10/18/15 Through 10/24/15

10/18/15 Through 10/24/15

Sunday

To ask to be with Christ the king

Is asking Him for suffering

To share His cup and serve the least

To join in His eternal feast.

Monday

What good are barns stacked high with wheat

For those who have no chance to eat?

The pocket filled with currency

Cannot provide security.

True faith provides the guaranty

Of living life eternally

A life with Love, on whom we feed,

The God who meets our every need.

Tuesday

One sin condemned the world to die

And bound us all in chain.

By act of love, the crucified,

Repurchased Heaven's gain.

Wednesday

Quite much will be demanded 

From dwellers in this land

For we have been entrusted 

To follow His command.

But we who have this blessing

Must bring a fine return

If there's no yield at threshing

We all, like chaff, will burn.

Wednesday PM

The beauty of this world around

In many varied ways is found.

Each creature with its special place

Its separate measure of God's grace.

Thursday

By wisdom now the Truth is seen

Discernment of the senses keen.

When nothing else will satisfy, 

The Truth is always standing by.

In patient love forgiving wrong

Then teaching how to suffer long.

This beauty that attracts the soul

Will satisfy, and make you whole.

Friday

In prison born, for slavery bound

The lot of every man around

In Christ the only Hope we see

To break the fetters and set free.

Saturday

If there's no fruit, then cut it down.

He heard the Master say

I've looked for years and never found.

Why should I let it stay?

In patience, just another year

With special food and care

It may begin a new career

And then produce its share.

Miscellaneous

Teach me, oh Lord, just how to live,

Of me, a faithful servant make.

Accepting all you choose to give

And freely giving all You take.

10/11/15 Through 10/17/15

10/11/15 Through 10/17/15

Monday

How easy we attachments make

to simple temporal chattel

Forgetting such disorders take

Our eyes off of the battle.

Another trinket, toy, or tool

We simply must obtain

Another item blinds the fool

Obscuring heaven's gain.

Tuesday

Called by God to now become

The members of His body one.

To share with all, His gift of grace

In every village, town, or place.

Wednesday

We cleanse the outside all in vain

If on the inside part

Is found the stench, and awful stain

Of rotten, greedy heart.

Thursday AM

A servant's heart, what I desire

A heart of love, with flames of fire

A heart to always lead the way

From darkest night to endless day.

Thursday PM

How can You bear to suffer so,

To hear the constant sound of, No?

Rejected by the ones You made

Repentance evermore delayed.

Your Mother and some women too,

Beside the cross to weep with You,

But of the the twelve, there's only John.

The others all, in fear, have gone.

Each labored breath, each anguished sigh,

An offering to God on high,

In reparation for my sin

That salvation, I may win.

How can I bear You suffer so,

When every time I answer, No?

How can I fail to put You first

When, from the cross, I hear, "I thirst"?

A thirst for every human soul

A thirst to love and make me whole

A thirst to break the bonds of sin

A thirst we would salvation win.

Friday

There's nothing that we have concealed

That will not, one day, be revealed.

In darkness, whispered, things we say

Will be proclaimed, in light of day.

Fear not, my friend, the wicked one,

Who kills the body then he's done.

But fear the One whom love desires

May cast into eternal fires.

Saturday

"Well Done!" is heard, the words of Thine

To martyrs dressed in robes that shine.

By wild beasts the wheat was ground,

And by this bread true life is found.

10/4/15 through 10/9/15

10/4/15 through 10/9/15

Sunday

Become one flesh as man and wife

A bond to last throughout your life

The flower opens to receive

The seed is planted to conceive.

A total giving from the two

With God becomes a life brand new

A sacred gift to one another

A precious soul that's like no other

Monday

Help me to listen and obey

And cease to follow my own way

For my way leads to troubled seas

But Your way leads to lasting peace.

Tuesday

St.  Bruno found in nothingness

The key that leads to happiness

In life devoid of things around

The fullness of our Lord is found.

Wednesday

Do I, like Jonah, care much more

For things that flower and fade

When I should have compassion for

Immortal souls God made?

Reluctant to proclaim the Word

To many sinners lost

I'd rather see God's wrath incurred

Than take the time it cost

To tell them all the story of 

Our God who came to earth

Enduring much in patient love

That we might have new birth.

Thursday AM

What father would give to his precious child

A dangerous gift, or one that defiled

The Father of all when put to the test

Will always be giving what He knows is best

Thursday PM

My progeny, to show the way

To follow Him throughout the day

To honor Him in what they say

And never from His leading stray

I make a meager, paltry guide

To lead such treasure to Your side

To You my weakness I confide

And You are with me every stride.

Though many are the traps and snares

Temptations and the daily cares

I keep them in my daily prayers

That life with You is someday theirs

Friday

I  wish Lord to this day repent

Of all my sinful ways

Of selfishness and time misspent

Throughout my many days

Saturday

Oh happy womb that bore You

What blessed breast You nursed

Creation all adores You

The last as well as first.

9/27/15 through 10/3/15

9/27/15 Through 10/3/15

Sunday

Remove the part that leads to sin

Be cleansed and holy from within

Give up the constant search for wealth

Corrupted parts cannot give health.

Monday

It's funny how we fill our days

With noise and useless chatter

Rarely finding simple ways

To do the things that matter.

A patient ear, a loving touch

With pace of life decreased

We find, in those with little, much

The greatest and the least.

Tuesday

Great angel watching over me

Remove the blinders, let me see.

The conflict now, with eyesight pure

The Devil's wicked, tempting lure.

Give me the courage in the fight

To always seek and do what's right.

Strengthen now my weakened knees

Present before the King my pleas.

Announce a new and different day

The day the Woman dared to say:

"Salvation through your servant bring,

I am the handmaid of the King."

Wednesday

No reason you should look so sad

When favored by the King

The one who gave His life for you

Will grant you everything.

Thursday

He never waters down the call

He always wants to have our all.

He promises sufficient grace

In every trying time and place.

Friday

Unless you come like little ones

No share can you receive.

The kingdom is for humble ones

Who listen and believe.

Saturday

Though littleness we try to find,

A prideful whisper comes to mind,

And if we fail to shut the door

The demon gladly offers more..

9/20/15 through 9/26/15

9/20/15 through 9/26/15

Sunday

Could we know without the cross,

Could we count our gains as loss,

Could we find triumph in defeat,

Without a giving so complete?

Because of His reproaching breath

We sentenced Him to shameful death.

With torture and revilement

We killed the One whom Love had sent.

But three days hence, the Savior showed

As all around the tomb it glowed,

No power below or up above

Can conquer o're the power of Love.

Monday

Wealth provides a constant chatter

Masking all the things that matter

Always shouting, "Look and see!"

Drowning out, "Come follow Me."

Tuesday

In the pagan king was found

The gift to see, and turn around.

Rebuilding that which once was razed

Into the place where God is praised.

Tuesday Evening

A man of little faith in He

Who calmed the winds and split the sea,

A man who doesn't trust enough

To leave his worthless worldly stuff.

A man who wants his comfort now,

Yet wants to get to heaven somehow.

A man who wants the Lord to see,

A better way for things to be.

A man of very little brain

Complaining of his every pain

A fool in eyes that truly see,

That man of course, is known as me.

But if You choose to grace that man,

And if he but, responds he can

Fulfill Your will upon this earth

And gain at last, a brand new birth.

Wednesday

To twelve He gave authority

To cure and make the demons flee.

To all He gives the power now

To love, and change the world somehow.

Thursday

How often thoughts are inward bound

And care for others never found.

The house of God, it's time to build,

The fallow ground must now be tilled.

Friday

Tell no more the ancient story

Of the Church's former glory

Worry not of numbers few

The Lord will freshen, and renew.

Saturday

Within the fire circling round

No enemy or foe is found.

The Lord becomes the strength and shield

For all the holy ones He sealed.

9/13/15 through 9/19/15

9/13/15 through 9/19/15

Sunday

Change this mind and ways I think

Let me Your sacred chalice drink

Give me the will to suffer for

The Way of Love that offers more.

Monday

To look upon the tortured Lamb

I stop and wonder who I am,

That He would count the world as loss

And choose to die upon the cross.

Such love unknown before or since

The depth of which can sure convince

The hardest heart to turn around

And let eternal life be found.

Tuesday

Most surely on the day He rose

His Mother first to greet He chose

The one who freely gave up all 

In answer to His loving call.

Wednesday

Oh may I think of others first

And not my daily needs

For though the selfish one is cursed,

The humble one He heeds.

Thursday

By humble acts of service now

We show great love and then somehow

Like her of hair and ointment fame

We're snatched from that eternal flame.

Friday

To stewards of this awesome treasure

Send your wisdom without measure

Let us not be filled with greed

But let us help the ones in need.

Saturday

Make of me a fertile soil

In this land where people quarrel

Let the seed of love take root

That I may bear abundant fruit.

9/6/15 through 9/12/15

9/6/15 through 9/12/15

Sunday

Ephphatha spoken by the King

Made sounds in quiet ears to ring

It's true!  He can do anything.

He even makes the silent sing.

What joy to now communicate

Without the need of chalk and slate

With spoken word elucidate

And thirsty souls rejuvinate.

Monday

When life itself is trumped by pride

The wickedness grows well inside

They'd rather curse and reprimand

Than see the cure of withered hand.

Have we ourselves not fallen prey

To prideful thinking of the day,

Devaluing the gift of life,

Forsaking vows of man and wife?

Tuesday

Sinless Mary came to birth

The dawn of hope for sinful earth

For through her holy child of light

The Son of God would end the night.

Wednesday

Blessed poverty, spiritual gift

To God, our pains and troubles we lift

Only when trusting He's given us all

Are we free to abandon and answer His call.

Thursday

Mary, Mary, pure and bright

Constant source of joy and light

Bring your charm to every room

Dispel the darkness, chase the gloom.

Follow in your patron's way

And seek His will for every day

Put on the dress of holy one

Be kind and meek, with blessing tongue.

When troubled by a daily trial

Just sit with Him and rest a while

There you'll find a love so deep

He cares for loved ones as they sleep.

And as you travel down life's road
No matter what the heavy load
Be sure to listen for His voice
To help you make a proper choice.

Friday

Pursuing truth, I find on the way

Faults in my deeds, and things that I say.

I find them at first, as a splinter you see

In the eye of some other, but surely, not me.

In quiet reflection, my time of great peace,

Talking to Him, I advise without cease.

When finally stopping a moment to thank,

I find that my eye has been filled with a plank.

Saturday

Reflecting on the day's events

The mind looks back, and heart repents

Failures lead to bitter sorrow

Hope is for a better morrow.

8/30/15 through 9/5/15

8/30/15 through 9/5/15

Sunday

Oh wash me Lord and make me clean

From sinfulness in me unseen

From judgments rash, and lust inside

From selfish greed and foolish pride.

Monday

Today this passage is fulfilled

He's come to set us free

The long expectant hearts were thrilled 

His mighty works to see.

Tuesday

Let me accept with grace this day

The will of Christ my Lord

My debts no way I could repay

His gifts could not afford

Wednesday

Thank you Lord for giving me

The things that do me good.

Instead of what my thinking be

When I've misunderstood.

Thursday

No looking back with longing eyes

To former ways of life

Leave all for Him with piercing eyes

Who gives eternal life.

Friday

When pride in me, self-flattery

Invades the heart and mind

Then wisdom flies before my eyes

And folly's all you find.

Saturday

Without love how can we last 

As creatures on this earth?

A day of doom approaches when

There's judgement for our past.

8/23/15 through 8/29/15

8/23/15 through 8/29/15

Sunday

The Eucharist is our main course

It strengthens and provides the force

To meet the challenge of each day

And help us follow in His way.

Monday

In every life a certain one

Shines with a special glow

A light reflective of the Son

That beckons us to grow.

A mom or dad, or family friend

That truly knows the Lord.

Who trusts in Him until the end

Relying on His Word.

Oh, let me be, so many see

In me that special light.

The light of love, from God above,

Dispelling darkest night.

Tuesday

It seems to me, in daily spats,

We often tend, to choke on gnats.

While the highest court that we impanel

Can swallow with ease the whole darn camel.

Wednesday

Receive it as the Word of God

And not the word of men.

Be not a whited sepulchre,

But living flesh! Amen.

Thursday

Be ready not to hide away

Be ready to embrace.

The Master shall return one day,

And Him we all must face.

Friday

The virgins wise, their lamps kept filled

While waiting for the groom

The foolish ones came unprepared,

No trials were assumed.

The oil within, our Faith and Hope,

Supplied by God above.

To keep the lamp flame burning bright

With fire of ardent love.

A flame of empty outward signs

Temptation blows away,

But coaxing winds make steadfast hearts

Burn brighter everyday.

Saturday

The Baptist's tongue will speak no more

His dark set eyes will pierce no hearts.

Though man could separate his parts

His words live on for evermore.

Make straight the path.  Repent.  Believe.

Be washed, and be set free.

He must increase, I must decrease.

Behold the Lamb of God.

8/16/15 through 8/22/15

8/16/15 Through 8/22/15

Sunday

This bread becomes our very breath

The body of our Lord.

Redemption from our certain death

A price could none afford.

The wine, His blood, our saving drink

For parched and thirsty souls

The sinners saved from darkest brink,

The lowly ones consoled.

Monday

Before you lies a blessing

Before you lies a curse

The freedom from confessing,

Or lies to make things worse.

Tuesday

Least in all Manasseh

He hides to thresh his wheat

But called by God to challenge, and

Bring Midian defeat.

The angel of the Lord he saw

And spoke to face to face

Behold, oh mighty one said he

You're called to cleanse this place

Wednesday

With leadership comes sacrifice

A gift of one to all

Controlling of our appetites

And answering the call.

Thursday

Not one thing can be claimed as mine

No praise for things I do.

All I have comes from Divine

Even praise I offer You.

Friday

To love the Lord with heart and mind

The greatest of the laws, we find.

Then like yourself, to love all men

Will please the Father once again.

Saturday

Teach me to choose the lowest place

Teach me to always seek your face

Then finding in humility

Who You intended me to be.

8/9/15 Through 8/15/15

8/9/15 through 8/15/15

Sunday

Strength for the journey

Bond with the Lord

Bread of compassion 

Life giving Word

Lord give me hunger

Lord give me thirst

For what is holy

Placing You first

For in Your Passion

Is my redemption

Life without ending

In resurrection!

Monday

The giver of the gifts should know

Just what we need to bloom and grow

He spoke the word and made it all

His grace is plenty for us all.

Tuesday

The memory of a child's embrace

Is slow to fade away

The innocence upon their face

The loving words they say.

This pure and simple, spotless love

Is how our lives should be

Reliance on our God above

Should be our path, you see.

Wednesday

A glow of light beyond the door

A thirsting soul desires more

A knock to say:  "May I come in?"

The pathway choked by years of sin.

Thursday

Oh Jesus, in this bread so fine

Great comfort, and great strength of mine,

Cleanse me Lord from all my sin

Grant that I, Your favor win.

Friday

His body offered up for her

Her will subordinate to his

Such love will demonstrate for sure

What marriage made in heaven is.

Saturday

The Ark of God, that holy place,

The lowly Virgin, Full of Grace,

The humble and obedient one,

Now reigns in splendor with her Son.

8/2/15 Through 8/8/15

8/2/15 through 8/8/15

Sunday

Do I believe the way I should,

Have His words been understood?

The works I've seen and things I know,

Have shown quite clear the way to go.

But somehow still, I choose my way

That easy and that broad highway

Instead of trusting what He said

And finding Him within the bread.

Monday

For leeks and melons people longed

And would at once return

To slavery where their rights were wronged

If food they could discern.

What price for freedom would I pay,
Have I a will so strong

To disregard the easy way

And find where I belong?

Tuesday

Majestic words cannot describe

No awesome sight could dare explain

The truth to which my heart ascribes

The blessing in His Holy Name.

Wednesday

You see but just the surface

And think you know the whole

Your lips do you no service

When God you don't extoll.

Thursday

In splendid light they heard the voice

He's my beloved Son

So listen now and make your choice

Be like this Holy One.

Friday

Take up your cross and follow me

He offers every soul

The way to find the life you seek

Is giving to the full.

Saturday

Feet on the ground, and hands up high

I ask His holy will

To give to me a loving eye

And help me speak with skill.

7/26/15 through 8/1/15

7/26/15 through 8/1/15

Sunday

The foolish look for merely bread

When even though five thousand fed

On just five loaves, and but two fish

The multitude He gave their wish

Much more He gives to those who see

It's God who works in mystery

With not so ordinary bread

At Mass the multitude is fed.

Monday

A doer, not a hearer

Is what I'm called to be

Not one who finds a mirror

And looks, but fails to see.

But peering at perfection

With persevering stare

Our God provides protection

And blessings everywhere.

Tuesday

The prophets to our fathers spoke

In words disguised within a cloak,

But in our day, with clarity, 

He speaks direct to you and me.

Wednesday

A countenance of Holy Light

The skin of Moses shining bright

Encountering our Holy Lord

The one he worshiped and adored.

Thursday

He walked about in veiled disguise

His face too bright for normal eyes

His features glowing full of grace

When e're he left that holy place.

Friday

It's sad to see the healing art

Become an industry

Forgetting that the true healthcare

Is really ministry.

The Sabbath celebration was 

A gift from God on high

A solemn day of rest because

We need it to get by.

Saturday

He called the sinner to repent

By how he lived and what he said

But Herod, that great coward, sent

And on a whim, John lost his head.

7/19/15 through 7/25/15

7/19/15 through 7/25/15

Sunday

With pride we often entertain

The pleasures that we seek

Instead of trying to abstain

And learning to be meek

Monday

Ignoring what they cannot hide

Creating overwhelming tide 

Denying truth they know inside

The court has ruled along gay pride

Tuesday

The waters of the Red Sea part

To freedom now the slaves depart

The people that the Lord has named

Through water now the Lord has claimed

When like the sea, His heart was split

The blood and water flowed from it

An overwhelming, precious tide

Of grace and mercy from His side.

Wednesday

Baptismal waters cleanse and bless

As we our sinful past confess

Through water now His dove descends

And sinful hearts He heals and mends

Unfading mark upon the brow

To claim one as the Lord's somehow

To wash away the stain of sin

And pave the way to Heaven win.

Thursday

How often Lord I stop to pray

But fail to practice what You say

Let Your word in  me be found

And make of me Your fertile ground

Friday

The peaceful morn a holy time

And I have learned to call it mine

A time to watch the dawn awake

And quietly reflection take

The varied birds that sing their song

The air that's cooled by darkness long

This calm before the busy day

I've found the perfect time to pray

Saturday

In jars of clay we carry gold

That you should know what we've been told

Is from the power of God, not man

And all our works are in His plan.