grows larger every day

We fail to turn around and pray

For mercy to the Prince of Peace

And so, our life of sinning cease.

Tuesday

So narrow the gate and constricted the road

It can't be obtained by those burdened with load

No baggage of sin can be hauled through the door

It must be defeated for winning the war.

The corpses of many are littered around

While prayers of the righteous, effective, are found.

The boast of the prideful will come to an end

The humble shall all, on the Master, depend.

How much do we trust in the hour of need?

Do we, on the flesh, of the Sacrifice feed?

Is life there above worth the price here below?

It's only by trusting the Master we know.

If He came to save us and died on the Tree

Then rose to His glory, as faithful did see,

He'll not leave us orphaned, but save us a place

Above, in the land of His glory and grace.

Wednesday

Before my birth, He made of me

A one with eyes to glory see

The Lamb within the Virgin's womb

The perfect love who chases gloom

He made of me a sharpened sword

To lead a longing people toward

Repentance for their sinful ways

And to the One the angels praise

A life of solitude was mine

On bugs and honey, I would dine

But crowds would come to hear me say

Repent and wash the sins away

When asked, I said I was not He

A One is coming after me

A One of power, might, and more

To love for God and man restore

Thursday

The kingdom lost, to exile sent

By failing to their sins repent

Not trusting God, but temporal things

To Babylon, the sinner brings

Just calling out His name won't do

Ignoring what He says to you 

This builds a house on shifting sand

Instead of on the Lord's command

This cycle here, so often seen

One year can change from fat to lean

We blaze our trail and learn too late

It leads to such an evil fate

On rock alone withstand the flood

Repent, and plead His Precious Blood

Then listen and obey each word

That from the Master you have heard

He leads in ways protected well

If we, within His house, would dwell

While storm and flood may rage outside

Humility will conquer pride

Friday

The buildings burned, the walls torn down

So little left of what was town

The people carried far away

Where pagan practice rules the day

When lost in exile, hearts can see

The depths of their depravity

Of how they turned from good and true

And wandered far away from You

The leprosy which caused such pain

Began with chasing earthly gain

Then soon, Your ways of love were lost

And out, the laws of God were tossed

The wounds have festered, flesh decayed

For naught, Your voice was here obeyed

But You can heal me if You would

By what You won upon the wood

Humility you can't resist

And so, I ask with such a twist

If it's Your will, I will be well

Please raise again, this one who fell

Saturday

A single word can healing bring

A single touch, like stone and sling

Can turn the tide of death to life

And take away the fear of strife

When faith is strong, His power wields

The arrow piercing darkest shields

At just a word, the foe will flee

And just His touch will healeth thee.  

Though Babylon would exile thee

Obedience would set you free

Repent and learn the ways of love

To find your home with God above

6/14/26 Through 6/20/26

 6/14/26 Through 6/20/26

Sunday

The harvest is rich, but the laborers few

So, what are the workers expected to do?

To pray for more workers, that men would repent

Then more for the harvesting work could be sent.

If all would meet one or but two on the road

Much lighter and bearable then be the load

So, who have I shepherded into the fold?

The time is but short, and I'm now growing old.

Firm prayer is the method I need to employ

To pray that the Light would the darkness destroy.

To step out in faith and to share the Good News

And pray that all people, the Light would then choose.

Monday

So foreign are the ways of God

Impractical, and simply odd

To turn the other cheek to find

The kind of peace that He designed

That kind of peace leads me to die

While wicked, then just multiply

They need someone to set them straight

And so, a lasting peace create.

I only speak with common sense,

We must provide for our defense.

And be the stronger always there

Protecting of our rightful share

Or might there be a better way

To find a lasting peace today

That doesn't need the might to win

But finds a way to conquer sin?

Suppose that love was common here,

And temporal loss would cause no fear,

Where all could see beyond the grave

That giving all is what will save?

Perhaps we then could turn the cheek

And freely give what others seek.

Perhaps the wicked then repent

And learn to love as Jesus meant

It seems absurd, but just might win

A vict'ry over selfish sin

Then all could have the peace they seek

If they would turn the other cheek

Tuesday

Loving the enemy, praying for good

Pray like the Man they nailed to the wood

Love is contagious if just we believe

Giving's the best way for man to receive.

Thirst for the blood may not ever be slaked

Love has a Cross as a marker, it staked

Showing how evil, by man is destroyed

When graces from God, by man, are employed.

Wednesday

I shall not leave. I've come to stay.

I shall be with you on the way

I want the Spirit you received

The One whose power you believed

A love for God so great it's true

It is a person, just like you

An Advocate to guide my way

And teach me always how to pray

In silence where no one can see

Where God will hear my humble plea

In groanings far beyond my tongue

To bless the old and bless the young

To guide me when the way's unclear

With signs to let me know You're near

With gifts for every needed task

Before I even think to ask

Thursday

Our Father loves His children well

And so, He came on Earth to dwell

Among the poor and humble crowd

To teach forgiveness to the proud

Forgiveness is the key to win

The liberation from our sin

Then love will wipe away the stain

So now, salvation we can gain.

Friday

Why work for what will pass away?

Why let the eyes lead us astray?

God gave us eyes so we could see

What lasts us through eternity

The power wielded here below

We all can see, so we should know

Is not of use from in the grave

And love alone has power to save.

Why let the sin take root within

And there a downward path begin?

Avert the eye and turn to love

To store your wealth with God above

Saturday

Two masters never work for man

They pull and tug across the span

Till one is dragged amid the mire

To satisfy the man's desire

Don't worry, for it never wins

Without your help, the world spins

The fields are clothed, and birds are fed

The Father knows you need your bread.

Seek Him alone, and you will find

He meets your needs of every kind.

So, worry not what futures hold

Just place your clay within His mold

6/7/26 Through 6/13/26

 6/7/26 Through 6/13/26

Sunday

Truly His Body and truly His Blood

Food for the soul with the Spirit a flood

Grace for all living our life here below

All that we need in His flesh to bestow

All who are hungry, come eat and receive

The greatest of gifts a man could conceive

Heaven on Earth in the Mass every day

Why are so many still going astray?

They see not the beauty given them here

How God, in the flesh, is coming so near

They see a symbol, and not what is real

Missing the blessing of this sacred meal.

Monday

Our help is from the Lord, you see

He guides our steps to make us free

He tells us how to live each day

By teaching us the Father's way

He guides us when the way is grim

And teaches us to trust in Him

He gives us all we need in time

To make the ever upward climb

He blesses us in many ways

With all we need to clear the haze

And comforts those who persevere

And all who trust will find Him near

The World's ways are not His own

More blest, the way the Savior's shown

The persecuted, poor, and meek

Receive the peace and joy they seek.

Tuesday

Trust is the key to so much every day

He loves us and wants to be showing the way

But first He must see if we hear and obey

Or simply ignore what the Father will say

The widow was fed for over a year

She was freed of despair and eager to hear

The voice of our God to be trusted each day

To point where to walk on the long, narrow way

You, too, He is calling to hear and believe

So, more than a morsel your jar will receive

But when you have heard, you must pass it along

So more to the ranks of beloved belong

Wednesday

The Lord!  The Lord!  The Lord is God

No other but a useless fraud

The fire comes from God alone

To lick up water, wood, and stone

Consuming all, the fire glows

For now, the skeptic surely knows

The only One with pow'r to save

Is One who conquers o'er the grave

No law to change, but here fulfill

According to the Father's will

Rejected here, this Sacrifice

Of One so holy would suffice

The Law in shadow, now in light

The victor in the final fight

What was at once a sign of shame

Has now become our vict'ry claim

Thursday

Encouragement is what we need

To stay the course and faith to feed

To manly perseverence learn

And never from His word to turn

In Barnabas, such grace was found

In glory now, this saint was crowned

For he encouraged all to see

That Jesus died and rose for thee

Our troubles faced on Earth below

Are real, but trifles where we go

For just as labor turns to joy,

With Christ, we perfect love, enjoy

The gift outweighs the temporal pain

Our sacrifice for lasting gain

Don't fall, but carry on in love

For lasting peace awaits above.

Friday

His love extends beyond the mind

For there the poor and lonely find

A love far deeper than the sea

Is what He offers there for me

One naked and exposed to all

To rescue man from his great fall

The Heart of Love, the spear once burst

Now flows to slake our every thirst

Love Divine, beyond all telling

Here and now, with man is dwelling

On the altar, there abiding

Every grace for man providing.

Saturday

Unstained by the mark of a single ill deed

A Mother like this, every child does need

A Mother whose mantle will shield and protect

And arrows of evil defend and deflect

The angels alone have the voices to sing

The mortal can try, but not high enough bring

The words to describe what her yes means to man

The bridge that from death unto mercy would span

The portal through whom our Salvation would come

Conceived by the Spirit, the gift of the Son

Receiving the Word by her yes every day

Reflecting and acting on all He would say

A heart with such fervor, I beg for, my Lord

No longer one weak, but where sin is abhorred

A one that is docile and easy to mold

A one that the hand of Your Mother would hold

When time on the Earth has expired for me

I pray that Her face, in the heavens, I see

And walk by Her side to the Throne of Your Grace

To find You have made, just for me, there a place.