long4h2o

2015.07.27: where oh where?

Reflection for Cycle B readings of Monday of 17th Week of Ordinary Time:
Reading 1 Ex 32:15-24, 30-34
Gospel Mt 13:31-35

where oh where are you, Lord?
2000 years after your appearance
the mustard seeds aren’t planted
the birds of the field wander far
the yeast is kept from the flour
we eat unleavened journey bread
and are still wandering in the desert
far from home we worship gold and war

are we in the time of Moses?
are we in the time of Jesus?

where oh where are you, Lord?
your shepherds have scattered your flock
dividing them among themselves
like the soldiers casting for your garments
even the Church have many princes
and they speak against the chosen one
they weigh truth vs love and justice vs mercy
as if it’s a matter of either or and not both

shine your face again on us oh Lord
soften the soil of our hearts for planting
turn our prayers into the yeast of compassion
let us be the power of your love

2015.07.26: i am enough

“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” – Jn 6:9

help me to remember
all that i have
all that i am
came from you
the source of all

let me be the child
who gives what he has
without hesitation
not judging the merits
of the gift you’ve given
but trusting in faith
that you will do the rest

remind me
that i am enough
when i choose
to allow you to act
through me

2015.07.25: earthen vessels

We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. – 2 Cor 4:7

we are earthen vessels
molded from dust and water
sometimes air dried
sometimes fired
in the kiln of the world

we sit empty
until the power of God
flows into us

even then
we are still useless
until we’re tipped over
to spill the treasure
or broken open
to reveal His power

2015.07.24: little flower pot

“Hear then the parable of the sower.” – Mt 13:18

there are days
when the seeds fall on rich soil
becoming fruitful and productive
but more days than not
the seeds fall on the path
or on the rocky ground
or among the thorns
destined to be wasted
but don’t despair or give up
keep praying to our loving father
for with one small breath
from the Holy Spirit
the seeds will be moved
to the hungry soil
even in a small pot
on a upper balcony
and the rain falls
on the good and the bad
thus the Kingdom of God
will come to all who persevere

2015.07.23: blessed am i

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom. – Mt 11:25

blessed am i
to sit every morning
in the presence of the Lord
and listen to him explain
the mysteries of his kingdom:

with his tears
he opened my eyes
so that i may see

with his breath
he touched my ears
so that i may hear

with his blood
he softened my heart
so that i may love
as he has loved

blessed am i
a little one