6/27/21 Through 7/3/21

 6/27/21 Through 7/3/21

Sunday

All life is in the Master's hand,

He issues breath at His command.

The trials that we face each day

Will guide our path along the way.

So many times we've heard it said,

"Give up the useless fear and dread."

Trust in Him whose touch can heal,

And to the Lord, make your appeal.

The One who fashioned every soul

Has died and rose to make men whole.

Death is gone and over-powered.

From the cross, His grace is showered.

To One alone all praise is due,

The One who died and rose for you.

The Author of the life you live

All praise and honor we must give.

Monday

As scarlet though our many sins,

His patient love the vict'ry wins.

He spares the wicked for the good

And takes their place upon the wood.

May no excuse delay reply,

Or cause the will to go awry.

The time is now that we decide

To answer yes, or go and hide.

Let me not in words alone

Assent to what the Son has shown,

But let my will be formed as Thine

And ever light within me shine.

Tuesday

Unworthy servants though we be,

The Lord has chosen you and me.

To make disciples of all men

And turn them towards their God again.

For all have talents given thee

To help the blind to clearly see.

To pass along the faith to all

In answer to the Master's call.

Wednesday

The spirit world I fail to see,

But angels watching over me

Have saved me many times from sin

Inviting evil demons in.

I see in retrospect the ways

My angel guards, protects, and saves.

I see as well when flesh has won,

In all the evil things I've done.

Lord, drive the demons far away

And clear the room for You to stay.

Let Your angel be my guide

And keep me ever at Your side.

Forgive the wrong that I have done.

Cleanse my soul, let it become

Your dwelling place forevermore

With peace and love its greatest store.

Thursday

"Rise and walk." He says to me.

All thy sins forgiven thee.

Take your mat and carry home

The faithful joy that now you own.

No greater gift than being free

Of all the sins that cripple me.

Anger, pride, and boastful greed,

Are those on which the flesh will feed.

But if we're taught to love and learn,

Somehow we see and then discern

That right before our very eyes

Is God within a flesh disguise.

At Mass it happens every time

They consecrate the bread and wine.

Sins forgiven, hearts made new,

Hard to fathom, yet but true.

Friday

He came not for the righteous one,

But came to make a sinner son.

That all with Christ, a brother be,

And all their sinfulness would see.

With empty hands we stand before

The One we worship and adore.

With sins as scarlet, bright and full,

The blood of Jesus makes as wool.

.

In death the source of life is found.

With love, the power of sin is bound.

We must the way of mercy learn

As to the cross, in shame we turn.

No thing we offer is our own.

For all to us is but a loan,

A talent that we must invest

To praise the One our lips confessed.

Saturday

"My Lord and God." as Thomas said,

In truth, You're risen from the dead!

No power on earth can hold You down,

You are True God of great renown.

My fingers probe Your sacred hands.

My heart receives what Yours commands.

A love that's full, entire, complete,

A love the world cannot defeat.

Your side where blood and water flowed,

To all mankind, Your mercy showed.

Your heart of love afire within

Forgiveness brings my heart of sin.

6/20/21 Through 6/26/21

 6/20/21 Through 6/26/21

Sunday

He whom wind and water stills,

With grace and mercy, Spirit fills.

The awesome God of things above,

Is God of wisdom, truth, and love.

No need to fear on stormy days,

A word from Him will calm the waves.

And bring ashore to quiet rest,

The trusting souls so richly blessed.

Monday

The plank or beam that hinders me

Is pride that blocks what I can see.

What feeds the flesh, is all it knows,

And given rein, will lead to woes.

For ages long, the saints have tried

To tame this selfish, boastful, pride.

Not one has conquered every time,

Save She who bore the King Divine.

Oh Mary, spotless, virgin, pure,

Plead for me and thus secure

The grace to see myself as least,

And find my way to heaven's feast.

Tuesday

Destruction's road is clear and wide,

Inviting to the eye.

But those who take this road decide

To narrow way pass by.

To leave behind the sacrifice

And hope for better days,

Rejecting now, the Lord's advice

To follow in His ways.

The narrow way of self-control,

And seeing others' need

Is how we reach our final goal,

 To love like Him indeed.

Wednesday

What fruit is borne upon this tree?

The question to be asked of me.

The question too, for everyone

Who walks beneath the shining sun.

One day accounts will all be drawn

And nothing left to draw upon,

Except for fruit that each has grown

Throughout their life by what was sown.

The tree that bore the greatest fruit,

A cross once thought of ill-repute

That bore a Saving Sacrifice

Who, resurrected, paid the price.

So too, good fruit, we bear each day

By what we freely give away,

And how our love reflects the Son,

Who on the cross, salvation won.

Thursday

John the greatest born of woman

Paved the way of God to man.

Voice in wilderness a crying,

He to self was always dying.

Both prophet and the saving Son

In simple loving ways have won

The hearts of those that long to see

The Lord of all eternity.

Friday

No laughing matter, death or sin.

One from without, one from within.

As leprosy, the flesh destroys,

Our sin a likewise tack employs.

Each day another bit decays,

Our health is lost in tiny ways

That all combine to show our need

For healing from our selfish greed.

A word from Love addressed to me

Could heal and set this sinner free.

Lord, if it is within Your will,

Please cleanse me of this dreadful ill.

Saturday

You pass me by throughout the day,

Though rarely offered, "Come and stay.",

And when your word is spoken true,

I laugh it off as nothing new.

So crass, the chosen ones can be

That what's in front they fail to see.

While those despised will see and know,

Then find the gifts that you bestow.

6/13/21 Through 6/19/21

 6/13/21 Through 6/19/21

Sunday 

Plant Your seed Lord deep within.

Keep my heart and soul from sin.

Help me bear much fruit for Thee,

A meek and pliant, docile, tree.

May I give both shade and rest

To every traveler and guest.

That all may know it was your seed

Which made this lowly one succeed.

One day I'll stand alone on trial,

With no excuse or thin denial

To cover what in truth I've been,

A man that's far too close to sin.

But You can trim the boastful bough

And make it one of love somehow,

Despite its sin and ill pursuit,

That, in the end, would bear much fruit.

Monday

An eye for eye, or tooth for tooth,

No longer rules the day.

For Jesus showed the way, in truth,

To listen and obey.

To hear the Father calling now

Responding every time,

To yield and let His love allow

To break the paradigm.

To all the world, to be absurd,

A fool in many ways.

The least of all to be preferred, 

But joyful all our days.

The Spirit comes as peace and fire,

As wind and morning dew.

To quench a thirst and set afire

A love in me and you.

So yield when ere the chance arrives

To love a little more.

The Paraclete will change the lives

Of those who will explore.

Tuesday

I stand in awe of how You love,

And ask the same of me.

So far the way of God above,

What mortal eye can see.

A love for all, those bad and good

Despite their sinful way.

A love to imitate we should

For enemies each day.

Wednesday

Forgetting of the self is hard,

No matter what I do.

My time with You is often scarred

With thoughts of me, not You.

Myself so much, I like to see

In always rosy light,

But then it is, it comes to me,

I cower in the fight.

The peace and joy surrounding You

Comes not the least from me,

But when my gaze is long and true,

It's You alone I see.

I wish to get, and not to give,

To find the easy way,

And look beyond the ones who live

In poverty each day.

My eyes be cleared, dear Lord, I pray, 

And ears be opened wide,

To see my chance to love each day,

And do away with pride.

But whence it comes, I'll never know.

For then I'll only see

It's God alone who makes things grow,

And nothing comes from me.

Thursday

He came, the Father, to reveal,

The deaf and blind to also heal.

That all might see what God had planned

And listen well to understand.

His kingdom here on earth can be

Akin to our eternity.

Where love supreme, eternal, reigns,

Or one of everlasting pains.

If we would trust the Father's love

Our world would be as that above,

But if we think we better know,

The world we get is one below.

So feed upon His daily bread

The flesh and blood by which we're fed.

Forgive and find the peace beyond

Alas, as heav'n on earth has dawned.

Friday

No treasure but the Lord alone,

Conflicted by the things I own.

What end will all the chattel be,

To glory Him, or glory me?

If the former, carry on,

But if the latter, then be gone.

All the stores accomplish naught

If hoarding things is what is sought.

The talent loaned must be repaid

With interest by the things it made.

A buried coin will bring no gain,

But only poverty and shame.

Saturday

In my weakness strength appears.

In the quiet humble ears

Hear the voice of One who saves,

And raises dead from lonely graves.

The thorn that points to all I need

Is given to my pride impede,

And show that grace has ample clout

To conquer every fear or doubt.

The birds without a barn or store

Have all they need and plenty more.

The flowers in their bright array

Are finely dressed for every day.

So rest assured, the Father knows

Of all you need, in all your woes.

With grace you more than just survive,

With grace, you flourish, bloom, and thrive.

6/6/21 Through 6/12/21

 6/6/21 Through 6/12/21

Sunday

Each day I feed upon the bread.

His body and his blood, it's said.

So many fail to see it's true,

And call it just remembering You.

But I know well that's not the case.

I take each morn this gift of grace

To change this sinful heart of mine,

And turn it into one like Thine.

No simple bit of bread, I know

Could make the soul to melt and glow,

With faithful trust and love so pure,

To forge a bond with You secure.

Monday

Beatitudes encouraging

To live a counter way.

By faithful living them you're waging

Peace for each new day.

Far easier to say than do,

And follow down a road

That travelled every wind that blew

by passing every load.

A struggle's good, this word asserts.

Reward will come to those

Who suffer many kinds of hurts,

But always love have chose.

Tuesday

A city set atop a hill,

The one who seeks the Father's will.

A lamp placed high to light the way,

The one to listen, and obey.

No turning back from whence you came

When you profess the Savior's name.

So feed the flame, and flavor well

The works of God, of which you tell.

The dark will fight to overcome,

But love will not be overrun.

The cross will shine as bright as day,

And guide the faithful on their way.

So pray to God for courage men,

Turn not to darkness once again.

Lift high the lamp and show the way,

And flavor well the words you say.

Wednesday

Your laws, Oh Lord, are just and true.

I pray they govern all I do.

The fool alone will go astray,

And try to blaze another way.

Within your law we dwell secure,

With heart and mind remaining pure,

But in the selfish ways beguiled

The stray will find himself defiled.

To know Your law we must obey,

Our following illumes the way,

And opens always deeper still

New vistas of Your holy will.

Thursday

Forgiveness is the answer now

To reconcile the world somehow.

No peace can come with grudges firm,

But in forgiveness all will learn.

To look upon the cross and see

What Jesus Christ has done for we

Who call upon His name each day,

And let His love show us the way.

Friday

Oh holy lance that pierced His side,

The point of which did then divide

The walls of love and mercy wide,

Inviting all to come inside.

As blood and water freely flowed,

His depth of love and mercy showed.

No torment He would not endure

To peace and love, for man secure.

In truth, the Son of God, was He,

Whose heart was pierced to rescue me.

Whose blood and water covers men

Who fail, but turn to Him again.

Such love the pen cannot describe: 

The hands, the feet, the open side.

Where stripes of healing love abound,

With thorns of mercy, Love is crowned.

Enthrone in me a heart as Thine,

And make my will with Yours align.

Pierce me through and mingle there

My heart with Thine of love so fair.

Saturday

Oh heart of Mary, pure as gold,

Virgin blest that we behold

All the prophesies you heard

And pondered in your heart occurred.

Docile, trusting, you became

Virgin of most blessed fame.

Pierced by seven swords of sorrow,

Always trusting on the morrow.

Filled with grace from your beginning

Never cross, or ever sinning.

No more than on His word depend,

One faithful to the bitter end.

5/30/21 Through 6/5/21

 5/30/21 Through 6/5/21

Sunday

Triune God beyond all-knowing,

Everloving, ever-growing,

Words fall short of Thee describing,

Love unmeasured, Thee prescribing.

When before was ever known,

A god with people all his own,

Who speaks to them in varied ways,

And guides their steps throughout the days?

No other like our God above

Displays such wisdom, truth, and love.

So listen well, and then obey,

And walk amid the light of day.

Monday

What joy the Visitation brings,

The heart of younger Mary sings,

"My soul proclaims Your greatness Lord,"

Upon Your servant, grace outpoured.

Two miracles within the womb,

Each heart must now prepare them room.

One as herald, One as King.

They both a docile spirit bring.

That searches for the Father's will,

And strives to every word fulfill.

Those holy women point the way,

And bid us follow all you say.

Though far above what mind conceives

Grant blessings for one who believes,

And trusts that when the Spirit leads,

No matter where, He also feeds

Tuesday

Lord, You who open eyes to see

Remove what scales have blinded me.

Dispel the darkness I have made,

Forgive my role in evil played.

Your word disarms the treacherous

And opens eyes for most of us

To see how far we've strayed from good,

And help us walk the way we should.

So speak to me in varied ways

That I may hear throughout my days,

Your voice that says, "Come follow Me."

With open eyes that clearly see.

Wednesday

Oh Lord, how foolish I have been

To seek my joy through ways of sin.

To think I know what's best for me,

Refusing to, Your pathway see.

Your way involves some pain at times,

Caused mostly by my sinful crimes.

But lead me closer yet to Thee,

And clearer to Your pathway see.

The martyrdom we face each day

Becomes our light and guiding way

To find, at last, the restful place

Of peace and love that's filled with grace.

Don't think that life is empty waste.

Each burden, and each trial faced

He uses here to heal the blind,

And help them to, the pathway find.

Embrace the trial, look beyond,

And see what joy the cross has spawned.

Your crosses too, will lead to joy,

If you, His way of love, employ.

Thursday

The marriage bed a sacred place,

A cherished point of love's embrace.

Not one of greed and selfish lust,

But place of prayer and Godly trust.

The love that's shared is meant to bond,

And take them to a place beyond

The physical embrace of love,

And closer to their God above.

Friday

Twas He who scourged me, this I know,

That mercy, to me, He would show.

That eyes be opened there and then

To never doubt His love again.

I know beyond a single doubt,

What He prescribes will all work out,

And somehow in the end I'll see,

If even now, I blinded be.

Saturday

The angel said to freely give

That those less fortunate may live.

Almsgiving tied with righteousness,

What all believers should possess.

Far better here to give away,

Than growing stores for rainy day.

For all, at last, will face the end

Where none on riches can depend.

But love and charity will store.

They last for time and evermore,

And bring a joy both now and then,

For sure to God, and also men.

5/23/21 Through 5/29/21

 5/23/21 Through 5/29/21

Sunday

In the ancient days of old

Your fire made disciples bold.

You gave them tongues that all would hear, 

And know the God of love was near.

"New wine they've had", the people said.

This talk of rising from the dead.

But as they listened, hearts were changed

Priorities were rearranged.

Three thousand on that blessed day

Would come to follow on the way

Of Jesus Christ, the saving Lord

Whose Spirit now has been outpoured.

This day as well we need that gift

To warm the heart and spirits lift,

To grant us courage from above,

To speak in wisdom, truth, and love.

Renew, oh Lord, the cloudy mind.

Let all souls, repentance find.

That in the light of this new day,

We all would follow in Your way.

Monday

Eve anew in Mother Mary

Virgin pure and undefiled

Brought to us a Saving Victim

In her tender little child.

"Yes", she answered at each bidding

From the day that she conceived.

Any selfish thought forbidding,

Offering all she received.

At the cross, her heart was sharing

All the torments of her Son.

From the cross our Lord declaring

She our mother, we her son.

Look for tender mercies from her.

Feed upon her loving breast.

Find in her your needed succor,

Guide upon your earthly quest.

Tuesday

Come not here as empty-handed

With no offering to show.

Bring your sacrifice expanded,

So your depth of love I know.

For all you have, I've given you,

This gift of life as well.

So hold not back in what you do,

And of My favors tell.

Not one who's given all to Me 

Has ever known regret.

For each and every time they see,

The more they give, they get.

Outdone in generosity

I never once have been.

So bring your every gift to me,

And turn away from sin.

Wednesday

Eternity cannot make known

The wonders of our God.

A drop amid the ocean depth,

Or grain on beaches broad.

How silly seem the worries here,

When He is in control.

At times He seems so far away,

When there within our soul.

He speaks to man in clearest word

That plainly now we see,

But when it came at first we were

Perplexed by mystery.

So trust is that we're called to give

In every time and place.

No matter what may come our way,

His holy will embrace.

And you will find the cup you drink

Akin to that of His

And then, at last, will come to know

The only God that is.

Thursday

So much, dear Lord, I want to see.

Creation's wonders dark to me.

Though eyes be open, darkness reigns,

And on my soul, be sinful stains.

But you, dear Lord, please pity me,

And shine Your light that I may see

The stumbling blocks along the way,

And follow every word You say.

Friday

Look and see if fruit is there.

Examine branches, find them bare.

Drive away the dead revealed

Who fail, providing not a yield.

The Master looks for fruit in all.

For sure the great. No less, the small.

But finding none, the Master grieves, 

And curses those with only leaves.

So be the tree producing much

With loving words, and works of such.

No matter what the season be,

Become a lush, well-fruited tree.

Obey in all the things you do,

But search for ways of loving too.

Turn not away from this pursuit,

The cross-shaped tree, has always fruit.

Saturday

In search of wisdom every day,

I wake each morn to read and pray.

To mine from scripture, more than gold,

And pearls of wisdom to behold.

There each morn, I find a gem,

An endless, great supply of them.

A word to meet my need each day,

And spur my heart to further pray.

To contemplate His many words,

Or glory in the song of birds.

So many ways to sing His praise,

And let Him set my heart ablaze.

Grant my King, and great Defender,

Show all men Your light and splendor.

Scales remove that cloud the vision,

Walls remove that cause division.

Let me bear a Light for Nations,

Steadfast still, despite vexations.

Laboring to help the Artist

Gather in abundant harvest.

5/16/12 Through 5/22/21

 Sunday

Let another take his place

Be filled with zeal and holy grace

The one that chose to fall away

Has gone along destruction's way.

How sad the loss of even one,

Rejecting all that God has done.

When pride consumes the will of man

We see just where the fall began.

"I will not serve." the damned all chose.

Save me from being one of those,

And let the love of Jesus show

The way for me to always go.

Monday

Holy Spirit be my guide,

Remain forever at my side.

May I always trust in You,

And let You make my heart anew.

Banish all my fear and shame,

Lord make me bold to speak Your name.

Set a fire in those who hear,

Then help them all to persevere.

Before His death, He claimed to win

His earthly battle over sin.

And scattered sheep we all would be,

Who from the enemy would flee.

But He that battled to the end

The promised Spirit He would send.

To make us all afresh and new

And heralds of the good and true.

Tuesday

Now I leave with calm assurance

Knowing that I've done my best.

Teaching you with all endurance

How to pass the final test.

Around the house at work or play,

In public, or within the home

There Jesus Christ was shown the Way,

No matter where we chose to roam.

So take what you received and go

Bring forth in life anew

That progeny of ours would know

A clear and perfect view.

Of Christ in everything you do

The reason we are here,

The excellence they see in you 

Will prove that God is near.

Wednesday

One in spirit, mind and body,

No more those, so rich and haughty.

One in love, with Him united,

To the Father's house invited.

We must claim our fond ambition

Following our intuition.

Listening and then obeying,

Daily to our Father praying.

Trusting Him through trial united,

Still we travel on excited

That beyond remains unsighted,

In the Father's love delighted.

Thursday

The resurrection of the dead,

The hope on which our zeal is fed,

Is that which fuels the fire of love,

And sets our eyes on God above.

For only if the life beyond

In truth and love will correspond

To how He prayed, that we be one,

Can mortal souls on earth be won.

So short the sight of sinful man

The problem since the world began.

But love can lift the veil for these,

And show them how the Lord to please.

Friday

Do you love Me?  Lambs be fed.

Do you love Me?  Tend My sheep.

Follow where your Master led,

In His path your footsteps keep.

Time will come when you are made

A witness in the cross's shade.

But follow Me and you will see

The glory of that loving tree.

No promise here, a life of ease,

This call upon the will

The keeper of the Kingdom keys,

They too will want to kill.

But love has conquered sin and death

My presence here can prove.

So love until your dying breath,

And every sin remove.

.Saturday

All your concern is follow Me,

And through the trials, you will see

That those who persevere will know

I lead you in the way to go.

A guide for every step you take

Or sacrifice, for love, you make.

For there you'll find the peace I give

If this is how you choose to live.

Fear not the grief that comes each day,

I've conquered sin in every way.

A resurrection you will see,

If you but choose to follow Me.

5/9/21 Through 5/15/21

 5/9/21 Through 5/15/21

Sunday

Oh Holy Spirit, come again,

To all us weak and sinful men.

Kindle in our hearts anew,

Loving fire and thirst for you.

May cold and empty souls be filled,

And practice well what God has willed.

Open eyes and loose the tongue,

Let the praise of God be sung.

Show me Lord, what needs to change,

The things I need to rearrange.

Conform me to your holy will,

And love for all, in me instill.

Monday

Why think this life a life of ease? 

For history with each life agrees.

The Spirit comes to testify

Preparing faithful ones to die.

For trials come to those who love

Who set their eyes on land above,

Who serve their neighbor with the truth,

Who care for old, and teach the youth.

Quite clear I taught, so you should know

This way of Mine that you should go,

Is not for those with weakened knees, 

But those who wish their Lord to please.

True love is giving all I own

To make the love of Christ be known.

That all may see Him lifted high,

And nevermore, His love deny.

Tuesday

Paul and Silas in the prison,

Claiming Christ had truly risen.

Then amid the songs of praise,

A trembling earth, the Lord did raise.

Fetters gone, and prisoners free

A frightened jailor rose to see,

But what he found was truth that night,

And brought his family to the light.

The Spirit will such wonders do

For all who place their trust in You,

And risk the honor here of men

To praise and honor God again.

Wednesday

Oh Holy Spirit, gentle, kind,

Come and fill this heart of mine.

Inspire in me the words of love

That set the mind on things above.

The One who gives both life and breath,

The One who conquers sin and death,

We grope to find, though near at hand, 

If we but let the mind expand.

To see the wonders all around

Wherein the Father's hand is found,

And follow well what Jesus said,

Who now is risen from the dead.

O Gentle Breeze of Wisdom's word,

Help me to practice what I've heard.

And stay close by me, Life and Breath

On through the hour of my death.

That one day with the saints of old

I may not be one dead and cold,

But one alive to always raise

My voice in endless songs of praise.

Thursday

One lifted up beyond the sky,

The One who on the cross did die,

He goes to show the way of man

Who follows well the Master's plan.

A place prepared for every soul

A place of rest our final goal.

A vision shared to help us be

One steadfast in pursuit of Thee.

When trials come and death awaits,

In weakness when our strength abates,

This vision to the life beyond

Will be the hope in us that's dawned.

Friday

By lot, the title fell to me,

Matthias, who was meant to be

Replacement in the traitor's place

Who turned his back to light and grace.

A lot of joy, though trials faced,

A life of love, in mercy graced.

A privilege of the highest scale,

Compared to which all others pale.

To give a life to preach the word

Until all those on earth have heard,

To show the pagans truth and light,

And lift the veil of darkest night.

Saturday

Father, now in Jesus' name

I beg the gift for which He came.

To know Your depth of love for me,

And through the eyes of faith to see.

The Lord of all the earth and sky

Is One on whom we should rely.

No other love apart from Thee

Can still the soul and set me free.

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.