Month: February 2015

2015.02.08: standard of the cross

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Mk 1:35

you could have stayed and revelled in the fame
you could have stayed and made your family happy
it would have been easy to turn rock into food
it would have been easy to fly from the parapet
it would have been easy to become ruler of the world

instead
you came to meet me in my deserted place
you came to teach me to pray
you came to be the way to our Father
you came to carry the cross and die for me
you came so that i could have abundant life

all i can do is say thank you and yes
i will pick up my cross and follow your standard
remain with me always, Lord

2015.02.07: heart of God

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. Mk 6:34

when i pledged you my heart
you didn’t tell me that it would be this way
you didn’t tell me that i would look into the eyes of the lost
you didn’t tell me that i would hear the silence of desperation
you didn’t tell me that i would smell the odor of the unwashed
you didn’t tell me that i would taste the bitterness of being wrongly judged
you didn’t tell me that i would feel the track of my tears
you didn’t tell me that my heart would be moved with pity
you didn’t tell me that my soul would well up with compassion
you didn’t tell me that i would love the sinner in myself
teach, my Shepherd, i’m listening
i know your voice and i will follow

2015.02.06: the Living God

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Heb 13:8

Jesus,
your resurrection has changed everything
in you the Law was fulfilled
with you the Covenant is consummated,
forever sealed with the blood of the immortal Lamb
Justice is transformed with Mercy
Truth is transcended by Love
the Kingdom of God has come
our Father’s will is done on earth
hallowed be his name
you have forgiven me my sins
i am humbled that you have entered under my roof
walk with me always, Lord
teach me to forgive those who hurt me
lead me not into temptation
but deliver me from evil
Jesus, you are the Way to the Father
i will follow you from Death into Life

2015.02.05: end of the journey

He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts.Mk 6:8

Moses was sent to Egypt with a staff
the Disciples were sent with walking sticks

we begin this journey with not a thing
we will end this journey with not a thing

when we are at the gates of the city of God
what treasure can we offer for admittance

will the Mediator help us off our knees
will He turn his back as we have done to others

will the first time we lean on the walking stick
be the only time we have to stand on our own

we begin this journey with nothing
will we end this journey with nothing