5/2/21 Through 5/8/21

 Sunday

The suckers grow upon the vine

Afresh with every day.

With no concern for making wine,

They go their happy way.

Sucking from the vine the food

That bears desired fruit,

With luxury the attitude,

And ease the sole pursuit.

By pruning, is the way to find

A yield to make the wine.

The suckers draw the yield behind,

And only stunt the vine.

Fear not the pruning hook of love

That cleans both stem and shoot.

Vinedressing Father from above,

Knows how to bring the fruit.

Submit to Him in all you do,

Let Him prepare the way.

He'll trim that empty branch for you,

And juicy fruit display.

Monday

And then, at last, to one like me

The Lord has been made known.

I do my best each morn to see,

And nurture seed that's sown.

You too, He wishes now to greet

Each morn afresh and new,

Within the sacred wine and wheat

Prepared each morn for you.

So come and see, do not delay.

Distracted, be no more.

He'll speak to you, for every day

He knocks upon the door.

But you must make the move to bring

His presence through the door.

You see, we find that that's the thing

We need to do for more.

So make the choice today to be

One growing every day,

And see how great the faith can be

For those who learn to pray.

Tuesday

My Father's love the world must know

Obedience to Him I show.

Satan holds no power on Me,

And this I've chosen you to see.

Peace I give, and peace I leave,

My Spirit then, you will receive.

A peace not as the world describes,

But peace My Father's will prescribes.

Peace that lets you long endure

The sufferings that make you pure,

The slings and arrows cast your way

By those opposed to what you say.

This peace transcends the mortal mind,

A peace not of the common kind,

But one that touches deep within

Where only Christ and I have been.

Wednesday

This can be sung to the tune of "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence"

Soul athirst for living water,

Come and drink abundantly.

Water flowing from the Fountain

Quenches every thirst of thee.

Be attached to Me, the True Vine,

Life and sustenance for thee.

Pruning comes for all the branches

Grafted firmly on the Vine.

Let Me clear what draws life from you,

Make of you a son of Mine.

Those apart, are bare and fruitless,

Destined for a fiery decline.

I will give the Holy Spirit

To the soul that comes to Me.

Wisdom, strength, and true discernment,

Gifts He will impart to thee.

Fruit you then will bear abundantly,

Glorified, the Father will be.

Thursday

Remain in my love, do not turn away,

For this is the road, and I am the Way.

My Spirit I give as guidance for you,

As prompter and nudge, for the things that you do.

When clearly He speaks, and silence then falls,

Be ready and willing to answer His calls.

Stray not from the path He lighted in love,

For that is the path to our Father above.

Mine was the path to Calvary's hill,

Each step in accord with His holy will.

So will yours be, both through trial and strife,

But leading at last, to endless new life.

So stick to the plan, persevere, and be bold.

Obey now in haste, everything that you're told.

Trust in the love that can raise from the dead,

For there's no other love, and nothing instead.

Friday

My goal, to be a slave of Thee

One honored in Your house.

Not one so arrogant to see

As mine, those whereabouts.

But one who knows that only You

Are worthy of my praise,

As one who tries to follow You

And love You all my days.

No more a slave to sin and death,

But now one truly free.

One praising You with every breath,

For loving one like me.

The honor comes in serving You,

With all, You trust to me.

And worshipping the One that's true,

Who loves a one like me.

Saturday

When persecution comes your way,

Remember what the Lord did say,

"It's Me they hated first, you see,

And so shall My disciples be."

But to the world, you don't belong,

And on My way, you come along.

I've chosen you to speak My word,

So let your loving voice be heard.

4/25/21 Through 5/1/21

 4/25/21 Through 5/1/21

Sunday

More than life, He loves his sheep.

Unselfish Lord whose word will keep.

His way so high above our own,

No greater depth of love ere known.

My Jesus, Cornerstone of love,

Rejected by the builders of

The house of worship here below,

Help me, the Shepherd's love to know.

A love that others clearly see,

A love that favors you o'er me.

One that I willingly would give,

One stronger than my will to live.

Monday

Oh Lord, I promise to obey,

If You would just show me the way,

And guide my steps to follow You

In all I say, and all I do.

In silence waiting every day,

I read Your word, and then I pray.

Imploring light would come to me,

And grant the grace to clearly see.

A sheet descending from above,

A new or different way to love.

A little nudge to say don't fear,

A gentle breeze to say, "Walk here."

Tuesday

How great that You are, how little I am.

Compare not the ways of God to a man.

We see there is one, but so frail and so weak,

And One who is Love, whose facets we seek.

Life without end He will give to the sheep

The ones who believe, commandments will keep.

Obeying the word that comes from above,

Recognizing in it, the source of all love.

But oh, for the ones that refuse to believe,

Those seeing the signs, who fail to perceive.

Among His sheep, they shall not be,

And never will, true love, they see.

Wednesday

To chase the dark, as light He came.

His words reflect His Father's name.

If we reject His word outright,

We plunge ourselves in darkest night.

With awe and wonder hear His word,

Then pass along what you have heard.

Bring light to where the darkness dwells.

Be one that of the Savior tells.

Our duty is to bear the light

To care for souls and then invite

The wayward one to hear again

Who brings salvation to all men.

His word is truth, and truth has shown

The folly of the dark we've known.

So cling not to despair of night,

But walk with me in Glory's light.

Thursday

Be ready if you're asked today

To show a traveler the way,

To speak of that in which you're trained,

His word in you that's well ingrained.

We know not when we're asked to speak,

But then employ this fine technique,

To trust the Spirit then to lead,

And on His many graces feed.

In service then, is known the way

To find the lost and rescue stray.

In washing feet, the Master showed

It's what we give, not what we're owed.

The whole of all mankind should be

So humble as Divinity,

Then learn to serve the other's need,

And well, the Master's call to heed.

Friday

Sabbath after Sabbath, the prophets read aloud,

Sacred words unheeded, in blindness of the proud.

The Savior mocked and spat upon, then hung upon a tree.

The Passion of the Savior, gives birth and sets us free. 

Friday Evening

Sunday after Sunday here

The word of God proclaimed,

But many present never hear

And still are not ashamed. 

The Lamb of God is slain by those

Who pious may appear.

The thorns and stripes and heavy blows

Inflicted by those near.  

With nails, affixed to rugged wood

‘Till life was drained away.

A suffering no other could

Endure in such a way.

He gave His all in thirst for souls,

Then laid within the grave.

But three days hence,Achieved His goals,

 And rose to sinner save. 

We now are witnesses to this,

His promises fulfilled. 

Such evidence, do not dismiss,

When blood Divine was spilled. 

The search is for the Father’s house

The way, alone, He knows.

The Church, His faithful loving spouse,

Will follow where He goes.

Don’t turn away, but bear the cross,

Wherever He may lead.

All earthly gain is none but loss,

He fills our every need.

Saturday

One more sign and that's enough,

For then I will believe.

Oh Philip, came the kind rebuff,

You still do not believe?

The Father and the Son are One

And so the Spirit too.

You've seen the Father in the Son

Made manifest to you.

Believe and so your works will be,

And greater still than Mine.

The Father who delights in Me

Will work His plan Divine.

Then later on how well you'll see

And scripture understand

If you but listen well to Me,

And do what He has planned.

A chariot you'll join and speak

To one from far-off land

Interpreting for one that's weak,

Who doesn't understand.

The circle comes in full around

For those who will obey.

Then wisdom in the word is found

For others on the way.

4/18/21 Through 4/24/21

 4/18/21 Through 4/24/21

Sunday

Why are you troubled, why can't you see?

My hands and my feet will prove that it's Me.

All that was written, by Me was fulfilled,

The Suffering Servant, The Lamb of God, killed.

Be opened your minds, to the scriptures and know,

For centuries just how they have said it would go.

The Lamb, the Redeemer, He suffers and dies,

But then on the third day, in glory shall rise.

So go to the city and nations abroad,

Proclaiming to all, that Jesus is God.

Repent and be baptized, then turning from sin,

You too, with the chosen, salvation shall win.

Monday

To be accused as Christ accused,

An honor such would be.

My words with those of Christ confused

Would threaten, you'll agree.

The ruling class who want their way

Unchallenged by the proles.

Who only read and daily pray

For sinful, earthly goals.

So quell the ones disturbing things,

And cancel those who speak

Of Christ as truly King of kings,

Hold down the poor and weak.

But though they crucify and stone,

The Spirit thriving still.

Obedience in love makes known

The Father's holy will.

That Christ be known as Son of God,

And Savior of all men.

That Spirit-filled be not the odd,

But common once again.

So make a choice today and be

For show or truly man.

Hide not your faith, but let them see

In you, God's holy plan.

Not turning back if trial comes,

Not fading in the fight.

Not cowering from warring drums,

But facing darkest night

With eyes upon the land beyond,

And glory without end.

To evil and deceit respond

With love, to faith defend.

Tuesday

When handed over, worry not

Of what you are to say.

Though wicked men will always plot

To make the righteous pay.

The Lord will give in time of need

The words for you to speak.

And though it be a tiny seed,

It offers now a peek

Beyond the world that meets the eye,

Into the land of love.

Where hardened hearts can see just why

We worship God above.

Wednesday

The depth of God I'll never know,

Yet to His heart, I'll always go.

So high above the mind of man,

The love that made us in His plan.

So little we expect to see

From One that knows infinity,

Yet if we simply follow well,

What praise and glory we could tell.

I come to Thee each morn to see

My share of Your Divinity,

And follow every word from You

To power-up the things I do.

By saying yes, each time I see

The more Your word will come to me.

And worlds will change this simple way,

If men would listen and obey.

Thursday

How could we understand this word, 

So foreign and aloof?

What could explain the things we heard?

How could He offer proof?

They make no sense, these words of His,

How can his flesh be food?

A "Living Bread" the offer is.

I think He's come unglued.

That day so many turned away,

And I was ready too,

But something strong would make me stay.

That something, trust in You.

So many times I'd seen before

How You amazed the crowd,

With crippled limbs or health restored,

Or shaming of the proud.

No way I understand, but trust.

Your word is good as gold.

So follow still, and learn, I must,

And always You uphold.

Now clear I see as time has passed

Your body given me.

Upon the cross, true food at last,

Was offered there by Thee.

Now evermore this sacrifice

Will feed the masses well,

And evermore of risen Christ,

The faithful masses tell.

The Bread from Heaven, truly food.

His blood our precious drink.

No more just following confused,

But now with all in sync.

Friday

A flash of light that blinded Saul

A Voice that called to give Him all.

The blinding scales that fell to earth,

When hands were laid to give new birth.

A time in every life as this.

A time when now, and then shall kiss.

When clear as day the Lord shall speak,

And interest in His word shall pique.

But do we hear and then obey,

Or just continue on our way?

The answer will determine how

We spend eternity and now.

Saturday

When hardship comes they turn away

And few will share the load.

The harvest waits in waning day,

Men idle on the road.

His flesh our food and sustenance

The key to carry on.

Our blessed early morning chance

To meet at Mass 'fore dawn.

A little faith it takes to see

In bread, the King of kings.

But oh, the strength and love to me,

Each morn it daily brings.

For lack of faith, don't turn away,

But trust and you will see.

The food He offers every day,

Is ALL for folks like me.

4/11/21 Through 4/17/21

 4/11/21 Through 4/17/21

Sunday

Why, oh Lord, so good to me,

Such mercy, grace, and love?

Let sin be ever gone from me

To taste the sweetness of

A Mercy standing ready when

The heart inclines to Thee.

A grace to lead the simple men

Who flounder just like me.

A love without a boundary known

That floods the penitent.

A seed that's always gently sown

to yield a fragrant scent.

Monday

Signs and wonders still befall 

When Christians answer well the call.

In boldness speak the word He gives

Proclaiming Christ our Savior lives.

The Spirit comes in varied ways

To open eyes and clear the haze,

To blow  a wind afresh and new,

And strengthen all the work you do.

Be docile to His prompings then

And when the Spirit speaks again,

Delay not in your answering

And see the wonders God will bring.

Tuesday

As serpent in the desert,

So Lord be lifted high.

That all may see at present

The Lord is drawing nigh.

So plain and yet so complicated

There for all to see

Savior that was long-awaited

Hung upon a tree.

So far above our way is He

The teacher doesn't know,

But even though that case may be,

The simple He will show.

Wednesday

So loved by God, he gave His Son

That man could be as one.

That wicked creatures, frail and small

Could learn to love, and give their all.

In silence where His voice is heard

He speaks His ever-present word,

And gives to those who listen well

The grace to there, within Him dwell.

Thursday

Obey and see the world right,

Obey and lift the dark of night.

Obey and see the Spirit move,

Let Him, all guile, and sin remove.

The waves of love will ever flow

When we, His will, have come to know,

And follow it as best we can

As harmony within His plan.

Friday

The bread received, consumed today

Will be our strength some future day.

Each Eucharist will build the store

Of grace to help us handle more.

The discipline of exercise

May seem a waste to lazy eyes,

But muscle fiber grows each time

We buckle down and make the climb.

Good food affords the needed fuel,

His superfood the crowning jewel,

And exercise the daily drone

To focus eyes on Him alone.

The food and work will build the strength

To follow Him to any length,

And we may find in darkest days

The strength we need from daily ways.

So come, receive, and place Him first.

Drink deep of love and never thirst.

The bread consumed each day shall be

The strength you need to glory see.

Saturday

The waves that rock the boat may be

The things that help us clearly see

That God is in control, not me,

And only He can calm the sea.

We hear His voice to have no fear.

For Him, the shore is always near,

And if we trust, the Lord will lead

Through all the waves and fill our need.

4/4/21 Through 4/10/21

 4/4/21 Through 4/10/21

Sunday

To rise from dead, what does it mean?

No thing as this was ever seen.

The dead are gone to rise no more,

For that's the way it's been before.

But not that blessed Easter morn,

When women rose 'fore dawn to mourn,

And bless with spices on the head

Of One they crucified that's dead.

They found the angels there to tell,

And winding sheet, an empty shell.

A glory filled the empty tomb

Where Love had conquered doom and gloom.

One day we all shall rise like He,

So death where is your victory?

The Easter people clearly see

That Jesus sets the captives free.

Monday

Exalted at the Father's hand

The Spirit comes at His command.

The promised power from above

To live within the laws of love.

The courage for the small to speak. 

Wealth for poor, and strength for weak.

Help for all to understand,

And wisdom for the simple man.

Undeniably, it's true

These gifts he offers now to you.

Be like His Mother on this day,

And say, "Let it be done Your way."

Tuesday

It's true!  It's true!  Our Savior lives!

What joy His risen presence gives.

No more the pow'r of death shall reign.

The Lord has brought eternal gain.

Repent.  Repent, and be baptized.

Receive the Lord as bread disguised.

Confess your sins and be assured,

You're saved by what our Lord endured.

Wednesday

In breaking bread the veil was drawn,

Quite clear we saw Who rose at dawn.

The reason why our hearts did burn,

The One to whom we all must turn.

His words a fire sparked within

That kindled as we walked with Him.

Then every step would feed the blaze

As He explained and cleared the haze.

Our risen Savior, Christ the Lord,

Who on the Cross His life outpoured,

That men would see the pow'r of love,

And turn their hearts to God above.

His life and death a model be

For all of Christianity

To mold us in the image of

His glorious, self-giving love.

Thursday

Open our minds to understand.

Make clear to us what You have planned.

Give us the courage to answer, yes.

Send us Your Spirit to heal and bless.

Why do these questions in you arise?

Open your mind, and open your eyes.

All of the prophets have been fulfilled.

In Jesus the whole of the law distilled.

Children of Abraham, healed and blessed,

Repent and believe to pass the test.

Make of all men disciples of Christ

Pass on to them the Pearl highly priced.

Friday 

On the stone, a fire burning

In a boat, the men returning

Long the night without a yield

Until a one from shore appealed,

Cast the net to starboard side

And see if God does not provide.

A breakfast meal for you awaiting

Joy their hearts anticipating 

Jesus risen once again

Makes us fishers now of men

Bidding us to turn away

And start upon His chosen way. 

How true the pattern holds today,

We meet the risen Lord some way,

But fail to ever rearrange

Priorities and make a change.

We fall back to convenient ways

And back into the cloudy haze. 

But Jesus calls us out from there

To in His work of love to share. 

We too are called to work His field

To speak the truth and bear a yield   

To gather ripened crops within

And turn our nation back from sin. 

Friday Evening

The final three, a gift to me

How different life would be.

Without this love from God above

That plainly now I see.

 

So many thought, I trouble bought

Too old, they all were taught

But now they see this set me free

When truly they were not.

Saturday

Empty tomb there's no denying,

Cripple walking, rules defying.

Warned to keep His name taboo.

Ordered spread it on to you.

Who to follow and obey?

Who's the true uplifting way?

One who died and rose again,

Or wicked, jealous, sinful men?

The same dilema's here today.

They mock and hate the narrow way,

And try to cancel all that's true

By silencing the clearest view.

Boy or girl no longer mean

Objectively, what's plainly seen,

But pick a lie you'd like to live,

And then to all, your gender give.

The choice is ours, today as then,

To follow God or sinful men,

To walk the narrow way with Him,

Or follow every foolish whim

3/28/21 Through 4/3/21

 3/28/21 Through 4/3/21

Sunday

The Lord arrives to shouts of praise, 

With joyful hearts the people raise

An anthem for the King of kings.

Hosanna every child sings.

But oh what changes Jesus knew,

A traitor in his trusted few.

The scattered sheep denying him

In time of need, and fate so grim. 

The cries of praise and honor fade

As plans to kill the Christ are made.

Thirty silver coins the fare,

Of treason to a One so rare. 

The leaders stir the crowd toward blood

Shouts of, ”Crucify Him” flood

The court of Pilate coward lord,

Who right and justice left ignored.

He beat and scourged the innocent,

Attempting to their anger vent

Yet they demanded blood be shed

Their nemesis, at last, be dead.

And so He went to all dismay

The Via Dolorosa way,

To die upon that awful tree

For every sinner just like me.

In agony upon the wood

He spoke not as the others would,

But offered to forgive the wrong 

That all might to the good belong. 

And when He took His final breath

Accepting such a horrid death

The veil was torn so all could see

It’s true, the Son of God was He.  

Monday

A broken jar, a love outpoured. 

The cost of such an act ignored. 

To know and love the King of kings

More wealth and honor, service brings.

The house be filled with fine perfume,

A sweetness found in every room. 

For love’s aroma fills the air

If mercy and goodwill are there. 

Tuesday

One betrays, one denies

Nine others run away.

A Paltry sum of silver buys

The Son of God this day.

I see too often how I've been

Just like His chosen few.

A good game talked, but not one walked,

A coward on the crew.

Repent.  Man up, and do the right

When doing wrong is ease.

Be not afraid to face the fight,

When God alone you please.

Wednesday A

Betrayed in oh so many ways

Blinded by the murky haze

Help me to not a traitor be

When plans don’t line themselves with Thee.

Wednesday B

Dipped in the dish and given me,

How could this man through covers see?

I’ll force His hand to take control,

The time is ripe to reach the goal.

He doesn’t use His power well.

So easy, He could just compel

The  crowd’s to raise Him as their King, 

And power to our people bring.

He wastes His time on poor and lame,

There’s far more He was meant to gain.  

Such power could a victory win

And usher times of freedom in. 

He has no drive to get ahead

He cures the sick and raises dead. 

If He won’t change, My time is done. 

I’ll get my coins and then I’ll run. 

Thursday
Oh my Jesus there before me
washing feet of sinful men
Sinners all have gone before Thee
Sacrificing once again.

Theirs imperfect insufficient
Offered every year again
You the true and spotless victim
You the final Great Amen
 
Friday

First betrayed within a Garden,

Once again betrayed the King.

Here begins the path to pardon

Wickedness and evil's sting.

Struck the Shepherd, scattered sheep,

Denied the King of kings.

The band of evil-doers seek

Corrupt and heinous things.

Saturday

Recall the former days without Him.

Hope a far-off dream and dim.

Then He came, Divine enfleshing,

Every hope and dream refreshing.

Showing selfish greedy leaders

as the worthless bottom feeders.

Steeped in pride with wide phylacteries,

Nothing more than evil factories.

None before ere spoke as He, 

Such power and authority.

A welcoming to sinners all,

A loving and life-changing call.

But evil leaders had their way,

And snuffed this dawning light of day.

The Lamb of God, they scourged and crowned,

 And mocked Him as they gathered round

The Cross of Love, where lifted high

Our Jesus, Son of God would die.

Then placed a guard around the tomb

To guarantee His fateful doom.

And so this day we mourn about

The Light of Love that hate put out.

And wonder, will there ever be, 

Another brave and kind as He?

3/21/21 Through 3/27/21

 3/21/21 Through 3/27/21

Sunday

Perfection comes through suffering

A cleansing through our offering.

A washing from the guilt of sin

When steadfast Spirit dwells within.

The heart of stone be softened well

Become a place for God to dwell.

The grain implanted there within

Must die to let new life begin.

Preserve this life and lose it all,

Or answer to the Master's call.

Join in His suffering and pain

To share His everlasting gain.

Monday

Unrecognized, the sin I own.

To even me, at times unknown.

Ingrained so deep within my soul, 

No longer does the conscience toll.

Until I see upon the sand

The writing from His sacred hand.

Which pulls aside the hiding veil

Revealing just how much I fail.

Let me be one that Mercy finds

Repentant of the many kinds

Of selfishness and greed I know

Then says, "Get up. Forgiven, go."

I wish to sin no more towards He

Who's rescued and forgiven me.

Oh Grace supply my every need,

That to His voice, alone I heed.

Tuesday

When I look upon the cross

And see what price my sin has cost,

I wonder why He cares for me,

And ask more clear, my sin to see.

The poison from the serpent's bite

A cloak of darkness in the night.

No mercy shown the Sinless One,

Who, on the cross, our mercy won.

Once lifted high, the veil was torn,

And three days hence, on Easter morn

The Victor rose in glory then

The King of kings, and Great Amen!

Let me daily turn and see

That love will bring the victory,

And turning from the ways of sin, 

The best way to new life begin.

Wednesday

One God alone to be adored

Those manufactured, be abhorred.

For One can save and set us free,

But others bring iniquity.

The furnace may the faithful face,

But dead and true a better place,

Than living in a lie each day

Where to an evil one we pray.

The sons of Abraham should know

The One above from one below,

But in the lie, they choose to dwell,

And manufacture more of Hell.

Oh let me see with clarity

The Truth, and Way, and Life for me.

Grant courage when the view is bleak,

And give the word that's right to speak.

Thursday

Announced a long, long time ago,

The way the birth of Christ would go.

A Virgin pure and full of grace

Would bring our God to time and space.

The Savior of the world would take

Our form in flesh and journey make

To show how love can conquer death

When practiced to the final breath.

A yes to God we first must show

If we, His sacred Way would know.

Just like the Virgin Full of Grace,

His will for us we must embrace.

So speak to me, both here and now.

Your will be known, to me somehow.

Then with the grace that You supply

Your humble servant will comply.

Friday

For this time, and for this place,

Each one of us was born.

Despite the whisperings that trace

The path of those who mourn.

In my distress, I called the Lord,

He heard and answered me.

The flooded way I cannot ford,

He came and carried me.

Saturday

Behold,the end is drawing near.

The Pharisees in mortal fear

Of losing to the Roman band

Their nation and their sacred land.

They'd rather live subjected to 

Their pagan master than to You.

And so, they plot to kill their own

The One who spoke of love alone.

3/14/21 Through 3/20/21

 3/14/21 Through 3/20/21

Sunday

The Sabbaths lost must be retrieved,

No longer children, be deceived,

But listen when the prophet speaks,

And see yourself in his critiques.

When Moses lifted serpent high,

The people looked, but didn't die.

So too, the darkest hour of death, 

When lifted high, our saving breath.

So shine upon the cross your light,

Dispel the shadows of the night.

Prefer the loving light of day

To find the Life, and Truth, and Way.

Monday

It's faith, we need to see the signs.

It's faith, that through the darkness shines.

A trust in love that never ends,

A trust that on His word depends.

The miracles won't change the mind

Of those who choose to be so blind,

That love they fail to recognize

When right before their very eyes.

Tuesday

From the Temple water flows.

The Lord of all, all motives knows.

No need to wait on waters stirred

If we, the Master's voice have heard.

It's time to rise and walk upright,

To watch the demons all take flight

Who wish to keep us trapped in sin,

Who wish to our destruction win.

For water from the temple flows

And brings new life where ere it goes.

It waters trees that yield their fruit,

whose leaves can heal the blind and mute.

The water flowing from the side

Is mercy in a precious tide,

To cure the sick and raise the dead,

And keep His many children fed.

But we must wade within the flow

To all His tender mercies know.

And find within, His love Divine,

The source of life, our treasured Vine.

Wednesday

The babe and mother both have grown

Through time within the womb.

Distinct, but there together sewn,

A two-fold beauty bloom.

Could one forget the other so

All memory is gone,

Despite that many years ago,

Was quenched, the waking dawn?

The breast now longs to comfort give,

But none to suckle here.

The babe denied the chance to live

By selfishness and fear.

Though mothers may sometimes forget,

The Father never does.

His perfect love will this offset,

And right the wrong that was.

Thursday

Your word oh Lord, will guide my way

Not one forgotten, unfulfilled.

My light in darkness everyday,

The Rock upon my life I build.

The fruit of daily coming here

This tree may never know.

Like Promised Land afar off seen,

A glimpse, my Lord, please show.

Friday

Saint Joseph great protector,

So confident and pure,

On earth the great director,

To Christ, our Lord, mature.

The secret of Incarnate Word

Entrusted to your care.

Great honor on the earth deferred

For one so true and rare.

Obedience and trust your way

At every twist and turn.

His will you do without delay

And so, this honor earn.

The foster-father of our Lord,

A patron for all men.

A sacrificial love out-poured

Just like the Great Amen.

We call on you in time of need

In oh so many ways,

Then often you will far exceed,

And so, the soul amaze.

Saturday

No one ever spoke as He

Such power and authority!

With love the ever driving force

To stir within, a great remorse.

No scribe or Pharisee could show

Such love for ones they didn't know.

He touched the heart with every word

For those who listened well and heard.

3/7/21 Through 3/13/21

 3/7/21 Through 3/13/21

Sunday

If you are to prosper,

My word must be your guide.

For it will in you foster

The things to make you wise.

A foolishness to many,

A weakness to the strong,

But wisdom sure and plenty

To prove the fools are wrong.

Your word a trusted favor,

Each one a ray of light.

A morsel we must savor,

Through morning, noon, and night.

More precious than the purest gold,

No honey as so sweet.

Though spoken in the days of old,

A timeless need they meet.

Forever true, forever just,

Refreshing to the soul.

Your perfect law, if all would trust,

Would heal and make us whole.

Monday

The leper, Naaman restored

By Israel's unfailing Lord.

The pagan blest in time of need,

By simply paying rightful heed

To what was spoken in His name,

Unto this Syrian of fame

The Jordan seven times would see

The hopeful trust he placed in Thee.

We too must hearken to the word

That in our time is often heard.

Then we would find a healing too,

If we just listen well to you.

Tuesday

In the furnace fate befalling,

Thereupon His mercy calling.

Faithful in the final hour,

Rescued by His mighty power.

All who look upon the sight,

Marvel at His awesome might.

Cooling those amid the flame,

That call upon His sacred name.

Mercy be the gift He offers,

Treasure from His endless coffers.

We must too, such mercy give,

And learn our debtors to forgive.

Wednesday

No other people ever knew

A law so just as given you.

No law with wisdom such as Mine,

No nation given such a sign.

But you, My chosen ones so dear

Must live in faith and trust, not fear.

To you, I gave my great decree,

That you would learn to live in me.

In full conformance to My will

You'll find a Garden waiting still,

For one who listens, and obeys,

For one who daily kneels and prays.

The Maker, He alone is wise,

To send His Son, in flesh disguised.  

To blaze a path of love for man

That even simple understand.

Thursday

We listen not, and fail to hear

How in our midst, the Lord is near.

The signs are there in everyday

To lead us on the narrow way.

Yet we decide what tickles well

Our fancy and His word expel.

With hardened heart, we turn aback,

To all that's good, and faith attack.

How long until we see the light?

Will it forever be as night?

Or will the Son of Justice rise,

And put an end to wicked lies?

Be gone you demons of the day,

The King of kings is on His way,

And none can stand against His word,

Nor face Him when His anger's stirred.

For love has conquered evil now,

And stripped away the scales somehow,

To let us see the light of day,

And follow on that narrow way.

Friday

Idolatry we fail to see

This hidden trap for one like me.

When that which occupies the mind

Becomes a god of different kind.

A one which draws the mind away

To places where the soul will stray,

And let the creature take the place

Of mercy and His boundless grace.

Saturday

The Pharisee and Publican,

A story well that's known.

A one that's melancholic, and

A one with pride his tone.

I play the part of each at times.

I hate to say, it's true.

I fall into the paradigms

Of praising me, not You.

But deep within, You know me Lord,

No sin could ere conceal

Your love for me has struck a chord,

I beg of Thee to heal.

2/28/21 Through3/6/21

 2/28/21 Through 3/6/21

Sunday

Offered there upon the mountain

Lord of life and mercy's fountain.

If a One like this is for us,

Who on earth could be against us?

Monday

Mercy.  Mercy.  Mercy, Lord.

Your justice, I cannot afford.

So many times I've strayed from You

To do the wicked things I do.

But mercy gives me hope of gain

Instead of everlasting pain.

Mercy is our great reward,

If mercy was by us outpoured.

So let me see not just the sin,

But that which lies much deeper in.

A work of art that You have made,

A one for whom, the price You paid.

Let love be that which moves my soul,

And likeness to Your Son my goal.

So when my day of judgment nears,

Your mercy overwhelms my fears.

Tuesday

The evil one the sword consumes.

For those in darkness, fire looms.

But those willing to obey,

Will white as snow, be made someday.

The orphan and the widow's plea

Must never be ignored by thee.

Make right the wrong, and turn about.

Give praise to God, and be devout.

The upright and the faithful see

That when their praise is offered, He

Will saving hand extend to all.

Who hear and hearken to His call.

Wednesday

So high above, Your ways, oh Lord,

I cannot comprehend.

My love is limited and toward

A carnal, earthly end.

But You transcend the mind of man,

So temporal and so small,

And show us that a true man can

Be risen from the fall.

Regardless of the evil here,

If we obey Your will,

The Kingdom, we will find is near,

And with us ever still.

Thursday

Trust in One who made the skies,

Not wealth or fame, or Satan's lies.

For that eternal land, we strive

Where love and truth, and peace will thrive.

Where roots stretch deep to running stream,

And through the drought, the leaves stay green.

Where poor and humble find their rest,

And faithful souls are richly blest.

The lava waste, no place to be.

That salt and empty earth, you see,

May promise pleasure, wealth, and fame,

But leads to everlasting flame.

Lord, cleanse my heart and probe my mind.

Shine Your light where I am blind.

Drive the selfishness from me,

That one with You, and saints I'd be.

Friday

He expects from you a harvest,

Rightfully His honest due.

Speak the word to those the farthest,

That they know what quickens you.

Be one faithful through the sorrow,

One who listens and obeys.

See His vict'ry on the morrow,

He will answer one who prays.

Though their plan is only evil,

God, in time, will have His way.

In the midst of great upheaval,

Listen well, and then obey.

Be patient for He's in control,

His word shall be achieved.

The faithful one He will console.

Redress for those aggrieved.

Saturday

The fool knows not of what could be

If service were the route for he.

Enamored by the things of flesh

That never will the soul refresh.

Tis grace to overlook the wrong.

Compassion be our fruitful song.

For joy is found when sin repents,

But wickedness, the joy resents.

Forgiveness is that special key

That must become our specialty.

For as we do, for us shall be,

And mercy then, we too shall see.

2/21/21 Through 2/27/21

 2/21/21 Through 2/27/21

Sunday

There within the desert land

Once stood a Garden God had planned,

Where juicy fruits, abundant grew,

And gentle breeze at evening blew.

Till evil came in serpent form

Convincing man to not conform

To the will of his Creator,

Thinking he could be much greater.

But was lost that fateful day

The walk with God in cool of day.

The bountied Garden God had planned

Then became a desert land.

Till one more perfect than the first

Endured the desert's heat and thirst,

Was tempted there for forty days,

But gave not into evil ways.

The Garden once again did grow

When on the cross did Jesus show

The depth of love God has for man,

And how to conquer sin we can.

The key is love, not pride and greed.

Each act of kindness plants a seed

To there in desert lands renew

The Garden that the man once knew.

Monday

This chair I've seen and hold in awe,

For in this holy chair I saw,

The link in this unbroken chain

That will on earth, His church sustain.

A man, it's true, like other men,

But one the world looks to when

The faith is challenged to be firm,

And teach so all the faithful learn.

A one to lead in truth each day

To search for lost, and rescue stray.

A one to challenge status quo,

And lead us to our Lord to know.

Tuesday

Lord in this world of emptiness

Please send Your word to heal and bless.

Bring about your will today

In all I do and all I say

Grant me sorrow for my sin,

Repentance to new life begin,

Forgiveness for those hurting me,

That also they would be set free.

Help me pray, Your will in mind

For there it is that I will find

What satisfies and truly feeds

My soul and answers all my needs.

Wednesday

The Ninevites in sackcloth came

Repenting of their evil fame,

And God our great forgiving Lord,

Repentant grace on them outpoured.

We too must turn, and then obey

If we expect to find our way

To peace and true repentant joy

Then ne'er again our faults employ.

I've seen myself quite clear before

If I, His gentle call ignore.

Before too long I fall to sin

And then a downward slope begin.

But if I humbly lend an ear

Each day in quiet time I hear

A word to guide my steps that day

And place me on a better way.

So listen up and do as told

Then see what blessing will unfold.

No act of love without reward,

You'll find your peace of mind restored.

Thursday

Ask and it will given be.

His promise made to you and me.

Though darkness looms at every turn,

He calls us to our faith return.

Make time to listen and obey

The only plan to know the way,

For humble must the servant be

To see His hand is helping thee.

Within the smallest simple ways

Throughout the ordinary days,

And also where we do not see,

In grander ways He answers thee.

So trust and lose not heart in He

Who made the land, and made the sea.

His wisdom far exceeds your own,

Your job is just to make Him known.

The rest, His hand with mercy guides.

His patient love for all provides.

Remember death is on its way,

And choose the straight and narrow way.

Friday

Repent! Repent! Repent, and see

How short His memory can be.

For if we turn away from sin

Our hope of life beyond will win.

Remembered not, our guilty ways,

But only that we've turned to praise.

And likewise if, to sin, we stray,

All righteous deeds are thrown away.

So steadfast be, and persevere.

We know not if the end is near,

But only that His mercy waits,

For this, our sacred scripture states.

Saturday

For enemies, we love and pray

That they might also, find their way.

And turn from evil ways that harm

To find the Master's love and charm.

The greatest evil ever done

Resulted in salvation won,

Our Christ who loved to bitter end,

Showed the way for sin to mend.

The spiral stopped the day He died,

And when He rose, the eyes were dried.

For Love was shown the Victor clear,

And gone were days of useless fear.

Oh, would that I remember this

When at the edge of the abyss.

No evil force can conquer me

When purest Love has set me free.